I really could care less about the speed and cost of transactions. I have a feeling as time progresses if your blockchain isn't instant and almost free (a few cents for transactions isn't bad, unless it's for apps with hundreds of transactions a day) it's going to fall to the wayside because I think both Bitcoin and Ethereum will eventually come up with native or third party solutions.
I keep coming back to Steem for the infrastructure (Dapps) being built and the community. Those are the 2 from your posts that will set apart those that survive the future and those that don't (appart from those that also solve everyday problems).