MONKEYS ANALOGY
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 to climb towards the banana.
As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all the other monkeys with cold water.
After a while another monkey will make an attempt with the same result, all of the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water.
Pretty soon when a monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try and 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 monkeys and replace it with a new one,
The newcomer goes for the stairs and is attacked.
The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm.
Likewise replace a third, then the fourth, and fifth original monkey.
Every time the new monkey goes for the banana he is attacked.
Most of the monkeys have no idea why they are not allowed to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the new monkey.
After replacing all of 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 for as they are concerned, that is the way it has always been.
(original author unknown)