The "Red Scare" that swept across 1950s America—the ghost of that era is creeping back into our society once again.
When I observed an incident that occurred in America in September 2025, I had a sudden realization:
"Haven't I seen this pattern somewhere before?"
Yes, it bears a striking structural resemblance to McCarthyism from over 70 years ago.
Today, let's explore together what history teaches us about "the politics of fear."
Prologue: Why McCarthyism Now?
"History is outdated."
You might think so. But wait just a moment.
On September 10, 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on a university campus in Utah. A suspect was arrested, and bullet casings found at the scene reportedly bore messages suggesting "anti-fascist" sentiments.
【Note】As of this writing (October 2025), this case is under investigation and trial, with many aspects still unclear. This essay treats it as "theoretical analysis" based on reported information.
How is this different from the label "communist" that people hurled at each other in the 1950s?
Only the words have changed. The structure remains the same.
They say history repeats itself, but the truth is: we are the ones repeating it.
Chapter 1: The 1950s Nightmare—What Was McCarthyism?
【Historical Facts Section】The Day the Red Hunt Began
1945. World War II had ended. The world was supposed to embrace a new era.
But what awaited was a new fear called the "Cold War."
America vs. Soviet Union
Capitalism versus communism. Democracy versus totalitarianism.
This confrontation planted deep seeds of anxiety in the hearts of the American people.
The Rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy
【Historical Fact】 On February 9, 1950, in a speech in Wheeling, West Virginia, Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin made a shocking statement:
"There are 205 communists lurking in the State Department!"
Evidence? There was almost none. The number later fluctuated, raising questions about its credibility.
Yet people believed it. No—they wanted to believe it.
Because fear needs "an easily identifiable enemy."
The Tragedy of the Hollywood Blacklist
The most symbolic target was Hollywood.
Screenwriters, directors, actors—many artists lost their jobs due to "suspected communist ties."
【Historical Fact】 In September 1952, while traveling to London for the premiere of his film Limelight, Charlie Chaplin had his re-entry permit to the United States revoked. He was effectively exiled from America. Chaplin settled in Switzerland and did not return until 1972, when he received an honorary Academy Award.
Being labeled "red" = social death
That was the era of McCarthyism.
Chapter 2: How Does Fear Control People?
【Theoretical Analysis Section: Thought Engineering Analytical Framework】
The Three-Stage Mechanism of Fear (Theoretical Hypothesis)
Analyzing McCarthyism reveals three steps by which fear controls people. I present this as a "theoretical model" extracted from historical cases.
Step 1: Creating the Invisible Enemy
"Communists can disguise themselves as anyone."
"Your neighbor, your colleague—they might be communists."
Nothing is more terrifying than an invisible enemy.
Suspicion spreads throughout society, and trust becomes impossible.
Step 2: Simplification Through Labels
Reducing complex human beings to a single word.
"Are you a communist, or are you an American?"
In a world with only two choices, thinking becomes unnecessary.
And when you stop thinking, you can't recognize your mistakes.
Step 3: Activating Group Conformity Pressure
"If everyone suspects, I must suspect too."
"If I speak up, I'll be the next target."
Thus, silent accomplices are mass-produced.
Fear-Induced "Cognitive Simplification" (Theoretical Hypothesis)
Psychologically speaking, fear changes how the brain functions.
Normal brain: Processes complex information from multiple perspectives
Fear-mode brain: Binary judgment of "enemy or ally"
This is correct as survival instinct. When you encounter a lion on the savanna, there's no time for philosophical contemplation.
But modern society has no such simple enemies.
Yet fear locks us into "simple-thinking mode."
Chapter 3: The "Structure of Fear" Resurrected in Modern Times
【Theoretical Analysis: Applicability to Modern Society】
2025: The Same Pattern May Have Restarted
Let's analyze the September 2025 incident mentioned earlier through the lens of Thought Engineering.
【Theoretical Pattern Comparison】
1950s: The label "communist"
2025: The label "fascist" (※based on incident reports)
1950s: Denunciation at congressional hearings
2025: Social media mob attacks and, in some cases, real-world violence
The form has changed. But the essence may be the same.
【Important Note】This is purely theoretical analysis exploring "structural similarities" and does not make judgments about the morality or motives of individual incidents.
Social Media's Acceleration of "Label Economics" (Theoretical Hypothesis)
The decisive difference from the 1950s is speed of propagation.
McCarthy's speeches spread through newspapers and radio—over days or weeks.
Now?
Instantaneous.
A tweet saying "this person is a fascist" reaches tens of thousands in seconds.
No time for verification. No space for calm reflection.
Algorithms as "Fear Amplification Devices" (Theoretical Hypothesis)
What's even more frightening are social media algorithms.
Anger and fear generate engagement.
Therefore, algorithms prioritize content that fuels conflict.
Our brains are unknowingly locked into "fear mode."
Chapter 4: Why Do People Need "Enemies"?
【Philosophical & Psychological Analysis Section】
Exploring the Nature of Anxiety
Here's a fundamental question:
Why do people so easily engage in "enemy-hunting"?
Psychologist Ernest Becker said:
"Humans need meaningful narratives to escape the fear of death."
In other words:
- We are afraid of death
- So we want to believe "my life has meaning"
- For that, we seek "narratives of fighting for justice"
- Narratives need "villains"
- Therefore, we create enemies
The Instinct of "Need to Belong"
Humans cannot endure loneliness.
We want to belong to groups. We want to be accepted as comrades.
This desire sometimes turns dangerous.
"If I don't participate in the Red Hunt, I'll be suspected."
"If I don't join in criticizing fascists, I'll be ostracized."
To stay safe within the group, people stop thinking.
Chapter 5: Three Wisdoms for Breaking Free from Fear
【Practical Solutions Section: Thought Engineering Solutions】
Wisdom 1: Practice Seeing the Human Behind the "Enemy"
During the McCarthy era, a female journalist wrote:
"I went to meet people accused of being communists. They were not devils—just human beings."
This is the first step.
See the human being beyond the label.
Every person has a complex life.
Not a fascist, not a communist—just human.
Wisdom 2: Name Your Fear
There's a basic technique in psychotherapy called "naming."
When you name an emotion, it becomes harder for that emotion to control you.
"Right now, I'm feeling fear."
"This is a state of cognitive simplification."
This recognition alone reboots the "thinking part" of your brain.
Wisdom 3: The Habit of Learning from History
【Historical Fact】 McCarthyism reached a turning point in 1954.
On June 9, 1954, Army counsel Joseph Welch confronted McCarthy with this question:
"Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?"
This single question broke the spell.
【Supplement】Why Did This Question Change History?
Let me explain why this phrase holds such profound significance in American history.
1. Nationally Televised "Public Execution" Reversed
The Army-McCarthy Hearings on June 9, 1954, were broadcast live on national television. Tens of millions of Americans witnessed this moment in real-time.
McCarthy had used this new medium of television to publicly denounce "communists" and spread fear. But on this day, that same television became the stage for his own downfall.
2. Background of the Statement: Anger to Protect the Young
Welch's anger had a clear reason.
McCarthy had begun attacking Fred Fisher, a young associate at Welch's law firm, labeling him a "communist" because Fisher had once belonged to an organization called the National Lawyers Guild.
Welch said, quietly but with controlled fury:
"Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?"
3. What the Silence Revealed
After this question, the room fell silent.
Then, spontaneous applause erupted from the gallery.
The tens of millions watching on television realized in that moment: "We were wrong."
4. The End of McCarthyism
After these hearings:
- On December 2 of the same year, the Senate censured McCarthy by a vote of 67 to 22
- McCarthy's political influence completely collapsed
- He died on May 2, 1957, at the age of 48
5. A Phrase Carried Forward
"Have you no sense of decency?"
This phrase has since become a symbol of "citizens' conscience and courageous resistance against government overreach and irresponsible accusations" throughout American political history and culture.
Even today, when politicians or public figures engage in inhumane acts or irresponsible behavior, this phrase is quoted as moral condemnation.
6. A Question for Us
This episode teaches us:
One person's courageous question can break society's collective spell.
But it took about four years to reach that point.
How many lives were destroyed in the meantime?
If we had known history, we might have realized it sooner.
Chapter 6: "Multi-Layered Humanity" as the Antidote
【Thought Engineering Solution: Application of Multi-Layer Theory】
The Path Shown by Our Previous Allegory
In my previous article, I created an allegory with AI called "The Journey of Layers."
A story about a boy discovering people's "multi-layered nature" in a country where only "red or blue" could be seen.
This is actually the antidote to the politics of fear.
The Technique of Not Seeing Humans Through "A Single Label"
McCarthyism succeeded because people accepted simplification.
"This person is a communist."
"This person is a fascist."
With a single label, we feel we understand everything about that person.
But the truth?
Everyone has multiple "layers":
- A layer that loves music
- A layer that cherishes family
- A layer that harbors anxiety
- A layer that pursues dreams
Practicing "Multi-Layer Meetings" (Theoretical Proposal)
The "Multi-Layer Meeting" proposed in our previous allegory—it's actually achievable.
How to do it:
- Create your own "attribute cards" (5 items: hobbies, interests, values)
- Share them with someone from an opposing political stance
- Discover unexpected commonalities
For example:
A conservative person: Cares about environmental protection
A liberal person: Values local traditions
Neither "fascists" nor "communists" exist.
Only complex human beings.
Chapter 7: What Each of Us Can Do
【Practical Action Guide】
Daily "De-Fear" Practice
Morning Checklist
- Before opening social media: Declare "Today I won't judge anyone by labels"
- When watching news: Ask "Is this report stoking fear?"
- In conversation: Think "What are this person's other dimensions?"
Evening Reflection
- Did I simplify anyone today?
- When did I almost give in to fear?
- How can I improve tomorrow?
The Power of Questioning
McCarthyism was ended by a single question.
The words attorney Joseph Welch spoke to McCarthy:
"Have you no sense of decency, sir?"
This one question broke the spell.
You, too, can ask.
To your opponents, to yourself, to society:
"Is this really how we want to be?"
Epilogue: Wisdom for the Future
Lessons from McCarthyism
What can we learn from the "Red Hunt" of over 70 years ago?
- Fear can always return
- People easily stop thinking
- But there will always be those who notice
- And their awareness changes society
To Not Repeat History
The September 2025 incident was a tragedy.
But if we don't learn from this tragedy, an even greater tragedy awaits.
History repeats itself—as long as we fail to learn from it.
But conversely:
If we learn, we can change the future.
Next Time
In the next article, I'll write about specific "consciousness upgrade" methods.
Protocols for updating your individual "Spiritual OS."
From fear-based to trust-based.
From binary thinking to multi-layered thinking.
Let's explore together new ways of being conscious.
A Question for You
Finally, I ask you:
Have you recently judged someone by a "label"?
That might be a sign that fear was controlling you.
Starting today, try just one thing:
Find one "other dimension" of someone with opposing political views.
You'll surely discover something unexpected.
And that small discovery becomes the first step in changing society.
Not with fear, but with curiosity.
Not with labels, but with humanity.
Let's create a new future together.
【Series Part 3】
Previous: "A Modern Prophecy Woven with AI — Why 'The Journey of Layers' Came True"
Next: "Upgrading Your 'Spiritual OS' — 7 Steps from Fear to Trust"
