At least the teacher is ‘bothered’ that the lyrics refer to women as bitches and hoes. ‘It’s dehumanising,’ he shrewdly notices.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
A Global Perspective 
Jan 21st, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Depletion of fish stocks not a problem, fisheries scientist says, if future generations like plankton stew.… Read the rest
Not All Destruction is Human-Made
Jan 21st, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Fire storm near Canberra destroys observatory and all its equipment.… Read the rest
Moon Landing Skeptics
Jan 20th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
You know how the gummint is, they cover up alien landings in Roswell, so why not fake landings on the moon?… Read the rest
All Over the Map
Jan 19th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Observer gets the views of thoughtful people on war with Iraq. Responses are not predictable.… Read the rest
New Admission Criteria
Jan 18th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One side sees disadvantage and discrimination, the other sees a need to take more variables into account.… Read the rest
Not a Philosopher but a Con Artist
Jan 18th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A rude look at Derrida and the worshipful movie about him.… Read the rest
Eat the Dog
Jan 17th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Very witty quiz on ethics in the Guardian.… Read the rest
How Does He Know?
Jan 17th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘But if you begin to think about it you can start to feel like the ashamed schoolchild who has just been caught drawing smutty pictures.’… Read the rest
Yes But How Does it Work?
Jan 16th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Even evidence is not enough, in the absence of a theory, Michael Shermer explains.… Read the rest
Confusion for Future Historians
Jan 16th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Powell thinks it’s Powell who tames the President, Blair thinks it’s Blair. So history is written.… Read the rest
Positive Discrimination
Jan 16th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Not quotas but targets; European human rights laws; poverty and privilege. Difficult questions without clear answers.… Read the rest
When is a degree not a degree?
Jan 15th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Are some university degrees more equal than others?… Read the rest
University Press Publisher as Deity
Jan 14th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Boston Globe interviews an editor at Harvard University Press.… Read the rest
Case Study in Scientific Disagreement
Jan 13th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Danish panel says Political Scientist Lomborg, ‘strangely for a statistician’, uses the word ‘plausible’ often without attaching any probability to it. And there is more…… Read the rest
What Ivory Tower?
Jan 13th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Education and politics are and should be intimately connected.… Read the rest
Dishonesty or at Least Incomprehension
Jan 13th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Danish panel says Lomborg did not comprehend the science in his cheerful environmental book.… Read the rest
Where Are the Young People With Nose Studs?
Jan 12th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Should the National Theatre be required to attract yoof?… Read the rest
‘Scientific dishonesty’?
Jan 11th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A Danish political scientist is rebuked for optimistic book on environmental issues.… Read the rest
Is ‘science for citizens’ real science?
Jan 10th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The jury is out on radical plans to restructure high school science curricula in the UK. … Read the rest
