Brilliantly said, @castbythecoast. I would certainly be interested in hearing what your friend would have to say who is studying for their PhD in Chinese/US relations and their likely evolution. I agree that Macarthyism didn't die with the Soviet Union. It's just evolved, much like the Roman Empire has many times over and appears to be nearing an end in it's current mask of the United States.

I wouldn't be surprised, though, if they are planning to shift the narrative towards a more unifying 'enemy', such as Wernher von Braun had supposedly mentioned the last option or phase would become a fake alien invasion to unite the world "against". Of course some could say it is the divisions of "alien immigrants" at this point. Still there is some evidence of von Braun's idea beginning to take shape.

As you said,

"We often forget that we are responsible for making the world, as much or even more so than it is responsible for making us."

This I believe to be a part of what life on earth in this current stage is so much about. It seems to be reflecting back to us our very nature at this stage of development to help wake us up and make the necessary changes within in order to evolve through it all to some sort of next stage of human development or evolution. There's so much more to ponder here and continue with this conversation, but I too must be pulled away now to other responsibilities.

Have an awesome day and weekend, my friend.