Thanks for your thoughtful response.

Regarding the lack of backup options for LN channels, this is definitely a real problem. I think people will bring forth solutions for this, but they will always require a certain level of compromise. Like this one.

It’s definitely possible that it detaches itself to some extent from Bitcoin. But the reality is that either side can close the channel — so staying offchain for extended periods would take mutual agreement from both parties. Also, the way channels work would restrict the ability to just have one main independent channel. They would need to connect to everybody you wanted to connect with. It’s more likely I think that we see a collection of multiple hubs that route transactions. This is already more decentralized than a single, extremely large channel.