Author unknown
Public domain
A group of scientists placed five monkeys in a cage, at the center of which they put a ladder and, on top of it, a bunch of bananas.
Whenever a monkey climbed the ladder to reach the bananas, the scientists sprayed a jet of cold water on those on the ground.
After a while, whenever a monkey started to climb the ladder, the others would beat it up.
After some more time, no monkey would climb the ladder anymore, despite the temptation of the bananas.
Then the scientists replaced one of the five monkeys.
The first thing the new one did was climb the ladder, from which it was quickly pulled down by the others, who beat it.
After a few beatings, the new member of the group would no longer climb the ladder.
A second one was replaced, and the same happened, with the first replacement enthusiastically taking part in beating the newcomer.
A third one was swapped, and the fact repeated itself.
A fourth and, finally, the last of the veterans was replaced.
The scientists were then left with a group of five monkeys that, even though none had ever taken a cold shower, kept beating any one that tried to reach the bananas.
If it were possible to ask any of them why they beat those who tried to climb the ladder, the answer would surely be:
“I don’t know, things have always been done this way around here…”
Don’t miss the chance to pass this story on to your friends, so that, every now and then, they may ask themselves why they are “beating”…
And to remind the old ones that they must pass their knowledge and correct information on to the coming generations; otherwise we will keep on “monkeying around”…
“IT IS EASIER TO SPLIT AN ATOM THAN A PREJUDICE.”
Albert Einstein
