If corporate dress codes finally loosen up enough to permit multicolored mohawks, we’ll have one man to thank. After video of the Mars landing popped up on the internet, Curiosity flight director Bobak Ferdowsi is now even more famous for his hairdo than for his considerable accomplishments.
And what a ‘do it is: blue and red-striped, with gold stars dyed into the sides, it’s a mohawk that would make old-school punk rockers jealous. Ferdowsi let his team pick the colors and theme of his new hairstyle, as a de-stressing technique prior to launch. In the process, they helped him achieve the internet’s highest honor: They made him into a meme. And after all, what’s life on Mars, compared with showing those LOLcats who’s boss?
“NASA Mohawk guy” started cropping up immediately after video of the landing appeared online. Most featured shots of Ferdowsi directing the Mars landing on a headset, with sassy text inserted around his impressive hairdo. “Oh, you landed a gig at the local pub?” one said. “That’s nice. I landed a robot on Mars.”
Ferdowsi’s response? “If my mohawk gets a few more people excited about science and this mission, that’s awesome. That’s what it’s all about.”
The real question is what, if any, effect the Bobhawk will have on how folks dress at their non-space-related jobs. During the past decade or so, companies that capitalize on creative talent have largely abandoned the pressed khakis and button-down shirts of yesteryear. But it’s still unusual to see high-level managers with awesome mohawks. Maybe that’s about to change.
Help us, Bobak Ferdowsi. You’re our only hope.
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(Photo Credit: 9gag.com)
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