Psychoanalysis subverts the essence of western rationality.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Who Owns Your Life?
Dec 25th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘New Prohibitionists’ cite brain chemistry to argue against all suicide.… Read the rest
French Press Reacts to Headscarf Ban
Dec 24th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSome papers welcome the move, others think it’s irrelevant.… Read the rest
Al-Jazeerah: Schroeder Supports Ban for Teachers
Dec 24th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonGerman Chancellor opposes headscarf for teachers but not for students.… Read the rest
Strong Feelings on Both Sides
Dec 24th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSome Muslim girls campaign against the hijab, some campaign for it.… Read the rest
Top Celebrity Speaks on GM, Nanotechnology
Dec 23rd, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPrince of Wales ‘operates on prejudice, not evidence, but because of his position he is listened to.’… Read the rest
Dictator Kitsch
Dec 23rd, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHow does one reconcile a personality cult with ‘scientific’ Mao Zedong Thought?… Read the rest
Fashion
Dec 22nd, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBeing a Unique Individual like everyone else.… Read the rest
Sludge, Clag and Gruel
Dec 22nd, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonManagerese has infiltrated the English of politics, bureaucracy, education, the arts. … Read the rest
Grade Inflation at the Theatre
Dec 22nd, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIf every play gets a standing ovation, how do we know which ones stink?… Read the rest
Paul Krugman on Inequality
Dec 22nd, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonEven that leftist rag Business Week has noticed.… Read the rest
Imaginings of Escape
Dec 21st, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSo many literary characters say: let me out of here.… Read the rest
Blake Morrison on Frank Furedi
Dec 20th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonTherapy Culture omits too much, such as the fact that therapy can help.… Read the rest
Yes But What Does ‘Spirituality’ Mean?
Dec 20th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonVicar of Putney prefers passionate atheists, Madonna likes the Kabbalah.… Read the rest
Thurmond Relatives are Displeased
Dec 20th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAt Strom? No, at his secret illegitimate daughter, for going public after 78 years. The nerve.… Read the rest
Jefferson v. Napoleon
Dec 20th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonScalia, other judges agree: Jefferson guilty of prolonging slavery, deporting American Indians.… Read the rest
Signifyin’ at the MLA
Dec 19th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWho won the Andrew Ross Award for Dangerous Hipness? … Read the rest
‘Transgressors’ Squawk When Teased
Dec 19th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBehold ‘the insular narcissism of people whose chief virtue is not intellectual seriousness but a certain docility…in their relationship with institutions.’… Read the rest
Meera Nanda in Frontline
Dec 19th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPostmodernism, Hindu nationalism and ‘Vedic science’ … Read the rest
Danish Science Ministry Criticizes Committee
Dec 18th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSays committee failed to provide evidence of bias or flawed methodology.… Read the rest