I would be much more impressed if people who raised this point also suggested a fairer way of distributing the coins.

It is difficult to tell if they think the fundamental concept of bitcoin is bad or if they just have sour grapes because they aren't an early adopter.

But while we are at it, why shouldn't early adopters profit?, they took a risk early on.

And actually if you ask me I think the minting system is pretty good, mining costs electricity, while many miners are surely hoarding and speculating they all have to pay their electricity bill on a fairly regular basis.

This ensures there is always someone somewhere selling bitcoins and increases the liquidity of the market.