this is all very well and good,
but
for bitcoin,the main advantage except for it's network effet,is it's stability and avoidance of any substantial change unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary or there is an absolute consensus in it's desirability.
I think every other path of increasing scalability should be explored and exhausted before a change in the protocol is even considered...
to use the coffee analogy, I know of many chains(Iboth in food and in retail) that had over-extended,and, by branching out too quickly brought about their own financial ruin..