I think Bitcoins can and are succeeding, but the ecosystem requires commitment at this early stage of the game. Putting up a couple of CPU/GPU machines will not generate much of anything other then the possible satiation of academic curiosity. There is nothing wrong with this but I think it is a fallacious conclusion to say that Bitcoins wont succeed based on this type of limited exposure.
Based on what I have seen from the Euro crisis and the deflation of the dollar, I think the world may be ready for Bitcoin.
I think that banks and big financial player won't give up the market without defending there monopoly.
the dieing film and music industries shows how to do it on an other battleground.
let's see, how lobbyists will try to impact politics to defend there business.
hopefully they'll be heard to late.