I usually do read the linked content but I agree with GP poster that comments are often more informative.
Yes there is sometimes an echo chamber here, but it's only for limited topics. It very much has a Silicon Valley feel to it, but @dang and I have gone around on this and he assures us that the readership and comments have broad geographic representation.[1] It's a worldwide echo chamber. :)
Fortunately the echo chamber doesn't exist for most submissions. Most of the discussion on HN is on non-polarizing topics.