Hi.
I had a very interesting idea today.
I think it would be possible to make a bootloader that just automatically loads firmware from the memorystick. Let's say, when the r-trigger is pressed while booting it shows a recovery menu like the OE-firmware one, and additional configuration, like default booted firmware or the ability to run a program under the 1.5 kernel.
It should avoid bricks as it would have to be flashed only once, let's say the bootloader would only include the very first bootstrap parts, and after they are completed the firmware should be loaded from the memorystick. Optionally, it could be possible to choose in the bootloader menu whether a certain firmware always should be booted or if a list with available firmwares should appear.