One claim suggested Accu-Slim Beads worked faster than starvation with one bead behind each ear. … 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Pope Annoyance Laws Ruled Invalid 
Jul 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Justices ruled the clause relating to annoying and inconveniencing pilgrims was excessive.… Read the rest
Fadela Amara Says Burqa is a Prison
Jul 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Not a religious insignia but the insignia of a totalitarian political project that advocates inequality between the sexes.’… Read the rest
Anwar Ibrahim Arrested for ‘Sodomy’
Jul 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sodomy, even between consenting adults, is punishable by 20 years’ imprisonment in Malaysia.… Read the rest
Carl Zimmer on How the Brain Controls Time
Jul 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The brain has several ways to tell time, and none of them seems to work like a conventional clock.… Read the rest
HRW on the International Criminal Court
Jul 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The ICC has made progress in bringing justice to victims of horrible abuses despite daunting obstacles.… Read the rest
Sandra Tsing Loh on ‘I Choose My Choice!’
Jul 16th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ignore stupid subtitle; the article is good.… Read the rest
Creationism on the Rise in Europe
Jul 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Christian and Muslim creationists are working together in a concerted assault on science teaching.… Read the rest
Controversies Over Catholic ‘World Youth Day’
Jul 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
NSW government passed laws against behaviour that ’causes annoyance’ to pilgrims.… Read the rest
ICC Presents Case Against Sudanese President
Jul 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
ICC press release: Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has presented evidence to charge genocide, war crimes.… Read the rest
Tom Clark Reviews Austin Dacey on Secularism
Jul 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How can secular liberals best defend an open society against the authoritarian and absolutist opposition?… Read the rest
Richard Jenkyns on Jane Austen and Boredom
Jul 15th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The supreme study of the psychopathology of boredom is Mansfield Park. … Read the rest
Saudi Student and Her Supervisor Face Lashes
Jul 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The Saudi justice system does not really observe the written law. It’s up to the judges.’… Read the rest
ICC Moves to Arrest Sudan’s Leader
Jul 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Prosecutor asked for an arrest warrant for al-Bashir on charges of crimes against humanity and genocide.… Read the rest
Civil Rights Must Trump ‘Faith’
Jul 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The tribunal decided, in effect, that British anti-discrimination law is trumped by Ladele’s faith. … Read the rest
Fox News Fakes Pictures to Punish Reporters
Jul 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Steinberg’s photo was shopped in a way familiar to students of vintage German propaganda.… Read the rest
Look Here Upon This Picture, and on This
Jul 14th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hyperion to a satyr. Fox News makes the nose big, the brow low, the skin green; and its point is?… Read the rest
Anti-same-sex Marriage Registrar Wins Case
Jul 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Tribunal rules Christian registrar who refused to marry gays was discriminated against on grounds of religious beliefs.… Read the rest
BBC Does Darwin
Jul 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The BBC today announces a season of landmark content to mark the life and work of Darwin.… Read the rest
Still Asking: Would I Pull That Switch?
Jul 13th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Two new papers illustrate the continuing power of the Milgram experiment.… Read the rest
