Well OP, it's interesting the way you think.

I neither cared too much about basic stats, nor gear with extra effects.
(Dont get me wrong, they are nice, but im just as ok w/o them.)

You asked 4 questions, and all of them ask the same thing. "What does it adjust?"
Which I further took as "What does it change?"

I dont think that way, instead I find stats interesting, under the conditions;
1) How do they improve my gameplay?
2) How do they improve my rotations?
3) How do they improve my capability?
4) How do they improve/fit my character identity?

If it doesnt do these things, the stat isnt interesting.

If it does, then it's interesting.

if it doesnt improve, but merely "changes" then its up for debate if its good/neutral/bad. (Which will be judged solely on the prior 4 things I said, which was kinda pointless)