I invariably see Safari Networking climb to 100+% when I visit nytimes.com, even with extensions disabled (which I just tried once more to be certain).
It appears to be at 0% under ordinary circumstances, just rising and falling back to 0% as I click on links.
Do you ever quit Safari or shut down your iMac?
The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.
In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire