*Serious scientist voice* Ladies and gentlemen, it is my solemn duty to announce that what we have long suspected and feared has now been confirmed by science: we have passed the so-called Flintstones Event Horizon. https://twitter.com/StarblasterBoy/status/1321419124262789125

We have independently verified that the generation currently passing into adulthood are simply not familiar enough with The Flintstones to spot a reference to it. Obviously this is troubling news.

When the Betty Boop and Felix the Cat Event Horizons were passed a generation ago, it was barely remarked upon. The passing of the Jetsons Event Horizon a decade ago should have been a wake-up call. Alas, we all ignored the warnings.

Now, late Millennials and Generation-Z have been tested and we have to face up to the reality that knowledge of The Flintstones is simply passing from our sociocultural lexicon.

While most subjects showed a passing familiarity with the names and images of core cast members Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble, recognition of Wilma was below 56%, and Betty below 32%. Pebbles performed better than Betty, but Bam-Bam was almost completely unknown.

Dino's image was familiar to 49% of subjects, but fewer than 8% correctly identified him.

Mention of both Mr Slate and Baby Puss drew only confusion from every single subject and both the Great Gazoo and the Gruesomes were assumed to be hoaxes.

"Bedrock" appears to now be better understood by its original geological definition, and most subjects immediately noted the paleontological innacuracy of the show's basic premise.

Most disturbingly of all, when subjects were asked to read aloud the phrase "the modern Stone Age family", 100% of them simply recited the words without any kind of tune.

We will not be taking further questions at this time. Thank you.