We care about his opinion because he is a really smart guy who has been living at the forefront of technology for longer then most of us have been alive. You don't have to agree with his opinion, but ignoring it would be pretty foolish...
I have seen no evidence that this is the case. He gives his opinion, and people say, "oh my god, did you see what Woz said?!" and it's 'news' for a few days. And then everyone forgets about it. The only reason anyone listens to him anymore is because he was at the right place at the right time 30 years ago.