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Inevitably links go out of date.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.

Frances Stonor Saunders on Public Intellectuals

Derrida may be ‘elitism on a platform’ but fatal compromise is worse.

November 28, 2004
What College Students Learn About Science

Philip Mole says credulity is the consequence of incomplete education.

November 28, 2004
Cunning Plan for Zimbabwe: Obesity Tourism

Will obese tourists pay to do manual labour on land seized from white farmers?

November 28, 2004
Zimbabwean Children Sell Their Bodies

To get food for themselves and their siblings.

November 28, 2004
Landon Gilkey Obituary

Theologian who argued for rational coexistence between science and religion.

November 27, 2004
Don’t Equate Intellectuals With Academics

Intellectuals still exist, just not in universities.

November 27, 2004
Female Genital Mutilation on the Rise in Europe

WHO says practice is increasing among immigrants in Europe, Australia, Canada and the US.

November 27, 2004
Disclaimer Stickers for Science Textbooks

This textbook states that the earth is over 4 billion years old. Well who believes that?!

November 26, 2004
A Coffee-table Philosophy Book

Review of David Papineau’s Philosophy: The illustrated guide.

November 26, 2004
Doctors Good but Prayer Makes Crucial Difference

Girl recovers from rabies after experimental treatment; father credits prayer.

November 26, 2004
Why Rashomon and not Inorganic Chemistry?

Why does cultural literacy mean literature and music but not science?

November 25, 2004
On a Hostile Obituary of Derrida

Ross Benjamin accuses the New York Times of rehashing old affronts against deconstruction.

November 25, 2004
What Rodinson and Derrida Had in Common

Adam Shatz on two interpreters of maladies.

November 25, 2004
Charles Tries to Take it Back

Some say he ought to keep quiet.

November 25, 2004
US Congress Approves Anti-abortion Clause

New clause in spending bill undermines state laws requiring hospitals to provide abortions.

November 25, 2004
Casino Buys Miracle Ancient Sandwich

10 year-old grilled cheese sandwich resembling virgin Mary sold on Ebay for $28,000.

November 25, 2004
Law Schools With Religious View of the Law

Article foolishly conflates rationalism with leftism.

November 25, 2004
Faulkner Avoided Universities

Autodidact novelist shunned academics but became academic subject.

November 24, 2004
A Philistine Rant About Philistinism

Carlin Romano on a dumbed-down complaint at dumbing-down.

November 24, 2004
Hey, No Problem!

Islamist terrorism is driven by an idea, not by an organisation, so it’s not scary. Huh?

November 24, 2004