re: "...I know when it gets dark out and turn on my headlights. Same for rain/snow/fog/tunnels... I hate it when car crafters assume my IQ is approaching zero.."

Actually, enabling you to see where you're going (e.g., when it gets dark) isn't at all the reason for DRLs, and they're not installing them because they think that you're too stupid to remember to put on your headlights. They're not a personal affront to you.

The idea of DRLs started about 20 years or more ago -- experiments showed that collisions were reduced drastically when cars had some light (especially the front) lit up to catch the attention of other drivers who might not be as attentive as they ought to be. Examples include:
1) catching the attention in the peripheral vision of a driver who should have checked his mirror before changing lanes but didn't, who otherwise would have cut you off or even collided into the side of your car.
2) catching the attention of a driver who just briefly, too briefly, glances in your direction (or maybe doesn't even look fully in your direction) before pulling out of a driveway or side street in front of you.
3) catching the attention of a driver who (for a variety of weather, or road surface conditions -- e.g., the oasis illusion on a hot road) doesn't notice you as he pulls in front of you to pass another car in a two lane road.
4) likewise, catching the attention of a pedestrian crossing in front of you.

So as you can see, the purpose of DRLs is to make your car more noticeable to others. That's why a lot of cars have DRLs that aren't headlights, but rather merely bright parking lights. That's all that's necessary -- the lights don't have to be bright enough for you to use (like headlights) to see in bad weather, but rather just bright enough for others to notice you.

Admittedly, I don't use the headlights on my 240's as DRLs, although I could -- they would work like that if I left them switched on (they'll go out automatically when I shut off the engine), but I prefer to keep them off until, like you, I need them to see where I'm going. I think that using headlights as DRLs is a waste of their filaments! So we're in agreement on this.

But where we differ is in understanding the actual safety benefit of DRLs -- so I installed yellow (turn signal) LED truck lights in the grille -- very little current, not enough light to help me see where I'm going (which is the purpose of headlights), but very noticeable to other drivers.

Unfortunately, I think that Volvo's decision to use the headlights as DRLs was wrong -- some bright parking lights as used in other car makes would be better -- but lacking an alternative DRL on your car, leaving things as they are is a safety improvement.

At least, that's my personal opinion, based on studies. But of course it's your choice in the end.

Best regards.