Yea self custody lightning has gotten a lot easier, especially for just making regular payments like with apps Zeus, Breez, Phoenix. For receiving asynchronous payments though, the complexity is still too high for a lot of people.

I wouldn't completely discount ecash. The privacy thing you know about, but I think it is a big deal for those that value it. The second thing is that ecash token can bridge network mediums. I can give you a token via radio, qr, cassette, etc... But you are ultimately correct in that the lightning network require nodes. Nodes are decentralized subway stations and node operators build their tunnels to their liking. You need access to the subway though. And there will always be just 2 choices. Use your own station, or someone else's. You should really listen to that episode I did, it just came out and it's long so I understand. But I really had you in mind with some of the questions I was asking Juraj.