". . . whenever in all his history Man has asked the right question, he has found the answer." (KYPD 14)

In these few words, Margaret Mead has stated one of her fundamental beliefs in the capabilities of mankind to solve problems.

". . . we pay heavily for our heterogeneous, rapidly changing civilization; we pay in high proportions of crime and delineuency, we pay in the conflicts of youth, we pay in an ever-increasing number of neuroses . . ." (CAS 247)

This quotation forms one model of modern civilization. It reflects a relationship between rapid change in our culture and problems that exist in that culture. The model projects the condition that a high price is exacted for a dynamic modern civilization in terms of human misery.

". . . Fourth of July sermons are . . . what little Americans are made of -- among other more temporary ingredients such as Mickey Mouse and Superman . . ." (KYPD 11)

This analogy provides some insight into one culture, that existing in mid-twentieth century America. The term "little Americans" is not meant to be derogatory, but rather it describes the average American in a small-town environment. This sheds light on an aspect of American culture which, when considered as a whole, presents a formidable, unsolved puzzle for anthropologists.