I think the problem here is the existence of Mt Gox itself. It seems like creating a centralized exchange for a currency that does not yet have a real economy

I think the problem here is the existence of Mt Gox itself. It seems like creating a centralized exchange for a currency that does not yet have a real economy associated with it - and which has been hyped by the internet meme machine - is just asking for the currency to become the victim of wild speculation. Especially when the exchange is just a spot market - speculation in futures and options wouldn't undermine the viability of the currency as an actual means of exchange in the way that this situation will.