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Hello everyone and happy new year!

Sorry for the long absence, but I have been to Greece for Christmas holidays, and I was far too busy sleeping, eating, drinking and having fun…no time for computers unfortunately!

Today I saw an amazing video in YouTube! It is created by a group called “Everything is OK”. The activities of this group are based on a “collaborative project aimed at provoking people to more critically consider the status quo“, as they state in their official website. Below is their video (if you want to see it with Greek subtitles and they are not already visible, click on the little triangle on the lower right and select CC).

That video reminded me of an interesting email I received several years ago, regarding the way a paradigm is formed. I’m sure you all heard of it, but for those who didn’t, here it is:

A group of scientists placed 5 monkeys in a cage and in the middle of the cage, a ladder with bananas on the top.

Every time a monkey went up the ladder, the scientists soaked the rest of the monkeys with cold water.

After a while, every time a monkey went up the ladder, the others beat up the one on the ladder.

After some time, no monkey dare to go up the ladder regardless of the temptation.

Scientists then decided to substitute one of the monkeys. The first thing the new monkey did was to go up the ladder. Immediately the other monkeys beat him up. After several beatings the new member learned not to climb the ladder even though never knew why.

A second monkey was substituted and the same occured. The first monkey participated on the beating for the second monkey. A third monkey was changed and the same was repeated (beating). The fourth was substituted and the beating was repeated and finally the fifth was replaced.

What was left was a group of 5 monkeys that even though never received a cold shower, continued to beat up any monkey who attempted to climb up the ladder.

If it was possible to ask the monkeys why they would beat up all those who attempted to go up the ladder, I bet the answer would be

“I don’t know…that’s how things are done around here“

Does it sound familiar? How many times have we asked ourselves why we continue to do what we are doing if there is a different way out there?! If only more people could realize that…everyone would be eating bananas!

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