View of Colonialism

"To what extent has this up-close-and-personal expose of so many seriously screwed-up people changed your view (or not) of these enterprises? Furthermore, has it shed any light on contemporary issues of exploration and exploitation?  Use examples."

This has made my view more cynical of colonizers (and people)--I've always known that they go in expectation of a return of some kind--but this has made it clear. People were forced into these actions by the peer pressure and 'norms' around them, and this makes it sick. It also as well makes people change, and lose their independence if they are weak in any way at all. Almost everyone has some of these weaknesses. It has shown me that it is bad for everyone, not just the obvious victims (although this effect is almost insignificant in terms of the scope of the victims). It only reiterates the fact that we, in our own countries, usually do not understand any part of another culture, and any forced interaction with them (whether it be colonizing them or invading their country to 'help them') it always ends up worse for the lesser-developed and weaker country. 
This book has made me seriously doubt whether humans have the ability to do things purely from philanthropic tendencies--there is always a bottom line that it seems that the 'good work' fulfills; tax deductions, public image, a larger financial return...it makes me sad. There should be more anonymous donations, where there isn't anybody looking for recognition. 
I do feel however, that humans can act selflessly in any situation (not all humans, but most), as long as there is full transparency for the whole world to see. When every fact, figure, practice, beneficiary, method, dollar spent, hour worked, financier, and product made or produced is accounted for and made into public record, then mostly purely good deeds can occur. 
This has shown that people will try to get away with anything that they possibly can--whether it be mining meteorites in space, chopping down forests for lumber, or drilling oil offshore--they will do anything to maximize profit with no regard whatsoever towards the people, environment, and economy that had been there long before they had arrived. The 2010 Gulf oil spill is a great example, as it was brought about by a company (BP) cutting corners by skipping costly procedures. The spill dumped around 172 million gallons of oil into the bay, also killing 11 workers, but more importantly it contaminated millions upon millions of gallons of water, killed off countless animals, fish, and birds, and destroyed the local fishing economies for thousands of fishermen. Just writing about it makes me sick, and yet BP was only eventually fined 4.5 billion dollars in fines, and as a company they face no restrictions, bans or criminal charges. Only four executives face charges. 
People are greedy, people cut corners.