You're silver as promised and now have a year (approximately for the pedants) to get gold. This is how it has always been up to now. Yes it is going to change and the changes have been announced along with the dates the changes will take effect.

BA arent motivating people not to travel. Some who care more about status and miles may amend their plans based around their changes but as has been said this will be a small number of individuals with flexible plans. These probably aren't huge revenue earning pax for BA.

If you need to fly then fly. If you want to collect miles and points then do. If you don't, then don't. You haven't been hard done by. You just weren't clear on the rules.