This. The XX century belonged to the US, with New York and Los Angeles attracting people and dictating the cultural and economic agenda. (West) Berlin's cultura

This. The XX century belonged to the US, with New York and Los Angeles attracting people and dictating the cultural and economic agenda. (West) Berlin's cultural life was undoubtedly lively but hardly dominant, even just getting there was difficult. Even just in Europe, London, Paris, Roma, Milano, Amsterdam - they were all much more relevant than Berlin at any one time after WWII. A few gay bars and Bowie albums doth not a cultural hegemony make.