Why certain people find eating certain products and/or animals taboo is a question Marvin Harris answers in his book, "Good to Eat: Riddles of Food and Culture". Hindus consider the cow the mother of life, and therefore sacred, Harris explains. Pork is a staple to the Chinese people, but to those of the Jewish faith, it's taboo, says Harris. Lastly, the rise of fast food restaurants made beef a favorite of Americans.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

A generation ago, the Iks displayed the human values of devotion to family, caring of the elderly, young, sick, and compassion for human suffering. With the loss of territory and increasing population coupled with limited mobility, the Iks suffered a reversal of compassion and in order to survive became mean, despicable, and inhumane. Examples are drawn from Turnbull's book, "Mountain People" as discussed with the author. Comparisons of the Iks to United States society are drawn.

Studs Terkel continues his discussion with Colin Turnbull and expands upon the effect that colonial powers redrawing boundary lines had upon the Iks. The Iks refusal to move created a loveless environment for the Iks in one generation. This is made clear when Turnbull describes a dying man's request of Turnbull for a cup of tea and the tea is stolen from the man's hands by a family member for the taste of tea and the earthenware.