Michigan’s law school can continue to consider race; undergraduate programme is unconstitutional.… Read the rest
Latest News
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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Mixed Decision in US Affirmative Action Case 
Jun 23rd, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The US Supreme Court narrowly upholds University of Michigan’s use of race in admissions, rejects point system.… Read the rest
Pick up Another, More Challenging Book
Jun 23rd, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘…the outlandish claims that were frequently made for Potter made you wonder whether some of these people had ever read anything else.’… Read the rest
Adults Read Harry Potter
Jun 23rd, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s become hip to regress into childhood.… Read the rest
Words Do Matter
Jun 22nd, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Under God, one man one vote, Muslim child – language does shape our consciousness.… Read the rest
Creationism Gaining Ground in the US
Jun 22nd, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Dini case, a conspicuous ‘debate’ in Tucson, a new ‘Special Counsel for Religious Discrimination’ in Ashcroft’s Justice Department.… Read the rest
Whiteness Studies
Jun 21st, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Race is a fiction, therefore everyone must learn to be completely obsessed by it. Eh?… Read the rest
Say Anything and Say It Murkily
Jun 20th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A mash note to Alan Sokal in the Guardian.… Read the rest
A Recipe not a Blueprint
Jun 20th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Matt Ridley on the way genes and experience interact.… Read the rest
Bristol Reaffirms Admissions Policy
Jun 19th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bristol University will continue to consider backgrounds as well as academic records.… Read the rest
Who Took What When?
Jun 19th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The reporter who investigated what happened at the Baghdad Museum says the waters are still being muddied.… Read the rest
A Debate on ‘Diversity’ in the Arts
Jun 19th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Whether the arts should be judged on aesthetic grounds, or on ethnic representation.… Read the rest
Atwood on Orwell
Jun 18th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How quickly rebels can move to the other side.… Read the rest
A Psychologist’s Choice
Jun 18th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Authoritarian cults that demand sensitivity or else, or hard-headed researchers who ask questions.… Read the rest
How We Do Love Female Victims
Jun 18th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Virginia Woolf told jokes, including obscene ones, Doris Lessing points out.… Read the rest
Virginia Woolf Being Unpleasant
Jun 18th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Woolf’s early notebook reveals – surprise! – she had her flaws.… Read the rest
Not New but Timely
Jun 17th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
An interview with Bernard Williams in the Guardian last November.… Read the rest
A Rich and Moving Elegy
Jun 17th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Richard Wollheim on Bernard Williams in The Independent.… Read the rest
Grayling on Williams
Jun 16th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A.C. Grayling on Bernard Williams in The Financial Times.… Read the rest
Daniel Dennett Interview
Jun 15th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The spectre of creeping exculpation, the discomfort of discontinuity, and more.… Read the rest
