In one of the updates to his book, I remember Dr. Otto Weizman's sage advice not to meddle with other cultures. By all means visit other peoples - if it is acceptable - but do not attempt to convert them to anything else.
A sad account during the downfall of the Aleut Eskimos is lucidly described in The Dow Brigade's report Vanishing World and Emerging Markets. (It's a long report, so scroll down until after the second photo.)
Money is unfortunately the usual motivation to eradicate cultures. It is rare that the preservation of dying cultures or precious natural resources is accompanied by a generous financial incentive, as Philip Greenspun reports in The World's Last Tropical Rainforest.
The recent 'invasion' at the home of the Guarani Indians is another illustration as to why ancient cultures are better off without our interference.
For those with aspirations to 'educate' remote tribes, think again. If that sentence does not immediately cause a red light to flash, then perhaps we need to define the word education. Furthermore, how would you define the word and how would they define it?
