I would like to play open. I enjoy player interactions, but sadly being shot down by a player in a better ship just isn't fun. If they actually talked it might be interesting, but I've yet to have a single player talk to me before opening fire. Losing 800K credits without a fighting chance just isn't enjoyable. I like the idea of a high death cost, but the risk vs reward doesn't make it worthwhile. Maybe when I reach a point that credits no longer matter.... Power Play made things worse because any player in an opposing faction is considered an enemy. My first introduction to Power Play was being interdicted and shot down by a player in a viper while in the capital system of my power. So much for security....
ED plays like a single player game. I would love to have a reason to actually play open. The communication tools and goals just aren't there to make it a true multiplayer game. Wings added quite a bit, but it's still reliant on having a small group of friends and there's not much available that gives people an opportunity to make friends. It's lacking tools to maintain friendships and communicate with people. Things like Power communication, friends lists, and even a quick command chat menu that would allow "Hold Fire!" to be said with 3 button presses. The Wing commander series used those commands to interact with NPCs, but they would be a vital asset for quick communication between players. Nobody has time to stop and type while trying to avoid incoming fire.
Adding communication tools, goals to draw people together, and a few other small changes would make it all worthwhile to me. It would help create player interactions that don't open up with guns blazing and not a word said.