In my 8th year in the crypto world, I have always remained steadfast.

Why are smart people still committed to the crypto industry instead of AI?
Because AI is productivity; it is a production tool.
The core of crypto is the relations of production.
Textbooks might tell you:
Productivity determines relations of production.
In reality, as individuals gain more life experience, highly wise people will eventually awaken and realize that:
Relations of production are a higher dimension than productivity. Good relations of production are the source of human progress. Only with healthy collaborative relations can there be significant development in productivity.
The brilliance of crypto will only be temporarily obscured. One day, the attention that has been lost will return to crypto, seeking refuge and meaning.