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Inevitably links go out of date.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.


Spread of AIDS Continues *

Nov 22nd, 2006 | Filed by

Uganda’s progress has been reversed, perhaps due to switch from condoms to abstinence.… Read the rest



Hari Kunzru on Ossified Multiculturalism *

Nov 22nd, 2006 | Filed by

Our views are too often inferred from a dialogue with self-appointed, conservative ‘community leaders.’… Read the rest



Yasmin Alibhai-Brown on an Optimistic Breeze *

Nov 22nd, 2006 | Filed by

Once activists stood up for all victims of racism and the internal oppressions within groups.… Read the rest



Some Massacres are More Massacres Than Others *

Nov 22nd, 2006 | Filed by

Army shelling at Kathiraveli killed at least 65 civilians; where is the UN condemnation?… Read the rest



Sunny Hundal on Self-appointed Leaders *

Nov 21st, 2006 | Filed by

It is in everyone’s interests to challenge those who claim to speak for entire groups.… Read the rest



Manifesto Seeks an End to Communalist Politics *

Nov 21st, 2006 | Filed by

We want to be treated not as homogenous blocks but as free-thinking citizens with diverse views.… Read the rest



Polygamy is Multicultural Isn’t It? *

Nov 21st, 2006 | Filed by

It’s all about female subservience, one escapee says.… Read the rest



Elaine Scarry on Why Military Honour Matters *

Nov 21st, 2006 | Filed by

Disregarding the laws of war leads to neo-absolutism.… Read the rest



Science Fights Back at Last *

Nov 21st, 2006 | Filed by

And the Templeton Foundation gets huffy.… Read the rest



Robert Pirsig Interview *

Nov 20th, 2006 | Filed by

‘There are crackpots with crazy ideas all over the world, and what evidence was I giving that I was not one of them?’… Read the rest



Review of Kingsley Amis Biography *

Nov 20th, 2006 | Filed by

KA spent a good deal of time making sure his whole personality was more or less continually on view.… Read the rest



The Wrong Sort of Petition *

Nov 20th, 2006 | Filed by

Asking LSE to condemn unpopular research without regard for its academic merit. … Read the rest



BBC Reporter Dilawar Khan Wazir Missing *

Nov 20th, 2006 | Filed by

Was reporting on pro-Taleban militants in Waziristan; has received threats.… Read the rest



Multiculturalism Questioned in Canada *

Nov 19th, 2006 | Filed by

Maintenance of cultural and religious practices clashes with women’s rights.… Read the rest



Al-Jazeera International Covers Developing World *

Nov 19th, 2006 | Filed by

But at the price of ignoring other news.… Read the rest



Nick Cohen on the Housing Bubble *

Nov 19th, 2006 | Filed by

Inflated housing prices are not an unmixed blessing.… Read the rest



Chaotic Religious Blather Makes a Comeback *

Nov 19th, 2006 | Filed by

Incompatible claims whiz around, theists nag, secularists wince, archbishops scold.… Read the rest



Michael Ignatieff as Philosopher King *

Nov 19th, 2006 | Filed by

There is ‘a hunger for political engagement, a need for inspiration.’… Read the rest



Jonathan Sacks Explains About God *

Nov 19th, 2006 | Filed by

Talks what sounds to a nonbeliever like condescending evasive noise.… Read the rest



Tariq Ramadan Explains About Allah *

Nov 19th, 2006 | Filed by

Humphrys will keep asking about stoning to death.… Read the rest