Is it possible that a larger percentage of young Chinese know about Diogenes than Americans?
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Yes - there was a man in the street interview with random Chinese individuals a year or more ago.
They were asked simple questions about Chinese history prior to Mao. They gave long detailed and thoughtful answers.
History in the West has little economic value, is discounted, and a fading academic subject. In China, history is who they are and of immense interest.
Ask random individuals in the US who Diogenes was and likely get answers like: blank stares, a sports player, a clothing brand, some politician.