The 8 Monkeys
(This is reportedly based on an actual experiment conducted in the U.K.)
Put
eight monkeys in a room. In the middle of the room is a ladder, leading
to a bunch of bananas hanging from a hook on the ceiling.
Each
time a monkey tries to climb the ladder, all the monkeys are sprayed
with ice water, which makes them miserable. Soon enough, whenever a
monkey attempts to climb the ladder, all of the other monkeys, not
wanting to be sprayed, set upon him and beat him up. Soon, none of the
eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.
One
of the original monkeys is then removed, and a new monkey is put in the
room. Seeing the bananas and the ladder, he wonders why none of the
other monkeys are doing the obvious. But undaunted, he immediately
begins to climb the ladder.
All the other monkeys fall upon him and beat him silly. He has no idea why.
However, he no longer attempts to climb the ladder.
A
second original monkey is removed and replaced. The newcomer again
attempts to ...