1. Start with a cage containing five apes. In the cage,
hang a banana on a string and put stairs under it.
Before long, an ape will go to the stairs and start
to climb towards the Banana.

2. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the
apes with cold water. After a while, another ape makes
an attempt with the same result--all the apes are
sprayed with cold water.

3. Turn off the cold water. If, later, another ape tries
to climb the stairs, the other apes will try to prevent
it even though no water sprays them.

4. Now, remove one ape from the cage and replace
it with a new one. The New ape sees the banana and
wants to climb the stairs. To his horror, all of the other
apes attack him. After another attempt and attack, he
knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be
assault! ed.

5. Next, remove another of the original five apes 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.

6. Again, replace a third original ape with a new one.
The new one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as
well. Two of the four apes that beat him have no idea
why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why
they are participating in the  beating of the newest ape.

7. After replacing the fourth and fifth original apes, all
the apes which have been sprayed with cold water
have been replaced.

Nevertheless, no ape ever again approaches the stairs.  
Why not?

"BECAUSE that's the way it's always been done around here."

====

All standard disclaimers apply!

LM


-- Modified on 6/12/2001 10:20:39 AM