Hard to boast of ‘tendency to question received wisdom’ without seeming to have skipped a question.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Caving in to Religious Bigots – Again 
May 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nick Cohen talks to Arjun Malik of the Hindu Human Rights campaign.… Read the rest
Women Dissidents Abused in Iranian Prisons
May 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘For these people, religion is only a tool for dictatorship and abuse.’… Read the rest
Blasphemy Law Used for Intimidation in Pakistan
May 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The sections of the penal code fail to define blasphemy; anyone can interpret them.’… Read the rest
Entelechy Journal Reviews Why Truth Matters
May 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Claims the book is ‘beautifully written, and sprinkled with passages of both insight and literary value’.… Read the rest
Credulous Review of Rousseau’s Dog
May 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A ‘wonderfully readable account of two very silly men’ – Rousseau and Hume. Hmm.… Read the rest
Carole Angier Argues with Eidinow and Edmunds
May 29th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
They present the debate as between reason and feeling, and they choose feeling.… Read the rest
Religious Groups Compete for Victim Status
May 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sunny Hundal says closure of Husain exhibition is just the latest. Inayat comments.… Read the rest
Calcutta Telegraph on Husain Cancellation
May 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Asia House bowed to pressure from Hindu Forum of Britain.… Read the rest
Asians in Media Reports on Cancellation
May 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says ‘two paintings were destroyed and “threats” were made by irate Hindu vandals.’… Read the rest
Hindu Forum of Britain’s Press Release
May 28th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Husain’s ‘offensive paintings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses in sexual poses have caused outrage’.… Read the rest
Milt Rosenberg Talks to Frederick Crews
May 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
On topics from ID to psychoanalysis, as collected in Follies of the Wise: Dissenting Essays.… Read the rest
Iraqi Athletes Killed for Wearing Shorts
May 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Tennis coach and two players shot; leaflets had been distributed warning residents not to wear shorts.… Read the rest
Closure of MF Husain Exhibition
May 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Meghnad Desai on a group which under the guise of Hindu human rights is practising censorship.… Read the rest
Scott McLemee on the Euston Manifesto
May 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Too few questions about Iraq; commenters, including signer H E Baber, disagree.… Read the rest
More Than 3000 Killed in Java Earthquake
May 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
6.2 quake flattened buildings in a densely-populated area south of the city of Yogyakarta.… Read the rest
Facts Do Matter
May 27th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When story-tellers use the word ‘fact’ they have a responsibility to be accurate.… Read the rest
After Freud
May 26th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Freud’s model of repression emerged out of the age of the steam train. … Read the rest
What Mind-body Problem?
May 26th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Consciousness has had philosophers hot and bothered ever since Nagel’s bat essay.… Read the rest
No, Enron is not an Aberration
May 26th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Accounting games, excessive CEO pay, huge amounts of corporate corruption remain.… Read the rest
