My name is Alex Rainert and I’m obsessed with information, design, emerging technology, sports & food. I’m lucky enough to lead the amazing Product team at foursquare. I use this space to gather my online and offline bricabrac. Make yourself comfortable. Follow @arainert Tumblr (3.0; @arainert)http://www.alexrainert.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4je3uVBdM1qeexdgo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Beautiful and haunting portraits created by <a href="http://www.petapixel.com/2012/05/24/surreal-portraits-created-by-painting-developer-onto-photo-paper/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PetaPixel+%28PetaPixel%29" target="_blank">painting developer onto photo paper</a>. So delightfully simple. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/Nnfy9QOYkAU" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/Nnfy9QOYkAU/23677398543http://www.alexrainert.com/post/23677398543Thu, 24 May 2012 13:04:42 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/23677398543<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/33500689" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Remote presence via networked devices was so big at ITP <em>8 yrs ago</em>. Cool to see widely available consumer tech finally get there. (via <a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669859/feel-me-app-turns-texting-into-touching" target="_blank">Feel Me App Turns Texting Into Touching | Co.Design: business innovation design</a>)</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/4_UR6V9WBnQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/4_UR6V9WBnQ/23675440232http://www.alexrainert.com/post/23675440232Thu, 24 May 2012 12:16:25 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/23675440232<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4heeyHcbH1qeexdgo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>OMG I *love* these and I managed to secure the last set. Today is a good day. (via <a href="http://boingboing.net/2012/05/23/studio-ghibli-posters-as-old-p.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20boingboing/iBag%20(Boing%20Boing)" target="_blank">Studio Ghibli posters as old Penguin covers - Boing Boing</a>)</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/WLHc9xefVVg" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/WLHc9xefVVg/23610515930http://www.alexrainert.com/post/23610515930Wed, 23 May 2012 11:16:00 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/23610515930<p>Best Tumblr I&#8217;ve seen all week. Boom! Go read them all right now.</p> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://runningastartup.tumblr.com/post/21913714772/when-i-overhear-some-random-person-talking-about-our" target="_blank">runningastartup</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/9hV5i.gif"/></p> </blockquote><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/RXUv1Lr15T8" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/RXUv1Lr15T8/22487141204http://www.alexrainert.com/post/22487141204Sat, 05 May 2012 21:53:07 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/22487141204<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Sd3NBSf4_GE?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>High five! No… not you… = lulz</p> <p>(via <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2012/05/made-me-laugh.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20blogspot/bboSV%20(A%20CUP%20OF%20JO)" target="_blank">A CUP OF JO: Made me laugh.</a>)</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/dY8zC_iKEws" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/dY8zC_iKEws/22413222448http://www.alexrainert.com/post/22413222448Fri, 04 May 2012 20:29:29 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/22413222448<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3i9qiagsF1qeexdgo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Holy smokes this Portal cake is rad. (via <a href="http://www.geekosystem.com/portal-cake-in-portal/" target="_blank">geekosystem.com</a>)</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/xBW6wdEgI1w" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/xBW6wdEgI1w/22385800945http://www.alexrainert.com/post/22385800945Fri, 04 May 2012 11:59:06 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/22385800945<a href="http://mattgemmell.com/2012/05/02/ipad-productivity-apps/">iPad productivity apps - Matt Gemmell</a>: <p>Great list of iPad productivity apps via Matt Gemmell.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/Q6-tlkDvSRY" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/Q6-tlkDvSRY/22297104289http://www.alexrainert.com/post/22297104289Wed, 02 May 2012 22:10:47 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/22297104289<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/40448182" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>From birth to 12 years in 2 min. 45. (by <a href="http://vimeo.com/40448182" target="_blank">Frans Hofmeester</a>) </p> <p>Profound and amazing to watch. Wish the last frame gave you a photo from each of the 12 years, side by side.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/9rXEBULMKa0" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/9rXEBULMKa0/21658233460http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21658233460Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:59:40 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21658233460“Don’t ignore your dreams; don’t work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy.”<br/><br/> - <em><a href="http://paulgraham.com/todo.html" target="_blank">From the top of Paul Graham’s ToDo List</a>.</em><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/owmNwLVi4RE" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/owmNwLVi4RE/21537295090http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21537295090Sat, 21 Apr 2012 21:00:37 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21537295090<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/38130536" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>So sad to hear about Hillman’s passing.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/kCp7SWWnrIw" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/kCp7SWWnrIw/21389422898http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21389422898Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:37:34 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21389422898<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2qlb0GnuZ1qeexdgo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Free startup name for your next hot cloud-based product: lan.do.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/MWC7PKBa9AY" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/MWC7PKBa9AY/21386361730http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21386361730Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:16:11 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21386361730<a href="http://blog.runkeeper.com/the-team/a-confession">A confession.</a>: <p>A great post from Jason at RunKeeper about them correcting a loss in product focus.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/9KRkRnuIgpA" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/9KRkRnuIgpA/21276291423http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21276291423Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:25:04 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21276291423<a href="http://blog.onwander.com/">Wander Blog</a>: <p>I love what Jeremy and Keenan at Wander are doing with their Wander Postcard Project.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/6cKGc468kqU" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/6cKGc468kqU/21118109004http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21118109004Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:21:07 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21118109004<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2fldqw4vf1qz66f4o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://dpstyles.tumblr.com/post/21034211684/the-brick-told-me-to-check-in-so-i-did-if-this" target="_blank">dpstyles</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>» <span>The brick told me to check in so I did</span></p> <p>If this isn’t the most shameless thing you’ve ever seen, well, then I don’t know what is  (ps:  it was a gift from my Mom + Dad!)</p> <p>Live at Fenway Park… btw, my brother’s brick just below, sisters just above)</p> <p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/m2doherty/status/190869485970927616/photo/1" target="_blank">Twitter / @m2doherty</a>)</p> </blockquote> <p>Awesome.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/W4_xBTvuKkI" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/W4_xBTvuKkI/21035331091http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21035331091Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:08:59 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21035331091<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ylQtbXFZ4yw?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://twelveseventyone.tumblr.com/post/21004320701/ironing-a-shirt-like-a-boss-an-artisan-at-work" target="_blank">twelveseventyone</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>“Ironing a Shirt Like a Boss, an artisan at work” (ASMR) (by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylQtbXFZ4yw&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Very%20Short%20List%20-%20Daily&utm_campaign=VSL%2004/11" target="_blank">the1ll3st</a>)</p> <p>If you want to iron a shirt like a boss, you pretty much shouldn’t use an ironing board. Too skinny.</p> </blockquote> <p>3 observations:</p> <ul><li>I’m a bit ashamed to admit it but it actually helped me to see the order in which he tackled this.</li> <li>I don’t think I’ve ever owned an iron that works so well.</li> <li>It shows that even when you’re the most expert of experts, ironing still pretty much a huge pain in the ass.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/L1V0BAyTPzU" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/L1V0BAyTPzU/21026790803http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21026790803Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:43:32 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21026790803<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/316AzLYfAzw?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>So. Well. Done.</p> <p>A Dramatic Surprise on a Quiet Street (by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=316AzLYfAzw&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_blank">turnerbenelux</a>)</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/2VwhDWPQfqw" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/2VwhDWPQfqw/21025559571http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21025559571Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:08:29 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21025559571<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/40161059" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>I’m a huge sucker for electronic music paired with a kickass LED helmet.</p> <p>(via <a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669516/every-dj-set-should-be-a-lite-brite-acid-trip-like-this-one" target="_blank">Every DJ Set Should Be A Lite-Brite Acid Trip, Like This One | Co.Design: business innovation design</a>)</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/eZnCHc2cys4" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/eZnCHc2cys4/21022923969http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21022923969Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:47:58 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/21022923969<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WxfZkMm3wcg?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><blockquote>My vision for it was forget about what Nike is, forget about sneakers, forget everything; what does ‘make it count’ mean to me?” Neistat says. “And what it means to me is take a huge chance. Consequences aside, if I could do anything in the world, what would it be? Do I really want to produce another regular advertisement? No. I would take this production budget and go around the world and see all these places I want to see.</blockquote> <p>Great Nike ad and even better story about how it got made: <a href="http://www.fastcocreate.com/1680524/how-director-casey-neistat-went-rogue-with-nikes-new-ad" target="_blank">How Director Casey Neistat Went Rogue With Nike’s New Ad</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/EX3h7il1fPU" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/EX3h7il1fPU/20987945281http://www.alexrainert.com/post/20987945281Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:46:50 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/20987945281<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/40000072?byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://joshuanguyen.tumblr.com/post/20969096093/alittlespace-npr-a-9-year-old-boy-who-built" target="_blank">joshuanguyen</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://alittlespace.tumblr.com/post/20968135344/npr-a-9-year-old-boy-who-built-an-elaborate" target="_blank">alittlespace</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://npr.tumblr.com/post/20966723805/a-9-year-old-boy-who-built-an-elaborate-cardboard" target="_blank">npr</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>A 9-year-old boy who built an elaborate cardboard arcade inside his dad’s used auto parts store is about to have the best day of his life.</p> <p>—————-</p> <p>This is fantastic. My faith in humanity is restored. — Tanya</p> </blockquote> <p>So awesome.</p> </blockquote> <p>Ok - that put a serious grin on my face that’s gonna last for a while. Best thing I’ve seen in a long long time!</p> </blockquote> <p>This is the sweetest thing you’ll see all day. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/ohfagNYzeFk" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/ohfagNYzeFk/20969867487http://www.alexrainert.com/post/20969867487Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:58:32 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/20969867487“<p>1. Good design is innovative </p> <p>2. Good design makes a product useful </p> <p>3. Good design is aesthetic </p> <p>4. Good design helps us to understand a product </p> <p>5. Good design is unobtrusive </p> <p>6. Good design is honest </p> <p>7. Good design is durable </p> <p>8. Good design is consequent to the last detail </p> <p>9. Good design is concerned with the environment </p> <p>10. Good design is as little design as possible</p>”<br/><br/> - <em><p><strong>Dieter Rams’</strong> timeless <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/06/10/as-little-design-as-possible-the-work-of-dieter-rams/" target="_blank">principles of good design</a>. (via <a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://exp.lore.com/" target="_blank">explore-blog</a>)</p> <p>Never forget.</p></em><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~4/3K7osLOCjuI" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tumblr/arainert/~3/3K7osLOCjuI/20660757419http://www.alexrainert.com/post/20660757419Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:45:38 -0400http://www.alexrainert.com/post/20660757419