Survey finds that Gen Z are more likely to recognise Sonic the Hedgehog than Shakespeare

Bobby Mills November 6, 2021

To be, or not to be? That, as they say, is the question. However, perhaps Hamlet ought to consider revising his oft-repeated rumination to something along the lines of “to stack up to Sonic the Hedgehog, or not to stack up to Sonic the Hedgehog?” Never in all my years did I ever think I’d be typing those words, but the young ‘uns of today keep finding ways to surprise me. And I’m only in my early 20s myself. All downhill from here, guys ‘n gals.

Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune… is something we may never know, according to a new study performed by GetCenturyLink. Reason being, ol’ Will Shakespeare ain’t too hip with the young crowd right now – his legacy as one of the finest creative minds in literary history being threatened by, of all people, a blue rodent with a speed problem. The survey found that Gen Z-ers (i.e. any taters belonging to ‘Generation Z’, which refers to 2000s/2010s kids) are more likely to recognise the Blue Blur than the Buried, Ballad-Writing Bard. I guess schools no longer chain students to their desks until they finish the millionth read-through of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Dark days.

Look at that smug face. He knows the terror he’s wrought, the GCSE marks he’s tanked.

TheGamer has the scoop; “according to GetCenturyLink, Gen Z loves gaming more than any other age group – even millennials,” they report. “Their love for the medium is such that 26 percent of people in that classification said that video games are their top entertainment activity, 87 percent said they play games daily or weekly, and 10 percent said they stream movies or TV shows.” I wonder what percentage accounts for ‘going online and complaining about games they have never played.’ ‘Cause I see that a lot.

It was these findings that led the team to try and discover which video game characters have made an impression on the younger generation, and how identifiable they are compared to some of pop culture’s most revered icons. To do so, they “surveyed 1,800 people aged 16-24 and found that Gen Z recognizes Sonic the Hedgehog 83% of the time, and William Shakespeare 62 percent.” Much like Polonius behind the curtain, I feel mortally wounded by this.

Considering Pikachu’s approach to buses, there was never really any competition in my book.

If that little tidbit wasn’t knife-twisting enough, these kids are also “more likely to recognize Pikachu (85%) than civil rights activist Rosa Parks (72%)” which, in total sincerity, has just made me bash my head against my desk. Try appealing to Squirtle next time your human rights are violated, ya eejits.

All joking aside, these stats are truly stunning and put into stark perspective just how integral video games are to youths of today. What were once regarded as bleeping, blooping childrens’ toys now look set to supercede some of the absolute cultural cornerstones of Western society. Who knows? One day we might reach a point when the likes of Mario become more recognisable to ’em than, say, Santa Claus; and then we’re really in some deep doodoo around Christmas because Mazza is not known for his generosity. That’s right, plumber. I haven’t forgotten what you owe me. I know you’re good for it, all those coin blocks you bash. I’m waiting.

Are you surprised by these numbers? Any Shakespeare plays you’re partial to? Let us know!

Via, TheGamer.