Discussing the book "An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales" (published by Knopf) with the author, neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks.

A sprawling conversation with R. Buckminster Fuller including his great aunt Margaret Fuller, future communication, the nature of work, human nature, and physics.

Terkel interviews anthropologists Richard and Patricia Waterman. This interview is done in two parts.

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.

Discussing the book "America now: The anthropology of a changing culture" with the author-Anthropologist Marvin Harris.

Discussing the book "Margaret Mead and Samoa the making and unmaking of an anthropological myth" with the author Derek Freeman.

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.

Margaret Mead discusses different cultures, anthropology, and society. Margaret Mead discusses topics such as immigrants, American society, poverty, and population explosion.

Discussing the book "The legacy of Malthus" with the author Allen Chase.

Roger G. Kennedy discusses the book "Hidden Cities: The Discovery and Loss of Ancient North American Civilization." Includes quotes from the book.

Discussing the book "The civilizing process" with the author Norbert Elias.