Ban me now please.
no freaking way. nope, nope, nope. you're gold on this topic.
so my thoughts, not that anyone cares, is that it's marketing. 29er are killing it. people love them and are running from 26" wheels like santa from the sun. so what now? well, market a new wheel size, that's what. ramp up production, push new products, spin new spin.
this is not to say that i don't think there's a place for it, in fact i think i'd love a 650b FS...i'm also fairly sure i stated that just after the internet was invented. or at least a year ago.
anyway, yeah, there are benefits (as jay has mentioned) so it'll be interesting. lou will be recovered just in time to hop on the band wagon.