He is essentially being "promoted" to Chief Scientist to work on Bitcoin's mid to long term challenges, namely transaction pruning.
Exactly. This move actually strengthens Bitcoin in my view. We need someone with Gavin's experience focused more on macro thinking than micro details.
My favorite analogy for the task of core developers pushing Bitcoin code changes is it's like working on a 747 going hundreds of miles per hour. Make too big a mistake and the whole thing could crash and burn (or at least scare the hell out of the passengers). When Bitcoin was small it really needed hands on production to allow things to take off. Satoshi, Gavin and the core devs did a great job of that. Aside from some minor bumps the project has been a great success, claiming a multi-billion dollar market cap with all signs pointing to major investment funds lining up.
The stakes are higher for real world Bitcoin implementation issues now. There is no turning back and there is more pressure to get things right the first time. A better title for this post might be: Gavin Andresen
Switches Focus from Lead Developer.
At the same time, the community can be introduced more publicly to Wladimir van der Laan.
Think of it like a brilliant family doctor you've been going to for years. He solved your problems easily and you trusted him completely. One day you walk in to see a fresh new face. Your doctor explains this is a hand picked hot shot out of med school taking over while the doctor transitions away from direct patient activity, to spend time reviewing medical journals, finding cures for cancer, that sort of thing. He makes it clear he's still available should he personally be needed, and you might see him time to time. He leaves you and the new doctor with his phone number. This situation IMO is a win for everyone involved.
