From the editors of the magazine “Man”: Boris Mikhailovich Mednikov was one of the first authors of our magazine. Then he was extremely interested in the idea of the similarity of the biological and cultural evolution of humanity, and he wrote for us the first article on this topic, “Genes and memes - subjects of evolution” (No. 4, 1990), which is still remembered by many readers. Then he got carried away and plunged headlong into the problems of AIDS, seemingly moving away from his favorite topic. But, as it turned out recently, in 1991-1992 he began writing a book, three chapters of which, ready for publication, were preserved in his archive. We are happy to publish them.