Currently Firefox is faster than Chrome : >>36770883
https://increditools.com/ad-blockers/
I think survey results showing 40% using ad-blockers is sufficient to question your assertion that most people don't know about ad-blockers. Folks may not all be using them, but I think a majority certainly are aware. And outside the U.S., even a majority use them in some countries.
Ordinary folks on the Internet have friends and family that are technically inclined and often seek advice from them. But most of the time, ordinary folks figure things out just fine in their own.
"We" need to do more / better to educate them!
I tried to implement pi-hole for some extended family members. They asked me to turn it off within a week because they couldn't watch advertising videos to earn a new 'life' on candy crush (or something closely resembling that).
I can't relate to "normies" anymore, it's too late for me...
I don't think people are going to mobilize for privacy! I think people will just jump ship to avoid giant banners...
Ad blocking is at least as big a deal as speed in terms of browsing comfort.