I agree 200% with your words about Wikipedia. I am
sure that I have spent 1000s (literally) of hours reading Wikipedia, opening my mind to new and interesting ideas. And, learning that I was wrong about long held beliefs. Plus, it is like a huge, free encyclopedia for lower income people in developing countries. The digital footprints are astonishingly large.
In closing, one small joke: About dark / annoying patterns: You forgot my least favourite: When you move the mouse out of tab, lightbox pops up: "Don't leave yet... blah blah blah... sign up for our newsletter!" As if that is going to keep me on the page!