So i have always wanted to play TI but never found the time or the group willing to find the time to play. Assuming 4th Ed will spark renewed interest, would it beneficial if i try to play a previous edition? Or is the hopes that 4th ed will be easy enough to wrap the brain around?

4th edition should be more streamlined and doesn't have any variants so if you want to try a edition I'd recommend 4th if you can.

This game, in either edition, really isn't hard to wrap your brain around. It's vast, sprawling, and complex -- but that's not because the rules are confusing, but because there's just so much you can do. Expect your first game to go poorly because you didn't have a viable strategy, your second game to go better, and to feel by the third game like you really understand what you're doing.

@SlaveOne: Do you live in Southern Cal? If so, you're more than welcome to join me for a game.

No. Skip the prior and just embrace the new edition.