You'll have to try mining by using https://github.com/maaku/webminer -- an optimized C++ implementation of the CPU miner. The reference implementation in python is just too slow at this point.

There are many centralized systems out there. Not everything is about decentralization. For users that need high levels of decentralization, running your own bitcoin node is great. Not everyone is going to run their own bitcoin node or even understand what that means.

At the same time, there are HUNDREDS of millions of users around the world that use centralized systems every single day not because they are forced to but because they want to. The trusted model is far from dead.

Exploring e-cash concepts is definitely one of my priorities. Webcash is intended to be a very simple payment system. Also people seem to be having fun as miners!