I have already said it but I'd like to insist a bit and to repeat it.   Bitcoin doesn't need to go mainstream to be efficient and to fullfill its purpose.    Currently the bitcoin project only needs one thing:  an efficient bridge towards the current financiary system.


We need a "bitcoin friendly" bank.   Basically a conventional bank that would be aware of bitcoins and would offer  automatic conversion via exchange market, using nothing but your VISA card (possibly in conjonction with a smartphone).



In such a bank you could, if you want, not store any significative amount of national currency, nor bitcoins.   When you want to buy something in a store, you use your bank smartcard, and during the transaction process, your bank automatically converts some bitcoins you've just sent into the necessary amount of national currency you need.



With this, we don't even need to promote bitcoin and to convince millions of non-geeky people to use bitcoins.   And it's a good thing, because otherwise it would be hopeless.

We should never rely on other people's smartness to do things.


IMHO



PS.  I think the guys from MtGox are currently working on something like that.