For “Digit,” performance artist Julien Maire doesn’t use a writing utensil, typewriter or computer, he simply slides his fingers over paper and text magically appears below them. He can move his hand any way forming text drawings of sorts.

Apparently those that witness this in person are amazed as there is no evidence of visible hardware used. Magic.

via Today Tomorrow

The latest dance craze to sweep through the dancehall scene in Jamaica is called Daggerin. Essentially just dry humping your partner, it’s stirred a bit of debate and some think that both songs that mention it and the dance itself should be banned. My opinion is at least you can’t get the bug from this type of fun.

In the video above, Mystique talks a little about her style, her thoughts on Daggerin and get a glimpse of the new dance craze (sfw).

via Chunnel.

One of my favorite speakers at the 99% Conference was Scott Thomas, New Media Director for Obama For America and designer of whitehouse.gov. Have a look at the Cool Hunting Video above for the essence of his talk.

An intimate look at the rise and fall of Iron Mike Tyson, the youngest heavyweight champion ever speaks plainly about his life and boxing in the recently released “Tyson” directed by James Toback.

After watching the movie there is no doubt that Malik Abdul Aziz (Tyson’s Muslim name) is/was the most intimidating fighter in boxing. Before a fight he would walk slowly to the ring, surrounded by his entourage, having already broken a full sweat, with no robe or sweatsuit, pounding his gloves together over and over hoping to push his knuckles closer to the surface of the Everlast leather. On top of that, the speed and power of his combinations was plain frightening. You can see the fear on the face of his opponents.

The film is comprised of a few long interviews cut and mixed together with footage from fights, training, the early years with Cus D’Amato and some of Kid Dynamites more, ehem, candid moments. The story is told solely through Tyson’s point of view and oftentimes he speaks directly into the camera creating an eery dynamic for the viewer. The fact that the director, Toback, and Tyson are friends helps Mike to open up a bit more than usual to speak truthfully about his success and misfortune. For someone that, at times, might have seemed a bit delusional to some, Tyson is surprisingly so matter of fact when describing his troubled youth and career. Especially interesting is his commentary during fights later in his career when he starts to lose.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more entertaining and insightful documentary this year. Now playing in NY and LA, be sure to catch it if it comes your way. More info at Tyson.

The third Alessi to take over the Alessi Design Factory, Alberto Alessi has been credited with extending product offerings and making design more affordable for the masses. We met the man in charge a couple weeks back at the newly renovated Plaza Hotel in NYC for a short interview. An official Cool Hunting Capsule Video on the man and the family business is on its way, stay tuned.

Alessi is smart, on point, funny and deep. Above he is talking about idea generation and how Richard Sapper’s Melodic Tea Kettle (1983, below left) was developed. One of Alessi’s most successful products to date, it was followed up by a Michael Graves rendition that has also become one of their best selling items (1985, below right).

He comments, “the most perfectly designed object in the world is an egg, but then again it is made by the ass,” (in a thick italian accent).

With a stable of designers including the likes of the late Etorre Sotsass (condiment set, 1978 and cutlery set, 1987 above), Jasper Morrison, Stefano Giovanni and Alberto Mendini, it’s hard to go wrong with something from the Alessi Design Factory.

A behind the behind the scenes, na mean?