It allows for the dynamic block size and provides more incentive for mining (network security). Also, I don't think it will affect available supply since people lose access to coins by forgetting passwords, not making backups, they die without telling anyone their password, etc. I'm embarrassed to say it but I "laundered" a USB key through my washer and dryer and it destroyed everything on the USB, including Monero info. In the case of AlphaBay, an unknown amount of Monero is now gone forever, but I'm assuming it's a nontrivial amount.
Hmmm, haven't even considered this. Yes, that could be an issue. But still, that just makes the remaining coins that much more valuable, right?
Sure, that's true. But I think the tail emission will balance out the lost coins. How much of a balance, I don't know, and we can't know because Monero is truly private.
Another question:
(I'm full of these today jeez...)
Basically I've been talking on the Verge thread and people over there say that what Verge has over Monero is it's IP privacy.
Would this be considered a fair statement?
Verge uses I2P and Tor to hide the origination of the transmission. But its blockchain is open and transparent like Bitcoin's. For example, here's a Verge address: DGjVzyPaKMBiwzWoQyVsEAD2YLT5xoht9z. Or pick any Verge address. Go to a Verge blockchain explorer like
https://prohashing.com/explorer/Verge/ and enter a Verge address and you'll see its balance (in this case, 73,328.33900000 / $240.534). That's not private.
So Verge is just like a Bitcoin transaction over TOR.
With Monero, nobody can know your balance. Try putting in a Monero address in a blockchain explorer and see for yourself. And here's a fun link:
http://moneroblocks.info/richlistSo, Monero is much more private. And, you can make Monero transactions over TOR and I2P if you want to, or go to a public wifi spot to hide your real IP. Plus, Monero will soon have baked-in I2P with its Kovri I2P router.
So you're saying that the lightning network creates a security hole? 
