The possibilities are endless.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Desmond Tutu v. Mbeki and Mugabe
Dec 18th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Human rights are human rights and they are of universal validity or they are nothing.’… Read the rest
Lomborg Decision Overturned
Dec 17th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDanish Ministry has repudiated findings by Danish Committees on Scientific Dishonesty.… Read the rest
Oliver Taplin Reviews Mary Lefkowitz
Dec 17th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHow important are the classical Greek gods to understanding Homer and Euripides?… Read the rest
Desire, Excess, Lust
Dec 17th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIs there any problem with living in a sexualized culture?… Read the rest
Whither Theory?
Dec 17th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAnd how did theory become synonymous with literary and cultural theory?… Read the rest
Let’s Have a Circumcision Party!
Dec 17th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMalyasia has a new plan for bringing Muslims and non-Muslims together.… Read the rest
That Pesky Enlightenment Rationalism
Dec 16th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWhy wasn’t Jefferson as environmentally sensitive as we are?… Read the rest
Kenan Malik on ‘Hear the Silence’
Dec 16th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonConspiracy theories used to be a right-wing item, but now the left likes them too.… Read the rest
Drama Increases Worry Over Jab
Dec 16th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDifficult for audience to know what’s true and what isn’t.… Read the rest
Snakes Croaking under the Irish Coconut Trees
Dec 15th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMix the Osbournes, the Simpsons, Don DeLillo and Eminem: an anthology of media cliches.… Read the rest
Skepticism is All Very Well But
Dec 15th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBut taken too far, it can lead to perverse outcomes.… Read the rest
Science and Corruption
Dec 15th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThere are flaws in LA Times article about industry funding of researchers at NIH.… Read the rest
Ding Dong the Witch is – Captured
Dec 14th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIraqi tyrant found in hole in ground.… Read the rest
Reactions
Dec 14th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe nightmare fear of a return of Saddam Hussein is over.… Read the rest
From Evasion to Denial
Dec 14th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHas the Left abandoned the Enlightenment ideal of universal freedom?… Read the rest
Her Views as a Mother
Dec 14th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonDoctors criticize Juliet Stevenson for comments on MMR jab; Channel 5 says she has every right to speak.… Read the rest
Bendy Yellow Fruits for Sale
Dec 13th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonEats, Shoots & Leaves offers overheated whimsy and forensic quibbling.… Read the rest
The Brains Are Under Construction
Dec 13th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBrain research casts doubt on lowering voting age to 16.… Read the rest
Headscarves and Secularism Clash
Dec 12th, 2003 | Filed by Ophelia BensonFrench commission of inquiry recommends banning very visible religious clothing, including crosses and headscarves.… Read the rest