‘Mangling some of the facts is one thing, but de Botton’s cruelty to English prose is less forgivable.’
Category: Latest News
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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
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What Is Music For?
Not what Barenboim thinks, says Terence Kealey.
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A Good Life is not Always a Happy One
Discontent and ambition have driven humanity to confront and overcome challenges.
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Nick Cohen on Freedom of Expression
And calls for its suppression.
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Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Asylum Application
TV documentary about her triggered calls for her to be stripped of her Dutch passport.
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Johann Hari Reviews Why Truth Matters
Modesty forbids.
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Roadblocks to Equality for Women
Worldwide, the situation is grim. Keep your eyes on the prize.
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Rod Liddle on Ruth Kelly
Is it possible to be minister for equality while wishing in your heart to smite all sodomites asunder?
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Opus Dei Has Historically Always Been Bad Guy
Now they get to be victim: ‘a small Catholic group that is being beaten up by big, bad Hollywood.’
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Samuel Brittan on Mill
Mill’s views on politics came from the same vein of thinking as his scholarly studies.
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Adam Smith Abducted Again
Smith’s genius as an economist cannot be separated from his decency as a human being.
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Shirin Ebadi Against the Mullahs
Forced to resign as Iran’s first female judge when the revolutionaries decided women were unfit.
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Michelle Goldberg on Theocrats Militant
Be afraid.
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Eve Garrard on Joffe Bill
The person whose life it is is best able to decide what its intrinsic value is.
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Letters on Breathtaking Arrogance of Christians
Atheists need neither heavenly carrots nor hellish sticks to persuade us to be moral, ethical persons.
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Religious ‘Leaders’ Team Up to Fight Legislation
‘We believe that all human life is sacred and God-given.’ That’s nice, but so what?
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Polly Toynbee Resists Cabal of Believers
‘Today is the day when the forces of superstition will try to cut off any further debate.’
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Poland Bans Some TV Ads During Pope’s Visit
Alcohol, underwear, contraceptives (well duh), and – sanitary towels? Because…?
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Fired Editor of CMAJ on Editorial Independence
‘The notion that politically sensitive topics can be expunged from a medical journal is folly.’
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The Loony Scientist Stereotype
How it does linger.