For those of us who grew up in the 80's and play 1e/2e - we are reaching the point where even if we don't like the new rules, we need some familiarity with them in order to communicate with the world wide D&D community. Otherwise we will end up like a group of old codgers at a Home, sitting on a porch watching the gamers go by and complaining about things being better in our day (We has THAC0 and we like it!)
I was at a Con the other day talking with a young man who was a D&D gamer. He and I discussed being a DM and he told me he had been a DM since he was 7. When I told him I had been a DM since 83, he was shocked and said quietly "...dude, that's the year I was born."
If it wasn't for WoTC obvious cash grab of multiple books and editions, I'd probably go out and buy 4e to read up on them. As it is, I'm turning to Cortex now, which is a good system adaptable for anything.
I'm blogging a bit here, aren't I? See! I'm hip!