Parable of the 8 Monkeys

(This is reportedly based on an actual experiment  conducted in the U.S.A. by Dr. Harry Harlow and his associates at the Primate Laboratory of the University of Wisconsin. )

They 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 any 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 it and beat it up. Soon, none of the eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.

One of the original monkeys is then removed, and replaced with a new monkey. Seeing the bananas and the ladder, it wonders why none of the other monkeys are doing the obvious. Undaunted with their action, he immediately begins to climb the ladder.

All the other monkeys descend upon it with a thorough beating. It has no idea why.

However, it no longer attempts to climb the ladder.

A second original monkey is removed and replaced. The newcomer again attempts to climb the ladder, but all the other monkeys hammer the hell out of it.

This includes the previous new monkey, who, grateful that it's not on the receiving end this time, participates in the beating because all the other monkeys are doing same and that had been done to it before. However, it has no idea of the reason for attacking the new monkey.

One by one, all the original monkeys were replaced. Eight new monkeys are now in the room. None of them have ever been sprayed with iced water. None of them attempt to climb the ladder. All of them will enthusiastically beat up any new monkey who tries, without having any idea why.

And that is how  tribal bigotry, faith superiority and erratic systems get established and followed.

"Think twice before blindly following anyone or anything. Especially ideas or ideologies that have to do with religion, tribes, class or affect others or the community.

This is how anti-Igbo, anti-North, anti-Yoruba anti-Fulani, anti-Niger Delta and stereotypes are established.

Make sure you understand the basis of it, based on clear evidences and their explanations and reasons etc."

God save Nigeria. Wish you a pleasant day!