‘It offended their sensibilities, because the whole course was about problematizing science and technology.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Priya Venkatesan Explains About Science 
May 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Literary theorist goes to work in a lab, finds that science is science. World tilts on axis.… Read the rest
Katha Pollitt on Polygynists and the Pope
May 1st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The pope wants women to be trapped in marriage with 15 children just as the FLDSers do.… Read the rest
Lecturer Considers Suing Her Students
Apr 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They disagreed with her. Surely that’s illegal?… Read the rest
Does science make belief in God obsolete?
Apr 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Templeton foundation asks; Pinker, Hoodbhoy, Midgley, Hitchens, others answer.… Read the rest
Review of Mary Lefkowitz’s ‘History Lesson’
Apr 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Teachers owe it to themselves and their students to get as close as possible to the truth.… Read the rest
There is no Shortage of Godbothering Books
Apr 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They far outnumber the putative flood of atheist books. Carlin Romano reads a few.… Read the rest
Myths About Vaccines and Autism
Apr 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Proponents maintain their belief largely through the generous application of conspiracy thinking.… Read the rest
So We Should Prefer a Dim Bulb?
Apr 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Is Obama called an elitist because he is comfortable with and in command of nuanced ideas? … Read the rest
Violent Abduction: How Romantic
Apr 30th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘If a woman can tell her children that their father kidnapped her, it’s a great love story.’ Right.… Read the rest
UCL Withdraws Fellowship from Holocaust Denier
Apr 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Let us hope the schoolchildren visitors are properly taught about the elegant swimming-pool at Auschwitz…’… Read the rest
UCL Statement on Nicholas Kollerstrom
Apr 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He’s a Fellow in Science and Technology Studies.… Read the rest
Bradford ‘Apostates’ Get Death Threats
Apr 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sher Azam, of Bradford Council for Mosques, said ‘Islam teaches us respect, tolerance and understanding.’… Read the rest
Iraqi Women Subjugated Via Murder
Apr 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Honour killings are not actually a crime in the eyes of the government,’ said Houzan Mahmoud.… Read the rest
Bristol City Council Wracked with Confusion
Apr 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There’s cohesion, then there’s homophobic bullying, then there’s community, then there’s inclusive…… Read the rest
The Folly of GM-phobia
Apr 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
With the Earth’s population soaring, it will be the poor who go hungry, not the eco-warriors destroying modified crops.… Read the rest
Hell for Women in Iraq
Apr 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Women are harassed if they appear in the streets, educational institutions, or work places.… Read the rest
Simon Blackburn on Eight Myths
Apr 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What is usually known as culture is a set of symbols enabling people on the inside to recognise and dislike those on the outside.… Read the rest
Pamela Bone
Apr 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bone wrote recently on what she saw as the betrayal by Western feminists of their Muslim sisters. … Read the rest
Pamela Bone 1940-2008
Apr 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
She was fearless on matters of politics, human rights, justice and religion… Read the rest
