A lot of people got arrested for creating their own currencies back in the day, so some pessisim should have been expected. So, be honest.. would you have reacted any different if it was you back then?
No, on that time I would think it was just an internal currency to be used by internet forum members, secret societies and virtual antisocial young groups. How could people know bitcoin would be adopted by big investors and speculators on the next years?
I think that was the secret of success for bitcoin: it started without much noise, without awakening the attention of banks and governments, otherwise bitcoin could be destroyed on its beginning.