40k would be great. i just think for that to happen, we need more places that accepts them, so the average joe, can see a day to day use of them. and not just see them as something that will make them rich.
I think there use as a speculative vehicle will significantly outweigh their "intended use" for some time. I think this is an inevitable property of the way they are being introduced. There has to be a transfer of wealth (as an abstract concept, i.e. BTC have to become worth something in the minds of people) and for this to happen they must be valuable in terms of existing currency.
This establishment of value is what will drive infrastructure growth. I think its a symbiotic relationship. It seems to be progressing ok imho.
Actually we need people to spend some bitcoins to stimulate the bitcoin economy. And I don't mean just buying Overstock items (where the bitcoins get transferred directly into dollars) but also buying from merchants who will actually store and use the bitcoins themselves. It is very important this evolves. It might sound like a ludicrous idea but perhaps creating a petition asking the top 1000 - 10,000 Bitcoin owners to go an a major publicised spending spree.
I think it is time for the big players to spend spend spend and everyone else to HODL!
