Since it's all from the DAO, I don't think there's any chance of an alternative payment currency - not even TRX.

No, not even if you know that only about a dozen users will notice that something is happening (the others write diaries or learn...).

That also made me wonder if people are so apathetic and oblivious to what's happening outside of their Steemit Education that there won't be enough people to vote for it this time!

Although in reality, if rme, upvu and steemchiller vote then it'll probably have enough again! And that's before all of my other wonderful friends vote for it!