I like playing D&D nowadays in the ways that I used to play it 20-30 years ago, (or in the ways I wanted to play it 20-30 years ago). But I prefer to use a more recent edition of the game. I like what I consider the good aspects of “old school” (I prefer the term, “classic”), and I play with them today. I dislike what I consider the bad aspects of “old school” (“classic”), and I avoid them today. But I use a modern edition. So, am I an “old schooler”?
Bullgrit
I won't claim to be an old schooler but I'm with you in general on this. Within a very wide range of latitude, the rules don't make the game for me; how the game is executed matters. And while the latter editions do change things I like from a comfort point of view, I have to confess they generally also correct what I find to be glaring problems with the older systems. So couple what is for me a general improvement of game mechanics with being able to leverage the bulk of where the gaming community is and I'm all for new school.
Regarding old school play, I've been gaming continuously since 1977. And while I don't game multiple times a week like I did in high school or weekly as in college, I still manage a reasonable amount of gaming. Looking back over my game career, mostly as a ref, there really isn't much I'd steal from my early days of gaming as I like to think that I've continuously improved as a ref, and that that improvement has little to do with the system in use.
This improvement for me has to do with learning how to manage a game, work with players, deliver a strong level of entertainment that can compete with other entertainment outlets available to my players while engaging my players (which most certainly does not mean railroading them in case any wonder). And since I love world-building, it also has to do with creating better quality worlds. No dungeons packed with creatures that would eat each other for me
If I was ever in a situation where I could game weekly and had multiple game geeks (such as myself), I might go back to a more sandbox game similar to what I used to play in the early 80s but even then it would leverage more of what I've learned since the 80s. And I would see no need to go back to an older system. Aside from nostalgia, there is much more I don't like about the older systems than the newer systems.
So for those who like older systems, more power to you and I'm glad to see people engaging enough to develop something of a community. But personally as someone who has played every system, I don't see any particular attraction for the old ways.
Edit:
I guess one thing has remained constant with me over the years- I've never paid any attention to fluffy stuff in the rules and always seen fit to make my own settings and play my own style of game.