You might think people all over the United States have Wi­Fi — wireless Internet service — and mobile phones. But there is no such service in Green Bank, West Virginia, a tiny town four hours from the US capital, Washington D. C. Fewer than 150 people live in Green Bank, which has two churches, an elementary school and a public library. It is also home to the largest radio telescope in the world.

There is a ban on Wi­Fi in Green Bank, along with anything else that can create electromagnetic (电磁的) waves. Officials say the waves could disturb the signals the telescope receives.

For many Americans a visit to Green Bank is a little like returning to the 1950s. To get there, you must read road signs because there is no GPS service in the town. People can connect with the Internet through telephones, but wireless service is not allowed.

The observatory (天文台) is one of the largest employers in the area. The National Science Foundation (NSF) spends about $8.2 million a year to operate the observatory, telescope and educational center.

Jonah Bauserman is a technician. If he supposes there is a signal that is not allowed in the zone, he drives to the house where the signal is coming from and checks it. But once a week, when the device is cleaned, some banned devices are allowed near it.

People in the town respect the work of the scientists. And they say they are happy to live without Wi­Fi and mobile phones. “You know” instead of sitting here with our phones and other devices we’re out fishing, hunting and going to each other’s houses.” Everyone knows each other and communication is almost always face to face.

The Four Worst Car-Buying Mistakes

Here’s your crash course on what to keep in mind so you don’t end up paying more than you should for a new or used vehicle.

Mistake 1: Skipping the mechanical check

All new cars generally have to pass an inspection before they leave the lot. 【小题1】, it’s suggested finding a local mechanic to conduct a prepurchase inspection before you complete the deal of buying a second-hand one.

Mistake 2:【小题2】

Car dealerships have been known to throw a bunch of extras onto a purchase once you’re signing papers. You can decline any of these items if they aren’t yet installed. And remember,   don’t give money for a test drive, ever.

Mistake 3: Skipping the things that do make sense to buy

The one thing worth buying from the dealership is brake replacement, which ensures your brakes are working properly. Whether you want to buy common add-ons such as roof racks and winter tires is a matter of personal preference. 【小题3】.

Mistake 4: Regretting after signing the contract immediately

【小题4】.We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you usually have few options if you change your mind post-purchase. The best course of action is to do your research, think carefully and be sure a car is the right fit for you before signing on the dotted line.

Green hands are likely to make these “big mistakes” when buying their first car.   【小题5】. So, watch out for and avoid them!

There is a restaurant in my Maine town that has done little to update itself over the past 80 years. This is part of its charm, as is the wooden phone booth that sits neglected (忽略) in the age of the cellphone. Ah, the phone booth. We need it now more than ever.

For me it symbolizes that phone calls were once private affairs, even if the information being shared was not sensitive in any way. It was simply assumed that a phone conversation was meant for two people, and two people only.

Growing up in the 1960s, we had only phone in the house. As a kid, I didn’t get, or make many calls because all my friends live within earshot and I could just yell out the window if I wanted their attention. I do, however, remember answering the phone, asking for the identity of the caller, and then handing the phone to my mom. She’d take it, say “Hello, Mrs…one moment please,” and then as she placed her hand over the receiver, she turned to me, and directed, “This is for me. Why don’t you go outside and play?”

Flash forward to what cellphones have done to our life. Within the space of a few years, overhearing private conversations seems to be normal. Not long ago I was sitting in Boston’s South Station, near a man who was on his cellphone, waiting for my train.

The following is what the man had to say, “Yes, that’s right. The red and yellow roses.” Then he continued to recite his card number and expiration date. I stared at the fellow. He glanced at me and asked, “What?” My response was immediate: I recited his card number back to him, along with the expiration date.

There is no longer a sense of personal borders or limits. The cellphone has become a megaphone (扩音器), and I have been privy (私下知情) to details of people’s lives that I would rather not know. Maybe phone booths could serve as cellphone harbors today.