If this theory is true, then when War on Terror eventually wear out, at that time the economy and society will need their next doze, another "national idea", so at that time some new hoax will be invented.

Getting out of drug addiction is pretty hard...

OTOH, what would happen if the public actually embraced a real and positive collective vision for the future, and that became the driving "story" for the times? We are faced with major dilemmas like global warming and corporate globalization. We need to build some harmonious, positive and powerful responses across the planet. Time for a little idealism, I think. And the media (if they want to) have a major role to play.