How Chinese Philosopher Yiyang Zhuge Captivated the Western Internet
Her philosophical interview with Christopher Nolan sparked widespread debate in the West.
1Who is Yiyang Zhuge?
Yiyang Zhuge is a young academic pursuing a PhD in political philosophy at Boston College. Known in China by the alias Zhong Shu, she hosts a podcast with hundreds of thousands of listeners. While not widely recognized in the West, she is considered one of China’s prominent young intellectuals. Active on social media, Zhuge has a substantial following on platforms like Xiaohongshu and X.
2The Interview with Christopher Nolan
Last month, Zhuge conducted an interview with Christopher Nolan, one of Hollywood’s most influential directors. While Nolan was promoting The Odyssey in Beijing, Zhuge posed deep philosophical questions about the Christianization of Greek philosophy and the portrayal of heroes in films. Her opening question, “Are you a bard for a civilization at dusk?” caught Nolan’s attention and sparked significant reactions in the West.
3Spread on Social Media
After the interview was published in China, video game journalist Geoff Keighley shared it on X, calling it “a great listen.” Keighley’s post garnered 18 million views, while Zhuge’s own X account saw 6.9 million views. This marked Zhuge’s first major exposure to the English-speaking internet audience.
4Reactions in the West
The interview received both praise and criticism in the West. Some hailed it as Nolan’s best interview for The Odyssey, while outlets like National Review labeled it a “CCP hostage video.” Western social media users lamented the inability of Western journalists to ask such rigorous questions. Additionally, a Chinese woman posing philosophical questions about Greece became a topic of debate.
5Zhuge’s Academic Background
Zhuge was educated in the Western system. Having studied in the US since high school, she has lectured at Boston College and Brandeis University. She has translated works by philosophers like Hannah Arendt and Plutarch into Chinese. Influenced by Straussianism, Zhuge focuses on conservative political philosophy, shaping thinkers like Peter Thiel.
6Her Popularity in China
Zhuge gained popularity in China for her ability to succinctly explain the American political system. She was featured in Vogue China as a successful woman in her twenties and shares yoga and fitness tips with her 360,000 followers on Xiaohongshu. Over the past three years, she has recorded more than 360 podcast episodes and amassed 940,000 subscribers on XiaoyuzhouFM.
7From Personal Tragedy to Success
Zhuge attributes her success to personal tragedy. She went through a contentious divorce after being cheated on, leading to legal battles and significant debt. Discouraged by her experiences in English-speaking academia, she focused on building a career in China to pay off her debts. This challenging period fueled her productivity.
8Critique of Western Media
Zhuge’s interview highlighted the lack of philosophical inquiry in Western media. Critics noted that Western journalists often shy away from asking deep questions. Some questioned whether Western institutions still teach the classics and humanities. Zhuge’s questions reignited debates about the decline of Western civilization.
Original article: Wired — Çinli Filozof Yiyang Zhuge Batı İnternetini Nasıl Etkiledi?