"Miners are the guardians of the public trust"
A quote that I opined that got picked up in a syndicated news article entitled "Bitcoin Transitioning from Obscurity to Commonplace" a few months back.
http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_25202113/bitcoin-transitioning-from-obscurity-commonplaceThe problem with Bitcoin is that it's super hard to explain WHAT it is, let alone how its made or made safe -- and the incentive to participate in the mining network.
By combining a screen-saver linked to a user selected pro-social cause that receives any bits of coin -- I *think* we have a compelling enough reason for people participate in the crypto-currency economies.
In other words Bitcoin goes Mainstream when your mom can mine to help spay/neuter some of the cats that will eventually lead to her being known as "that crazy cat lady" ;-P