“Play” was once not just a digital icon. It was a natural button, with weight and sound. A button that triggered entire rituals: The cartridge was entering the cassette player, the VHS video tape, the cd in the player’s drawer. And then people were filled with music and movies.

The cassette era was full of waiting and dedication. We all waited for hours to hear our favorite song on the radio, just to write it while pressing “play” and “rec” at the same time. And many were getting angry, when the radio producer was thrown in the middle of the song and we were recording. And again waiting. The song was never heard clean, but you recorded it anyway. It was yours.

The cassette player did not forgive. If she “chewed” the cartridge, her pencil was re -launching a one -way street. A manual recovery dance, almost ritual. And when the cartridge was back, the sense of satisfaction came.

The collections of songs, the title written in style on the sticker, the cassette itself painted with markers and the anticipation when we will find our friends to hear the mix together. The cassettes with love songs and dedications were the way to express your feelings without saying a word.

Of course, we don’t forget the videotapes. The route to the video club was a rite. The disagreements in front of the shelves, the time passed until everyone agreed in a movie, the plastic caskets with the store logo, all of them were pieces of experience.

Over time CDs and DVDs came. You opened the drawer, placed the tray carefully, almost with awe. Many still remember their first cd. The pocket money we were patiently gathered until we have enough money to buy the coveted singles. The songs we heard in the repeat until we learned the lyrics from the outside. The terror does not scratch the CD and its cleansing with hunters and blouse. It was hearing and repetition, not just consumption.

Today’s reality offers everything with one touch. Streaming replaced the wait. Buffering is considered a nuisance. Physical collections became playlists. Intangible music dominates.

However, a whole culture was built on expectation and materiality. In knowing that a song can be scratched, a movie to stop, a cartridge to be destroyed – and continue to love them despite their flaws.

Today’s kids will not live this. And maybe they never miss them. They have other, their own magic. They have tiktok, they have ai playlists, they have lo-fi beats for reading and Netflix for movies.

But a part of the soul, of this wonderful chaotic pop culture with which we grew up, was born and triumphed at the touch of a button. “Play”.