Exactly, which is why someone should ask the question, "Why would that represent audio recording?" Is the NSA still fumbling with fishing the tape through the spindles to record all our phone calls?

They should have just depicted an analyst sitting there with headphones and a pencil (with manual sharpener on desk) writing furiously.

I guess the intended audience for this article is all 50y.o.+ and/or people who have worked in some recording facility's store room 10 years ago.