Thursday assorted links

1. Those new service sector jobs.

2. Optimism is correlated with exceptional longevity.

3. “Kosmos has made 7 discoveries so far, which we are releasing today, in areas ranging from neuroscience to material science and clinical genetics, in collaboration with our academic beta testers. Three of these discoveries reproduced unpublished findings; four are net new, validated contributions to the scientific literature.”  Link here.

4. The wisdom of Ross Douthat.

5. “Following large exogenous minimum wage increases, schedule unpredictability increases by 20% per week and schedules become even more responsive to weather shocks. This highlights how some of the welfare gains workers realize from a minimum wage may be offset by increased schedule unpredictability.”  Link here to the paper.

6. Kevin Kelly’s essentials for independent travel in China.

7. New colossal statue for Alcatraz island? Recall Alex’s proposal.

8. Ross dialogue on feminization with Leah Libresco Sargent and Helen Andrews (NYT).