People who need to use that list of blocked websites usually have no idea of VPNs. And vide versa. People used to VPNs already know the pirate sites and don't need that list.
I think you are underestimating the popularity of VPNs these days, just watching a YouTube video for "regular" people will have NordVPN, ExpressVPN ads on them advertising them as good for "privacy" or watching Netflix while you are on vacation. It's not a technology only accessible to nerds for a long time.
Thats the misconception i was talking about. Unless you are traveling the high seas regularly, you will sooner or later get into the situation, that you come back and all your links are dead.