‘I wanted a chance at a life where I could shape my own future.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Report Says Reform Will Lead to Segregation 
Jan 24th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Research suggests selectivity in school admissions would increase social segregation.… Read the rest
Alison Lurie on Narnia
Jan 23rd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It is no surprise that conservative Christians admire these books. They teach us to accept authority.’… Read the rest
Scholars Resist Hindutva ‘Corrections’ in California
Jan 23rd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Vedic Foundation nearly pulled a fast one, but scholars raised the alarm.… Read the rest
Julian Borger Talks to Michael Ignatieff
Jan 23rd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Demonstrators denounce Ignatieff as a cheerleader for torture.… Read the rest
Science Journals and Scientific Fraud
Jan 23rd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Journals cannot be investigating prosecutors or detectives.’… Read the rest
Daniel Dennett Answers a Lot of Silly Questions
Jan 23rd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The idea of a God that can answer prayers and intervenes in the world – that’s a hopeless idea. … Read the rest
Nick Cohen on the Trouble With Trotsky Jokes
Jan 22nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ariel Dorfman tries out a quintuple tease, succumbs to Stockholm syndrome.… Read the rest
Irshad Manji Asks Questions
Jan 22nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Independent thinking and reasoning, ijtihad, was something Islam always prided itself on. … Read the rest
Laurie Taylor Argues with John Gray
Jan 22nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Gray’s pessimism rests on some sweeping generalizations and untestable ideas.… Read the rest
Forward Interviews Bernard-Henri Lévy
Jan 22nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When a person thinks God is an old pal or helping to mow the lawn, this is idolatry and paganism. … Read the rest
From Universalism to Identity
Jan 22nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Brilliance of civil rights universalism was critique of racialised ways of viewing individuals.… Read the rest
The Emperor’s New Thong
Jan 21st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The ‘new feminism’ of pornification looks very much like the old objectification.… Read the rest
Grayling Reviews O’Hear and Browne
Jan 21st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nostalgists fail to see that everything is better than in the cold foggy bathroomless days of yore.… Read the rest
Simon Jarvis Reviews Theory’s Empire
Jan 21st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The philosophy of literary ‘form’ is still in its infancy.… Read the rest
Seyla Benhabib on Changes in Turkish Society
Jan 21st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The murder of more than one million Armenians in 1915 is now being discussed openly.… Read the rest
Garry Wills on Jimmy Carter on Southern Baptists
Jan 21st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Marks of new fundamentalism are rigidity, self-righteousness, eagerness to use compulsion.… Read the rest
Sex Panic Wants to Have it Both Ways
Jan 21st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘How many more perverts?’ howls the Sun.… Read the rest
Scott McLemee: Academic Bloggers do Lunch
Jan 20th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Continuing discussions that hadn’t started at the restaurant and wouldn’t end any time soon.… Read the rest
Dutch MPs Consider Burqa Ban
Jan 20th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘It’s a medieval symbol, a symbol against women,’ says MP Geert Wilders.… Read the rest
