"Much of the research into indigenous peoples attempted to identify and categorize how “human” these humans really were."

1. far too many unnecessary air quotes in this article.
2. Western scientists examining the intellectual capacity of savages is not, in itself, reprehensible. Consider it progress of sorts ... a couple of generations earlier the question wouldn't have been considered worthy of study. Even having Anthropology Days at the Worlds Fair indicates a certain level of newfound public interest in native cultures.

I thought the author was in too much a hurry to apologize for/belittle the men and women of 100 years ago. In many respects they were quite enlightened, and could deservedly look back on the social progress over the preceeding 50 years with some degree of satisfaction.

1. I believe air quotes are done using fingers.
2. Maybe you forgot to use some to enclose the word "savages"

Maybe you forgot to use some to enclose the word "savages"

See also

"scientists"
"examining"
"newfound public interest"
"worthy of study"
"enlightened"
"social progress"

What I like best about this is that judging by his arm, this is not the first time this has happened, which means its definitely deliberate.

Hand fishing. It's a thing. Catfisting, noodling.

I was born and raised in Oklahoma, I won't be ashamed to say I've gone noodling a time or two.

The exciting part was sticking your hand in a hole under muddy water, not knowing if it contained a catfish or a snapping turtle.

I googled it. So it appears that noodling is not related to Pastafarism. Shame.

I'm aware of catfish noodling, but that's no catfish and judging by the arm wounds it's a fair bit nastier even than they are.

Gotcha. Yeah, hand fishing isn't confined to just catfish.

I saw that, but I assumed that it just some tattoo, based on the the assumption that once you’v had a fish try to eat your arm once, only a maniac would try it a second time.

I miss noodling.

You could buy some old-fashioned mouse-traps and play with those.