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”

1. An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale hit off the coast of Japan this morning (the strongest ever recorded in the country), followed by a massive, 33-foot-high tsunami. Google has responded to the crisis by launching a tool that “helps you find a person or provide information on missing persons.” The site also “aggregates important resources, maps and other related information.” [via Mashable]

2. Salman Rushdie is writing the script for a new TV show! Next People, which will air on Showtime, is said to examine different aspects of American life. [via Vulture]

3. Microsoft has patented an online dating service that will help people with “fringe interests and eccentricities” find mates. And by “fringe interests and eccentricities” they mean “comic books.” [via Gawker]

4. Quentin Tarantino is suing his next door neighbor Alan Ball over some exotic birds on the True Blood creator’s property that emit “blood-curdling screams.” According to Tarantino, the noise has “seriously disrupted [his] ability to work as a writer in his home.” Check out a copy of the actual lawsuit here.

5. Forbes has released its annual list of hip-hop’s wealthiest artists: Diddy, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Birdman, and 50 Cent. Sean Combs is worth about $475 million; Jay-Z a close second at $450 million. [via Jezebel]

Bonus link: Jon Cryer Admits He’s a Troll

1. The kick-ass trailer for Kick-Ass is up; the movie, which is based on the comic book series of the same name, is due in theaters next April. [MySpace via Pop Candy]
2. Vampire Weekend reveals the inspiration behind the title of their upcoming album, Contra. [via NME]
3. 600,000 gamers may have been cut off from Microsoft’s Xbox Live for modifying their consoles to play pirated games. [via BBC]
4. Playgirl is really trying to do its nude shoot with Levi Johnston on a budget. [via NYP]
5. Denzel Washington will return to Broadway this spring in a revival of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winner, Fences. [via Variety]

Bonus link: Best American Short Stories: By the Numbers

1. After attending the taping, Microsoft has pulled its sponsorship from Fox’s upcoming comedy/variety special Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show, which is set to air on November 8th. [via Variety]
2. Lily Allen plans to start her own record label and open a theatre. [via NME]
3. Wow: “Just a year ago, [Terri] White, 61, could not make rent. Now she’s back on Broadway in Finian’s Rainbow… For three months, when she was not crashing on a friend’s couch, she slept in Washington Square Park.” [via NYT]
4. Steve Carr, who directed Paul Blart: Mall Cop, will helm the Short Circuit remake; Robot Chicken‘s Dan Milano is writing the script. [via Slashfilm]
5. Walt Whitman for Levi’s. [via Slate]

Bonus link: 31 classic Halloween TV episodes and specials

For months now, it has been easy to dismiss Twitter — the massively popular micro-blogging website — as just another internet fad. From the rampant oversharing to the B-celebrity feuding, some dismissed Twitter as megalomania 140 characters at a time. But not for long.

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1. After the disappointment that was Vista, Microsoft launches Windows 7 today (video). [via The Today Show]
2. Because all reverends look alike: MSNBC anchor Contessa Brewer introduced Rev. Jesse Jackson as Rev. Al Sharpton during a live interview yesterday. [via Gawker]
3. Inspired by memories of performing Handel’s “Messiah” in churches as a kid, Andrew Bird will play five church shows around Minneapolis and Chicago in December. [via NME]
4. After a little over a year Shrek the Musical — DreamWorks attempt to challenge Disney’s strong Broadway presence — will close on January 3rd. [via Variety]
5. Johnny Depp plans to play guitar with Babybird, one of his favorite British rock bands, at London’s Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen in November. [via Guardian]

This past week, we watched the internet indulge in questionable activities that have brought up the age old question: “Is this racist or not?” And for others, the more complex “Am I racist for thinking that this is racist?” After the jump, you will find three exhibits of potential internet racism, and at the hand of Apple, Microsoft, and McDonald’s no less. Help us decide! Read More »

And the award for grossest lede goes to: “Here is one thing you probably do not know about Jared Leto: He is a hugger.” [via MTV News]

Game on, Gates: Microsoft is going to take down the iPhone. Or at least they plan to try. [via WSJ]

Scarier than Nuclear Wintour: Not a chance. But still, the Viscountess of Vogue is a fashion force to be reckoned with. [via NYO]

The new Tonight Show logo: Would you want it on a tee? Or a mug? Yeah, we didn’t think so. [via TV Squad]

Your mom will be happy: Cirque du Soleil will bring a new show to the Beacon Theater next year; they also plan to do something at Radio City Music Hall to trick tourists looking for the Rockettes. [via NYT]

The worst sequel ever?: What do we like even less than Shia LaBouf in Indiana Jones? Shia Lebouf playing a greedy Wall Street trader. [via EW]

Mahmoud Ahmandinejad is a total copycat: And apparently a rhymer as well. Yes We Can Iran. [via Guardian]

Bonus link: Dickensurl.com