How much of a brand’s visual identity is shaped by its biggest competitor? And how much does having someone to publicly play off of benefit them both? Those are the questions we’ve got on the brain after checking out the fantastic work in Stefan Asafti’s fascinating design project The Greatest Brandversations. The concept is simple, but effective; Asafti created new company logos for well-known brands like Apple and Coca Cola using the design elements directly associated with their rivals. “It is surprising how logos can influence other logos,” he writes. “The truth is that each pair of rivals has something in common, that something which has helped them to build one identity upon the other, this way becoming the biggest brands.” Click through to see the proof.

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1. Yesterday AOL named Twitter co-founder Biz Stone a “social impact” strategic adviser for the company, as part of its broader integration with HuffPo. Stone, who is staying at Twitter, will work on “cause-based initiatives,” such as “creating a system to help people volunteer in their communities and a video series featuring companies committed to philanthropy.” [via NYP]

2. In an effort to counter the economic effects of public libraries building up their e-book collections, HarperCollins has started enforcing new restrictions on its e-books, stating that they can only be checked out 26 times before they “expire.” Assuming a two-week checkout period, that’s only long enough for a book to last about a year. [via NYT]

3. Chloë Sevigny, who is in talks to star in a new HBO mini-series about the infamous 1892 murderess Lizzie Borden, has been staying at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast in Fall River, Massachusetts in order to prepare for the role. [via Variety]

4. Microsoft is releasing a new version of Internet Explorer today that includes a do-not-track tool that blocks companies from monitoring your surfing habits. That leaves the ball in your court, Google and Apple. [via WSJ]

5. Whether you’re a fan of her music or not, you have to admit that it’s pretty amazing that Lady Gaga has raised over $250,000 for tsunami and earthquake relief with her $5 Japan Prayer Bracelet. [via CocoPerez]

Bonus link: Iron and Wine covers George Michael’s “One More Try”

Today at Flavorpill, we considered skinny dipping. We cheered for Internet Explorer’s death. We took very bad advice from Brad Pitt and took good look at Scarlet Johansson as the black widow. We could have sworn we saw a transformer outside the office window. We laughed at a band who thinks Pharrell stole their generic beat. We were oddly amused that organic arctic goo exists. And finally, we rekindled our love for Bill Cosby.