This is why I think it is trite to go on saying "if you're not paying, you are the product." On paper, sure. You are right. Free makes any business model other

This is why I think it is trite to go on saying "if you're not paying, you are the product." On paper, sure. You are right. Free makes any business model other than surveillance capitalism less viable (though I definitely would not say impossible). In reality, "surveillance capitalism" is the most profitable regardless. So, even if we pay, we still get surveillance. The trope just lets the finger be pointed at the public, instead of at whoever is doing the surveillance. Even if you could get most people to prefer paid to free (you can't), it wouldn't do anything to mitigate surveillance in reality. Just because paying enables nonsurveillance in theory, doesn't mean that it will actually result in non-surveillance in reality. In fact, it probably won't.