I keep seeing the argument that people wanted something new and innovative or something and now that FFXIV is getting it people are not happy that they are changing things? How is Blue Mage new and innovative?

The job is intended for solo play in the open world. Some every job can do. Not only that, it's the world of ARR. Not even the new areas from Shadowbrings. You're also just killing mobs. Something we've been doing since the games release.

Is the fact that you learn your abilities from mobs new? I guess. But it's just random loot drops like Atma or Pony whistle drops tho hopefully not at rare. I see no difference in a mob giving me my ability from a random trainer giving me my abilities.

The Masked Carnival? It's just an instanced area where you fight monsters solo to "test your Blue Mage knowledge."

The only thing I see new is that it's limited by what content it can do or limited by how it accesses some content.

If I'm wrong please explain. I'm genuinely curious. How is Blue Mage new?