In short:
Indian police have arrested an American man who visited a restricted island and left offerings to a tribe not contacted by the modern world.
Mykhailo Polyakov had previously made two unsuccessful attempts to reach North Sentinel Island, home of the Sentinelese people.
What’s next?
Local authorities say he has been released on a three-day remand “for further interrogation”.
I’m really conflicted on this uncontacted tribe stuff. The ethicical discussion leans towards preserving them. I don’t know that seems pretty messed up. I guess we should respect their wishes to be left alone, but damn.
Most would immediately get ill and die due to lack of exposure to diseases that the remainder of humans have developed immunity to. They also respond aggressively to any contact. Seems reasonable to respect their autonomy.
Yeah i forget about the immunity issue too. What a pickle
It’s really not a difficult issue. They know about the outside world and choose not to contact it. It’s their decision and it should be respected.
You’re conflicted how exactly?
I appreciate the idea of conservation and respecting their desire to be left alone. But what about individuals? Perhaps some dream of going out into the world but societal pressure holds them back? What about some dying of illness that we find trivial to cure? I love TNG but is the prime directive really the best way to approach things? I really have no idea.
Thankfully anthropologists, ethicists and legal scholars do have some idea. And they all say stay the fuck away.
Since you are presenting yourself as being familiar with the subject: why?
Survival International - Why Uncontacted Tribes Should Be Left Alone
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - Right to self-determination, right to live free from interference, right to live free of violence or genocide, right to territory.
The Guardian - David Hill - Scientists must let world’s most isolated tribes make own decisions