Just because the situation is already bad doesn't mean we shouldn't complain that it continue to get worse ...
So yes, being pushed towards creating online accounts for general purpose computing is a problem.
A much more reasonable approach is to setup a normal Windows user profile and let them connected it later if they want. I don't encourage it, though, because there isn't much benefit unless you have multiple computers with synced personalization settings, which is very uncommon.
BTW, it is entirely possible to use a smart phone without a Google or Apple account.
We don't know what the future has in store for us. To me, the level of control China has over its population is scary.
Data can be misused in many different ways, and one day, I suspect we'll see a catastrophic situation occur as a result of all this connectivity and mass surveillance.
Only then, people might take note and realize it's a terrible idea.
This is false. You can use any iOS device without an account. And it's not even hard, like in TFA.
I think you're just conditioned to believe that having an account for everything is normal. It is now.