The Quiet Zone

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In this riveting account of Appalachia's Quiet Zone, where cell phones and WiFi are banned, journalist Stephen Kurczy examines technology's pervasive role and humanity's need for quiet. Green Bank, West Virginia, is a unique blend of the futuristic and old-fashioned, housing the Green Bank Observatory, where astronomers utilize advanced technology while local children remain disconnected from digital devices. The ban on radio frequency-emitting devices allows residents to live free from constant connectivity, but this seemingly idyllic community is filled with contradictions, where tranquility can mask darker realities. Kurczy immerses himself in the lives of Green Bank’s residents, engaging in everyday activities like shopping, attending church, and even square dancing. He introduces a diverse cast, including a tech buster monitoring illegal radio waves, electrosensitives who believe WiFi is harmful, and a sheriff's department grappling with unsolved murder cases. Additionally, a nearby camp of neo-Nazis adds to the town's complexities. Amidst these characters are ordinary citizens striving for a simpler existence. Kurczy poses critical questions about the desirability and feasibility of a less connected life, making this work a compelling blend of investigative journalism, a tribute to place, and a call to reconsider technology's role in our lives.