and maybe we can attribute some of that bitcoin bullishness to the various alt coin (aka shitcoin) pumps? [...]
It seems more prudent to speak about 'major network' with first mover advantage (Bitcoin) versus smaller networks as potential runner ups because different features and more flexibility (aka altcoins). LTC is an excellent example of potential runner up with recent Segwit implementation (talk about high risk/reward right now compared to Bitcoin developer's deadlock....).
The term 'shitcoin' only reveals irrelevant bias.
The term "shitcoin" suggests that a large majority of them are pump and dumps with little to no current value - even though they may have a large number of theoretical (and possibly later) actual implementations that contribute to the crypto space.
They are largely riding off the coat tails of bitcoin, but it is likely also, that bitcoin profits from the large amount of money that they seem to be attracting into the space with a large number of scams, while at the same time having some innovations too (in theory).
So, the term "shitcoin" likely fits pretty well (especially when we are in a "bitcoin" thread), to summarize and to refer to the impact of the various alts, even if the reality of the reference comes off as a bit denigrating.
Edit: By the way, you seem to be referring to Bitcoin as some kind of unfair - first mover advantage, as if bitcoin is somehow not very valuable and as if the imitation pump and dumps have some kind of similar and equivalent value - which frequently is how a lot of the alt pumpers like to refer to bitcoin.. to act as if bitcoin is not contributing much of anything, and it just happens to be in front because it started first...
What a bunch of bullshit!!!!
Let's think about it. There is something to the invention that bitcoin brings to the table and that is proof of work and solving of the byzantine general's problem... This had NEVER been accomplished previously. It is not that bitcoin just happens to be some kind of thing that no one else thought of, it is the implementation of several years that caused the imitations from various other cryptos.. Some of those other cryptos are adding value to the space, but a large majority are not - except for the fact that they may be drawing attention to the space and maybe bringing people into the space who would not otherwise have gotten into the space.