That's How We Do It 'Round Here

We start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang some bananas on a string and a ladder under it. Before long, a monkey will attempt to climb the ladder towards the banana. As soon as he touches the ladder, he and all the other monkeys are sprayed from above with cold water. He beats a hasty retreat. After a while, another monkey will make an attempt, with the same result. Eventually, when another monkey tries to climb the ladder, the other monkeys will stop it doing so. They know what the unpleasant outcome will be.

Now remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the ladder. 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 ladder, he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the ladder and is likewise attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm too! Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth. Every time the newest monkey takes to the ladder, he is attacked.

After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. They have have no idea why they are not permitted to climb the ladder but will still stop any monkey that tries. No monkey ever again approaches the ladder.

That is how many things are done within human societies. However, should others become annoyed when someone asks 'Why'? Maybe they have a point. There is no reason it is done that way, except that is how it is always done around here.