In your packing for ScienceOnline 2012, you’ll want to keep in mind that the human body is some fairly substantial percentage water. Which means you’ve got to drink.
What is doesn’t mean, however, it that you need to leave a pile of paper cups and plastic bottles in your wake.
1. Water bottle. Talking about science on the Web can be a thirst-inducing business, so staying hydrated is a good call. Doing so in a way that avoids the environmental impacts of bottled water is an even better call.
2. Travel mug. Nestled between the various conference sessions, there will be opportunities to get a caffeine fix. If you bring your own mug, you avoid putting paper or styrofoam cups into the waste stream — and you may have an easier time distinguishing your cup of joe from everyone else’s.
3. Hip flask. If you’re going to be transporting small quantities of potent potables from one hotel room party to another, this is the traditional vessel in which to do so. On the other hand, you might use one of these as your water bottle to give the appearance of #DrunkSci while keeping your wits about you.
Pro-tip: Bringing too many specialized vessels can eat up a lot of room in your luggage (and where does it end — cocktail shakers? Erlenmeyer flasks?). A travel mug can handle hot and cold beverages (including water). However, if it’s full, you probably need to have it in hand unless it has a very secure top.
I never travel without my Erlenmeyer.
I will be bringing all three – I like my specialized vessels. (of course, the #DSNsuite welcomes vessels of all kinds.) Thanks for spreading the message to try to reduce trash!
You forgot the 2-liter camelbak full of fortified wine.
I didn’t forget it — you’re bringing it, right?
Oh Janet. your travel mug is SO last year! You need a Contigo autoseal mug. They keep the coffee hot for hours, and don’t leak when tossed in your bag.
Actually, given that I like alternating swigs of coffee and water, I never get it down to just one drinking vessel.
But, I acknowledge that the travel mug pictured here is not on the bleeding edge of the technology.
What everyone needs is something that will hold the Science Online kool-aid — though it seems like everyone has already had a bit too much of it anyway
Oh Jonathan, the cool kids lay down lines of the ScienceOnline Kool-Aid and snort it!
Yes, but wasn’t that the origin of the #scio11 plague?
You’re not suggesting weaponized bio-Kool-Aid, are you? (Paging Maryn McKenna!)