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This was sent to me in another (not techwriting related) forum. Because
of the recent "ask me about the monkey" posts, it seemed timely.
Gene Kim-Eng
The Five Monkeys, or How Company Policies Evolve
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 it touches the stair, 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 its surprise, all of the other monkeys attack it.
After another attempt and attack, it knows that if it tries to climb the
stairs, it 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 joins the other monkeys in the attack.
Replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the
fifth. Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, it is
attacked.
After all the original monkeys have been replaced, no monkey in the cage
has ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey is ever
again allowed to approach 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.
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