Any death is a tragedy, but it's hard to feel terribly bad about this one.
In this case that is what it looks like from my perspective as well
I'd say, they have every right to defend their borders from invaders. But they also have knowledge that these islanders don't have. They have an understanding that outsiders are not all belligerent and to be feared or non-entities to be killed (though some will act counter to that knowledge, see the stoked fear in the US about the migrant caravan, or the way North Korea treats many outsiders). So it's easier to cast judgment on "modern" nations and cultures who kill on sight, because they really should know better and be better able to discern true threats from mere nuisances.
Good for you? The homeless, penniless child should never steal the loaf of bread when all other, apparent, options are exhausted.
> They don’t get a pass for not knowing better.
They get a pass because it was already decided a long time ago that they were too dangerous for outsiders to be allowed near. They're contained, and by the survey numbers their population is dwindling. In another century the island could well be uninhabited. A small speck of isolated land that no one has any need to go to is easy enough to leave alone.
> Just as their victims didn’t get a pass for not knowing better.
Except their victim (in this case) certainly did know better. They even chased him off multiple times before finally killing him.
The victim should have known they were murderous savages but gave them the benefit of the doubt anyway.
Racial flamewar is not allowed on HN either. Please don't post this kind of thing again.
'The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal their bread.' - Anatole France
I'm sure his family and friends feel terribly bad about this tragedy.
May be he wasn't doing anything good from islanders' perspective.
Isolated tribes often do not have the same built up immunities to common diseases. It may not have been intentional, but he could very well have killed them all, regardless of his motives.
Well, he wanted to instill in them a belief system based upon irrational faith. One could argue that attempting to change the contents of their minds/belief systems for no good reason is "harm", and especially so when the new belief system is so flawed.
Practically the only thing we know about the Sentinelese is that they kill anyone who comes near them, no exceptions. He tried to make friends with them because he believed God told him to. Either his god is a giggling psychopath or he was delusional. I don't see a middle ground in this particular case.