I would play a permadeath server from time to time. It'd be a fun change of pace even if the game wasn't at all readjusted to balance. I think despite all the naysayers here, there'd probably be a decent number of people that would play it on the side as well, whether for bragging rights or whatever.

Not sure why so many people are so loud spoken against the idea. If SE has the extra resources to pull this off, then it would be a nice optional server to join. It's not like people are going to be forced or tricked into playing a permadeath server.