Fashionable nonsense has been with us since the time that prehistoric man first transcribed Of Grammatology on to the walls of the Lascaux caves. Here we cast an eye back at some historical highlights.


Empty-headed vehemence of a discouraging kind *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

Greer’s idealization of miserable women – which is to say, her denial of their misery – is worse than naive. It is cruel.… Read the rest



Company recalls ‘offensive’ sandals *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

Laceys footwear, in London, made the decision after it received complaints from ‘the Hindu community.’… Read the rest



Crews Replies to Plantinga on ID *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

Creationists sense they’re playing a losing game.… Read the rest



Witch-hunts in Orissa *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

When someone gets ill, women are punished.… Read the rest



Nurse gang raped for doing her job *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

She refused to perform illegal abortions, so three men assaulted her… Read the rest



As Miss World Turns *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

The war between religious fanaticism and secular modernity is fought over women’s bodies.… Read the rest



What is ‘liberal orthodoxy’? *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

Graham Larkin answers questions from New York SunRead the rest



15 Answers to Creationist Nonsense *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

Scientific American provides useful tool… Read the rest



Ann Cryer: Forced marriages must end *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

Amanda Day talks to Labour MP Ann Cryer about her campaign to win justice for young Asian women.… Read the rest



The great Kabbalah con *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

An organisation that charges £860 for dinner, ‘healing’ water and some books in Aramaic… Read the rest



Outsider as enemy *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

K N Panikkar on the politics of rewriting history in India. … Read the rest



Hitchens on Hirsi Ali *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

She has case histories that will freeze your blood. These, however, are in some ways less depressing than the excuses made by qualified liberals for their continuation. … Read the rest



Kenan Malik on free speech *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

The impact of censorship is in fact to undermine progressive movements within minority communities.… Read the rest



BHL Too Fashionable, French Intellectuals Report *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

Authors motivated by impatience with relentless self-promotion and unquestioning adulation of French media.… Read the rest



Advertising Standards Authority rules out miracle cure ad *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

The ASA said Peniel Pentecostal Church had to offer proof at least comparable with that required of makers of washing powder… Read the rest



The real politics behind bad academic writing *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

The desire to “question common sense” is merely the self-congratulation of someone whose “sense” is different, but no less “common.”… Read the rest



Women Against Fundamentalisms *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

WAF was launched in 1989 to challenge the rise of fundamentalism in all religions.… Read the rest



Scott McLemee does a close reading of ‘Battlefield Earth’ *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

Terl’s responsibilities include blackmailing fellow Psychlo Forest Whitaker and laughing at his own jokes.… Read the rest



Horseplay in Harappa *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

Collection of articles on on the ways Hindutva propagandists distort ancient Indian history. … Read the rest



Carl Sagan on The Burden of Skepticism *

Apr 10th, 2010 | Filed by

What is called for is an exquisite balance between skeptical scrutiny and great openness to new ideas.… Read the rest