While I agree that having a URL that you can read is better, I think 'relegated forever to the sphere of computerish heiroglyphics that normal people will always ignore' is a little strong. In Japan they've been using them for nigh on a decade and general 'non-technical' population are perfectly comfortable with them.
Domain names and paths are shocking heiroglyphics, but some weird square with static in it that means nothing at all to a human at first glance is comfy and familiar? I disagree.. I see a lot more URLs out there than QR codes, and just about anyone is okay with typing them in (albeit to google).
