[hive_mind]

Unbelievable. I hope they can be studied with compassion and care. Not with violence and hate. And I hope they can be gently introduced to modernity without reducing them to janitors in Mumbai.

Also, the article claims it's located between Myanmar and Indonesia. That's just wrong. It's apparently located in the Andaman Islands, which are claimed by India.

[ra1n85]

What makes you think they'll be treated with violence and hate?

I would avoid introducing them to modernity at all. They've been there for thousands of years without issue, why interrupt now? Let them be.

[hive_mind]

> What makes you think they'll be treated with violence and hate?

"Upper caste" Indians (Brahmins / Kshatriyas) have a history of treating marginalized tribal groups with violence and hatred. Forcibly removing them to exploit natural resources.

Source: I'm Indian. I've seen quite a bit of this happen during my life. Here's an example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narmada_Bachao_Andolan

[sremani]

You are trying too hard, even if I subscribe to the evils of brahmin priests you are talking about Sentalese who are far far away from Indian mainland.

India claims Andamans on technicality, those islands were at best a way point for Indian sailors in the past.

Please give better points of and sources of exploitation, to call Narmada Bachao Andolan which was a protest against building a dam, as something only Brahmins and Kshatriyas only benefited is a stretch.

[bunderbunder]

The main argument in favor (which I'm presenting but not necessarily defending) seems to be that the surrounding area is increasingly densely populated, so avoiding contact in the long run is impossible. Therefore it's better to take the initiative and make sure that contact is made in a controlled and gentle manner.

[chongli]

without issue

Infant and maternal mortality? Childhood disease? Loss of teeth? Local diseases/parasites?

Just because they're surviving doesn't mean their lives are without issue. Would you want to revert 60000 years to their level of technology? Would they want to go back to the village if they were given this same choice?

[thr0waway1239]

Too early to say, but ask me again in 5 years. If humanity fails to overcome the debilitating psychosis induced by Facebook in that time period, the island might become that much more tempting.

[chongli]

I'm among the majority of humans who don't use Facebook. I'm not too worried about it!

[nawitus]

We don't really know what issues they are facing. We do know that they've been able to survive, that's about it.

[UhUhUhUh]

What is concerning to me is the shrinking genetic variability involved in long-term in-breeding. That is, logically, a rather important issue.

[Mikeb85]

Lol, there's human safaris in India. They're not particularly benevolent to tribal peoples...

[murukesh_s]

Just to be clear, Andaman is not claimed by India, it is a part of India as much as Hawaii (or even Alaska) is part of the United States of America.

[linuxkerneldev]

> as much as Hawaii (or even Alaska) is part of the United States of America.

Hawaii is a terrible analogy to use. Hawaii was annexed by military force on behalf of the American pineapple and sugar mafia (Dole, etc). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Hawaii , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_sovereignty_movement

As far as I can tell, Andaman and Nicobar islands are part of the fascinating historical migration route between India and South East Asia, and no military force was used by India to have ownership of those islands.

I admire the way Indians have dealt with those islands ( leaving them un-interfered with ) versus how my own culture dealt (and deals) with less technologically advanced populations.

[animal531]

I agree, however as soon as the island is discovered to be the world's greatest and/or only source of unobtanium, then they're quickly going to find themselves deported, with little in the way of compensation.

[murukesh_s]

Thanks for sharing..

[Pica_soO]

Why introduce to modern society at all? Keep them around as a fresh start, should singularity or environmental collapse make that necessary?

[bayesian_horse]

It's not about "introducing them to modern society", but rather to establish contact and communication. Maybe learn something about them, and being able to help when a disaster strikes the island.

A population of 50-500 individuals must be extremely fragile, even if they survived on that island for so long. They could become infected through anything, even bird excrement or something, also tsunamis or other bad weather. It would be helpful to respond to a crisis.

[blntechie]

Andaman islands geographically indeed are located between Myanmar and Indonesia. It's not wrong.

And the islands are an integral part of India without any major disputes on its staus with a neighbouring nation. Not just claimed by India.

[Nokinside]

They are very hostile and violent against outsiders, so it's best for all if they are left alone.

They don't know it themselves but they serve the rest of the humanity by preserving one island as it was.