This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
Why is it so hard to change tradition?
I read of an experiment on-line the other day. It didn't give much information about the origin of the experiment. But it went something like this, There are 5 monkeys in a cage, they have all been slightly under fed. A banana was put on top a podium in the middle of the cage, a monkey climbed the podium and got it. But when he touched it all of the other monkeys got sprayed with cold water. Another monkey went up on the podium when another banana was put there, except he was stopped this time by the other monkeys and beaten for trying to get the fruit. One by one the monkeys were to be replaced, the first new animal that was put into the cage mediately went for the banana, but was stopped and beaten. Then another monkey was replaced, he went for the banana but was stopped and beaten too, but the difference this time is the monkey that was beaten before joined in. The beatings continued as all the monkeys were replaced, and non of the monkeys knew why they were beating the other one up, only that they were beaten themselves for trying.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Robert Winner 50+
Many of the "traditions" were religious taboos for the health or sometime to the benefit of the "church". As an example the Jewish were told not to eat pork. The problem was not the pig or even the pork ... it was the disease trichinosis. Eating fish on Fridays ..... I think you can see the point.
Many of these things have gone away with modern methods and applications, as well as education of the masses. We probally would not burn witches in Salem today and would look for the mold in the wheat as the cause.
So a look at the root of customs and traditions is not only fun but very informative.
All the best. Bob.
Colleen Steen 500+
Pork.....tradition......reminds me..........:>)
When I was very young, my wasband (was my husband) was starting out a new career, and we had all the new office staff over for dinner. I made a lovely pork roast dinner with all the fixings, which was a huge success.
During the dinner, one person said to another, how does that pork taste to you....being Jewish and all. OH MY GOODNESS....I never even thought about that. I felt terrible....for a minute! The woman who was Jewish, laughed heartily and said..."if this was 2000 years ago, I probably would not be eating it because they had no refrigeration then. Colleen has a frig., and I trust that she kept the meat refrigerated prior to cooking it......right Colleen? That was my education regarding the underlying reason for that tradition.
I'm sure that many people still honor that tradition/requirement of the faith, and that is a choice individuals make.
Fiddler is a GREAT show...is it not?