Protect Your Family from EMF Pollution

TwitterFacebookVideos
  • Home
  • Solutions
  • EMF Meters
  • Find an EMF Consultant
  • EMF Research
  • My Story
  • My Consulting Services
  • Contact
  • Toggle Mobile Menu
  • Back to Top

August 22, 2017 / Jeromy / 39 Comments

Cafe Thrives Without WiFi

782
Shares

I enjoy sharing stories of businesses that are thriving while bucking the current wireless trend. Once such business is Equator Coffee in Mill Valley, California:

Cafe Thrives Without WiFi Equator Coffee Mill Valley

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Mill Valley and noticed that hardly anyone in this very popular cafe was on a laptop. How could this be? In fact, people were sitting and having actual conversations (once they got through the line, which was almost always out the door). It was like 1995, except that this cafe opened in 2014 and has a very modern design:

Cafe Thrives Without WiFi Equator

When I asked the employees about the lack of people glued to computers, they said that the owners didn’t want to have WiFi so that people would actually have conversations and enjoy themselves (they also nodded in agreement when I mentioned the health effects). In other words, they wanted this location to be a center of the community where people preferred to spend time, which it certainly has become. If anything, the lack of WiFi has helped this cafe and the business is a resounding success. In fact, Equator Coffee has been named the 2016 U.S. Small Business Association National Small Business of the Year.

Cafe Thrives Without WiFi Best Business

Let’s hope that more businesses soon realize that their customers would rather have real in-person communication, rather than become even more disconnected via unhealthy microwave technologies. Something tells me that the need for real human connection and the growing evidence of wireless health effects will eventually pop the wireless bubble we find ourselves in today. Once that happens, cafes like the one pictured below in San Francisco will become more welcoming and healthier environments.

Saint Frank Coffee WiFi

Do we want our cafes to be community gathering places or wireless office spaces?


782
Shares

Comments

  1. Ashli

    August 22, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    This is beautifully written. I hope other cafe’s take note of this one’s success and follow suit.

    Reply
  2. Beau

    August 22, 2016 at 6:24 pm

    It is so great to see this?

    Reply
  3. Elisabeth

    August 22, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    I recently saw a sign in a café and it said …

    “No, we don’t have WiFi. Pretend it’s 1995. Talk to each other.”

    Reply
  4. ash

    August 22, 2016 at 6:46 pm

    Such a wonderful article Jeromy.

    Reply
  5. Vicki

    August 22, 2016 at 7:08 pm

    No WiFi since their opening in 2014? Regret not knowing of this earlier, and surely appreciate your sharing this, Jeromy!

    Reply
  6. Peter Sullivan

    August 22, 2016 at 7:12 pm

    I think we have gotten to an awareness tipping point – especially with the media:

    CNN just aired an episode on toxins that included EMF on prime time (Morgan Spurlock: Inside Man: The Truth About Toxins).

    http://www.clearlightventures.com/blog/2016/8/17/cnns-morgan-spurlock-inside-man

    Also, a Sundance film from 2016 was just released about the internet that features a segment on electrosensitive people (EHS) that was respectfully done:

    http://www.loandbeholdfilm.com/

    The documentary “Generation Zapped” is getting ready to submit a cut to Sundance this fall:

    http://generationzapped.com/

    Keep up all the great work!

    Reply
    • Jeromy

      August 22, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      This is all great news Peter! Thanks for sharing these films/episodes.

      The BBC also recently did a fictional episode on medical doctors slowly figuring out that a patient is electrically sensitive:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4isNRKISDxU

      Reply
  7. William Croft

    August 22, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    Stunning photos of the Equator Coffee shop full of lively conversation and lifeforce / chi. Contrasted with the lifeless and sterile looking SF scene.

    Perhaps there is hope for those of us in the Zombie Apocalypse. 😉

    Reply
  8. Amanda Dunlop

    August 22, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    That is fantastic. I hope cafes here in NZ makes a similar decision soon! Not only helping people reconnect face to face, but limiting the harmful exposure to radiation. Love it! Thanks

    Reply
    • Jeromy

      August 22, 2016 at 9:07 pm

      Amanda,

      The first cafes in Arabia were known as ‘schools of the wise’ where men would philosophize and play chess. As they popped up in England, and before tea became patriotic, they were called ‘penny universities’ for a similar reason.

      A true cafe is good for human connection, good for human health and good for the mind/fostering wisdom.

      May we find ourselves returning to such meeting spots once again.

      Jeromy

      Reply
  9. Walt McGinnis

    August 22, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    Thank You Jeromy! Always a pleasure reading about something good on the EMF issues. We are all so beleaguered by all the bad stuff.

    Another example of good positivity was just a few days ago. On local TV here in Victoria, a guy said that he and his group, they were Buddhists, were not going to give in to negativity and gloom and doom. He said it was his role to make good things happen. I like that idea. It is our nature to be compassionate and greed and narcissism is a learned behavior coming from a place of fear and shortage. Walt

    Reply
    • Jeromy

      August 22, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      Wise words Walt. I could not agree more.

      Thanks for sharing.

      Jeromy

      Reply
  10. Travis Burch

    August 22, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    Figured I’d tell this story here about how things are shifting even within the industry…

    I saw the AT&T trucks today, the guys were working on the cell towers. I’ve been wanting to talk to them for months but I never get a chance to talk to them.

    So I walk over there today and just then a guy comes down and says “Hey”.

    So I said “Hey man, do you mind if I ask you some questions about the cell towers?”

    He said “Sure thing, go ahead”, real friendly.

    I then asked a bunch of technical questions about the design of the towers and stuff, just saying I was fascinated by the technology. He answered them and I learned a bunch of stuff. He mentioned that the round antennas are higher frequency microwaves.

    Then he said that the US is soon going to 5G, Korea (I think) is already going to 5G and “they’re ahead of us”, but that “lots of countries are holding off on 5G because of environmental concerns and health concerns”.

    I said “really?”

    He said, “Yeah, and the head of the FCC recently said ‘We’re not going to let research slow us down.'”

    I said “Wow, he said that? That’s really bold.”

    He said “Yeah I think so.”

    So I said, “Are you interested in the health concerns from this stuff?”

    “Yeah, I mean…yeah.”

    Me: Me too

    Him: Really? Lots of us in this line of work are getting leukemia and cancer.

    Me: I’ve been interested in it for a while because I work here, so close to two towers.

    Him: They used to turn off the transmitters when we worked on them. Now they refuse to turn off the transmitters while we work on them and they don’t let us carry around a RF meter anymore. They’ve got transmitters on top of buildings now. . .

    Me: Yeah I’ve seen them!

    Him: Yeah! You know the M****** H****** Hotel? I was just up there. And you just walk right up to them.

    Me: Really? Man you’re right in front of those things!

    Him: Yeah, and they’re not turning them off anymore. I’m just getting blasted.

    Me: I’ve got a meter and I get readings at this school of 10-20 mW/cm2 per channel. And a cell tower has like 70 channels right?

    Him: You have a RF meter? (He couldn’t believe it).

    Me: Yeah! I drive around town and see what the levels are like.

    Him: No way, eBay? Amazon?

    Me: Amazon.

    Him: How much was it?

    Me: Like… $190.

    Him: No way… Like I said, they forbid us from having them now.

    Me: So I just looked up the federal limits on Saturday. It says the federal limit is 10 mW/cm2. On this playground I’ve gotten a reading of 15 mW/cm2 on one channel… but the cell tower puts out 70 something channels, does that mean it’s putting out roughly 15×70 mW/cm2?

    Him: Most likely, yeah. Yeah all of us are worried about it. It’s high enough levels to heat things up. My face burns whenever I use a cellphone.

    Me: Everybody at the school is always hot, even when the air is cold.

    (Note: radiant heat [long wave light] heats up a body without heating up air).

    Him: Really? The industry people are actually worried that 5G is going to have a really big, even more noticeable thermal presence because the high frequencies have so much more power in them.

    (His phone started ringing).

    Me: Great talking to you!

    Him: You too! See ya!

    Reply
    • Jeromy

      August 22, 2016 at 9:44 pm

      Thanks for sharing this story Travis.

      I have heard similar stories from other people in the industry.

      They are (almost) always interested when I pull out my RF meter to show what is going on.

      Reply
    • Tom Whitney

      August 23, 2016 at 12:01 pm

      Travis – your meter can only measure the total power density over the entire range that the meter covers. You cannot measure individual channels as you have described. In fact, a $200 meter is no more than a toy. Measurements from it have no validity whatsoever.

      You may want to do some do some additional reading on this topic.

      Reply
    • John

      August 31, 2016 at 7:10 am

      Travis, I have a friend who also works in the industry. Is there a possibility if I send you my email, you would contact me? My email is alpenaunclejohn@yahoo.com. I am fighting smart meters in N. Michigan. Our State Rep. is a co-sponsor of a bill in the Mi. House to allow people to keep their analog meters without any fees. The Chairman of the Mi. House Energy Commission, Aric Nesbit, is refusing the Bill to come to the floor for a vote. His term expires this year. He is going to work for Consumers Energy in Mi. as a lobbyist for them. You can see where his loyalty is, certainly not for the people of Michigan.

      John K.

      Reply
  11. Eric Gault

    August 22, 2016 at 9:31 pm

    Wonderful!

    Reply
  12. Jan

    August 22, 2016 at 11:27 pm

    So encouraging – thanks!

    Reply
  13. Reverend Darlene Engebretsen

    August 23, 2016 at 1:16 am

    Hi Jeromy. Thank you for bringing us this good news.

    There is a man named Alan Candee in the Sacramento area. I know him through the Foothill Storytelling Guild. Besides being a storyteller and a musician, Alan’s business is all about helping families find and do activities which are not related to media screens. I think his business is called ” Mindful Media Management.” His “business card” is his logo printed on a balloon. He’s a nice guy who looks a lot like Cpt. Picard of Star Trek. You can find him on line. I mentioned Alan because what he is doing is exactly the sort of business which should be encouraged.

    I have had to withdraw from EMF education in Nevada County, CA. because of increasing health problems. My husband and I still try to educate people about using hard wired technology whenever possible, but it’s a huge uphill battle.

    As an activity which was an alternative to wireless entertainment, last year I helped produce the first annual Auburn Winter Storytelling Fest. We will be providing this one day mini storytelling festival free to the public again on Saturday, January 28, 2017. This family friendly event will include a morning children’s program, open storytelling and a liar’s contest ( tall tales ) in the afternoon, and an evening showcase of experienced storytellers, with meal breaks built in to the day’s schedule. It will once again be held at the General Gomez Arts and Events Center in downtown Auburn, CA. ( Placer County ), located at 808 High Street. There will be more information closer to the time of this very fun event.

    Reply
    • Jeromy

      August 23, 2016 at 11:17 am

      Thanks for sharing this Darlene. Keep up the great work!

      Jeromy

      Reply
  14. Sue McCully

    August 23, 2016 at 1:17 am

    Absolutely brilliant that they don’t have WiFi, but there would likely still be cell phone coverage in the area. And are the patrons asked to disable their WiFi or turn off devices when in the cafe? If not their devices will be emitting radiation just the same, or more, looking for a wireless connection. Long for the day when when wireless-free is like smoke-free in accommodation facilities as well as libraries, other public facilities and bars, restaurants, shops etc.

    Reply
  15. Ferenc

    August 23, 2016 at 1:28 am

    I still remember the old days when people still talked in a cafe. Without smartphone or laptop in front of their faces.

    Reply
  16. Mary Baenen

    August 23, 2016 at 8:17 am

    We recently opened our ‘Honey Bee Rose Cabin’ for rent as a vacation cabin with Ethernet wired connections instead of WiFi. We encourage our guests to turn off their cell phones when not in use and especially at night. We have had good reports from our guests sleeping well and feeling rested. One guest even stated that she was an insomniac and she reported sleeping well all 3 nights she was here.

    Reply
    • Jeromy

      August 23, 2016 at 11:15 am

      Thanks for sharing Mary. it’s usually the first time people put the dots together that EMFs may be affecting them when they have the opportunity to spend a few nights in a healthy spot.

      It’s great that you have created this environment. I found it on airbnb:

      https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14027696

      Jeromy

      Reply
  17. julie s.

    August 23, 2016 at 9:07 am

    This is fantastic! A coffee shop where creative minds can flourish.

    Reply
  18. Cheryl Wohlers

    August 23, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    Thanks Jeromy for all you do. It’s nice to be able to read your info and know someone who understands the serious dilemma we are facing everyday. It is nice to have someone who does not mock the people who are very sensitive to EMFs.

    Wouldn’t it be nice to have a community without all of this?

    Cheryl

    Reply
  19. Francis Markho

    August 24, 2016 at 12:14 am

    This is a good start in the right direction. It took 100 years for humanity to completely disconnect from Nature. While it took 10 years only to disconnect from each other even over a cup of coffee.

    I prefer to take my cup of coffee in Starbucks Coffee Shop, NOT in Starbucks Internet Cafe!

    Francis
    AKL, NZ

    Reply
  20. Danielle

    August 24, 2016 at 8:20 am

    I always thought it would be so cool if a bunch of people got together and bought land, and built apartments making sure it is WITHOUT wi-fi…so the people that live there have only wired, with only analog meters. Built with non-toxic material and eco-friendly paint and lots of beautiful plants, without toxic chemicals used.

    While I am at my dream building, have these apartments so there are noise level rules, such as no loud music, so people can live a healthy lifestyle in an apartment to sleep well. I don’t live in an apartment but used to and remember all the issues that go along with it.

    A non-smoking building…and the people living there would have ample space indoors and outdoors for a garden with veggies and herbs, and they clean with only things like white vinegar, baking soda, etc.

    Reply
    • Jeromy

      August 24, 2016 at 9:19 am

      Danielle,

      Such places are starting to exist. Here is one in Switzerland:

      http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/switzerland/10748109/The-Swiss-flats-where-smoking-painting-and-mobile-phones-are-banned.html

      Jeromy

      Reply
    • ellie

      June 29, 2017 at 7:21 pm

      Hi Danielle, There is a small community in the Dallas area for people with EHS and MCS. Houses rent for $120/night, $2600/month.

      They are booked forever in advance.

      There is a huge market for more communities like this: http://www.safehousingdallas.com/index.html

      Reply
      • Jeromy

        June 30, 2017 at 10:30 am

        Thanks for sharing Ellie.

        There is also a potential property opening up in Northwestern Colorado. We will know more about this in the coming years.

        Jeromy

        Reply
  21. Marvin de Hont

    August 25, 2016 at 4:03 am

    Wonderful to see this healthy cafe. Reminds me how far from a normal healthy society we have been driven since the 80’s.

    Hopefully we can turn the tides from now on.

    Reply
  22. Susan Wight

    August 30, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    What an inspiring article…thank you Jeromy for sharing this real life example. I wish more places were WiFi free.

    Reply
    • Jeromy

      August 31, 2016 at 3:15 pm

      Thanks Susan. Hopefully this is just the beginning.

      Reply
  23. Terry

    September 1, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    Thanks for the post Jeromy. Folks may wish to check out Werner Herzog’s new movie, Lo & Behold. It’s about the pros and cons of technology, including a visit to EMF free Greenbank, West Virginia.

    Reply
    • Jeromy

      September 1, 2016 at 6:09 pm

      Indeed, I am looking forward to seeing it. Here is the trailer:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc1tZ8JsZvg

      Reply
  24. Jeromy

    November 17, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    The trend continues. . . Here is a location that bans WiFi and, of all things, actually encourages people to read books!

    http://fox8.com/2016/11/15/bookstore-bans-wi-fi-wants-customers-to-actually-read/

    Reply
  25. Jeromy

    November 18, 2016 at 11:57 am

    The trend continues. . . . here is a location that has turned off the WiFi so that people will read actual books!

    http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/15/health/bookstore-no-wi-fi-trnd/index.html

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Smart Meter Break Throughs | NewZSentinel says:
    August 25, 2016 at 11:44 pm

    […] This good-news article, Cafe Thrives Without WiFi, by Jeromy Johnson. I want to share this very telling reader comment with […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Here is Jeromy’s TEDx Talk: “Wireless Wake-up Call”

My TEDx talk

Welcome. My name is Jeromy Johnson. I have a master's degree in engineering and had a successful career in Silicon Valley before I began to experience negative health effects from wireless technology and electrical pollution.

This website provides you with a comprehensive blueprint to solve almost any electromagnetic (EMF) problem. It is the only EMF resource on the internet created by an electrically sensitive engineer that has over a decade of experience working directly with thousands of clients. Read My Story

How to Find a Healthy Home

This is the resource I wish had been available to me when I first started learning about the EMF topic. With this book, you will quickly learn how to find and create a home that is healthy for you and your family. Learn More

Join 21,000+ Subscribers for My EMF Updates




    Expert EMF Testing and Consulting Services

    My expert EMF testing and consulting services provide comprehensive and personalized solutions for EMF radiation protection. As an experienced engineer, I will oversee a thorough assessment of your environment to identify all potential sources of EMF pollution. I will then provide you with practical and effective EMF protection solutions that have been proven to work.

    My services are backed by over a decade of experience in working directly with families and individuals with electrical sensitivity. I understand the importance of EMF pollution protection and I’m dedicated to helping you achieve a safe and healthy living space. My testing and consulting services will be tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that you receive the most effective EMF protection solutions possible.

    Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward reducing your exposure to harmful EMF radiation.

    Get In Touch

    Watch Jeromy’s EMF Conference Presentation:

    My EMF Conference talk

    Learn What EMF Meters I Recommend

    EMF Meter Guide

    Discover My Favorite EMF Protection Products

    Jeromy's Picks

    Create an EMF Sleep Sanctuary

    Learn how bed canopies can create EMF sleep sanctuaries for your family.

    EMF Bed Canopy

    Categories

    • Cell Phone Safety
    • Comedy
    • Computing
    • Electrical Sensitivity
    • EMF
    • Films
    • Health Effects
    • Home
    • Media
    • Medical
    • Research
    • Smart Meters
    • Social Impact
    • Solutions

    Stay Connected       

    EMF Solutions    Affiliate Disclaimer    EMF Consultants    Cookie Policy    Privacy Policy    Contact    Blog

    Copyright © 2011–2025

    Home>Comedy>Cafe Thrives Without WiFi