The initial demand might be irrational exuberance.  The timeline is nuanced, even down to [the 5 minute interval](https://steemit.com/steem/@contentjunkie/why-ned-transferred-100k-steem-to-poloniex-minutes-before-today-s-announcement).  It's impossible to determine if any one aspect of the changes caused the excitement.  But I do think the changes to the interest rate and powerdown rate is probably the biggest cause.

Personally, I'm happy most about the powerdown change, but not because I want to power down.  I want all of the "weak hands" to exit as soon as possible.  After that, I'd be fine if the powerdown went back to 2 years, for all I care.

So I do not plan on powering down.  But I guess you never really know, you know?