The off-grid zone in the United States

Is a world without waves or networks possible? With the advances of modern technology, it seems impossible. Yet there is a place in the heart of the United States where the airwaves are almost non-existent. Called the White Zone, it's a 33,000-square-kilometer territory in West Virginia where radio waves are virtually non-existent.

Developed in 1957 at the height of the Cold War, the territory was designed to promote astronomical research by offering scientists an environment with as little interference as possible. As a result, the Green Bank base, with its huge telescope, is able to study outer space.

People claiming to be electrosensitive or from the hippie movement have also adopted this region for the possibility of living further away from technology and waves. Nevertheless, the socio-economic context is difficult. Everything is far away, and apart from the beautiful landscapes in the heart of the mountains, jobs require a great deal of mileage, even outside the white zone.

Especially as the latter is under threat. More and more citizens are finding ways to connect to wireless networks to access the Internet. What's more, the zone got a bad press after the revelations of Edward Snowden, who pointed to it as the place where the NSA can spy on most American citizens, and even those around the world. In a hyper-connected world, the White Zone could well disappear if efforts aren't made to keep it as wave-free as possible.

Running time: 23min44