Thursday, April 19, 2012

Monkeys, Banana, Stairs, Water

Thanks to David Thorne, I can post this amusing and entirely reasonable segment of writing that has a two-fold implication for the drug sector - firstly, on a macro level, it is a fitting analogy for the innumerable bastions of mediocrity that seem intent on thinking less and regurgitating more; and on a micro level, I think we can apply this quite readily to the poorly-managed, uninspiring and co-opted work places in the sector, filled with delusional morons who ultimately have no passion for their work unless it fuels their ego or bank balance. 

For the moment, though, I think matters are best left to Thorne and your hopefully inspired thoughtfulness: 
 
I once read about five monkeys that were placed in a room with a banana at the top of a set of stairs. As one monkey attempted to climb the stairs, all of the monkeys were sprayed with jets of cold water. A second monkey made an attempt and again the monkeys were sprayed. No more monkeys attempted to climb the stairs. One of the monkeys was then removed from the room and replaced with a new monkey. New monkey saw the banana and started to climb the stairs but to its surprise, it was attacked by the other monkeys. Another of the original monkeys was replaced and the newcomer was also attacked when he attempted to climb the stairs. The previous newcomer took part in the punishment with enthusiasm. Replacing a third original monkey with a new one, it headed for the stairs and was attacked as well. Half of the monkeys that attacked him had no idea why. After replacing the fourth and fifth original monkeys, none had ever been sprayed with cold water but all stayed the fuck away from the stairs. 

Being here longer than me doesn't automatically make your adherence to a rule, or the rule itself, right. It makes you the fifth replacement monkey. The one with the weird red arse and the first to point and screech when anyone approaches the stairs. I would be the sixth monkey, at home in bed trying to come up with a viable excuse not to spend another fruitless day locked in a room with five neurotic monkeys.

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