The current state of the bitcoin network is very disappointing to be honest and also say the least, but then, I do not think bitcoin has failed or is failing as a payment method.
L2 version of the bitcoin network exists for a reason, and that is to handle the micro payments of bitcoin, but the issue right now is that, many are yet to start using it, most don't even know that such facility exists for bitcoin, which is, instead of transaction on the L1 bitcoin network and paying exorbitant fees, one can easily use the lightening network to enjoy cheap and faster bitcoin transfers globally.
It's time we start looking at the L2 bitcoin network as a possibly solution to the high transaction fees on the main bitcoin network, or better still, avoid bitcoin transaction at the moment pending when the network returns to being cheap and stable again.