A factor worth mentioning is that the hitching point for a lot of privacy advocacy is banking on anxiety as well. “[XYZ] is spying on you!”
Conversations tend to follow this pattern, as the calling card is that something bad is happening, and you should take steps to correct it. As you say: people care a lot more when it’s something that could be a threat. It’s very human-- animalistic, even-- to be on the lookout for danger. It’s a very powerful emotion. It’s a very good one at raising awareness too, especially when you should, at least, be a little concerned.
Being an advocate means playing on the defensive. You have to be alert, and ready to react appropiately to whatever may change. However, resourcefulness should not become paranoia-- worries need to have actionable plans.
It’s good practice after reading bad news to consider if it’s within your control, what you’re doing, what you can do.
Applying thoughtfulness into advocacy goes a long way into not bunkering down and stocking up on toilet paper, or canned soup, or whatever people are hoarding these days. Gold?
(Also-- very well written. Thank you for the thoughts, OP!)