Theo van Gogh made film that criticised Islam’s treatment of women. … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Californians Approve Stem Cell Funding 
Nov 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Californians pass Proposition 71, a $3 billion bond measure to raise money for stem cell research.… Read the rest
Ban Homophobic Singer
Nov 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Gay rights campaigners want police to ban a controversial Jamaican reggae artist from appearing in Britain.… Read the rest
The Myth of Infant Determinism
Nov 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The idea that the first three years of our lives make us who we are is scientifically unsound, argues Helene Guldberg.… Read the rest
Gene Screening Controversy
Nov 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Not really a surprise.… Read the rest
Probe into ‘Murder Music’
Nov 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Police have launched an investigation into anti-gay reggae lyrics after the homophobic killing of a man in London.… Read the rest
The Arctic is Melting
Nov 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But no consensus as to appropriate response.… Read the rest
Scientists to Screen Embryos for Cancer
Nov 1st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A team at UCL has been granted permission to screen embryos for a gene which causes rectal or colon cancer.… Read the rest
Darwin’s Greatest Challenge Tackled
Nov 1st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Researchers provide concrete evidence about how the human eye evolved.… Read the rest
Anti-vaccine Madness
Oct 31st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Opponents of MMR believe in homoeopathy, the Force, ESP and all sorts of other rubbish.… Read the rest
Paterson Attacks Harold Pinter
Oct 31st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Let’s tell it how it is. Pinter’s anti-war poems are dreadful.… Read the rest
Eton or the Zoo?
Oct 29th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Desmond Morris wonders how we would treat members of Homo floresiensis if they were still around.… Read the rest
Hobbit Species to Rewrite Textbooks
Oct 29th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The discovery of Homo floresiensis shows how much we still have to learn about human evolution.… Read the rest
Aborted Foetus Cures Blindness
Oct 28th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But, as usual, there are critics.… Read the rest
We Were Not Alone
Oct 28th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Homo sapiens shared the planet with a hobbit species.… Read the rest
Forced Marriage Law Considered
Oct 27th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It could become illegal in the UK to compel two people to marry.… Read the rest
NHS Nonsense
Oct 27th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Whatever affliction it is that Prince Charles is suffering – it’s catching.… Read the rest
School Science Should be Promoted
Oct 26th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All young people should learn about scientific reasoning up to the age of nineteen.… Read the rest
Stems Cells and Paralysis Hope
Oct 26th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Just in case anybody is in any doubt about the importance of embryonic stem cell research.… Read the rest
Honour Killing Law Tightened in Pakistan
Oct 26th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But some women’s groups say it doesn’t go far enough.… Read the rest
