I understant the arguments, but I think you're doing exactly what TPTB (who are very real unfortunately) want you to do. It sounds to me like you're feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of info and disinfo that's all mixed together, and as a result you're unsure whether you're insane for thinking about these things. Join the club
But be aware that this is the desired result of flooding this field with disinfo, to keep you uncertain and feeling like you're chasing your own tail. By doing so you are no threat to them.
In the 'virtual enemy' scenario, bear in mind that enemy was created as a distraction by those in control who wished to preserve the status quo at all costs, ie TPTB.
Taking personal responsibility for yourself is esential. Taking responsibility for the actions of others is a huge mistake, though believe me I understand the compulsion. All that will achieve is perpetuating the same old situation.
Imagine you go to a restaurant. Everything looks great, really nice surroundings etc. You pay for a meal but end up getting sick, as does everyone else. Nobody else wants to do anything about it but you decide to investigate futher and go into the kitchen- what you see there horrifies you. Horrendous hygiene standards, well paid chefs spitting in food which is already unfit for consumption, rats running around etc. So you go to the manager. He knows what's going on but says he can't do anything because the owner makes the rules. You go see the owner, a man who's gotten very rich and powerful by allowing these things to go on. He tells you it's your responsibility because you chose to eat there and tries to convince you that you are insane for even questioning how he runs things, because if there was really something wrong how come only you are complaining?
Do you take responsibility for that? Is that your burden to shoulder? No, of course it isn't, and the only difference between that scenario and what's going on in the world is that what's going on in the world is much, much bigger.
What you are doing when you decide that external enemies are just an old paradigm concept is rationalising the fact that you aren't doing anything to make the owner and his underlings clean up the kitchen. The owner has nothing to lose by not cleaning up his act so he doesn't. Things continue to get worse and everyone gets sicker and sicker because all the restaurants are owned by the same person; they just look slightly different. The people who didn't investigate have been getting sick for so long that they believe it's completely natural and can't be any other way, and will also tell anyone who dares to suggest that things should and could be different that they are insane.
I really don't mean any offence to anyone, this is just how I see things. Any and all responses are welcome. I also realise that this doesn't address the question of external manipulation, but it's a place to start.