I think the massive levels of dissatisfaction and obvious downward trend in participation is justification enough to reverse these recent changes. It's really good that so many people are voicing their concerns, and often, because there's at least a very slim chance that SE will actually take note of the problems and do something sensible about them. Yes, I'm being wildly optimistic on both of those counts, but it's a start.

As people have said, the fact that so many weird and convoluted systems need to be put into place to shore up this item level horror is testament to its weaknesses. Item levels and vertical progression are the cause of the myriad new problems in XI, NOT the solution, and until the game has been righteously purified of them there's no real way to move forward.

I am certain our community reps have already passed on our feelings on the matter, but I would ask them not to give up. SE needs to understand how unhappy people are about this.