Elon Musk Connected the Amazon to the Internet: What Happened When an Isolated Tribe Discovered the Online World?

Deep in the Amazon rainforest, where time seemingly stands still, a technological revolution is underway. The Marubo tribe, which has lived in harmony with nature and its own traditions for centuries, has connected to the online world thanks to Elon Musk's Starlink. What happens when an ancient culture collides with the internet?

From Hunting with Bows to Scrolling on Facebook

For the Marubo tribe, numbering about 2,000 members, the arrival of the internet was a shock. While communication with the outside world used to take days, they can now chat with family on the other side of the country via video call.

Children are discovering the magic of online games, teenagers are sharing selfies on Instagram, and the older generation is watching live football matches in awe. While some tribe members celebrate the internet as a window to the world and a tool for education, others are concerned about preserving their identity.

Young people seem less motivated to learn traditional crafts and customs, and are more attracted to virtual reality. In contrast, the older generation nostalgically looks back on a time when life moved at a slower pace and was guided by the rhythm of nature.

Social Media: A Blessing and a Curse?

Just like in other parts of the world, the dark sides of the internet are beginning to appear in the Marubo community. Social media, while facilitating communication, carries the risk of addiction and the spread of misinformation.

Some parents express concerns about violent video games and adult content that is easily accessible to young tribe members. Adult content has spread rapidly within the tribe, and according to some elder members, it has already led to aggressive sexual behavior.

It's no wonder that the arrival of the internet into the heart of the Amazon raises questions about the future of the Marubo tribe. Can they blend their traditional culture with the challenges of the modern world? Will they maintain their identity in an online space where the lines between reality and the virtual world blur? One thing is certain, the internet has changed the life of the Marubo tribe forever, and its impact will be felt for many generations to come.