Minor quibble: The potential [of Bitcoin] is known. The degree to which that potential will end up being realized, and the timetable, is the unknown.
I have to disagree. We could have never imagined the uses cases the Internet brought to us in the 90's and even early 2k. Even Bitcoin can be considered an extension of the Internet.
It is therefore very hard to judge Bitcoin's potential, especially at this stage.
Bitcoin's like email in its early days. Nobody knows its potential in another 20 years (especially central bankers).

+2 WOsmerits One for post and one for compelling meme.
Id give you real ones but out like everyone else it seems.