Read the piece. See the series. Best thing ever.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Janet Browne on Darwin the Young Adventurer 
Jul 7th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There are always fresh perspectives to find in the comprehensive Darwin Archives in Cambridge and Philadelphia.… Read the rest
Demo at Iranian Embassy in London
Jul 7th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Wear green and come to 16 Prince’s Gate, SW7. Nearest Tube station is South Kensington.… Read the rest
Karen Armstrong, Condensed
Jul 7th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We can’t say God either exists or doesn’t exist, because he transcends existence. This not knowing is proof of his existence.… Read the rest
Haredi Men Spit on Journalist at Street Protest
Jul 6th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She turned on her recorder on the Sabbath.… Read the rest
Christopher Hart Reviews Karen Armstrong
Jul 6th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
God is not a big powerful man like the one in the picture. Ignore the picture. That’s not God.… Read the rest
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown on Free Speech and Limits
Jul 6th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Are fantasies about torturing and mutilating women obscene? Or are they something else?… Read the rest
Simon Blackburn on Karen Armstrong on God
Jul 6th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Armstrong firmly recommends silence, having written at least 15 books on the topic.… Read the rest
Creationism Question on Biology Exam
Jul 6th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Britain’s biggest exam board will review the content of its science questions. … Read the rest
Robert McNamara 1916-2009
Jul 6th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He concluded well before leaving the Pentagon that the war was futile, but he did not share that insight with the public until much later.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on Jack Straw’s Petty Stunts
Jul 5th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Spiteful refusal to allow Ronnie Biggs to leave Norwich prison continues a pattern of bureaucratic vindictiveness.… Read the rest
Dr Humayra Abedin on Her Forced Marriage
Jul 5th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She was grabbed, held prisoner, force-fed drugs, called a disgrace by hospital staff and relatives.… Read the rest
God, Evolution, and Quantum Mechanics
Jul 5th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It is thus perfectly possible that God might influence the creation in subtle ways that are unrecognizable to scientific observation.’… Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on a Journalistic Train Wreck
Jul 5th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Telegraph got everything wrong, on a sensitive subject. Clever.… Read the rest
Irfan Hussain on the Horrors in Bombay
Jul 5th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Remember this is a fight between the believers and the non-believers…Throw some grenades, my brother.’… Read the rest
God is Back, and Eagleton is his Prophet
Jul 4th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Eagleton carves up the “militant” atheists using their own weapons of reason.’ Well not exactly.… Read the rest
Now Palin’s Prepared Remarks Are Incoherent
Jul 4th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She’s quitting her job because she’s not a quitter. Only dead fish go with the flow, so she’s outta here.… Read the rest
BBC Says How Wonderful Opus Dei Is
Jul 4th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘As it spreads its message of finding holiness in everyday life, it seems determined to continue growing its influence.’… Read the rest
Fun Turkish Game Show: Convert the Atheist!
Jul 4th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The prize is a free pilgrimage to a holy site of their chosen ‘faith.’ Interesting idea of an incentive…… Read the rest
Sarah Palin Gets All Mavericky Again
Jul 4th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s all mavericky and quirky to stop doing your job all of a sudden. It’s like MacArthur, too.… Read the rest
