Evoloution Of Standard Proceedure

Start with a cage containing five monkeys.

Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under

it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards

the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys

with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the

same result - all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty

soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will

try to prevent it.

Now, put away the cold water.

Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new

monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and

horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and

attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new

one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer

takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise, replace a third

original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth.

Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked. Most of

the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to

climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest

monkey.

After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have

ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again

approaches the stairs to try for the banana.

Why not?

Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around

here.