> If someone mentions a neat hobby or a food you haven't tried before, you run the other way and vow never to attempt that experience?
They important keyword here is 'someone' and not a huge corporation or state actor. I would open myself to people, especially if they don't have anything to gain from influencing me and are purely passioned about the subject they engaged in. Much of what is good on the internet comes from such people doing what they love for the sake of their passion/hobby (such as Wikipedia, parts of YouTube, Arxiv, HN and specific subreddits).
They important keyword here is 'someone' and not a huge corporation or state actor. I would open myself to people, especially if they don't have anything to gain from influencing me and are purely passioned about the subject they engaged in. Much of what is good on the internet comes from such people doing what they love for the sake of their passion/hobby (such as Wikipedia, parts of YouTube, Arxiv, HN and specific subreddits).