BTC and alts are all basically just variations on a concept that will eventually be consoliated into a underlying technology that forms the backbone of web 3.0. Like you said its all new and its all pretty well shit from a investment stand point I mean timing the markets is not really the industry being valuable its just you knowing how to trade an asset.
I do think that theres a big future in this tech and we have to go through all these teething problems, try out variations of these concepts many of these alts will be the betamax, HD DVD, Nokia Smartphone of this generation and just fade into obscurity but all of it helped push us towards the devices we know and love today
I know it doesnt seem like theres reason to it now but it will all make sense in the end.
It's just one big waiting game where our moves of today will pave the path of tomorrow for us all. I'm hoping that means me and you, bud. :)