To me this type of thing is the biggest indicator that Ethereum is the right path going forward.
Because their programming language builds in support for systems like this with smart contracts. And also Ethereum is tackling scaling and microtransactions head on with major upgrades to their core.
But the foremost problem is really payment processing. Next problems come "next" so to say.
Think of a Swiss Army Knife. Just because it can act as a fork, as a knife, as a spoon, (and so on): nor restaurants will present consumers with Swiss Army Knifes, nor consumers would appreciate it. Sometimes the direct and relatively simple is indeed more suitable/needed. Depends on the domain, sure..
which, in this case, I think it's really "actual payment" problem (not contracts etc).
We were specifically talking about Patreon, could you please clarify why that would need a smart contract? I don't see it. I see how you would perhaps in some complicated convoluted way to implement the whole platform on a smart contract, but at that point (if we are going that route, without having a central website at all) - what is the point of using contracts at all? It is way more complicated than just publishing a bitcoin address on creator's website and be done with it. People already think that is complicated, imagine what they would be saying about "smart contracts".
Patreon does not have a limitation of a funding goal usually, it just sends all the funds directly to the creator. It's not like kickstarter.
Why do you need smart contracts (besides the additional transaction types that Bitcoin provides) to implement a Patreon? Why can't the website just redistribute funds, if it is going to be centralized already? (It has to be hosted somewhere, handle user support etc.) What specific functions would you need from a smart contract there? I honestly don't see any.
So the funds go to one contract address, and the contract distributes them to another address (of the content creator)? What is the point, that is just money transfer, it could be done with bitcoin donation address (and in fact is done that way currently by many creators successfully).
until there is a digital currency that is the only digital currency and not everyone can just make a new digital currency then there won't be any 'real' digital currencies that will stand the test of time.
Because their programming language builds in support for systems like this with smart contracts. And also Ethereum is tackling scaling and microtransactions head on with major upgrades to their core.