If we don't build something better than lightning soon, bitcoin will forever just be a play thing for the rich, a way for blackrock to earn fees and fix absolutely nothing
Discussion
I believe a lot will come down to where and how Bitcoin is lawful and practical to spend and receive as a medium of value in the future, regardless of what layer. Improving UX and usability for common payments (like "cash") can help adoption and how more of society can shape governing policies, but it seems to me to be only one of many factors in the above.
A big part of the "how" in my statement is the ability to self custody. Lightning Network has a long way to go in UX for that ability, and perhaps a better layer 2+ implementation will come. So, the point of your note is well taken. Yet, our votes, voice, and resistance to policies matter too. Europe's policies against self custody wallets is very concerning.
Lightning's fundamental design around interactivity and htlcs make it impossible to improve UX to such a point that it overcomes that force closures, stuck payments and borked channels... Which all require advanced knowledge and risking loss of funds
Why would anyone risk losing their Bitcoin when they can just use a credit card?
I'm hopeful that AI can help us easily all run LSP nodes over private networks and the free Internet. That possible scenario offers us hope.
another mutually exclusive scenario is that financial credit, including credit card payments and even banking in general, and our freedoms will become legally dependent on social "credit" scoring.
it's already playing out in some large, centrally governed nations today
tried to zap you but...