I'm not saying mine is a great example, especially with the current state of the technology. If I had a fool proof example I'd be building it!
I think the thing they offer is the potential for great efficiency and thus lower cost and also a lower barrier to entry for systems that require trust.
What I'm most optimistic about is the next phase - how can we scale this and then what can we build on top to further practical use? That's a more interesting discussion than dismissing it all together.
Bitcoin introduced the blockchain and some good ideas about how it could be used. Ethereum ran with some of those ideas. There's even more ideas on how this can expanded we'll maybe see in a few years.
I think the thing they offer is the potential for great efficiency and thus lower cost and also a lower barrier to entry for systems that require trust.
What I'm most optimistic about is the next phase - how can we scale this and then what can we build on top to further practical use? That's a more interesting discussion than dismissing it all together.
Bitcoin introduced the blockchain and some good ideas about how it could be used. Ethereum ran with some of those ideas. There's even more ideas on how this can expanded we'll maybe see in a few years.