I consider this segment extremely positive news. The content and opinions of the commentators are irrelevant. They just spent 5 minutes talking about Bitcoin on one of the most watched TV shows in the US. Intelligent people will be asking themselves questions and Googling Bitcoin. The rest? Who cares! They'll follow in time like late adopters always do...
here's what the public gets
blah blah blah blah bitcoin blah blah blah bitcoin.
bitcoin enters consciousness. blah blah blah is forgotten
Both QFT.
Colbert brought Adam on for a reason, he knew that Adam would be dismissive and he also knows that Adam is paid to speak at Bankster conferences by JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, BoA and the like.
Colbert is obviously somewhat pro-bitcoin but didn't want to appear to fanboyish/pushing a bubble by having a totally pro-bitcoin guy on. Plus, that wouldn't be anywhere near as funny or entertaining - it would be
informative, and people don't watch the Colbert Report to get preached at about sound money, they watch it to be entertained. Go Colbert for throwing in some Bitcoin coverage - in fact I think having a negative guest is better than a positive. A positive guest might be more likely to have people reject it automatically "too good to be true, must be ponzi" whereas a negative guest will have people think a little bit...