> > > >THIS IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >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.
> > > >
> > > >And that, my friends, is how company policy begins.
> > > >
reminded me of some aspects of the witnesses.