I know how you feel but believe or not it is harmless and it's free.
I created a NYT account yeeeeeeears ago in the real early days of the WWW and not once have I ever received anything from them except the original email to confirm 'you are you' (even if I got that?). No spam, no ads, no begging for subscriptions, nothing.
And since the NYT does have most of the leftist propaganda we need to see in order to mock, reading the entire article for 'hidden gems' is sort of important.
So go ahead, it is painless (and FREE), honest.
I took your advice and did; thanks. But if Pinchy shows-up at my door, I’m sending him over to your house!
LOL.