it represents a genuine alternative to the old system. Most people are in it for the gains and the potential
to make a quick buck or to multiply their (often very small) investment in speculative endeavors
like ICOs.
No, I disagree.
Young people are inherently open to new ideas; they are psychologically inclined to do so (because they themselves are new, young people often reject old things in favour of the new subconsciously), and their minds are typically more flexible to learn and accept new concepts also. Sure there are speculators amongst the young too, but they're far more likely to get involved with Bitcoin ideologically than the old.
I agree that young people have more flexible minds.
However, you have to see that many young people didn´t show any interest in
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies when it was trading for 100 $ in 2013 and just
entered the scene when mainstream media started reporting the huge BTC price gains.
Bitcoin was already a brilliant alternative to the traditional financial system in 2009-2016.
The technology hasn´t even changed that much apart from a few minor tweaks like
Segwit.