[BLOG] Some Thursday links

• Discover Magazine blog The Crux argues that rising rates of autism are an artifact of better diagnostics, not of an actual rising prevalence.
• Crooked Timber’s Henry Farrell notes how Friedrich von Hayek’s prized capitalism above freedom, famously approving of Chile’s Pinochet.
• Geocurrents describes plans for new canals crossing the Central American isthmus, on the Nicaraguan-Costa Rican border, to supplement the Panama Canal.
• The Global Sociology Blog examines the work of sociologist David Harvey on monopoly rent, noting how capitalism’s imperatives to establish a unified economy are at least troubled by the need to maintain local distinctiveness–brands, neighbourhoods, cities–which offers opponents a chance to challenge the established order.
• Language Hat links (and discusses) the work of linguist William Labov, who managed to define to a remarkable degree the mechanics of language change–who, what, when, where, maybe even why–in a community.
• Naked Anthropologist Laura Agustín criticizes the assumptions of Nicholas Kristof in his rescue of sex workers. (Are they really underage? Could this be the best alternative for them? Et cetera.) Diffcult, engagement-worthy stuff.
• Slap Upside the Head notes that a half-baked challenge to New York’s same-sex marriage law based on the mechanics of meetings and whether or not they should be open was rejected. Good.