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Apes
and the human condition
By: Anonymous
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Article
2002-02-28 00:00:00
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 tart 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. But 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.
After a while, 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.
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 assaulted.
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. The new ape has no idea why he is not permitted to climb the stairs, nor why he is participating in the beating of the newest ape.
After a few more iterations, 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 around here!"
This story has brilliant corollaries on humanity as well. In technology and computer it is the most common excuse for sticking with the status quo (using Windows against other solutions that might be better) -- it must be good because everyone else is using it, right!?!? Until we learn to question and challenge, we'll never be more than primitive apes. 
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