Ok; thanks to Asif for peek-ing my interest again. I've figured out that the problem manifests when I'm in "Threaded View". Therefore the workaround is simple; don't use "Threaded View". Case solved!
I've attached video proof... sorry the video is so short but it does give you the gist of things. The process you see in the video is repeated constantly and consistently, and does not end. The only ways out of the loop are to 1) let the browser eventually crash, or 2) change the view to "Flat View".
Just wanted you guys to know.
Thanks!