I'd be surprised if many non-Orthodox had even heard about plans for the council, let alone the current significance of many of the subjects mentioned in the article.
(I am neither Orthodox nor someone who has any "obvious" reason to be familiar with Orthodox matters, but I've read a bit about religious matters here and there. At the same time, my experience isn't in-depth. For example, I realized upon reading "...most Orthodox Churches seem to be retreating into a stifling, sheltered and safe provincialism...." that I can't think of any specific examples of what he means.)
I can only speak from personal experience, but at least at the two parishes I have belonged to, one OCA the other Greek, there is a wide level of knowledge, though perhaps not ultra detailed, that a Great Council is coming.