Comment by Dallas the Phallus on June 29, 2011 at 3:33pm

Absolutely amazing. At first I wasn't sure how prepared I was to believe this was real, but their expressions of wonder certainly seem to be genuine. And although this is amazing, we also know how detrimental first contact can be between cultures. I wonder what happened to these people.

Comment by Mostafa on June 29, 2011 at 3:51pm

They look very peaceful and surprised at the same time. I was getting worried that one of them is going to attack using his stone hammer at one point! But they just focused more on exploring the topic than being hostile! I wonder that had something to do with the environment they live in!

Comment by Dallas the Phallus on June 29, 2011 at 4:18pm

Yes, I noticed that one of them had his stone axe at the ready!

 

Of course, human facial expressions are universal and hardwired, and they don't shift culture to culture. Their sense of wonder and fear is amazing and unmistakable. We can certainly infer what they are probably thinking, but not entirely. I don't think I'm capable of such feelings, not in the same way they are. I suppose experience and exposure robs us of that.

 

Can you imagine possessing that kind of wonder at something new?

 

It may seem odd to us who live in a world that changes and has changed so much, but until the last 200 years or so, societies changed very slowly, and people died in pretty much the same environment into which they were born. If they were born in a grass hut, they died in a grass hut. If they were born a servant of the king, they died a servant of the king. The same for these people.

Comment by Mostafa on June 29, 2011 at 6:15pm

I don't think we will be to experience the same sense of wonder they have, no matter how weird the alien we encounter would be. This is because we know about evolution by natural selection and know how wonderful things it can do!!

Comment by Dallas the Phallus on June 29, 2011 at 6:18pm

That's part of it. As well as education and contact with the "outside" world via TV, the Internet, etc.

Comment by Mostafa on June 29, 2011 at 6:21pm

Yap! We have lots of knowledge to be taken by surprise now!!

Comment by Jason on June 30, 2011 at 6:39am

“JESUS….. say JJJEEESSSUUUSSS. J, E, S, U, S. Oh never mind… you’ll get it later.
I absolve your sin.
I baptize thee, in the name of the father and son and holy spirit.”

Comment by Heather Spoonheim on June 30, 2011 at 11:06am

My father actually worked in a gold/copper mine in Papua New Guinea in the early 80's with a tribe that made first contact in the mid 70's.  I assume they must be from the same nation of tribes.  He brought back some amazing stories.  I can't help but wonder who that guy in the video is who made the first physical contact - what an incredible experience.

Comment by Dallas the Phallus on June 30, 2011 at 12:36pm

It certainly looks like that is what they were thinking. I know some tribes will rub ash or mud on themselves in rituals or ceremonies, but I'm not sure if the New Guinea tribes do. I like how they'd touch his hair and then touch their own by way of comparison.

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