Is it a backwards incentive? If it was a suitcase of cash wouldn't the incentive and story be the same?

No, because a suitcase of cash would not be spiraling upward in "value" as scads of hucksters all jabbered to each other that "cash is the future", and "you're still early, get in now"

Luddite.

We need a cash/credit alternative, and it’s currently our best shot.

Bitcoin is so far now from being used as cash. It WAS our best shot.