We are about 8 hours (burnside estimate) to 13 hours (litecoinpool estimate) away from a difficulty readjustment.
Will we see another large jump in the network hash rate yet again?
How long do you think this trend will continue?
Of course network hash rate is going to jump way up when LTC mining gives someone $8.50 a day vs $5 a day for BTC.....
I'd say this thread will continue until asics come out... at which time mining is REALLY going to go wonky in a way in which makes the halving look like a joke. THat is when the "find an alt coin or shut down" will be the ONLY choice verses continue mining BTC at just a little lower income rate.