Maryam Namazie calls cultural relativism a prescription for inaction and passivity in the face of oppression.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
‘Iconoclasts’ on the Philosophy of Peter Singer
Sep 9th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSinger, Janet Radcliffe Richards, Kenan Malik, Andrew Linzey debate. … Read the rest
Signs of Mental Activity in Patient in PVS
Sep 9th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNeuroscientists used fMRI to detect signs of awareness; first success with PVS patient. … Read the rest
Ben Goldacre Asks: How is This Not a Trial?
Sep 9th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt’s a trial in the press, but when questions are asked, it’s not.… Read the rest
No Free Transport to ‘Faith’ School for Unbaptized
Sep 8th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonState pays for ‘faith’ transport provided the transportee is baptized. Seems generous.… Read the rest
Scott McLemee on Fresh New Ideas in Conspiracy
Sep 8th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia Benson9/11demands new theoretical approaches to explain the evidence, or even to bring it into existence.… Read the rest
Jesus Asks Mo a Question
Sep 8th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘What kind of ‘believer’ considers anal rape a suitable punishment for sin?’… Read the rest
Hitchens on Robert Hughes’s Memoir
Sep 8th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Anyone found haunting an art gallery or a library would be suspected of being a snob and an elitist.’… Read the rest
AU Criticizes ‘Public Expression of Religion Act’
Sep 8th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonUS H.R. 2679 will make it more difficult to challenge church-state violations in court.… Read the rest
Jerry Coyne Reviews Follies of the Wise
Sep 7th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonCrews takes on fields of inquiry which have caused rational people to succumb to irrational ideas.… Read the rest
Life at a ‘Faith’ School
Sep 7th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonTeacher questioned about her virginity by school’s owner.… Read the rest
Sad to See Usual Response of Scientists
Sep 7th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Yet again, certain selfappointed gatekeepers of science are attempting to halt progress.’… Read the rest
Chomsky and Trivers Discuss Deception
Sep 7th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWe can see self-deception in others but not in ourselves.… Read the rest
Seyran Ates Quits Law Practice After Attack
Sep 7th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHas handed in her law licence and quit women’s rights organisation Terre de femmes.… Read the rest
Woolly BA Sessions Criticized
Sep 6th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonRobust challenge was lacking. … Read the rest
Panels Should Have Been Balanced
Sep 6th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt’s reasonable to discuss woolly subjects, but skeptics should be on the panels.… Read the rest
Boy Born in Japan
Sep 6th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonRelief, rejoicing: baby not a worthless female.… Read the rest
Lancashire Hospitals Adopt Green Burqas
Sep 6th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHorrifying naked women finally covered up. Whew.… Read the rest
Peter Tatchell on Death Threats from Fanatics
Sep 6th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAnti-gay hatred is free speech, but anti-homophobia is hate crime against religion.… Read the rest
Zoe Williams on the HPV Vaccine
Sep 6th, 2006 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAs vaccine for cervical cancer becomes available in the UK, conservative opinion mobilises.… Read the rest