Like Adrian-s and cypherdoc, I do not think we NEED side chains for Bitcoin to succeed, so I like a cautious approach. It is more important to do it right, than it is to do it.
I don't either, and my investment in BTC is not dependent on whether or not they will succeed as, as much as I disagree with cypherdoc, I do recognize the enormous potential if it can only achieve the status of a universal store-of-value and replace gold.
In some way this changes everything but I also see a potential for this immutable ledger to achieve much more.