Uncontacted Amazonian Tribe Photographed

[jugioh1012 2]

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Amazon Indians from one of the world's last uncontacted tribes have been photographed from the air, with striking images released on Thursday showing them painted bright red and brandishing bows and arrows.

The photographs of the tribe near the border between Brazil and Peru are rare evidence that such groups exist. A Brazilian official involved in the expedition said many of them are in increasing danger from illegal logging.

"What is happening in this region is a monumental crime against the natural world, the tribes, the fauna and is further testimony to the complete irrationality with which we, the 'civilized' ones, treat the world," Jose Carlos Meirelles was quoted as saying in a statement by the Survival International group.

One of the pictures, which can be seen on Survival International's Web site (http://www.survival-international.org), shows two Indian men covered in bright red pigment poised to fire arrows at the aircraft while another Indian looks on.

Another photo shows about 15 Indians near thatched huts, some of them also preparing to fire arrows at the aircraft.

"The world needs to wake up to this, and ensure that their territory is protected in accordance with international law. Otherwise, they will soon be made extinct," said Stephen Corry, the director of Survival International, which supports tribal people around the world.

Of more than 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide, more than half live in either Brazil or Peru, Survival International says. It says all are in grave danger of being forced off their land, killed and ravaged by new diseases.

(Reporting by Stuart Grudgings; editing by Sandra Maler)

The story(Yahoo!)

What do you think about this?

[Meg 368]

I read about this.

 

 

I have mixed feelings about it. 

On one hand, do we (the so-called civilized people) have a right to interfere?

On the other hand, is it acceptable for us to isolate them?  Especially since isolating them would deprive them of things like advanced medical treatment?   or would contact with us just kill them because of diseases they have no immunity to?

Some estimates say that approximately 1 million Native Americans died from smallpox after the Europeans arrived.   Would contacting these groups go any differently?   (okay, so it wouldn't be smallpox but there are plenty of other diseases still floating around.)

There is the temptation to study them since we aren't likely to see many people living like this.  But, last I heard, they didn't sign up to be lab rats.

[City2TheMax 3]

Very interesting story. Personally I don't believe we should feel obliged to protect them. I feel that whoever is stronger should be able to dominate. Besides, it would be pretty cool to make a "Truman show" from these "undiscovered" tribes. As long as they don't know we're here it shouldn't be a problem. As far as the illegal logging thing; if they die, so be it. The world is overpopulated anyways.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: City2TheMax

Very interesting story. Personally I don't believe we should feel obliged to protect them. I feel that whoever is stronger should be able to dominate. Besides, it would be pretty cool to make a "Truman show" from these "undiscovered" tribes. As long as they don't know we're here it shouldn't be a problem. As far as the illegal logging thing; if they die, so be it. The world is overpopulated anyways.quote>

hmm . . . so maybe we should just kill everyone while we're at it?  

Just because we can squash them like bugs, that doesn't mean we should.

and I think they might know that we are here.  The helicopter was a clue.

[jugioh1012 2]

I do not think we have a right to interfere. I do not think it is any of our "civilized people" business make them a contacted tribe but I do think we should help keep loggers away from uncontacted tribes.

[ilikehotdogsalot 311]

We need to leave them alone. The sights and sounds of a helicopter, photo cameras, and other people that don't look like them is probably very frighting to them. Think about, you've lived your entire life without knowing anything about the world outside you, then some out of this world loud device filled with different people start poking you with a stick. . .

[CltcDrgn 0]

Originally posted by: City2TheMax Very interesting story. Personally I don't believe we should feel obliged to protect them. I feel that whoever is stronger should be able to dominate. Besides, it would be pretty cool to make a "Truman show" from these "undiscovered" tribes. As long as they don't know we're here it shouldn't be a problem. As far as the illegal logging thing; if they die, so be it. The world is overpopulated anyways.quote>

[CltcDrgn 0]

Wow, talk about the height of arrogance! Last time I heard anything like this was some nutjob called Hitler claim the Aryan master race was destined to rule over all subhuman peoples. City2TheMax, your statement is way out of line. I have come to find that these indigenous tribes found in remote areas of the world are often more "civilized" than the rest of the world. Catch up to the 21st century! Next you'll be saying we should be sending missionaries to bring them the Word of God. I believe we should study them from a distance, maintaining as little contact as possible. These people should be protected!

[Bumdark 3]

Geez, CltcDrgn, calm down... Everyone's entitled to their opinion.

Personally, I have to admit I nearly smiled when I read they had prepared to fire arrows at the aircraft... I know it's wrong, but it's still a bit funny to me, the mere idea that firing wooden arrows could down millions of dollars worth of machine... Ah well.

Also, I think that we shouldn't interfere with their lives. Last time we interefered with "unknown" tribes, we frickin' wiped them out. Let's not let it happen again, no matter how "advanced" or "civilized" we believe we are. We should neither protect them nor assimilate (or worse, crush) them - we should just let them be. Say, allow a wide perimiter around them and leave them their woods or something...

[combot 0]

I, like most of the other people here, believe that these people should be left alone. I don't think we should bring them up to speed, spread the word of god, use them as lab rats and "study" them, or anything like that. Who are we to play god over "uncivilized" people's live? The mere fact that these people have withstood the test of time and are still around today using primitive technology such as bows and arrows should something that we should be proud of as humans. I don't believe that we should force change on these people's live when their way of life has manage to keep them alive for how ever many years.

[mightygoose 92]

we have to remember they have never seen a helicopter before... they probably thought it was either an omen or a strange new beast coming to attack them... canopy glare probably mean they couldnt see the people inside, and even if they could, do you think they would associate this new magical beast with their own kind. in my mind firing arrows at it is probably the best response they could come up with. as to what to do, with this tribe which has obviously now been contacted unfortunately, we need to go and do the whole proper first contact thing, otherwise they might commit ritualistic suicide to stave of the end of the world or something. we have made the bed now with these guys, we have to go and lie in it.

[coolotter88 2]

well, you can't preserve everything.

[Callbat 8]

Very interesting story. Personally I don't believe we should feel obliged to protect them. I feel that whoever is stronger should be able to dominate.quote>

With great power comes great responsibility.

.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: mightygoose

. . . we need to go and do the whole proper first contact thing . . quote>

Sounds good.  But the only "proper first contact thing" that I know of is in Starfleet regulations. 

Not bad regulations, imho.  But, if we used them, that would mean that Hollywood writing are dictating global policy.   A weird concept.  Even if I do believe that those regulations are better than anything the politicians are likely to come up with.

or did you have another proper form of first contact in mind?

[Micah 16]

I can already tell they are going to make a movie about this from the tribes point-of-view. I don't know why; I just can.

Anyway, I wonder if they think weird evil spirits are flying above them when they see helicopters and airplanes. I think we should leave them alone; however, it's inevitable that they will meet 21st century people eventually.

Edit: typo

[mightygoose 92]

no i had that exact kind of first contact in mind however, going trekkie for a moment, the prime directive is an issue, i mean it makes sense, what is the point of us introducing ourselves to such a primitive culture when we have no effective means of even emotive communication (communication of ideas or intent by ay means). or if we did it would be very limited and probably detrimental rather than assistive, the prime directive is a statement that humans would not interfere with any planet/species that has not achieved a certain level of technological developement. i think that is more applicable here, maybe create a no fly zone around uncontacted tribes we know about and if they explore and discover us then thats ok..

to some up, this tribe we should contact but the others i think should be left well alone....

[hamsterTK 93]

Just from what I know about the way things work in Brazil, is that Indians can be the front lines in preventing logging where it doesnt belong. I suppose nobody here has heard of Chico Mendez?

[belfastuniguy 18]

This is difficult issue. I do not think we have the right to interfere with this tribe, in a perfect world they would be left alone and allowed to exist as they always have.

However this world is not a perfect one and the government of Brazil took the images to show the tribe existed to allow it to protect the region in which they live which is under threat.

Contact should be avoided as much as possible as these people do not have the developed immune systems that most of us have and some isolated tribes contacted in the past have had members die from things such as the common cold.

[City2TheMax 3]

Originally posted by: CltcDrgn Wow, talk about the height of arrogance! Last time I heard anything like this was some nutjob called Hitler claim the Aryan master race was destined to rule over all subhuman peoples. City2TheMax, your statement is way out of line. I have come to find that these indigenous tribes found in remote areas of the world are often more "civilized" than the rest of the world. Catch up to the 21st century! Next you'll be saying we should be sending missionaries to bring them the Word of God. I believe we should study them from a distance, maintaining as little contact as possible. These people should be protected!quote>

Look, I am not trying to say we HAVE to annihilate them. In fact that would be kinda rude. I don't think we should feel obliged to protect them, that is all. I mean, if the die, so be it. Everyone has to die in someway or another. I don't want to be the killer, but I don't care if someone else is. I do agree with the fact that we should study the from a distance (as I said in my last post).

Originally posted by: Callbat

Very interesting story. Personally I don't believe we should feel obliged to protect them. I feel that whoever is stronger should be able to dominate.quote>

With great power comes great responsibility.

.quote>

That is a good point. What about stories from the Old Testament? Jesus chose the Hebrews as his chosen tribe and wiped out other tribes with them. With great power comes great power.

[belfastuniguy 18]

That is a good point. What about stories from the Old Testament? Jesus chose the Hebrews as his chosen tribe and wiped out other tribes with them. With great power comes great power.quote>

I may have mis-read the above, but Jesus was most certainly not in the Old Testament. Wiped out other tribes? Not sure what you mean by that.

[Callbat 8]

Originally posted by: Callbat

Very interesting story. Personally I don't believe we should feel obliged to protect them. I feel that whoever is stronger should be able to dominate.quote>

With great power comes great responsibility.

.quote>

That is a good point. What about stories from the Old Testament? Jesus chose the Hebrews as his chosen tribe and wiped out other tribes with them. With great power comes great power.quote>

"with great power comes great power"

(sarcasm) That's a very deep statement.  (/sarcasm)

So since everything is handed to us on a silver platter we should obliterate it and eat the fleshy parts? Got it.

[City2TheMax 3]

Originally posted by: Callbat

Originally posted by: Callbat

Very interesting story. Personally I don't believe we should feel obliged to protect them. I feel that whoever is stronger should be able to dominate.quote>

With great power comes great responsibility.

.quote>

That is a good point. What about stories from the Old Testament? Jesus chose the Hebrews as his chosen tribe and wiped out other tribes with them. With great power comes great power.quote>

"with great power comes great power"

(sarcasm) That's a very deep statement.  (/sarcasm)

So since everything is handed to us on a silver platter we should obliterate it and eat the fleshy parts? Got it.quote>

Haven't you been paying attention? I'm NOT saying that we SHOULD obliterate them. I'm saying that we shouldn't have to PROTECT them from whoever wants to get them. I don't personally care what happens to them. Everyone has to die! But I am not saying we should go on another damn crusade like Bush or the actual crusaders did to get rid of their enemies.

[Voar Tok 4]

Originally posted by: City2TheMax

Originally posted by: CltcDrgn Wow, talk about the height of arrogance! Last time I heard anything like this was some nutjob called Hitler claim the Aryan master race was destined to rule over all subhuman peoples. City2TheMax, your statement is way out of line. I have come to find that these indigenous tribes found in remote areas of the world are often more "civilized" than the rest of the world. Catch up to the 21st century! Next you'll be saying we should be sending missionaries to bring them the Word of God. I believe we should study them from a distance, maintaining as little contact as possible. These people should be protected!quote>

Look, I am not trying to say we HAVE to annihilate them. In fact that would be kinda rude.quote>

"Kinda rude" - just kinda rude?  Usually, that kind of stuff is known as genocide.

I don't think we should feel obliged to protect them, that is all. I mean, if the die, so be it. Everyone has to die in someway or another. I don't want to be the killer, but I don't care if someone else is.quote>

The issue isn't a matter of whether or not people have to die at some point, it's an issue of whether or not we should go do something that will most likely kill them off, full well knowing what the consequences would be.  (I'm referring to the illegal logging).

Somehow, I don't think you'd appreciate it if you were in their situation.  I don't see why we should treat them differently.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Haven't you been paying attention? I'm NOT saying that we SHOULD obliterate them. I'm saying that we shouldn't have to PROTECT them from whoever wants to get them. I don't personally care what happens to them. Everyone has to die! But I am not saying we should go on another damn crusade like Bush or the actual crusaders did to get rid of their enemies.quote>

While I do not support interference I certainly DO NOT support sitting on the sidelines watching as someone else goes about killing them or doing as they please. How outrageous to suggest such a thing. We can easily protect them without much interference.

[City2TheMax 3]

Originally posted by: belfastuniguy

Haven't you been paying attention? I'm NOT saying that we SHOULD obliterate them. I'm saying that we shouldn't have to PROTECT them from whoever wants to get them. I don't personally care what happens to them. Everyone has to die! But I am not saying we should go on another damn crusade like Bush or the actual crusaders did to get rid of their enemies.quote>

While I do not support interference I certainly DO NOT support sitting on the sidelines watching as someone else goes about killing them or doing as they please. How outrageous to suggest such a thing. We can easily protect them without much interference.

quote>

Why is it suddenly our duty to protect everyone! Damnit we have enough problems of our own as it is. "Remove the log from your own eye before removing the splinter from the other person's eye". No, it's not the exact quote, but you get the point...

[belfastuniguy 18]

Why is it suddenly our duty to protect everyone! Damnit we have enough problems of our own as it is. "Remove the log from your own eye before removing the splinter from the other person's eye". No, it's not the exact quote, but you get the point...quote>

I didn't say it was out duty to protect everyone. Its basic humanity to wish to protect those under threat just as many seek to end the violence in Darfur and other such places. Some people may call it compassion, others may just see it as common sense.

Standing by and watching an entire ethnic group people being wiped is disgraceful and makes those that do nothing no better than the people committing such crimes against humanity. These people may not be advanced but they are still human beings and deserve the protection we in the developed world demand.

[Callbat 8]

Why is it suddenly our duty to protect everyone! Damnit we have enough problems of our own as it is. "Remove the log from your own eye before removing the splinter from the other person's eye". No, it's not the exact quote, but you get the point...quote>

Now I can think of a million things that that, with that quote applied, would affect you personally in serious ways.

[City2TheMax 3]

Originally posted by: Callbat

Why is it suddenly our duty to protect everyone! Damnit we have enough problems of our own as it is. "Remove the log from your own eye before removing the splinter from the other person's eye". No, it's not the exact quote, but you get the point...quote>

Now I can think of a million things that that, with that quote applied, would affect you personally in serious ways.quote>

OK, fine, let's say we decide to protect them. First thing is that we almost inevitably will contact them in some way or another. That includes disease. Now let's say we don't. By protecting them we use resources and money to protect a small tribe that we wouldn't have cared about anyways if we didn't meet them. What difference would it make then? Why can't we use those resources to help starving kids in Africa that might not even have a slight chance of survival? We help more people that have more problems. I'm sorry if I disagree with your opinions, but all I'm doing is stating mine, and that's it.

[Voar Tok 4]

Originally posted by: City2TheMax

Originally posted by: Callbat

Why is it suddenly our duty to protect everyone! Damnit we have enough problems of our own as it is. "Remove the log from your own eye before removing the splinter from the other person's eye". No, it's not the exact quote, but you get the point...quote>

Now I can think of a million things that that, with that quote applied, would affect you personally in serious ways.quote>

OK, fine, let's say we decide to protect them. First thing is that we almost inevitably will contact them in some way or another. That includes disease. Now let's say we don't. By protecting them we use resources and money to protect a small tribe that we wouldn't have cared about anyways if we didn't meet them. What difference would it make then? Why can't we use those resources to help starving kids in Africa that might not even have a slight chance of survival? We help more people that have more problems. I'm sorry if I disagree with your opinions, but all I'm doing is stating mine, and that's it.quote>

We're not talking about protecting them from ever being contacted.  That can't be done.  What we're talking about is taking some steps so as not to needlessly interfere with them.  More or less, just leave them alone, but put some restrictions on what can be one in the area.  That's all.  Nothing that's going to take tons of resources away from starving kids in Africa.

[City2TheMax 3]

Originally posted by: Voar Tok

Originally posted by: City2TheMax

Originally posted by: Callbat

Why is it suddenly our duty to protect everyone! Damnit we have enough problems of our own as it is. "Remove the log from your own eye before removing the splinter from the other person's eye". No, it's not the exact quote, but you get the point...quote>

Now I can think of a million things that that, with that quote applied, would affect you personally in serious ways.quote>

OK, fine, let's say we decide to protect them. First thing is that we almost inevitably will contact them in some way or another. That includes disease. Now let's say we don't. By protecting them we use resources and money to protect a small tribe that we wouldn't have cared about anyways if we didn't meet them. What difference would it make then? Why can't we use those resources to help starving kids in Africa that might not even have a slight chance of survival? We help more people that have more problems. I'm sorry if I disagree with your opinions, but all I'm doing is stating mine, and that's it.quote>

We're not talking about protecting them from ever being contacted.  That can't be done.  What we're talking about is taking some steps so as not to needlessly interfere with them.  More or less, just leave them alone, but put some restrictions on what can be one in the area.  That's all.  Nothing that's going to take tons of resources away from starving kids in Africa.quote>

Taking some steps as to not interfere with them? It seems you're saying like we can't help accidentally bumping into undiscovered tribes and trying to impose our Western ways on them. Are you saying putting restrictions on them such as stopping illegal logging?