Reflecting on the article afterwards I also wondered if World War III can truly be said to have started if many people don't even realize we're at war? I always had the impression that World War I and II were conflicts that engaged most of the people in the countries involved (though maybe I'm wrong). I know that the people of Ukraine and in the Middle East certainly are more directly impacted by war right now, but can we truly be said to be in World War III if there is not hot war in the US or China or Europe right now? (I realize Russia is an exception)
Discussion
Traditionally wars have been hot wars, but when a hot war between nations is guaranteed to go nuclear and vaporize all concerned, they have to find another way. The stuff in this article explains the alternatives and all are in progress and all are effecting every single citizen whether they realize it or not.
If you consider the US in WWII, the effects in the US, ie. inflation, shortages, control of people and speech, etc. is similar even if it isn't yet as bad as it got. Since the fighting wasn't in North America, they didn't deal directly with the fighting, but still had their lives changed. I'd argue our lives are already changed.