So let me get this straight: you are saying that it is safe (both for the scope and the mac) to tie the grounds together (even with the current that will be ensured by the ~1k resistance), and that the only mistake I can make is to tie the scope ground to anything else than the arduino ground, right?
Yes. Tying the grounds together actually reduces the chances of problems. I routinely tie together scope ground and Arduino ground when scoping Arduino circuits.
I'm sure many more mistakes are theoretically possible, but yes, the main one is just to remember that the scope ground is earth ground (and thus Arduino ground, USB ground, etc), so don't connect the scope ground to anywhere else in the circuit but ground.
Of course, this is all assuming you are working with normal low voltage stuff. Don't even think of probing mains or other high voltage stuff until you're much, much more experienced and know how to do it properly. (I would not consider myself to be properly educated on how to do that.)
Finally, if you are powering your circuit (such as an Arduino) from a battery or isolated power supply (like most DC power supplies are), and USB is not connected (or the Macbook is not plugged in), then your circuit is "floating" and you can put the scope ground anywhere you like.
I'm sorry if I sound a bit confused: I am; both being a beginner and a non-native speaker is hindering me.
It can be confusing for beginners regardless. And your English is excellent! So don't worry.
Part of the confusion is that the discussion has forked in two directions: one is the scope ground question, the other is protecting the computer's USB socket from damage.
As a rule of thumb I wouldn't power circuits under test from computers you care about. Sooner or later you'll blow at least one USB port from it, and possibly worse.
well the problem is that I only have that one computer and the circuit is programmed and powered by that... Apart from galvanically isolating the laptop from mains, and the alternative to unplug/restart the circuit powered from somewhere else (which will make me lose the computer-arduino serial communication) is there anything else you think I can do to use scope&laptop together?
What I do, like many people, is to use an AC adapter (or lab power supply) to provide 7-12V DC to the Arduino's DC input jack. (9V is typical, but lower will let the Arduino's voltage regulator run cooler.) When you do this, the Arduino automatically stops pulling power from USB — but still retains the data connection.
The suggestion others have made, of using a powered USB hub in between, is an effective and simple way to protect the computer's USB ports in case you make a mistake. So it's certainly not a bad idea at all!