Milton Whiggishly said ‘necessity is ever the tyrant’s plea.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Cognitive Science and Moral Reasoning 
Sep 14th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Cognitive science can describe how people reason, but not say how they ought to. … Read the rest
Academic Ethics, Accuracy, Retribution
Sep 14th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A scholar points out numerous mistakes in Kierkegaard biography, and is censured. Why?… Read the rest
Collagen Using Skin of Executed Prisoners
Sep 14th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘I was very shocked that western countries can make such a big fuss about this.’… Read the rest
Opinion Poll on Iraqi Constitution
Sep 14th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
84% of sample support women’s rights.… Read the rest
FEMA List Ignores Secular Agencies
Sep 14th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Has Pat Robertson’s ‘Operation Blessing’ in top three.… Read the rest
The Da Vinci Code and Nonsense
Sep 14th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The story of the Priory of Sion is an elaborate hoax that first materialised in the 1950s.’… Read the rest
Some Opinions Have Changed on Some Things
Sep 14th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Fancy that.… Read the rest
Meera Nanda on Pseudoscience in India
Sep 13th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Radical disconnect between science superpower and superstitions pervading all levels of society. … Read the rest
Legal Implications of JAMA Study on Fetal Pain
Sep 13th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Providing misinformation to patients is medical malpractice.… Read the rest
Gender Equality, Gay Rights a ‘Charade’
Sep 12th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Madeleine Bunting says concern for gay rights and gender equality is ‘moral grandstanding.’… Read the rest
Simon Schama: Bush as Archbishop of Washington
Sep 12th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Comparisons with 9/11 only reinforce differences between what the two calamities said about America.… Read the rest
Rushdie: Let the Enlightenment Begin
Sep 12th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nine thoughts on reform.… Read the rest
The Academic Novel and its Addressivity
Sep 12th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Its wot? English teachers writing about each other, that’s what.… Read the rest
Academics With Asperger’s
Sep 12th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
When does eccentricity become mental illness?… Read the rest
Compassionate Conservatism in Utero
Sep 12th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
JAMA article on fetal pain awareness irritates anti-abortionists.… Read the rest
Sociologists Question Extent of Looting in N.O.
Sep 12th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘There was no evidence for a lot of what was being reported.’… Read the rest
Newsflash – No Sharia in Ontario!
Sep 12th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
“There will be no Shariah law in Ontario. There will be no religious arbitration in Ontario. There will be one law for all Ontarians.” … Read the rest
Atwood, Barlow, Callwood Join Protest
Sep 12th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
In open letter the group said protest is about keeping religious matters separate from state.… Read the rest
‘Shinaz’ and her Experience With Sharia
Sep 11th, 2005 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hint: it wasn’t good.… Read the rest
