Specifically thinking about things like reposting, making lists and starter packs and whatnot. What are the typical consequences of those actions for the average user?

I'll say it a million times before I go to my grave: give us back the **original** Google Wave! It was a great idea.

As an academic, you should be familiar with "peer review" being a sort of echo chamber. Even with applied studies and interdisciplinary collaboration being the primary escape routes from it, you likely still wouldn't willingly work with Dr. Mengele.

Being entirely cut off from "outsiders" and "strangers" is the real worry anyway. Isolation - not simply socializing - is key to how manipulators get away with brainwashing others.