I'm in Bitcoin more than just for profit. What if what they say about LN trending towards centralization (and therefore government interference and control) comes true? What if BCH does live up to its promise of achieving massive on-chain scalability with low fees within the next few years? These are possibilities I take into account. I used to be a hard core maximalist, but I have changed my stance. It's much more than just bitcoin now, a whole industry is forming. I believe ICOs do have value. They offer anyone in the world a chance to invest in projects they believe in. I don't collect tokens, but there are many projects I respect and are trying to improve the world.
Really? Very simple 4 question litmus test:
1) Expain to me, what makes bitcoin decentralized?
2) Why did Segwit 2.0 attack fail on bitcoin?
3) Lightning network, convince me how it is contrary to what you earlier said, free from government interference - explanation? Take a stab, play devils advocate. (tip: talk routing)
4) Why is it, even since 2013, the hundreds of most 'established' altcoins after years, are not nearly as secure nor decentralized as bitcoin?
Simple four questions.
Your point seems to be that first mover advantage is everything. I agree, when comparing Bitcoin to alt coins. But I don't consider forks of Bitcoin as alt coins. I see them as different implementations trying to reach the same goal.
I have no idea if LN will be free of goverment interference or not. Maybe some countries will force all Bitcoin transactions through government controlled nodes and sending freely on chain would be illegal (enforced by deep packet inspection). I don't think anyone really knows how LN will end up. I hold Bitcoin forks to hedge against the possibility of LN becoming a failure.