Natalie Angier, John Brockman, James Watson all say interesting things. A must read.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Six Basic Scientific Questions 
Jul 1st, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Dunno. I forget, 100 million? 60 billion? It closes a circuit. Something about entropy?… Read the rest
Egypt Bans FGM After Girl’s Death
Jun 30th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Yet the Guardian goes on calling it circumcision.… Read the rest
Examine the Data, not the Author
Jun 30th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Popular forums like newspapers critique the person who did the research, not the research itself.… Read the rest
Janet Afary and Kevin Anderson on Iran
Jun 30th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A feminist activist told us she feared a return visit to “Hotel Evin” – Evin Prison, where she had been tortured. … Read the rest
The CIA’s ‘Family Jewels’ Released June 26
Jun 30th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Documents catalog domestic wiretapping, assassination plots, and spying on journalists.… Read the rest
Toronto Woman Returns to Iraq to Fight for Women
Jun 30th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Nobody has the right to tell us that we are second-rate citizens,’ Yanar Mohammed said.… Read the rest
Burning Car Rams Glasgow Air Terminal
Jun 30th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Witnesses describe a car being driven at speed towards the building with flames coming out from underneath.… Read the rest
Guardian Calls Glasgow Attack ‘al-Qaeda inspired’
Jun 30th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Security sources believe the attack is linked to two car bombs in London.… Read the rest
The Word ‘Rape’ Banned from Rape Trial
Jun 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s prejudicial to call it rape, but then what is it to call it sex?… Read the rest
Isreal Boosts Image via Undressed Female Soldiers
Jun 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Maxim was approached by the Israeli consulate to be a part of reshaping Israel’s public image.’… Read the rest
Massimo Pigliucci on Disgust
Jun 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Are liberals morally stunted? Or are conservatives morally bloated.… Read the rest
Bunglawala Does Better
Jun 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Well done. Let’s hope it catches on.… Read the rest
Farish Noor to Rushdie: We’re Proud of You, Bro
Jun 29th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘For many a young Asian academic and student then, Rushdie was our spokesman, our voice of reason.’… Read the rest
Grayling on Hitchens on Ungreatness of God
Jun 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The anti-religion case has never been put so well or so comprehensively as in this razor-sharp book.… Read the rest
Hitchens Book Flying Off Shelves
Jun 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘This is atheism’s moment,’ says publisher.… Read the rest
Thailand Withdraws ‘Persepolis’ From Film Festival
Jun 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Iran applied pressure, Thai government caved. Another win for the ‘glorious Islamic Revolution.’… Read the rest
Falsifying Hitchens
Jun 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Saying MLK wasn’t a true Christian is a dodge; lose ten points.… Read the rest
Liberals Don’t Get the Purity/Sanctity Thing
Jun 28th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Liberals are blind to the disgust ‘argument’ against homosexuality, Jonathan Haidt claims.… Read the rest
Ian Buruma Says No Problem
Jun 27th, 2007 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The prospect of an Islamised Europe is remote’ – and that’s all that matters?… Read the rest
