First, beta isn't for the community - it's for the advertisers. Try taking "old" /. to some boardroom and showing it and saying, "Hey, ya wanna advertise to this incredible community of code nerds - many of whom are employed and make beaucoup bucks - then just sign here!" The response would be underwhelming. I've shown classic /. to hundreds of people looking over my shoulder and they are not impressed. They don't get the content and, to the simple minded, the site design looks antiquated so they assume the content is quaint as well. Beta is so the owners can get better advertisers to pay more for the privilege of showing you shit to buy.
Second, (and this point is really about my awful workplace so it isn't relevant for many in the community) I like to read /. at work while my code is running and I've got five minutes to surf. With all those stupid pictures and out-sized graphics to chew on, the goddam firewall forces beta to take forever to load. It loads like "Slate" or something. Who needs that? There are a lot of sites I don't go to at work because they are just too slow. If /. is like that, I will never read it again.
Third, why pictures? Is that what code and IT and science are about now? Pictures and out-sized graphics that convey jack-all? How does a great big graphic blob carry more information than a small version of the same graphic? Should we insert emoticons in 20-point now because that way they carry more meaning and information? I want to read intelligent articles and discussion, not look at more dumb pictures like Huff Po or something.
Fourth, I say thumbs down big-time to beta. Slashdot beta is not a place I want to go.