Why did Newsweek ask Dean if he sees JC as the son of the deity?… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
What is History For? 
Jan 27th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Should students be learning vocational skills at the expense of substantive history?… Read the rest
Bubble-Bath for the Soul
Jan 26th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Seven Habits, Fifth Discipline, Timeless Mind, Chicken Soup – is there no end to the bilge?… Read the rest
Conflict Between Solidarity and Diversity
Jan 26th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Progressives want both but they’re not entirely compatible.… Read the rest
Shakespeare Test Dropped
Jan 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
More than half the marks could be awarded without students having to read any Shakespeare.… Read the rest
Flawed Theory Leads to False Convictions
Jan 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ministers were warned about Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy in 1996.… Read the rest
Review of Philosophy of Science Today
Jan 24th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Astronomers study stars, philosophers of science study astronomers.… Read the rest
Integrated, Redundant Approach
Jan 24th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
US National Academy of Sciences on best way to confine genetically engineered organisms.… Read the rest
Top Ten Books for Orwell-readers
Jan 23rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
D.J. Taylor’s choices include Gissing’s New Grub Street… Read the rest
History is Confusing
Jan 23rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Evidence conflicts, minds change, memory errs, wishes interfere.… Read the rest
History is Difficult
Jan 23rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Who lied, which one vacillated, who shed crocodile tears over Vietnam?… Read the rest
Nature is Nice – Until it Eats You
Jan 23rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How thrilling to see a lion in the local park…… Read the rest
Wonderfully Unsettles the Mind
Jan 22nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hesperus Press publishes minor works by major authors.… Read the rest
What Accounts for Cheating?
Jan 21st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rational choice? Emotions? Values? Winner-take-all economies?… Read the rest
Brief Constructed Response
Jan 21st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Or paragraph, in the vernacular. Eduspeak jargon is Fun Happy Talk.… Read the rest
‘Cowboy Cloners’ Should be Outlawed
Jan 21st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Head of Royal Society and others appeal to media not to publicize claims.… Read the rest
National Book Critics Circle Nominations
Jan 20th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Scott McLemee receives Citation for Excellence in Reviewing.… Read the rest
Fairy Tales Equate Beauty with Goodness
Jan 20th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Not a news flash, but worth pointing out all the same.… Read the rest
Showalter on Eagleton
Jan 20th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Theory and nontheory. Nontheory? You know, poems, stories, plays.… Read the rest
US v WHO on Sugar and Obesity
Jan 20th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
US accused of diluting dietary advice to please sugar lobby.… Read the rest
