A group of scientists placed 5 monkeys in a cage, and in the middle they placed a ladder with bananas on top. Every time a monkey went up the ladder, the scientists soaked the rest of the monkeys with cold water. After a while, every time a monkey went up the ladder, the other monkeys beat the one on the ladder. Eventually, no monkey dare to go up the ladder regardless of the temptation.
The scientists then decided to substitute one of the monkeys. The first thing this new monkey did was to go up the ladder. Immediately the other monkeys beat him. After several beatings, the new member learned not to climb the ladder even though he never knew why.
The second monkey was substituted and the same behavior occurred. The first monkey even participated in the beating of the second monkey. A third monkey was changed and the same behavior was repeated. The fourth was substituted and the beating was repeated, and finally the fifth monkey was replaced.
What was left was a group of 5 monkeys that even though they never received a cold shower, continued to beat any monkey who attempted to climb the ladder.
If it was possible to ask the monkeys why they would beat all those who attempted to go up the ladder, I bet their answer would be: “I don’t know, that’s how things are done around here.”
Conclusion: Don’t follow others behavior, think before you follow.
Hi, I’m Aaron Graves — Voluntaryist, Entrepreneur, Writer, Hobbyist Programmer, and PhDude. Phew, that’s a lot to get out in one sentence.
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