Just to make a point, I'll mention that I own a couple of gold coins over 100 years old. You know what?
They still work.

On the other hand, my bitcoind.0.8.6.1 not so much. And yes, I have another machine with 0.11 on it
just to prove I still have access to the network.

It's not just the bitcoin devs - other software that bitcoind depends on has security fixes and updates,
so the project is running across quicksand, to make an analogy.

I'd rather changes happened more slowly, and preferably via an altcoin, than via a process akin to
open warefare. YMMV.