There’s a difference between inquiry and mere sounding off.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
The Hidden Imam Will Protect You – Not 
Jan 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mullahs ruled it okay to build new houses in Bam despite seismologists’ warnings.… Read the rest
Elaborated Code Revisited
Jan 2nd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Polly Toynbee on a study of class and language.… Read the rest
Strong Reciprocity Explains Altruism
Jan 1st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Game theory looks at strategies to promote kindness and punish cheating.… Read the rest
Moral Imperative to Fund GM Foods
Jan 1st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Scientific ethics group says crops suitable for poor countries need more funding.… Read the rest
The Uses of Scientific Literacy
Jan 1st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It promotes critical thinking and undermines superstition, for a start.… Read the rest
Best Books
Jan 1st, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Scott McLemee, Claire Dederer and others choose their favorites.… Read the rest
Most Overrated and Underrated Ideas of 2003
Dec 31st, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mary Lefkowitz says monotheism is overrated; B&W agrees.… Read the rest
History Shmistory, This is a Movie
Dec 30th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Historians watch ‘Cold Mountain’ and notice some flaws.… Read the rest
Everything is Fake, Including This Review
Dec 30th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Michael Bywater reviews a book about faking and inauthenticity.… Read the rest
Wilentz v Hitchens v Gitlin
Dec 29th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Historians disagree about Hitchens’ views on September 11.… Read the rest
Journey From Frying-Pan to Fire
Dec 29th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Eagleton leaps from hip ‘theory’ to Alisdair MacIntyre. Ouch.… Read the rest
Mao’s Second Century
Dec 28th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bag the whimsical thought, keep the authoritarian state.… Read the rest
Iranian Earthquake Toll Rises to 25,000
Dec 28th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Heavy roofs on mud-brick walls with no support beams.… Read the rest
Science Books in 2004
Dec 27th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Guardian offers a preview of books from Dawkins, Penrose, Diamond, Dunbar and others.… Read the rest
Future History
Dec 27th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
History for 2004 from Browning, Keegan, Bullock, Starkey, Waterfield and more.… Read the rest
Another Candidate for Jesus
Dec 26th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Lieberman scolds Democrats for not godbothering, Dean acquiesces.… Read the rest
Richard Dawkins at B&W
Dec 26th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We asked for a comment on Soapy Joe, and were obliged.… Read the rest
Was There a Medieval Warm Period or Not?
Dec 25th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Criticize the hockey stick and some think you have a political agenda.… Read the rest
Questions and Quarrels Over Climate Change
Dec 25th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Was the Medieval Warming Period regional or global?… Read the rest
