Technology, it seems, is taking over every aspect of our lives, bit by bit.
Smartphones, computers, TVs and virtual reality headsets are everywhere, and it's difficult to imagine what our lives would look like without them.
But in the center of the United States, some communities have been shunning modern technology for years, actively seeking a simpler lifestyle. This group of people has a lot of rumors - and stigmas - circulating about them, but their actual way of life remains relatively unknown.
What do you know about the Amish?
We're willing to be that many of the facts here will leave you surprised - and even more curious.
Electricity
The Amish live by several basic tenets. Unlike the rest of America, the Amish shun individualism, and look at technology that takes away from hard, communal work and gives the individual time to ruminate on things outside of the community as a negative influence.
Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
That's the reason they rarely use electricity or drive cars - but don't make the mistake of thinking they are merely trying to recreate a bygone time! Technology is vetted according to its perceived worth to the community, not on its advancement - and so, some Amish actually use modern tools for certain activities.
Facial Hair
The Amish are an old group, with very old traditions. They first came to America in the early 18th century, and many aspects of that period are preserved in their traditions, like in a sort of living time capsule. One of the most distinct - and instantly recognizable - of these traditions is the Amish beard.
Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
Amish men wear a beard for all sorts of reasons - some rooted in religion, others in tradition - but they all shave their mustaches. The reason for that may surprise you: the Amish are pacifists, and when their movement was just starting out, mustaches were heavily linked with a "military" look, favored by officers and soldiers. To distinguish themselves from these military men, the Amish decided to shave their mustaches off - and while today, military men prefer a clean-shaven look, the tradition has stuck!
Outsiders
It doesn't matter what ethnicity you are, or what skin color you have, or where you're from - if you're an outsider, the Amish will refer to you as "English."
When the Amish first came to America, everyone that approached them were English settlers - who, naturally, spoke English. The Amish couldn't refer to them as Americans, because they were Americans as well, so they simply called them English.
Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
While the Amish know English and speak it with "outsiders," among themselves they speak Pennsylvania Dutch. Not to be confused with "Dutch" from the Netherlands, this is a simplified version of writing the German "deutch".
The Amish's Faceless Dolls
Amish dolls famously have no faces. This may appear creepy to the rest of the world, but these homemade toys are actually in line with the basic tenents of Amish life.
The Amish, you see, don't want to encourage vanity or self-obsession - and a doll with a face is an individual, with distinct features which can make it prettier - or uglier - than other dolls.
Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
With that in mind, it's easy to understand why the Amish prefer to keep their dolls faceless - and there's even a beauty to it.
School
Up until the 1950s, Amish children would go to public schools alongside non-Amish children, learning English, math and other basic subjects with them up until the 8th grade.
However, as technology progressed and the American way of life became less and less similar to the Amish way of living, Amish parents started to remove their kids from the public-school system, and teaching them themselves, at home or at Amish schools.
Image via Library of Congress
Today, it's rare to see Amish children in public schools.
Rarely Sick
The Amish are legendary for their health. Despite shunning modern technology, and mostly keeping to their own 18th century medical practices, the Amish rarely get cancer or fall ill to serious sickness.
Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
When you think of their lifestyle, though, this makes a lot of sense. Many Amish are quite physically active throughout the day, refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol, and go to sleep early - soon after sundown. Not only that, but they grow most of their own food in organic fields! With such a healthy lifestyle, it's no wonder they are this healthy!
