I think ripple will be a very important "lesson" in the future. If Ripple takes over bitcoin in popularity, then we will understand that our wish to be free is just talk. It will mean that the wish for freedom is weaker than the desire to be free of responsibilities. Weaker than the desire to make a quick profit in short-term pleasure followed by a long-term pain. If we keep on gravitating towards centralized and oppressive systems, then perhaps this is who we are. The blockchain does not allow us to blame anyone for choosing the complex type of slavery Ripple could impose on us in the future. No one is forcing us to favour ripple. We all do this. I would have some limitation in life and would say something like "Only if I didn't have that limitation, I would do *******". Then a magical being comes around and says "It is gone! Go do the *******". Then i say "Well.....it is a full moon and I don't like the way the ****** looks on moon light. I will wait for the moon to change and then I will do it. ". Then there is more and more excuses and I fear that this is what most of us will do with this new kind of freedom and responsibility.