New research released today shows that the majority of young Brits think that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft mogul Bill Gates have contributed more to world history than a host of illustrious names including Martin Luther King Jr., Alexander Graham Bell and Isaac Newton, with almost two thirds (65 per cent) saying that Gates has influenced society more than Newton.
According to the study by videogame publisher Electronic Arts Ltd to mark the launch of a new game about world changing moments and world changers, Dragon Age 2, more than a third (39 per cent) of under 25s believe that Facebook will have a more profound effect on society over the next decade than Prime Minister David Cameron.
The survey also revealed that fewer Brits aged under 25 had heard of key historical figures such as female rights activist Emmeline Pankhurst (41 per cent), politician Alistair Darling (61 per cent) and inventor of the printing press Johannes Gutenberg (seven per cent) compared to the 84 per cent that knew of pop singer Lady Gaga.
Sophie Orlando of Electronic Arts (EA) said: "The results of this survey are surprising given how influential some of the figures on this list are and the impact that their inventions or discoveries have had on our lives.
"However, the growth of social networks such as Facebook has been phenomenal - to the point where young Brits consider it to be more important than the invention of the more practical light bulb!"
"Dragon Age 2 allows players to embark upon an adventure that shapes itself around every decision you make, allowing the player to shape the course of history, just as the world changers on this poll have done."
The Top Ten 'World Changers' according to Brits under 25 are as follows:
1. Bill Gates - Founder of Microsoft (11.4 per cent)
2. Mark Zuckerberg - Founder of Facebook (9.1 per cent)
3. Martin Luther King Jr. - Leader of the African American civil rights movement ( 8.8 per cent)
4. David Cameron - British Prime Minister (8.8 per cent)
5. Isaac Newton - Discovered gravity (7.6 per cent)
6. Thomas Edison - Inventor of the light bulb (6.9 per cent)
7. Barack Obama - President of the United States of America (6 per cent)
8. Charles Darwin - Theory of evolution (5.4 per cent)
9. Alexander Graham Bell - Inventor of the telephone (5.0 per cent)
10. Albert Einstein - Theory of relativity (4.7 per cent)
Furthermore, more than one in ten (12 per cent) young Brits would like to have dinner with footballer David Beckham, whereas just eight per cent would like to do the same with President Obama, three per cent with Thomas Edison and just one per cent would like to sit down with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
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