...do you think the powers that be will ever come up with something that has you questioning BTC's viability?
The "viability" of the Bitcoin concept is now beyond question - given the upcoming presence of IBM, Intel and others.TPTB will most certainly come up with a completely regulated, transparent, traceable, taxable, crypto economy that will give you - maybe - $200 for your Bitcoin once they've created their own version.
Bitcoin will not go back to $1000 usd. That ship has sailed. Cheers to the early birds. We are now, officially, in business-as-usual.