"Fi-li-o-pi-e-tism"
Noun:
An often excessive veneration of ancestors or tradition such that new ideas are generally discouraged, often via punishment, and conformity is strictly enforced.
-The Monkey Lesson-
In 1967, a psychological experiment was conducted on rhesus monkeys:
Five monkeys (A, B, C, D, E) in a room with a ladder, upon which are bananas.
As any given monkey climbs the ladder for the food, the rest are sprayed down with cold water.
Eventually, the monkeys learn to punish the one who climbs to preclude discomfort for the group.
One monkey (A) is then swapped out for a new one (1) that hasn't gotten the cold shower.
As 1 inevitably strives for the bananas, monkeys B, C, D, and E immediately punish.
Another monkey (B) is swapped out for a new one (2) that tries for the bananas
and 1, C, D, and E punish.
A third monkey is substituted (3) and not knowing of the original circumstance reaches for food.
1, 2, D, and E drop the hammer.
A fourth is introduced (4) in place of another original member (D),
and the beatings continue from 1, 2, 3, and E.
Finally the fifth is substituted (5) in place of the final original member (E),
and the group (1, 2, 3, 4) keeps up the trend of assault.
The result is a group of monkeys
that never received the cold water treatment
that still continued to castigate any individual
that tried to climb the ladder for the food.
"This is the type of **** that should be taught in school."