You're right, I had the exact same thought about Analytics too. My browser does have a privacy mode, there are plugins that help, and a variety of ways to opt out. And yeah, I know even after all that I can still be tracked online.
So while you might be right there are 2 insidious things about this. First, opting out has a serious downside to it whereas not being tracked online can only cause minor inconveniences here or there. Secondly, where does it end? I think that's the real disturbing thing. Today it's location tracking through cell signals tomorrow we have implanted microchips that can be read by satellites at all times. That's a pretty far out example but if you told someone from 50 years ago about that story they'd probably have a similar reaction to what my implanted microchip quip probably got out of those here who read it.
So while you might be right there are 2 insidious things about this. First, opting out has a serious downside to it whereas not being tracked online can only cause minor inconveniences here or there. Secondly, where does it end? I think that's the real disturbing thing. Today it's location tracking through cell signals tomorrow we have implanted microchips that can be read by satellites at all times. That's a pretty far out example but if you told someone from 50 years ago about that story they'd probably have a similar reaction to what my implanted microchip quip probably got out of those here who read it.