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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Jakarta: Protesters Demand Ban on Ahmadiyya *

Apr 20th, 2008 | Filed by

Ahmadiyya believe Ahmad was a prophet; most Muslims believe Mo was last prophet. Solution: a ban.… Read the rest



Quilliam Foundation Launches April 22 *

Apr 20th, 2008 | Filed by

Created by former activists of radical Islamist organizations.… Read the rest



Ben Goldacre on How Policy Works *

Apr 19th, 2008 | Filed by

Perhaps there should be a special body for issuing warnings on the rare occasions when scares aren’t bogus.… Read the rest



Mediums Protest New EU Directive *

Apr 19th, 2008 | Filed by

Shouldn’t they have started protesting years ago? Since they knew it would happen?… Read the rest



Jesus and Mo Blurt Out the Truth *

Apr 19th, 2008 | Filed by

Maybe they’ll be too drunk to remember.… Read the rest



Psychic Magic Woo People Are Too Funny to Ban *

Apr 19th, 2008 | Filed by

The greater threat are the morons who present themselves as superficially plausible and sciencey.… Read the rest



Michael Shermer on ‘Expelled!’ *

Apr 19th, 2008 | Filed by

Anyone who thinks scientists do not question Darwinism has never been to an evolutionary conference.… Read the rest



Bryson Brown and Chris Hedges on Atheism *

Apr 18th, 2008 | Filed by

Hedges describes an atheism unknown on land or sea.… Read the rest



Cairo: Police Seize Graphic Novel *

Apr 18th, 2008 | Filed by

On charges that it offends public morals.… Read the rest



Rise of Conspiratorial Thinking About Science *

Apr 18th, 2008 | Filed by

In its extreme and ideological form, this contrarian approach to science can turn into a form of paranoia.… Read the rest



9/11 Conspiracy Theory and Anti-Semitism *

Apr 18th, 2008 | Filed by

Edmund Standing reports ‘Scriptures for America’ teaches anti-Semitism and advocates the execution of gays.… Read the rest



Eric Alterman on Samantha Power *

Apr 18th, 2008 | Filed by

Hacks sneer about ‘university elitism’ in the Obama campaign. Because ignorance is preferable?… Read the rest



Khadim Hussain on Special Laws in Tribal Areas *

Apr 17th, 2008 | Filed by

Colonial masters and indigenous elites, have convinced the tribal elite of their ‘distinctive culture’.… Read the rest



The Funding of Islamic Studies *

Apr 17th, 2008 | Filed by

Much of the funding comes from the Saudis; is this a worry?… Read the rest



‘Moderate’ South Asian Imams to be Invited to UK *

Apr 17th, 2008 | Filed by

‘To ensure imams are firmly rooted in the communities they serve.’ Eh?… Read the rest



Prince’s Guide to Alternative Medicine Inaccurate *

Apr 17th, 2008 | Filed by

‘The nation cannot be served by promoting ineffective and sometimes dangerous alternative treatments.’… Read the rest



Pope Rebukes US for Being Secular *

Apr 17th, 2008 | Filed by

Thinks religion has a monopoly on morality.… Read the rest



The Pseudoscience of Brain Gym *

Apr 16th, 2008 | Filed by

Coochy-coo exercises may be fun, but they’re definitely good at increasing the flow of bullshit into children’s heads.… Read the rest



Virgins for Sale! Be the First to Nail Suli! *

Apr 16th, 2008 | Filed by

If a little girl is really pretty, she can sell for 40,000 rupees. That’s enough for a nice party.… Read the rest



Manufactured Controversy *

Apr 16th, 2008 | Filed by

When significant disagreement doesn’t exist among scientists, but is invented to achieve political ends. … Read the rest