So I’m watching Daily Planet on the Discovery Channel and there’s a neat feature on these cool little microsatellites being developed at MIT’s Space Systems Lab under Dr. David Miller. Basically they’re like those little balls that float around space stations in Star Wars; very small and capable of highly precise motion. Anyway, they cut to the lead scientist, Alvar Saenz-Otero, and it caught my eye because he’s quite heavily pierced:
Among other things he’s got a bridge piercing, which is also known as the “Erl Piercing”, although that name is not that common these days. The name comes from the first person to popularize the piercing, Erl Van Aken, also known as one of the scientists that developed the lunar rover for NASA… Anyway, even if OfficeMax won’t hire visibly modified people, MIT and NASA (and in this case, DARPA) certainly don’t mind if you’re good at what you do. Personally I’d rather work for NASA than OfficeMax.
(My apologies for the terrible screenshots; I just took photos of my TV because I don’t have anything installed that can capture!)
Comments
154 responses to “Modified Scientists”
This is wonderful. I assume there was no attention drawn to his piercings on the show? It would be great if someday that was the norm–extensively pierced/otherwise modified individuals getting noticed and appreciated for that which is *inside* of them rather than that which is *outside*.
This is wonderful. I assume there was no attention drawn to his piercings on the show? It would be great if someday that was the norm–extensively pierced/otherwise modified individuals getting noticed and appreciated for that which is *inside* of them rather than that which is *outside*.
Shannon, I’m going to print this out and take it to the manager of the OfficeMax near me.
For everyone else curious, they refused me a job (I applied for assistant manager) based solely on my visable tattoos and stretched ears even thought they loved my resume. On top of that, they use tattooed models to advertise their printer ink on in-store banners.
Shannon, I’m going to print this out and take it to the manager of the OfficeMax near me.
For everyone else curious, they refused me a job (I applied for assistant manager) based solely on my visable tattoos and stretched ears even thought they loved my resume. On top of that, they use tattooed models to advertise their printer ink on in-store banners.
Jade, AFAIK you can legally *tell* them what they told you on the phone.
Jade, AFAIK you can legally *tell* them what they told you on the phone.
haha, my biology teacher gave me her old tapers to stretch m ears. She was the coolest teacher ever.
haha, my biology teacher gave me her old tapers to stretch m ears. She was the coolest teacher ever.
I love seeing this. And being a part of the elite academic world (Columbia University), I get enough looks for being visibly modified, so it’s nice to see that I’m not the only one. Maybe the sciences are a little different, but I’m studying history, and stretched ears and facial piercings don’t go over so well with my professors. They like to remind me to cover my tattoos and take out my piercings before I go to job interviews. I never do. Take me as I am, for my skills and not my appearance.
I love seeing this. And being a part of the elite academic world (Columbia University), I get enough looks for being visibly modified, so it’s nice to see that I’m not the only one. Maybe the sciences are a little different, but I’m studying history, and stretched ears and facial piercings don’t go over so well with my professors. They like to remind me to cover my tattoos and take out my piercings before I go to job interviews. I never do. Take me as I am, for my skills and not my appearance.
I work as a research biologist and college prefessor, and heavily tattoed in visible areas including most of my neck. I’ve never had a negative reaction from peers or employers. While I’m sure I draws looks, my performance and resume speak for themselves.
I work as a research biologist and college prefessor, and heavily tattoed in visible areas including most of my neck. I’ve never had a negative reaction from peers or employers. While I’m sure I draws looks, my performance and resume speak for themselves.
Brilliant, and definitely uplifting. That resume of his that Jordan posted is impressive, too. I’m no scientist, just a holder of a Batchelor’s of English. I’m also visibly modified and jobless at the present, and it can be a pain to get hired sometimes when you have some artwork showing. Fortunately, I know not to apply to Office Max now.
I’ll also furnish everyone with this article. It’s old, so maybe some of you have seen this man before. Respect to the modified intellectuals.
http://masseynews.massey.ac.nz/magazine/2002_Nov/stories/security_man.html
Brilliant, and definitely uplifting. That resume of his that Jordan posted is impressive, too. I’m no scientist, just a holder of a Batchelor’s of English. I’m also visibly modified and jobless at the present, and it can be a pain to get hired sometimes when you have some artwork showing. Fortunately, I know not to apply to Office Max now.
I’ll also furnish everyone with this article. It’s old, so maybe some of you have seen this man before. Respect to the modified intellectuals.
http://masseynews.massey.ac.nz/magazine/2002_Nov/stories/security_man.html
right on 🙂
I work at a call center and it jeans, t-shirts, and body modifications are a non issue which is most excellent. they didn’t even seem to mind my neon orange hair I had for a while.
right on 🙂
I work at a call center and it jeans, t-shirts, and body modifications are a non issue which is most excellent. they didn’t even seem to mind my neon orange hair I had for a while.
look kinda dumb now that i got fired form a resturant after i got my lip pirced ?
look kinda dumb now that i got fired form a resturant after i got my lip pirced ?
It’s all about supply. Office Max can hire just about anyone. The Spheres project can’t.
It’s all about supply. Office Max can hire just about anyone. The Spheres project can’t.
This pic made my Valentines Day =)
This pic made my Valentines Day =)
55. I find it interesting that you are studying history and they have such problems with mods. Wwhat with the historical prevalence of body modification in so many cultures all over the world I would think it would kind of be a been there seen that kind of attitude. Interesting to hear that is not the case. I would like to state that for nearly five years, a year of it as my second job away from research, I worked at a Lenscrafters. It was company policy that tattoos were to be covered and only basic ear piercings were allowed. We however had myself with stretched ears, a girl with a neck tattoo, and at another store a woman with a tattoo on her wrist. None of us had any problems whatsoever with our managers or customers. I often had older women compliment me on my “earrings.” I worked in both the lab and in the retail part of the store. I do believe it can be difficult in some senarios for people with visible mods to find jobs but I really truly think that if you re accomplished and have a resume/skills/personality/other job worthy talents, that you can get a job somewhere and be accepted. Maybe I am just lucky and optimistic. I also think things are getting better all the time as more and more people have mods.
55. I find it interesting that you are studying history and they have such problems with mods. Wwhat with the historical prevalence of body modification in so many cultures all over the world I would think it would kind of be a been there seen that kind of attitude. Interesting to hear that is not the case. I would like to state that for nearly five years, a year of it as my second job away from research, I worked at a Lenscrafters. It was company policy that tattoos were to be covered and only basic ear piercings were allowed. We however had myself with stretched ears, a girl with a neck tattoo, and at another store a woman with a tattoo on her wrist. None of us had any problems whatsoever with our managers or customers. I often had older women compliment me on my “earrings.” I worked in both the lab and in the retail part of the store. I do believe it can be difficult in some senarios for people with visible mods to find jobs but I really truly think that if you re accomplished and have a resume/skills/personality/other job worthy talents, that you can get a job somewhere and be accepted. Maybe I am just lucky and optimistic. I also think things are getting better all the time as more and more people have mods.
very cool…..as a professional piercer, this is a nice thing to see……
very cool…..as a professional piercer, this is a nice thing to see……
I WORK AS A SUPERVISOR IN A CELLPHONE COMPANY CALL CENTER AND I HAVE ALWAYS USED 5/8 EARPLUGS.
I WORK AS A SUPERVISOR IN A CELLPHONE COMPANY CALL CENTER AND I HAVE ALWAYS USED 5/8 EARPLUGS.
I WORK AS A SUPERVISOR IN A CELLPHONE COMPANY CALL CENTER AND I HAVE ALWAYS USED 5/8 EARPLUGS.
I WORK AS A SUPERVISOR IN A CELLPHONE COMPANY CALL CENTER AND I HAVE ALWAYS USED 5/8 EARPLUGS.
none of the jobs i have had thankfully ever cared about visible tattoos/piercings…(social services, security agencies, retail, desk jobs, food services, libraries) i got some concerns about working in food service, but only as all jewlery can fall into food – mine was screwed into my face – so it was seen as less of a problem.
also, at McMaster University there are a few profs with visible tattoos and one with a sleve. if a prestegious Uni like that would hire people with ink in their skin, than i think there is a lot of hope for other places as well….
the world is changing 🙂
none of the jobs i have had thankfully ever cared about visible tattoos/piercings…(social services, security agencies, retail, desk jobs, food services, libraries) i got some concerns about working in food service, but only as all jewlery can fall into food – mine was screwed into my face – so it was seen as less of a problem.
also, at McMaster University there are a few profs with visible tattoos and one with a sleve. if a prestegious Uni like that would hire people with ink in their skin, than i think there is a lot of hope for other places as well….
the world is changing 🙂
Back in 1991 I was desperate for a summer job and went to Burger King… after offering me the job they said I’d have to take out my earring (only ONE at the time, and just a normal stud). They also said I’ve have to cut my hair (it was barely shoulder length at the time). Needless to say, I told them to shove the job up theirs asses.
Back in 1991 I was desperate for a summer job and went to Burger King… after offering me the job they said I’d have to take out my earring (only ONE at the time, and just a normal stud). They also said I’ve have to cut my hair (it was barely shoulder length at the time). Needless to say, I told them to shove the job up theirs asses.
yeah fuck you burger king!
yeah fuck you burger king!
SWEEEEEEEETA!
i like the entire idea of being scientist and being modded at the same time!
SWEEEEEEEETA!
i like the entire idea of being scientist and being modded at the same time!
haha – i glanced at this guy’s resume, and he works at MIT, which is about 5 minutes from where i live. i should go visit him and tell him he’s been an inspiration to nerdy pierced kids everywhere, shouldn’t i?
haha – i glanced at this guy’s resume, and he works at MIT, which is about 5 minutes from where i live. i should go visit him and tell him he’s been an inspiration to nerdy pierced kids everywhere, shouldn’t i?
This makes me happy. Not only because he’s a modified scientist, but because he also has his bridge pierced. Yay for showing love to bridge piercings! 😀
This makes me happy. Not only because he’s a modified scientist, but because he also has his bridge pierced. Yay for showing love to bridge piercings! 😀
hahaha i saw that on T.V. too, i got so excited i called one of my friends
hahaha i saw that on T.V. too, i got so excited i called one of my friends
“Personally I’d rather work for NASA than OfficeMax.”
Is there ANYone who wouldn’t rather?
I have a bat tattoo from a summer spent doing fieldwork in the Philippines…another girl I know went and got a tattoo of a deer skull when she found out she was going to be working in a Chronic Wasting Disease lab.
“Personally I’d rather work for NASA than OfficeMax.”
Is there ANYone who wouldn’t rather?
I have a bat tattoo from a summer spent doing fieldwork in the Philippines…another girl I know went and got a tattoo of a deer skull when she found out she was going to be working in a Chronic Wasting Disease lab.
About that Massey University alumnus guy, his name sounds like he’s Maori or something, so for him having a facefull of tattoos is “traditional”, not “fringe subculture” =) In public schools in Malaysia you’re not allowed to have a nostril piercing unless you’re an Indian girl, in which case it’s perfectly normal.
About that Massey University alumnus guy, his name sounds like he’s Maori or something, so for him having a facefull of tattoos is “traditional”, not “fringe subculture” =) In public schools in Malaysia you’re not allowed to have a nostril piercing unless you’re an Indian girl, in which case it’s perfectly normal.
yay! this makes me so happy. i plan on being a pierced scientist as well 😀
yay! this makes me so happy. i plan on being a pierced scientist as well 😀