Using SC, bitcoin can adapt ANY feature instantly. Bitcoin can test this feature in sandbox (SC) and make result
a) must to have -> feature is implemented
b) nice to have -> let's wait we will see latter, SC works good
c) scam -> feature RIP
It is one of 1,000 ... advantages of SC
that's right. sidechains are essentially a laboratory of innovation akin to altcoins but supported by and supporting Bitcoin's network effect
I see this as an attempt at creating altcoins and Bitcoin 2.0 contracts, by leveraging the existing Bitcoin network.
Bitcoin's support grows by increasing it's network effect, it's network effect grows by investing and storing value in the ledger.
Bitcoin is not supported when one grows value elsewhere leveraging the existing value of the network.
There are more effective ways to innovate and they should be explored if they fail come back in 3 to 5 years and let's consider SC then.