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Inevitably links go out of date.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 Benson
Singer, 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 Benson
Neuroscientists 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 Benson
It’s a trial in the press, but when questions are asked, it’s not.… Read the rest
Scott McLemee on Fresh New Ideas in Conspiracy
Sep 8th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
9/11demands 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 Benson
US H.R. 2679 will make it more difficult to challenge church-state violations in court.… Read the rest
No Free Transport to ‘Faith’ School for Unbaptized
Sep 8th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
State pays for ‘faith’ transport provided the transportee is baptized. Seems generous.… Read the rest
Chomsky and Trivers Discuss Deception
Sep 7th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
We 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 Benson
Has handed in her law licence and quit women’s rights organisation Terre de femmes.… Read the rest
Jerry Coyne Reviews Follies of the Wise
Sep 7th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Crews 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 Benson
Teacher 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
Aids Experts Condemn SA Health Minister
Sep 6th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang tells those with HIV to eat garlic and beetroot.… Read the rest
Rupert Sheldrake Claims Evidence of Telepathy
Sep 6th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The odds against this being a chance effect are 1,000 billion to one,’ he says cautiously.… Read the rest
Woolly BA Sessions Criticized
Sep 6th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Robust challenge was lacking. … Read the rest
Panels Should Have Been Balanced
Sep 6th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’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 Benson
Relief, rejoicing: baby not a worthless female.… Read the rest
Lancashire Hospitals Adopt Green Burqas
Sep 6th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Horrifying naked women finally covered up. Whew.… Read the rest
