It has come to my attention that with the release of the 17w13a snapshot for the Java edition that there is a strong dislike on the new crafting system.There seems to be a common point among the dislikes:

You don't have to figure out recipes anymore.

The new crafting system is entirely optional. If you are a new player and you wish to run the game blind, then that is entirely allowable. However, most of the playerbase learned recipes at the wiki. If new players wish to learn recipes, then the said recipes are entirely accessible within the game.

I don't get how players take pride in requiring that all players should memorize the crafting patterns entirely. This provides access for a more convenient way of making, let's say Activated Power Rails, and I'm sure most of you don't memorize that pattern anyway. You have to pull the wiki from time to time.

I know that the new system is spoon-feedy to new players. And I personally think that it's a good thing since new players would learn quickly and thus make the game grow faster. Players who play in Pocket Edition can quickly adapt to the new system.

Overall, I completely respect those who dislike the new crafting system. Mojang is trying to make innovative ways on updating the game which gives more players convenience. If an undesired feature is added, then versions can always be backtracked. I understand the hate on the Combat Update, and even when Redstone was added.

But the thing is, Minecraft must add new features. If they don't add anything new to the game, it might become stale. I admire the developers' efforts in keeping the game fresh for us, which I know some players fail to appreciate.