Yes, the claim that the culture wars are a civil war is actually ludicrous. Maybe online, but in reality, people are quite civil with one another over their political differences. That is my experience in Canada (a relatively progressive place).

I agree with your latter assessment as well.

The lecture overall comes across as needless contrarianism from someone who has only engaged with Mearsheimer and his fans over the issue. It’s not deep or insightful in any meaningful way.