I think the point is being missed. The 'ignore member' is an option. Those that don't like it don't have to use it.
In theory an option should please everyone; both those who want it and those who don't.
Curiously, in practice it rarely does.
It's like most of the new bells and whistles we've upgraded with in recent months, they can be switched off. You can even go right back to a non html message box. But we still have those who moan about it.
Somebody explain to me how those who don't want something can still moan when they don't have to have it?
Regarding the 'ignore member' option, if I wasn't the site editor/forum moderator, with a responsibility to keep an eye on all the forum,I can think of one or two posters I'd like to switch off. I usually ignore their side of any debates anyway, so the only difference it would make is to make it easier for me to ignore them.
And that's the idea behind all the forum upgrades - just to make things easier for those who want it.