Please remember that this software is still in the Beta stage, so as of this point in time, no the stats will not remember "off". Once Jim relegates MA3 to "released" status, then it will.
I don't see the connection.
I do see myself running DA or a slideshow of my own photos more often than MA because of that stats thing. So I'm less likely to notice stuff that needs fixing. One assumes that we can expect more and more subtle problems and effects between now and GA (general availability) release.
Damn nice screensaver, though... :-)