I think it's fine to take aspects of FFXI and bring it into FFXIV. However, what some people are asking for is "Change the entire core of the game to be FFXI and keep some side aspects of FFXIV...and do it as quickly as possible". That's just not realistic.
Loved this entire post. Right on the money.

No doubt this game will continue to improve. It seems like so long ago, but let's not forget that 2.x was planned in record timing despite splitting dev cycles with 1.x, and 3.x was already underway as 2.x rolled out. We're at the point now where the dev team should be hitting its stride, and I think we're starting to see that (and will see even more evidence at Fan Fest).

HW was an improvement over ARR. The zones were better, the story was better, the 24-man raids were better and we got expansions to systems like housing and crafting. We're finally getting new content like Aquapolis and Deep Dungeons. SE is still playing with The Diadem, but they're obviously starting to branch out from dungeon grinds.

I'm excited for more improvements and for whatever 4.x will bring. And as we discuss the game's future, it's important that we don't delude ourselves and think the game will suddenly become something it's not.