NAME: Lauren Silbert, PhD

PROFESSION: Neuroscientist / Educator / Artist

BAG: Cornerstone, Beer Brindle

Zip pouch: loose money, two credit cards, license, two and a half pens, lip gloss, loose change (both American and Moroccan), phone, keys, Bloomingdales gift certificate, caramel candies, bobby pins, rubber bands. 

Main bag: computer, cell-phone charger, red leather journal, three and a half New Yorker magazines, scientific paper on models of decision-making, (4) envelopes of urgent mail, Go Dog Go book, little plastic ball, anatomically correct rubber brain, Spiker Box, old pacifier, scarf, one loose diaper.

I carry a Spiker Box everywhere. As a neuroscientist who is developing novel scientific curriculum that incorporates art and the making of things into the learning process, it's important for me to have tangible demonstrations on hand. Basically, I stick two small electrodes built into the homemade current amplifier on my skin and listen to neurons firing.

First, the material feels incredibly strong and resilient. I sometimes over-estimate my own strength based on the bag's strength - carrying everything I want, knowing my bag won't even notice.

Second, the texture is uniquely beautiful, unlike any other material I know.

Third, the beer-brindle color is an almost impossible resolution to the dichotomy between raw and elegant. It captures a feeling of purpose and beauty. Ooh, and fourth, the rope handles feel immensely sturdy but also soft and gentle enough not to hurt your shoulders when you over-pack, as well as being edgy and cool. 

So many things! (not in order of importance):  

I feel cool. I love it's easy and elegant style. 

I feel empowered. I know I have made a decision to spend my time with an important, deliberate, thoughtful, exciting product (and I truly spend so much time with the bag I carry!). I find myself elaborating on the importance of re-use to people who compliment my bag (which happens quite often!). I definitely walk around with more purpose and pride when I have my Rewilder bag than when I don't. 

Having my R/W\R bag on my shoulder makes me more aware of how I interact with other products in my environment. In this sense my R/W\R bag makes me feel present. It makes me think harder about my daily purchases and my momentary impact on everything. 

I feel good about myself. If I do nothing else good in the day, at least I find some peace and happiness in my bag (which I realize sounds a bit extreme, but it's actually true!).

The overall concept of reuse as opposed to recycling has changed my perception of most objects I interact with daily. Further, the ability to reuse material and create something even more beautiful than the original gives this new perception a sense of inspiration toward action. It affects everything from my neuroscience research to my communication with my son. My bag is a beautiful and practical reminder to maximize my everyday life.