Imagine a secret so dark, so disturbing, that it will change humanity forever. A secret that’s been hidden in the shadows, available only to the most powerful and the privileged of the world.
And you’ve just accidentally stumbled on it.
You weren’t supposed to know. You weren’t supposed to see. But now that you have, you’re faced with an impossible decision.
Do you confess and hope “they” will let you live? Do you keep quiet, burying the secret deep into nightmares that will haunt you for the rest of your life? Or do you do what Reddit user WorldAwayTweedy did and share the secret with the world, knowing you’ll face certain death if your identity is ever discovered?
No matter what choice you make, no matter what you decide, it’s too late now and there’s no going back.
This is the story of The Four Hour Tape.
The dark truth behind humanity’s existence, our true purpose on Earth, has been hidden from the public eye for hundreds of years. It’s a secret so profound, so earth-shattering, that it can only be known by a powerful select few.
Or at least this is the premise of a fucked up mind-blowing Reddit post about the 4 Hour Tape that has been making waves online.
The post has been shared thousands of times and is creepy as hell. Is it real? I dunno. My motto is “I want to believe”, but with this one … I really don’t want to believe. I’d rather forget.
It shares the story of WorldAwayTweedy.
WorldAway? World? Tweedy? Ah whatever.
WorldAway is a low-level government employee who literally stumbled into a top secret meeting for high-level government officials, sworn to secrecy, to learn the dark truth behind the true meaning and purpose of life.
And no, it’s not 42.
It’s easy to see why it’s sparked so much interest online. The idea that our government is hiding yet another massive secret from us is tantalizing. And the notion that we’re not alone in the universe has fascinated humans for centuries.
So yeah, spoiler alert – we’re not alone in the Universe.
But what really sets this story apart is the reason behind all the secrecy.
Without WorldAway coming forward, the story is impossible to verify, and many dismiss it as a work of fiction.
Pictures and names or it didn’t happen.
But the fact that it’s gained so much interest and sparked … well let’s say some lively debate … says a lot about our fascination with the unknown and our insatiable appetite for answers.
True or not, it taps deep within our collective psyche and I’m sure it’ll be turned into a major motion picture soon enough. Probably with some Blair Witch style found footage.
Dibs on that idea. Tibor! Get Nicolas Cage on the phone!
So here’s how the story goes …
WorldAway (I know I’m going to screw that up at some point in this video) shares that after getting elected, presidents and governors are pulled into a room where they are told all the secrets of the world through the playing of a four hour long video.
I can’t even watch a one minute tutorial without losing my mind (AGGGGHHH). 4 hours … that’s a horror in itself. Maybe this is where we should just end the story.
Any who … The four hour tape, not to be confused with the four hour work week by Tim Ferris, has been an urban legend at the office where WorldAway works. The stuff of rumors and conspiracies, and now it turns out it’s actually true.
So one night, while working late, WorldAway prints a document to the network printer. But he sends it to the wrong printer by accident. A printer way up on the seventh floor. He makes his up to the seventh floor to get his document … you know, any normal low-level employee would have just reprinted it on the closest printer.
As he’s grabbing his papers he notices a snack table in a nearby meeting room … not kidding … all this because of a fricken’ snack. I’m guessing he went for the pink donuts with the sprinkles … I would have.
There’s a group of people standing around the snack table, and an old TV sits on a cart at the front of the room, a bunch of fancy folding chairs neatly set up around it
Next thing you know, a very serious man corners him, claiming that he’s 15 minutes late for the meeting. And before WorldAway can explain his way out, he’s shuttled into the meeting room, cell phone taken away, he grabs a muffin (seriously, a muffin? Who eats muffins?) and the seated group of a few men and when start watching a VHS video.
It’s an old video from the 40’s or 50’s, it’s in black and white, and it appears to look very official starting with a Presidential-like insignia.
The title … “Committee for the Protection and Preservation of Human Consciousness.”
It appears to be filmed in a room that looks very much like Congress. Fifty people sit in official capacity, and a choir stands in each corner of the room.
The narrator, standing at a podium talks about humanity having made contact with extraterrestrial life some 670 years ago.
He goes on to explain that the aliens and humans made an agreement to ensure the preservation of the human species.
According to the agreement, humans will be permitted to continue to exist on Earth, but there will be recurring visits from this intergalactic species who are known as [redacted] … yes, WorldAway is revealing the darkest most secret secret ever in the history of the Universe, but has chosen to “redact” the name of the alien species. Why … because he doesn’t want to honor their existence by name.
What the f?!
That’s just lazy writing. Seriously, five seconds on the Alien Species Name Generator and I had Enqrodians, the Stozin, the Urgins, the Qhocceaks, and the Qex’ull.
When the Qex’ulls do come to visit, the leaders of Earth have agreed that they will be permitted to harvest and consume, for the basis of nourishment, a majority of the human population.
Wait what???
They’ll be allowed to eat us. But the deal is that the remaining humans are expected to breed and repopulate in massive numbers for each subsequent visit … the next one being in 2028.
WorldAway is horrified by this revelation and feels like he’s being pulled into some kind of twisted, messed up psychological experiment. And as much as he wants to run and escape, he continues to watch the tape with the rest of the group.
I mean, this thing is like 4 hours long and all he has is one stupid muffin. I’ve got a whole plate of pink donuts and I’m only here for 20 minutes.
The tape continues by showing choir performances of all of the national anthems from every country around the world.
Fortunately for WorldAway, the man in charge fast-forwards through the lengthy performances.
Now I’m not good at math, but there’s 195 countries and the average national anthem is about 50 seconds. That’s darned near 3 hours of national anthems. So yeah, I guess that works out.
The tape finally stops on a horrifying scene, which I’ll explain in a few minutes.
But before we look at the horrifying end of the story, let’s explore the inner workings of a good conspiracy theory …
What is it about these stories that makes them appealing to so many people? To answer this question, we need to look at the psychological factors that contribute to the lure of conspiracy theories.
One of the main reasons why people are drawn to conspiracy theories is that they provide a sense of control and agency. We are constantly bombarded with information and stimuli, and it can be overwhelming to try to make sense of it all. Conspiracy theories offer a way to simplify complex events and phenomena, and to provide a clear explanation for what’s happening in the world in a way that’s easy to understand.
Another reason why people are drawn to conspiracy theories is that they offer a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Conspiracy theories provide a way to make sense of the world, and to find a sense of purpose through uncovering truths. By joining a community of like-minded individuals who share their interests and passions, people can feel a sense of belonging and connection that they might not otherwise experience.
Personality traits also play a role in the appeal of these types of stories.
People who are open to new experiences are more likely to be drawn to conspiracy theories. This personality type is more willing to consider new ideas and perspectives, often because they offer a new and exciting way of looking at the world. Exploring new ideas offers a sense of excitement and adventure.
Environmental factors also play a role in the appeal of these kinds of stories. Politics, economics, culture, and the stability of one’s environment can all contribute to the appeal. In times of economic uncertainty or social upheaval, people may be more likely to turn to conspiracy theories as a way to make sense of what’s happening around them.
In cultures where there is a strong sense of mistrust of authority, people may be more likely to be drawn to conspiracy theories because they offer a way to challenge the status quo and to question the powers that be.
Conspiracy theories can also fulfill psychological needs by providing a sense of community and belonging among believers. When people join a community of like-minded individuals who share their interests and passions, they can feel a sense of connection and belonging that they might not otherwise experience. This sense of community can be especially important in times of uncertainty or chaos, when people may be feeling isolated or disconnected from others.
Stories of conspiracy can offer a sense of moral clarity in a complex and often ambiguous world. This sense of moral clarity can be especially appealing in a world that often feels morally ambiguous, where right and wrong are not always clear-cut.
Cultural or social upheaval is also a factor that can contribute to the appeal of conspiracy theories. When people are faced with changes in their social or cultural environment, they may feel a sense of disorientation or discomfort. Conspiracy theories can provide a sense of stability and continuity..
Storytelling and narrative play a crucial role in the spread of conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories often rely on compelling narratives and anecdotes to convey their message and persuade people to believe in their claims.
People are more likely to remember and share stories that are engaging and easy to understand, rather than dry facts and figures. Conspiracy theories often use narratives that are designed to be memorable and shareable, and that provide a sense of excitement and intrigue.
The creation of villains and heroes is also an important aspect of conspiracy theories. This creates a clear narrative of good vs. evil, leading to a sense of direction and guidance.
The appeal of moral lessons and explanations is another factor that contributes to the spread of conspiracy theories. These stories often provide a narrative that offers a sense of moral clarity and purpose.
Storytelling has the power to shape our beliefs and perceptions of the world.
When we hear a story that is engaging and easy to understand, we are more likely to remember it and share it with others. This is because stories have the power to tap into our emotions and imagination, and to provide a sense of connection and meaning.
Stories like the Four Hour Tape tap into our beliefs and perceptions of the world and provide answers to difficult questions. One such question has plagued mankind since the dawn of time … what is the purpose of life, why are we here?
The four hour tape proposes an answer, albeit an incredibly dark and hopeless one.
While stories have the ability to explain troubling issues, they can also be dangerous.
By promoting a narrative that is not based in fact, conspiracy theories can lead people to believe in false or misleading information. This can have serious consequences, such as the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in institutions.
Conspiracy theories can also be used to manipulate and control people for an agenda. By creating a narrative that is designed to be persuasive and memorable, conspiracy theories can be used to influence the beliefs and behaviors of vulnerable people.
And conspiracy theories like those shared in stories like the four hour tape risk leaving people in despair, with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness, or worse … fear and anger.
Skeptics have been fast to state their claims.
While the story is engaging and well-written, skeptics say it’s a work of fiction rather than a genuine account of a government employee’s experience. The story’s implausible elements, reliance on hearsay and unverifiable sources, and literary devices all suggest that it’s a creative writing piece rather than a factual account.
The story is too convenient and dramatic to be true. The protagonist, a low-level government employee, stumbles upon a top-secret meeting and is accidentally pulled into a room where he’s shown a VHS tape containing classified information. This is a classic trope in conspiracy theories and fiction, but it’s unlikely to happen in real life.
There’s no concrete evidence to support this claim. The story also mentions a “Committee for the Protection and Preservation of Human Consciousness,” but there’s no evidence that such a committee exists.
The story contains several implausible elements. For example, the protagonist is allowed to attend a top-secret meeting without proper clearance or vetting, and he’s able to drive away from the building without being stopped or questioned. The story also implies that the government is aware of extraterrestrial life and has made a pact with an alien species, which skeptics claim has been thoroughly debunked by experts.
The story has a clear narrative arc and uses literary devices to create tension and suspense. The protagonist’s emotional state is described in detail, and the story uses phrases like “I felt adrenaline” and “I felt nausea coming in” to create a sense of drama. This suggests that the story is intended to be a work of fiction rather than a genuine account.
And the story’s tone and language are inconsistent with a genuine government document or a personal account. The protagonist uses colloquial expressions and slang, and the story contains several humorous asides and wry observations. This suggests that the story is intended to be entertaining rather than informative.
Finally, there’s the account of extraterrestrial life forms consuming mass numbers of humans every few hundred years. It’s an event so catastrophic and of such great consequence that it would be impossible to keep secret and hidden from the public.
Believers of the story point out that there are some aspects that could suggest it’s based on real events. For one, the depiction of a secretive government committee and confidential meeting is consistent with the way governments often handle sensitive information.
Governments do have classified programs and committees that are not publicly disclosed, and it’s possible that a low-level employee could stumble on a sensitive meeting or document.
The story also includes specific details about the meeting room, the VHS tape, and the committee’s insignia, which could suggest that the author has personal experience with government facilities and procedures.
The protagonist’s emotional state and reactions to the events described in the story are psychologically plausible, which could indicate that the author is drawing from personal experience or has a deep understanding of human psychology.
Some armchair sleuths have also suggested that the story may be inspired by real-world events, such as the alleged Majestic 12 documents or the rumors surrounding the Roswell UFO incident.
Furthermore, the story’s depiction of a low-level employee being exposed to sensitive information by accident is consistent with the “need-to-know” principle, which is a common practice in government and military organizations.
This principle dictates that personnel should only have access to information that is necessary for them to perform their duties, and that sensitive information should be compartmentalized to prevent unauthorized disclosure.
And that leads us back to …
The tape finally stops on a horrifying scene.
All of the choir and committee members have been eaten, the empty seats soaked in blood, body parts strewn about every where, survivors in chaos, crying in terror as they are about to be eaten next.
The tape ends, and the lights come back on. The man in charge tells WorldAway and the group to just sit and chill for an hour before leaving to allow time to adjust to this dark, secret, and horrifying revelation. Maybe he even tells them to grab a few more muffins for the road. I don’t know, I wasn’t there.
Personally, after something like this I’d be grabbing an entire box of Tim Horton’s. Just sayin’
WorldAway ends his tale by explaining that he’s now on the run, living in random hotels, his life in danger like he’s the living embodiment of The Fugitive (look it up … IMDB).
His parting words … If I don’t see you again, Reddit, I appreciate the watercooler conversation.
At least that’s the gist of the 4 Hour Tape. I’ve left a link in the description where you can read the entire story.
The story of the “Four Hour Tape,” exposes the dark and disturbing implications of a government cover-up and an alleged pact with an extraterrestrial species. It attempts to answer the question as to what our purpose is here on Earth and the meaning of life.
While it’s tempting to want to believe it, I must admit that I prefer not to. Not because it’s unlikely or a clever work of fiction, but rather because of the dark and disturbing implications of such a sinister secret.
In my opinion, it’s better for all of us if this story is simply an urban legend, a work of fiction created to entertain and intrigue.
But what do you think? Do you believe that the “Four Hour Tape” is a real, or just a cleverly crafted story? Do you think that the government is capable of keeping such a massive secret from the public, or is this a conspiracy theory with no basis in reality?
And would you prefer a muffin or pink donut?
Thanks so much for watching and sharing your comments. I really enjoy sharing stories of the paranormal, supernatural, unexplained, and the weird. I hope you’ve enjoyed this story and will come back for many more.
Until next time, have a great night!
