Elon Musk’s Satellite Makes Amazon Forest Tribe Addicted to Porn
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite has brought internet to a remote Amazon tribe, leading to youth addiction to games and porn, and causing concern among elders.
The Amazon Rainforest, known as the "lungs of the Earth," spans around 70 lakh square km and is home to diverse species and tribes. One such tribe, the Marubo, resides in the Brazilian section of the forest. Historically, the Marubo people have lived in isolation, fiercely protecting their culture from outside influences. However, this changed recently with the introduction of the internet, brought by SpaceX & Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk's Starlink satellite service.
Starlink, an innovative internet service, made the internet accessible even in remote areas like the Javari Valley. This has led to significant changes in the Marubo tribe's way of life. The internet, which doesn’t require ground infrastructure, was introduced to the Marubo community with the help of space-tech entrepreneur Allyson Reneau and Enoque Marubo, the next-generation leader of the tribe. This move came after Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro announced Starlink's arrival in Brazil in 2022.
While the internet brought connectivity and new opportunities, it also introduced challenges. Many tribe members, especially the youth, have become addicted to porn, video games, and social media. This addiction has impacted their attention spans and traditional interests. Sebastião Marubo, the first tribe member to venture outside the forest, expressed concern about these changes. He emphasized the importance of traditional activities like hunting, fishing, and planting for survival.
In response, the tribe's leaders decided to restrict internet usage. The internet is now available for two hours in the morning, five hours in the evening, and for a full day on Sundays. Despite these rules, many young people remain glued to their devices. TamaSay Marubo, the tribe’s first female leader, worries about children wanting to imitate those who break the rules.
The introduction of the internet has also led to cultural changes. Alfredo Marubo, a political rival of Enoque, revealed that WhatsApp is particularly popular among the youth. They use it to share porn videos and engage in sexual commentary, which is shocking for a community that traditionally frowns upon public displays of affection.
Some leaders have noticed more aggressive sexual behavior among young tribe members, raising concerns about the influence of graphic content. However, Enoque defended the internet, stating that it helps leaders communicate about health and environmental concerns, and teachers to educate students.
Alfredo also claimed that the internet was introduced without federal approval, which is required for tech in protected indigenous territories. The Brazilian government is concerned about whether the Marubo people were ready for the internet. Enoque refuted this, stating, "I think the internet will bring us much more benefit than harm. The leaders have been clear, we can’t live without the internet."
The introduction of the internet has brought both benefits and challenges to the Marubo tribe. While it has connected them to the outside world and provided new opportunities, it has also introduced issues like addiction and cultural shifts. The tribe's leaders are now tasked with balancing these new influences with their traditional way of life, ensuring that the internet brings more benefits than harm to their community.
