I consider myself reasonably tech-savvy. I’ve got the usual array of smart devices scattered throughout my apartment, dutifully listening to my every word and occasionally turning the lights on when I actually wanted them off. I’ve accepted the algorithmic overlords that determine what I see online. I’ve even made peace with the fact that my phone knows more about my movement patterns than my own mother does. But I’ve always drawn a hard line…

Honestly, I remember a time when silence was just silence. Back in the day, all you had to do was find the nearest quiet corner, grab a good book, sit down and the world would slowly fade away without any effort on your part. No buttons had to be pressed, no batteries were required, and no Bluetooth devices had to be connected. But for some reason, humanity decided that wasn’t enough. They went ahead and…