Yes, I think that there is a lot of potential gains to be found in increasing efficiency. We waste a great deal of resources for no gain. Crypto and the way it can potentially aid the development of technology that will need trustless and decentralised computing/verification/identification will be a central part (I hope) of this revolution.

Like you said, a mix of centralisation and decentralisation is ideal. Effective decentralisation is really in it's infancy at the moment. Interesting times ahead!