Hello, fellow information addicts! What are we hyperfixated on today? Mythical beasts? Rocks? Celestial bodies?
With the abundance of information and our unfettered access to it, being a lover of things has never been easier. Every day, you’re welcome to indulge yourself in the exploration of your every whim at your own expense! The only fees are time and accumulation of passive brainrot. What a time to be alive!
If the venn diagram of your special interests intersect any scientific discipline (& I guarantee they do), Cognitive Surplus is here to support you. Sure, you might find a cool mug referencing a popular mathematical theorem or dichotomous key here or there while poking around the internet, but what Cognitive Surplus brings to the table is different. Much like those in the fields it celebrates, Cognitive Surplus takes its concentrated love for the building blocks of our world and adds a unmatched level of design theory. This equation results in an organized, categorized inventory of functional nerd merch that rivals even the most specific of niche science merchandise.
All of Cognitive Surplus’ products are organized by discipline. You like mushrooms? Mycology. You like brains? Psychology. You like bugs? Entomology. Rocks? Geology. Engineering? Engineering. You see where this is going.
The best part is that, while they have 20+ disciplines with dozens of products for each one, you can find similar product types in nearly every category. So if you see a washi tape that’s biology-themed but you’re a culinary master, there’s very likely one waiting for you. Common products are notepads, notebooks, water bottles, wax seals, cocktail glasses, tea towels, t-shirts, and so much more.
This stuff isn’t novelty, either. This is “buy it because you understand it while 75% of the population does not” kinda stuff. The quality is as high as you can get because there are actual people behind this brand and not a mass-production operation hoping to steal all your dollars. And the best part is the fact that Cognitive Surplus cares about their impact on the planet and the people who live on it.
Cognitive Surplus was started in 2013 by Geoff & Kristen, a NYC couple who used the area beneath their lofted bed to create and screenprint their love letters to science. They’ve since relocated to Central Oregon and operate out of a brick & mortar store in addition to their thriving website.
Their dedication to running a business based on science, facts, and ethics is what shoppers like you and I dream of. Instead of paragraphing you into oblivion describing the efforts Kristen & Geoff have made to create a sustainable, conscious business model, I’m gonna save us both the trouble and give you a list:
- Low waste is a priority for CG, who has an onsite compost project and a partnership with a plastic film recycling facility for all excess plastic (i.e. pallet wrap, bulk supply containers, etc.).
- CG conducts energy audits to monitor and adjust their consumption.
- Inclusive opportunities is a priority, and CG provides meaningful full-time employment to people with disabilities (and even won an employment award in 2018!).
- Many products are made from recycled materials and/or are fair trade. All notebooks are made from 100% recycled paper!
- CG remains a minority-owned, woman-owned business that thrives on independence!
“If it’s not sustainable, it’s not worth doing.”
Cognitive Surplus
I’m not just a fan, I’m a repeat customer. Not only did I marry a scientist, I also have friends who are amateur mycologists, a mother who is a closeted archaeologist, and several friends who have rock collections that rival a quarry. Cognitive Surplus lets me give gifts that enable curiosity in the people I love the most. These disciplines sound so official and professional, but in reality they’re just words to describe the interests we developed as children. It’s hard not to replace every applicable product in my life with something that reminds me to wonder about the world and explore it on my own.
Check out Cognitive Surplus online*
Or if you’re near Redmond, OR – check out their cute store downtown!
