The use of neurosciencey language can make a circular argument appear more plausible to a lay audience. … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
‘Evidence’: Scientific Word or Legal One? 
May 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Bogus’ is a word with many appealing applications when commenting on business and politics.… Read the rest
Wendy Grossman on the Terrible Judgment
May 17th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Libel law balks responsible reporting; the public is deprived of knowledge they need to make informed decisions.… Read the rest
Judge Rules Child ‘Neglected’ by Parents
May 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Daniel Hauser stopped chemo; he and his parents opted for ‘alternative medicines’ based on religious beliefs. … Read the rest
Being Shouted At in Iran
May 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We can only hope the spirit of beauty will one day crush the plodding literal-mindedness of the misogynists in charge.… Read the rest
Cambridge Announces Universal Respect
May 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
University amended its equal opportunities policy to say it ‘respects religious or philosophical beliefs of all kinds.’… Read the rest
Notre Dame, Obama, Abortion, Football, Identity
May 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s Catholic, it has a football team, so it’s part of the ‘Catholic identity’ of people who’ve never seen it.… Read the rest
Daniel Hauser, at 13, Can’t Read
May 16th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Daniel says he is a Nemenhah medicine man but can’t say what teachings he has had to become one. … Read the rest
Ed Brandon Reviews Robert Park
May 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
On the nature of religious belief in a world increasingly disenchanted by the progress of scientific understanding.… Read the rest
Cleric Says Prayer is Part of Medicine
May 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Every doctor, every nurse needs to be easy and familiar with the language of the spirit in order to express the almost inexpressible.’… Read the rest
Journalist Talks to Children of the Taliban
May 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Like the teenage boy who asks why women are wandering around outside.… Read the rest
Pew Forum on the Establishment Clause
May 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Case law on government funding of religion has shifted away from separationism in recent years.… Read the rest
The Banking World’s Responsibility
May 15th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
FT journalist Gillian Tett is a cultural anthropologist, and she saw the wheels coming off.… Read the rest
Former FBI Interrogator Says Torture Didn’t Work
May 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Non-threatening interrogation approach got results, then was shut down when CIA took over.… Read the rest
Rice Aide Says Bush Admin Wanted to Torture
May 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Refusal to acknowledge legitimacy of Common Article III of Geneva Convention was the sign.… Read the rest
Low-calory Water: Only £1.49 the 500ml Bottle
May 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bio-synergy Skinny Water is the first in the world to be fortified with l-carnitine and chromium.… Read the rest
Reading, Writing, and Original Sin
May 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Child Evangelism Fellowship targets public elementary schools in Santa Barbara.… Read the rest
Global Concern at Suu Kyi Arrest
May 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Her lawyer blames the visitor from Missouri for her arrest, calling him a ‘fool.’… Read the rest
Murphy’O’Connor: ‘Atheists Not Fully Human’
May 14th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Catholic cardinal offers the hand of friendship. Or something.… Read the rest
Frontline on Madoff
May 13th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The world’s first global ponzi scheme; how did he do it, why didn’t the SEC act?… Read the rest
