Javascript used on the forum - why?

[steelpillow]

I usually disable javascript by default, especially cross-site scripting, as a standard privacy and security precaution. I have enabled it locally for this site - as often happens the site behaves badly without it and I trust you not to scrape my soul for profit. But I see that it is also trying to run cross-site script s from ajax.googleapis.com and googletagmanager.com, which is also very common but which I invariably block by default. Would enabling these in any way add to my user experience, or would they just bring down the usual flood of targeted ads, worthless tag clouds and and rigged search engine results that try so hard to get in my way?

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

The site uses Google Analytics, it allows me to see stats on all kinds of useful stuff. I promise I'm not using it for evil purposes, but of course Google themselves might be, it's hard to be certain.

Here's some examples:

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Here's the numbers for different mobile devices:

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

If you block the google scripting I'll just miss out on your data. No site functionality would be impacted.