When banks have them, it means they've lost a substantial amount of money.

When a family sports the tonsured head, they've gifted hair to the lord.

Actors and actresses have 'looks' in hit films that define trends for years.

The 'Sadhana' cut, with an even set of strands covering the forehead was the rage in the 60s' in Hindi movies. Now, social media makes the rules.

The 'Bob Cut' invented by Vidal Sassoon gave women not just short hair but a look that defined a generation.

Yul Brynner was the first to make bald look sexy

Hair styles have been not just about conforming but non-conforming as well.

Dreadlocks or 'jatas' are the Indian sadhu's stereotypical image. Needs no maintenance as opposed to the dreadlocks of American footballers. Two completely different worlds.

The frizzy hair or the Afro look is a complete contrast to the straight, flowing hair or the ones with salon styled curls and waves.

But when women cut their hair short in India, it's still a way to signal rebellion - and they're referred to as 'parkatis'. Literally translates as 'snipped wings' 

Through the ages, scissors have created enduring symbolic value.

And defined movements or alignments with causes.

Don't let the enemy know that you know

As war strategy, it was one of the most effective counters.

When the Enigma code was broken in World War 2, the team that cracked it drove home the point that the Germans should not realise their encrypted messages were no longer a secret.

If they reworked the system, the allies would be at a complete disadvantage again.

So tactically, they acted only when there was enough confusion about how the message was decrypted. Or created another diversion for attribution.

Turns out the strategy is just as useful in sport!

Andre Agassi and Boris Becker were at the top of their game.

But Agassi had figured out where Boris was going to serve.

All he had to do was look at his mouth.

Boris had this peculiar habit.

As he tossed the ball up, his tongue would be thrust out for a moment.

Either at the middle or towards the side.

And then, Agassi would know exactly which serve would be used.

But he never let on that he knew.

It would only be deployed to get the maximum advantage in a game.

And Agassi told Boris about it only years later.

Champions don't just play well - they are great tacticians!

The grass isn't greener on Mars

Mars sucks.

That's the title of a new campaign.

And it outlines all the problems that humans are going to face out there.

It's a searing way to let earth dwellers focus on the planet we already have.

A dot in the galaxy that we call home.

We don't want it looking anything like Mars.

That's for sure.

What you don't see in all those dreams of extra-terrestrial voyages is the huge difference between Earth and Mars.

You complain about -20 degrees weather? How about -117?

The dust storms on Mars don't last for a few days.

They last for months

And a year on Mars is roughly twice the number of days on earth.

So, you can grow old slower.

And celebrate your birthday once every two earth years.

But then, you'd have to survive and count the days, right?

No oceans or forests or mountains to explore.

Think of looking at Earth from Mars and wondering why you ever left.

Gives 'Buyer's remorse' a whole new dimension.

Earth is the most happening planet in the galaxy.

And we dream of barren landscapes?

We've all hit the galactic lottery in the universe.

And it still isn't enough.

Every week, I'll plant a few ideas in your mind on branding, behavior and markets. Triggers for your thoughts. Spread the word to your friends. All you have to do is click the link and enter an email address.

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