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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Reported Execution of 16-year-old Girl in Iran *

Aug 24th, 2004 | Filed by

Ateqeh Rajabi reportedly publicly hanged for ‘acts incompatible with chastity.’… Read the rest



Chip Chip Chipping Away *

Aug 24th, 2004 | Filed by

Dahlia Lithwick looks at holes in the wall between church and state.… Read the rest



James Buchan Reviews Ziauddin Sardar *

Aug 23rd, 2004 | Filed by

No journey can begin if the traveller thinks he has already arrived.… Read the rest



Julian Baggini and Nick Cohen Debate *

Aug 23rd, 2004 | Filed by

Is Blunkett’s proposed religious hatred law a good idea?… Read the rest



Natural Doesn’t Mean Safe *

Aug 23rd, 2004 | Filed by

Huitlacoche is a fungus that tastes good but has side effects.… Read the rest



Too Few UK Students Taking Science Courses *

Aug 22nd, 2004 | Filed by

Many chemistry and physics departments have closed.… Read the rest



Another Shakespeare Poll *

Aug 22nd, 2004 | Filed by

Scofield’s Lear is Topp. Hamlet also well-liked; Paulina is most inspiring.… Read the rest



Noonan/Tressell Not an Elitist! *

Aug 21st, 2004 | Filed by

It’s not elitist to believe all should have access to the best culture, not just the easy version.… Read the rest



Conviction in Faked Hate-crime *

Aug 21st, 2004 | Filed by

Former professor painted racist slogans on her own car, it seems.… Read the rest



Blair Slashed Homelessness – and Nobody Noticed *

Aug 21st, 2004 | Filed by

A dense web of progressive policies that has been badly under-reported.… Read the rest



Judging the Booker Prize Longlist *

Aug 20th, 2004 | Filed by

So many novels are competent but pointless. And all those underdogs with hearts of gold…… Read the rest



McDonald’s Ad Seeks to ‘Balance’ Film *

Aug 20th, 2004 | Filed by

‘Super Size Me’ flawed because nobody eats every meal at McDonald’s.… Read the rest



Author Admits Fabrications in Honour-Killing Book *

Aug 20th, 2004 | Filed by

Not helpful.… Read the rest



A Good Word for Thoreau *

Aug 20th, 2004 | Filed by

You can read Tressell too though.… Read the rest



Protests Over BBC Documentary on Black Men *

Aug 19th, 2004 | Filed by

Is it all stereotypes or a response to compelling statistics?… Read the rest



A-Levels in the Wrong Subjects? *

Aug 19th, 2004 | Filed by

Physics, German and French are down, psychology and media studies up.… Read the rest



Butterflies *

Aug 19th, 2004 | Filed by

Farmers in Tanzania are raising butterflies for export.… Read the rest



Eccentric but Brilliant Doctor – Says Her PR Firm *

Aug 19th, 2004 | Filed by

Nutrition expert got her PhD from non-accredited correspondence course.… Read the rest



Besides, She Gets It All Wrong *

Aug 19th, 2004 | Filed by

A menace to the public understanding of science; channel 4 should not give her a platform.… Read the rest



News From ‘No to Sharia in Ontario’ *

Aug 18th, 2004 | Filed by

Demonstration Sept. 18, news articles, press releases, open letters and more.… Read the rest