I don't think it's a good gauge, because established variables are never evaluated the same way as new variables. This is true in many fields. For example, if

I don't think it's a good gauge, because established variables are never evaluated the same way as new variables. This is true in many fields. For example, if you said 30 years ago that everyone should carry all the counter-privacy implications of a smartphone in their pockets at all times, how do you think people would react? Is it reasonable to expect people to freak out en masse about it today? No it's not. Why is a bigger question but i suspect you instinctively know that I'm correct here. Does that mean smartphones are a net good on privacy? No. The negatives still exist even if people accept them. Does that mean the negatives outweigh the good, and we should all throw away our smartphones? No, I don't think so either. The positives are massive. But introducing them today would give us the opportunity to address the privacy issues ahead of time.