To me, baizuo really are one of the perfect representations of useful idiots. Being useful to China (and anyone trying to attack the U.S.) while openly being mocked by China and others. Although I would say I was somewhat awakened around 2012 or so, I really did have to experience this absolute horror show to understand stuff like "useful idiots," "just following orders," sheep, woke, and whatnot... and given them a material form so that I can talk to others about them and push back against them (e.g., my workplace pushed jab mandate last year but mostly backed off at this point and is currently gently pushing pronouns).