Runes don't change very often, is this a good or bad thing?

I have been playing league since mid season 2, and the runes have, for the most part, been left untouched. i cant seem to figure out if this is because that the rune riot made way back when work the same as they do today as back in season 2. they are, simply put from someone who doesn't play ranked, just some extra stats at the start of a game. yes there are scaling/level runes, but the early game is so much more important in this meta. (says the unranked)

can people who understand this game better then me explain to me "who what when where and why" that runes really do in this game, and if possible, explain why they have remained mostly untouched season to season

P.S. also a VU update runes and the rune page would be super cool!!!