I understand you are worried about people being more spread out, which is why I addressed it in the very first post. If someone does not wish to be a hermit, no problem, jump on global, make a friend, get together and do a little dance if you like.
From what I saw tonight, and granted I haven't done the whole map by any stretch yet but still... I'm finding pretty much what I found quite a while ago. Dead totems, some not nearly built up at all, serving as place holders for players who left long ago. I don't think that makes sense in a breathing, living game. That's all I'm saying.
I also understand you are concerned about the "old" players, which is why I also addressed that in my very first post. Let me address it again, but differently.
I bought Eve many, many years ago. The game has changed so much since then that when I happen to stop in, much of my gear is ridiculously antiquated. Can I complain about that? Not in my opinion no. I left the game, it was my choice to do so, there are consequences to the choice I made. No regrets, but no expectation that I am going to hold the eve server hostage in any way because I once bought the game. What if I get an email from CCP saying they are going to purge my account because I haven't been a paying subscriber in so long? Simple, I'd have to decide if holding on to that gear is worth renewing my subscription, or if I'm just going to start over should I fall in love with the game again down the road. My decision within their defined consequences. That makes sense to me, perhaps only me, but nonetheless.
In the original star wars, there were eventually many, many dead towns and empty houses. It looked absolutely ridiculous. It was depressing. I wasn't at all upset to log in and find my belongings packaged up and my spot gone. It would have been unreasonable to believe the game should not change or grow or adapt upon my departure.
I am not suggesting "old" players should be alienated, but I am suggesting "old" players should be adult enough to realize that when they leave a game, they forfeit certain rights that paying players have. Those rights are subject to change even for paying players. That's in every single TOS out there. All things are subject to change.
As I said in my first post, I used to believe the new lands should be saved for future expansion when needed. I suggested a rapid decay because it sounded like advertising was imminent and if many people come check it out in the current landscape, it will be much like standing in old star wars servers that only prove there was once life and everyone left. That is not good for any game.
Sometimes people will disagree with you. That's okay. It doesn't mean you're wrong, it doesn't mean they are wrong, it just means we disagree. No biggie since no player is in any more of an authoritative position as any other. We all put forth our points of view, and let those with their mortgage riding on it make the decision in the end.
ps. I also found many, many improvements that I really like but unrelated to the discussion at hand. Perhaps worth another thread noting the positive changes from the point of view of a returning player at some point when I've learned more.