Summary
Images from automatic cameras reveal the first detailed glimpse of the isolated Massaco community in the Brazilian Amazon, estimated to have doubled in size since the 1990s to 250 people.
Despite threats from ranchers, loggers, and miners, the Massaco remain resilient, using strategies like spikes to deter outsiders.
Brazil’s no-contact policy, initiated in 1987 to protect isolated Indigenous peoples from disease and exploitation, has led to population growth among similar groups.
However, chronic underfunding and illegal encroachments continue to threaten these communities and the forests they protect.
The article mentions tracking these people with satellite images. What a crazy contrast between worlds.
It’s similar to Star Trek when they observe underdeveloped (Pre-Warp) civilizations, but we’re the Enterprise.
There goes that neighborhood.
Deep within the cavernous warehouse lives a community of box stuffers gone feral due to Carl’s laxidasical management style and frequent forgetfulness when it comes to sending employees on breaks.
I find it interesting that they don’t wear clothes but shave their face. I wonder if most indigenous tribes shave.
I don’t think they’re shaved, it’s just a lot of the indigenous peoples of the Americas grow little-to-no facial hair to begin with.
Interesting. Why?
Why not? Natural selection might have pressured facial hair out or their ancestors that crossed the Baring Strait mostly had none and there was no selective pressure for facial hair.
First glimpse?
So uncontacted is a highly temporary state.
Personally I’m pretty divided on uncontacted tribes - I’d like everyone to be able to chose their own lifestyle including highly traditional lifestyles… but to make an informed decision you need to actually know what other options there are. Like - everyone raised in insular communities deserves a Rumspringa when they can experience other ways of life.
just because you think you have a better culture doesn’t mean you have a better culture.
these are people who have lived for thousands of years insulated within the jungles of SA. They have daily goals and social responsibilities just like you and me.
for us to better understand our own place on this planet these people need to be studied and their culture documented because it’s only a matter of time before they make contact and the culture drastically changes.
Imagine how much culture on earth would change in a year if we found out that there’s an intergalactic federation of civilizations working together today. I bet your plans for the next 3-6 months would change(even if you didn’t want them to).
That’s fucking bullshit because they’re unable to make an informed decision. I’m not praising modern culture but there may be individuals living there that’d make a different choice if given the freedom.
Ignorance is never a strength.
I don’t understand why you’re so emotionally hung up on this “informed consent” idea.
right now, at this very moment, you have opportunities available to you that you couldn’t even imagine. does this upset you?
also, let’s say you were informed of one of the opportunities. however it is so out of reach for you to use it because you’re not educated enough to use it. would this upset you?
I would never be sadder to know something. I reject the idea that ignorance is bliss.
Knowledge can hurt in the short term but knowing what’s possible is motivating.
They are more than welcome to contact their nearest modern day neighbors, they’ve chosen murder everytime instead.
can’t blame them.
I’d murder some of my neighbors if they contact me by walking into my house unannounced.
