Philosopher, writer, journalist summoned the classical polemical weapons of Voltaire and Montaigne.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Brief, Passionate BNP-Xian Voice Liaison Ends 
May 3rd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Giles Fraser thinks Xianity incompatible with racism; commenters raise eyebrow.… Read the rest
Natasha Walter Frets at Maleness of Euston
May 2nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So unlike the gender parity everywhere else.… Read the rest
Alexandra Simonon Says Walter is Wrong
May 2nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Opposing cultural relativism as Euston group does is a strong commitment to women’s rights everywhere. … Read the rest
HERO Talks to Benson and Stangroom
May 2nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Both talk a lot of nonsense.… Read the rest
Todd Gitlin on the Academic Left
May 2nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Question of how theory X diverges from theory Y takes precedence over question of X’s or Y’s truth value or lack of it.… Read the rest
Irshad Manji Ponders Ahmadinejad
May 2nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
To the fringe of true believers, doomsday politics makes complete sense. … Read the rest
Thought Experiments
May 2nd, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
So there’s this big violinist stuck in a cave…… Read the rest
Bush Asserts His Right to Ignore Laws
May 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Claims power to set aside any statute passed by Congress that conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.… Read the rest
Examples of Bush’s ‘Signing Statements’
May 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Congress might as well just not bother.… Read the rest
Cakes are Rich, but People Are…Prosperous
May 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Rich people don’t like to call themselves rich.… Read the rest
Raymond Tallis on Mary Midgley’s Owl of Minerva
May 1st, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The tendency to narrow philosophy to a technical exercise is one she has vigorously opposed. … Read the rest
More Indy Drivel on Astrology
Apr 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘On certain levels, it is a science.’ Which would those be?… Read the rest
Niall Stanage on the Euston Manifesto
Apr 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It ‘may sound like a lengthy statement of the obvious. But, in a way, that’s the point.’… Read the rest
Preachers Ask God to Lower Gas Prices
Apr 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Next week: prayers for a sale on SUVs.… Read the rest
You Can’t Do Both
Apr 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s a sin to shag a sheep and then eat it.… Read the rest
Saudi Arabia Attempts Reform
Apr 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If women start driving, it will lead to adultery and kidnap.… Read the rest
Pseudowisdom from Freud
Apr 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We want a strong man’ – that’s deep.… Read the rest
John Kenneth Galbraith
Apr 30th, 2006 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Affluent Society one of those rare works that forces a nation to re-examine its values. … Read the rest
