An incomplete list of things that are cool #1

New semi-regular series on the blog of things I like, things that are cool, things I think are really interesting but have not gotten around to posting about, and other miscellaneous items hanging out in my Feedly 'Saved for later' queue.

Submitted in no particular order...

1. Why are There Still So Many Jobs? The History and Future of Workplace Automation - Long read for the long weekend from the Journal of Economic Perspectives. Worth your time.

2. Canoe Check pocket squares from The Tie Bar

3. Nike Gold Rush running shoes for the Fall

4. Purple, the on-demand gas (like for you car) company. Not incredibly interesting, but it did make me think of what other product categories could benefit from the 'on-demand' treatment. How about an app called 'Beer Run?' Two taps and within 13 minutes a cold 12-pack of Miller Genuine Draft shows up at your door.

5. Speaking of beer, super post from Grant McCracken titled Cultural Leaders and Laggards, the Problem With Beer Ads. You know you have seen the TV spot that is the subject of the post, but have you really seen it?

6. Super take on some recent pro-labor court cases from Matt 'akaBruno' Stollak - Why Good #HR Leaders Aren't Worried About The NLRB 'Joint Employer' Decision. Matt is 100% on the money here - employees at companies that are treated respectfully, paid fairly, and have opportunities to learn and grow generally are not rushing to hold quickie union votes.

7. Pantone Smoothies - perk up your blender game with some of these colorful ideas

8. The Rise of Work Doping - To what extent are we willing to go to improve our performance?

Currently, people require psychiatric diagnoses in order to be prescribed any of these pills. But if these medicines are ultimately found to be safe, and they work for almost everyone, should anyone be able to take them?

And if modafinil does become more widespread, where does it end? Will we soon be locked in a productivity arms race, pumping out late-night memos with one hand while Googling for the latest smart-drug advancement with the other?

9. American Chess May Finally Emerge From the Shadow of Bobby Fischer - A potential renaissance for American players at the highest levels of international chess

10. Robots are better at bricklaying than humans. But a human/robot team is the most productive combination of all.

11. One generation's obsession with Pep. Man, back in the 40s, Pep was a really big deal.

Have a great long weekend! Go Labor!