Policy exchange is facing legal action for accusing British mosques of distributing extremist literature.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
UN HRC: Britain’s Libel Laws Stifling Free Speech 
Aug 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Report cites a US researcher sued in London by a Saudi businessman over a book not published in the UK.… Read the rest
Stephen Law Starts a Book Club
Aug 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
First up: The God Delusion. Discussion starts August 30.… Read the rest
The Prince is Mistaken on All Counts
Aug 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
GM crops already allow greater yields with less water, less energy and fewer chemicals.… Read the rest
Something to Say for Dissatisfaction
Aug 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Stephen Cave reviews John Naish, Eric Wilson and Julian Baggini.… Read the rest
Simon Blackburn Reviews Alan Sokal
Aug 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When the philosophers explained the right way to live, everyone would fall happily into line. Innocent times.… Read the rest
Rushdie Not Impressed by Random House
Aug 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘This is censorship by fear, and it sets a very bad precedent indeed.’ RH ‘stands by its decision.’… Read the rest
Sherry Jones on Censoring ‘The Jewel of Medina’
Aug 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Is Random House no longer publishing books about Islam? … Read the rest
Johann Hari on a New Blasphemy Law
Aug 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Insulating a religion from criticism keeps it stunted at its most infantile and fundamentalist stage. … Read the rest
Johann Hari on the Rebellion of the Child Brides
Aug 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The conservative mullahs say there is nothing wrong with child-marriage – because Mohammed did it.… Read the rest
Prince Should Consult Evidence not Dogma
Aug 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
HRH uses his privileged position to denigrate those who use science to help feed the world. … Read the rest
Ben Goldacre on Cargo Cult Science
Aug 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Quantum Xrroid Consciousness Interface creates optimal wellness.… Read the rest
HRH Incapable of Keeping His Mouth Shut
Aug 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
His attacks on further GM experiments expose the ignorance behind Prince Charles’s remarks. … Read the rest
P Charles Talks Evidence-free Nonsense
Aug 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Clever genetic engineering…guaranteed to cause the biggest disaster environmentally of all time.’… Read the rest
3 Aid Workers, Driver Killed in Afghanistan
Aug 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The women worked for the International Rescue Committee; gunmen shot up their cars in Logar province.… Read the rest
Charles Gets Things Absolutely Wrong
Aug 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Prince’s lack of scientific understanding would condemn millions of people to starvation.… Read the rest
Chuck’s Claims Long on Bombast, Short on Evidence
Aug 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
An analysis of the Prince’s claims indicates that few of them are founded on data from the real world. … Read the rest
Phil Plait on Countering Antivaxxers
Aug 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If the antis are successful then many, many children will die of totally preventable diseases. … Read the rest
Gardasil and Both-sideism
Aug 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Presenting a settled scientific issue as a simple dichotomy legitimizes fringe beliefs.… Read the rest
Professor’s Helpful Warning
Aug 12th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Faegheh Shirazi, of UT’s Department of Middle Eastern Studies, understands decision not to publish.… Read the rest
