In a groundbreaking study that has left researchers scratching their heads and parents rolling their eyes, it has been revealed that a staggering 1 in 3 members of Generation Z believe that VHS tapes were the ancient predecessors of smartphones. Yes, you read that right. Those clunky, plastic rectangles that once held our favorite movies are now being mistaken for the original iPhones.
The study, conducted by the Institute of Totally Serious Research (ITSR), found that the confusion stems from a combination of common core math, the lack of corporal punishment, and an alarming number of TikTok videos featuring VHS tapes as “retro tech.” “It’s like they think VHS stands for ‘Very High Smartphone,’” said Dr. Ima Quizzical, the lead researcher. “We’ve reached a point where kids are more likely to know how to use a filter than how to rewind a tape.”
Gen Z
In a shocking twist, the study also revealed that many Gen Z individuals believe that the “rewind” button on VHS players was an early form of “cloud storage.” “I thought it was like saving your selfies to the cloud,” said 19-year-old TikTok influencer, @VHSQueen. “I mean, it’s just a big, chunky phone, right? You just have to press play and hope for the best!”
The confusion doesn’t stop there. When asked about the purpose of VHS tapes, one Gen Z respondent, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “I thought they were just fancy coasters for my iced coffee.” Another chimed in, “I thought they were like, the original Spotify playlists. You just pop them in and listen to the music.”
Experts believe that the rise of streaming services and the decline of physical media have contributed to this phenomenon. “Kids today have never had to deal with the horror of a tape getting stuck in the VCR,” lamented Dr. Quizzical. “They don’t know the struggle of having to blow into the tape to get it to work. It’s a rite of passage!”
Adding to the absurdity, many are now looking to pop culture for answers. Mike Judge, the creator of the cult classic film “Idiocracy,” has been hailed as a modern-day oracle. “I always knew I was psychic,” Judge quipped in a recent interview. “I just didn’t think it would be this bad. I mean, I thought we’d have flying cars by now, not kids thinking VHS tapes were smartphones!”
As the study continues to make waves across social media, one thing is clear: the gap between generations is wider than ever. “I just hope they don’t try to use a VHS tape to call their friends,” said one concerned parent. “I can already see it now: ‘Hey, can you send me a Snapchat of that VHS tape? I need to post it on my story!’”
In conclusion, as we navigate this brave new world of technological misunderstanding, let us remember to cherish our VHS tapes—not as ancient smartphones, but as relics of a time when rewinding meant something entirely different. And who knows? Maybe one day, Gen Z will discover the true magic of the VHS tape… right after they finish scrolling through their TikTok feed.
