#nrqz

[voidinc]

How did I become a catalyst for the void, exactly?

West Virginia is a lonely place to drive in the middle of the night. The switchbacks go all the way up one side of the state and down the other. You can never see another car for more than a few seconds, unless you’re following it or it’s following you. There is nothing on the radio, ever. There’s just you, your vehicle, and the road.

And the darkness.

If there is ever a time when The Void is present, 1:30 AM on a road outside Bartow, West Virginia is it. You don’t have to scream. You don’t even have to whisper. All you need to do is think a moment too long on The Void and it finds its way into your soul. You carry it with you when you leave, like a sick and frightened youth breaking quarantine.

Or ... wait. Was that you, or were you the one with the ramen?

[jimmcauley]

Newsweek: SEEKING RADIO SILENCE IN WEST VIRGINIA’S QUIET ZONE

It was quite a pleasant surprise when Jared, whom I had met at the Newsweek offices last year, emailed me about featuring some of the work I had shown him on Quiet! He mentioned that my the book for it had sat on his desk ever since and that he had looked at it often.

Very happy to see this work go up somewhere (at the link above), and to see the nuance of the long form article that some of the photos also went with, out on newsstands next week. You can see Chris Stokel-Walker’s article here now.

[dragoni]

I know they’re looking for extraterrestrial life but I couldn’t live there

Take A Look At The Town With No Cell Phones, Wi-Fi, Or Microwaves

The National Radio Quiet Zone is an eerie time capsule of life before the text message. Located in West Virginia, the NRQZ encompasses 13,000 square miles of radio silence. The area was established by the Federal Communications Commission in 1958 to prevent possible interference to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

The town of Green Bank, West Virginia, situated within the zone, is home to 143 people who never have to put up with the accusation, “I texted you! Why didn’t you respond?” That is because they have no cell phone reception, Wi-Fi, and very few microwaves. In today’s harried world, many of us would welcome a break from the constant contact, notifications, emailing on the go, and general stress that accompanies our always connected lives.

...

The town may now serve as a haven for those looking to escape the connected world, but not everyone plays along. According to the documentary, there are already a number of wireless routers present in the town, even though they are strongly discouraged. Residents must sign a clause in their rental agreements that they will not use Wi-Fi modems in the town.

[jimmcauley]

Warning symbols from the neighbors at the WAVR (Wave Analysis Verification Research, an organization advocating for elecromagnetically sensitive peoples) property in Green Bank, W. Va.

[jimmcauley]

Little League in the Quiet Zone. Green Bank, West Virginia. From the new series Quiet!

[progeneering]

It's been a good couple mornings on NPR

Yesterday:  an interview with (among others) the president of the New College in Sarasota.  Apparently they are trying to keep tuition low.

Today:  a report on the National Radio Quiet Zone, centered in Green Bank, West Virginia!  I really miss being there sometimes.

[atlasobscura]

The radio astronomy dish at Green Bank searches for answers to some of the universe's biggest questions, scanning back in time for particles invisible to the eye. It's so sensitive that in the heart of the National Radio Quiet Zone, items as common as microwaves are prohibited. #nrqz #space #darkmatter #wv #dailyadventure (at Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory)