It is a known fact that Windows XP can run applications from Windows 95 or even earlier. That is 6 years earlier, or greater. Linux should have a mechanism in which it can run native apps compiled for the same architecture but with earlier or later Glibc versions, therefore enabling binary distribution to work indefinitely. Earlier may be a challenge, seeing as major code blocks that may be required in 2.11 to run programs may not be present in 2.2, but at least running older programs on a newer libc would not be impossible. This will have the effect of either having a medium to large code change, or stabilising the system. Stability is a good thing and will ensure things won't break. If someone made a package 5 years ago only in binary form and it doesn't run or cannot compile today, that is a major blow for compatibility. It may be that other apps besides glibc are affected, and they should be similarly adapted. I cannot unfortunately code this well, I would help if I could, but I will spread this if this bug is accepted. Assigned Critical as new versions break things. Sorry if it bugs you. Thanks
glibc is fully backwards-compatible between minor versions. If something particular does not work for you, please open a concrete bug. Thank you.