You have my attention.  Try not to **** it up.

I believe that the next widespread use of Bitcoin will be for sports betting on the internet.  That will produce a broader user base, more press coverage, and a higher price.

The sports betting is already taking place.  The speed, lower cost, and relative anonymity of using Bitcoins for it will be made obvious soon.  Like SR, only with even more appeal to the public.

The loss rate of "early" Bitcoins was probably greater than the current loss rate. 

Is the suggestion something like a 6 month PoW phase, followed by an 18 month phase shared by PoW and Bergstake (with the ratio based on the amount of capitalization or a fixed schedule), followed by Bergstake?

 

May you live in interesting times.

Quantity has a quality all its own.

The application that will fuel the next wave of the public acceptance of Bitcoin is sports betting.  The Bitcoin versions may become more popular than using "bookies" or government sponsored betting.  Even people who do not bet on sports will become aware of its advantages.

I believe that sports betting has the potential to greatly increase the use of Bitcoin among U.S. consumers.

And I have never placed a sports bet.

The rate of Bitcoin adoption could also be increased if the wallets were made more interactive.  Streaming transactions inspired by http://blockchain.info/ and charts that show the amount of Bitcoin transactions over the previous day or week.  And of course some links to a few purchase options.

Get the wallets on their computers.  Encourage people to think and dream.

Having a Bitcoin wallet can establish an emotional connection between a person and Bitcoin.  It can lead them to think and to dream.  It can plant a seed.

Most wallets are free, easy and quick to download.  There is no other equivalent first step for Bitcoin adoption with a better return on investment.

You can't win if you don't play.

Free Advertising:
Million dollar <fill in the blank> being sold -- for Bitcoin

There is one step that is known to make it more "likely" that a U.S. consumer will purchase and use Bitcoins.

• Motivate them to download a Bitcoin wallet.

Like watching paint dry. 

Which plan would benefit the acceptance of Bitcoin more?

• Give every person on a Caribbean Island some Bitcoins
• Use the same amount of Bitcoins and announce that it will be randomly given to one new Bitcoin wallet address on the blockchain that contains a minimum balance (anywhere in the world) during a specified one year period.

The first option is primarily a spectator sport.  The second option encourages and rewards downloads of Bitcoin wallets, and funding them.

The process of replacement is proceeding at different rates for different denominations of currency.  But the trend is of more news stories, greater public awareness, more merchant acceptance, higher value, and less price volatility.  These trends will continue.  The toothpaste cannot be put back in the tube.

Fabienne: Whose motorcycle is this?

Butch: It's a chopper, baby.

Fabienne: Whose chopper is this?

Butch: It's Zed's.

Fabienne: Who's Zed?

Butch: Zed's dead, baby. Zed's dead.

Deflationary Bitcoin is the alternative to inflationary fiat currency.

Bitcoin deflation inforced by cryptography.  Fiat inflation fueled by politicians seeking votes and continued power.

I see many negative reviews for AliExpress.  So I doubt that I will ever use it.

I have purchased from Chinese eBay sellers many times, and it has always been a good deal.

Most video surveillance cameras are visible, but unnoticed.  Criminals are often unaware that they are being recorded.

For a Bitcoin face2face transaction, in addition to the other methods described in this thread, consider suggesting that both parties to the transaction face the surveillance camera (Starbucks, etc.) for 15 seconds before proceeding.  That should increase the deterrent value.

There are some people who would not want to do that, for legitimate reasons, so use your own judgement before proceeding.