See if you can read this without losing your lunch.… Read the rest
Welcome to our archive of news stories relevant to the project of fighting fashionable nonsense. The stories are drawn from the electronic pages of the world’s media. On this page, you’ll find links to those stories that have been featured on Butterflies and Wheels during the current year. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find links to separate archives of stories from previous years.
We’re always pleased to hear about news stories that you think should be featured on Butterflies and Wheels. Just send an email here, if you want to point one out to us.
A note about links
Inevitably links go out of date. We suggest, therefore, that you make hard-copies of the stories that particularly interest you.
Extra Vitamins Pointless for Most People 
Sep 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And some are bad for you. Eat a healthy diet, skip the pills.… Read the rest
Dwight Furrow on Sholto Byrnes on Atheism
Sep 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
His entire argument rests on a sophomoric understanding of the work of David Hume.… Read the rest
Kristof and WuDunn on the Oppression of Women
Sep 10th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s not news, so it doesn’t get much coverage.… Read the rest
Rome Conference on Violence Against Women
Sep 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The women of Iran have been at war with the Islamic clerics’ establishment for at least 150 years.’… Read the rest
Athena Andreadis on Others and Numbers
Sep 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Furniture is useful and can be decorative, but it’s not supposed to move, dammit! … Read the rest
Michael Weiss on Misogyny as Multiculturalism
Sep 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How dare two white-skinned Western atheists presume to condemn the Prophet for keeping a 9 year-old bride?… Read the rest
David Colquhoun Reviews Unscientific America
Sep 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In the UK the appeasers of crackpot medicine are widespread but appeasement hasn’t worked there either.… Read the rest
It Is Sudanese Law That Is Offensive
Sep 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lubna Hussein was fighting against laws that objectify and seek to control women. … Read the rest
King’s Fund Reports on Alternative Medicine
Sep 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
An ‘expert report’ can be produced to back any view whatsoever simply by choosing the right ‘experts.’… Read the rest
NY Times Reporter Freed, Colleague Killed
Sep 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Stephen Farrell, held by Taliban, was freed by commando raid; Sultan Munadi was killed.… Read the rest
Greta Christina on Atheism Sex and Race
Sep 9th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The more atheism seems to be all white male, the more it will stay that way. Does it matter? Yes.… Read the rest
Clerics Furious at Kambaksh Release
Sep 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Kambaksh committed a crime against the Koran. Any trouble will be the fault of people who helped Kambaksh.’… Read the rest
Greg Laden on Atheists as Other
Sep 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No wonder so many atheists are less out of the closet than many other repressed groups.… Read the rest
Russell Blackford on ‘Ways of Knowing’
Sep 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The larger problem is the epistemic, moral, and above all political authority claimed by many religious organisations.… Read the rest
How Many ‘Ways of Knowing’ Are There?
Sep 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lots and lots, and all are special?… Read the rest
Joan Smith on Sharia: Men Make the Rules
Sep 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lubna Hussein should be hailed around the world for challenging this sexist capricious practice head-on.… Read the rest
Lubna Hussein Released After Union Pays Fine
Sep 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
International rights groups criticised the trial; the UN said Tuesday the charges breached international law. … Read the rest
Fired for Her Religious Beliefs Shock-horror
Sep 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Soap actress says she was fired for objecting to ‘gay storyline.’ No one will confirm.… Read the rest
BHL on a Culture Cop for Head of UNESCO
Sep 8th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Farouk Hosni promised to burn any book written in Hebrew that might have slipped into the stacks of the Alexandria Library. … Read the rest
