Ripple is something new. It offers unique features and in comblination with bitcoin can be a really powerfull currency system. It's a really advanced platform and could have a great future.
I don't like systems based in centralisation as well but ripple takes it much further than most "centralized and heavily owned currencies" as you mention do.
How can something have a great future when its majority owned by so few people. Look at the drop in price this has caused and he hasn't even started selling yet. I'm failing to see what unique features over ride that glaring negative point.