Brian Appleyard wrestles with an army of strawmen.
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Inevitably links go out of date.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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Gender Inequality and AIDS
Women in Africa infected at much higher rates; sexual exploitation a significant factor.
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Taboo on Discussion of AIDS in Pakistan
Makes education, prevention and treatment difficult.
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AIDS and Sexual Violence in South Africa
HIV activists say machismo is fuelling the epidemic, and women pay the price.
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Mbeki Changes the Subject
From role of sexual violence in AIDS to supposed racism of mentioning the idea.
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Joan Bakewell in South Africa
Pieter-Dirk Uys and others accuse Mbeki of letting people die.
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Tess the Über Whiner; To the Damn Lighthouse
Jazz and actionless novels are okay if you like them, but if not…
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New Humanist Contest
Prize: a copy of The Dictionary of Fashionable Nonsense. Deadline 13 December.
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100 Trillion Synapses and Real Experiences
Computers could write novels, but they would probably be on the dull side.
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Paul Ricoeur Shares Library of Congress Prize
Kluge prize goes to historian Jaroslav Pelikan and philosopher Paul Ricoeur.
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Hurrah for Nerds, Geeks and Enthusiasts
Guess what, they make a contribution.
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Paul Kurtz on Science and Ethical Judgments
Can science and reason help us reason about ethics?
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Islamic Values Necessary to Sustain the System
And no one can change them. Women can wear any colour – as long as it’s a chador.
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State Has Monopoly on Public Discourse in Iran
Intellectuals, religious, atheist or agnostic, are simply not heard.
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Mark Bauerlein Reviews Just Being Difficult?
‘Outside the tiny group of academic theorists, the question is closed.’
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John Gray Reviews Alister McGrath on Atheism
And makes one dubious assertion after another.
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Study Finds Benefits in GM Crops
And no evidence that they harm the environment
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Environmental Study ‘Clears’ GM Crops
Study also found potential benefits to farmers of growing GM crops.
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What to Do About Chelsea Tractors
Try health-warning labels.
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Tribal Sentimentalism a Threat to Democracy
A Wala feels superior to a Dagarti, the Dagombas and Gonjas feel superior to neighbours, the Asante feel superior to the lot.