Popular science books ought to help nonspecialists distinguish sense from nonsense. … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Some People Disapprove of French Ban 
Mar 5th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
US State Department, al Qaeda frown at ban on religious attire.… Read the rest
Chris Mooney on ‘Sound Science’
Mar 5th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The phrases ‘sound science’ and ‘peer review’ may not mean what you think.… Read the rest
French Upper House Backs Hijab Ban
Mar 4th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Huge majority in favour of the ban.… Read the rest
Elephants Can Be Irritating
Mar 4th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There are good reasons why Africans don’t view their fauna with the same sentimentality that Europeans do.… Read the rest
Tougher Penalties for Genital Mutilation
Mar 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Up to 14 years in prison for parents who allow their children to undergo female circumcision.… Read the rest
MMR Researchers Issue Retraction
Mar 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ten doctors who co-authored the MMR health fears study have said there was insufficient evidence to draw that conclusion.… Read the rest
GM Crops Can Help the Poor
Mar 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The strongest argument in favour of developing GM crops is the contribution they can make to reducing world poverty, hunger and disease.… Read the rest
Science in the Arab World
Mar 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What are the factors that contribute to the low level of scientific research?… Read the rest
My, the Unabomber Writes Well
Mar 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How to grade millions of university-entrance essays? Clumsily.… Read the rest
Science Journal Publishers Defend Profits
Mar 3rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Journal bosses claim that academic institutions would suffer if the system were changed.… Read the rest
Dinosaurs in Asteroid Shock
Mar 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Single impact theory of dinosaur extinction is challenged.… Read the rest
Complementary Medicine Needs Proper Research
Mar 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
No integration into the NHS until proper science has been done, argues Edzard Ernst.… Read the rest
Review of A C Grayling’s New Book
Mar 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘He would like to rip philosophy from what Hazlitt called the “labyrinths of intellectual abstraction”‘… Read the rest
NHS Head Dismisses Charles’ Demands
Mar 1st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The NHS will use anything that evidential research shows works.’… Read the rest
Confidence in MMR Vaccine Grows
Mar 1st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Thanks to conflict of interest allegations.… Read the rest
Ian Bell Reviews Francis Wheen
Feb 29th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A cool, dispassionate look at Wheen’s Mumbo Jumbo.… Read the rest
Is the French Government Anti-Intelligence?
Feb 29th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
French intellectuals have signed a petition to that effect.… Read the rest
Daniel Boorstin
Feb 29th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Washington Post obituary.… Read the rest
