Atheists are one group it’s okie doke to despise.… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Taboo, Unclean, Yuk, Pollution 
Mar 28th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Restoration of statue of boar abandoned for fear of ‘offending’ Muslims in Derby.… Read the rest
Steven Poole Shreds Alain de Botton
Mar 27th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The weasel words, the pretending to discover what everyone already knows, the whimsy.… Read the rest
Scott McLemee Reviews Richard Evans
Mar 26th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Evans is not awed by the Nazis themselves. He defies their efforts to defy reason.’… Read the rest
Shaken Baby Diagnosis Shaky?
Mar 26th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
To admit uncertainty is sometimes appropriate.… Read the rest
Tagore’s Nobel Medal is Missing
Mar 26th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Some people oppose his ‘largely secular legacy.’ … Read the rest
Lewis Wolpert on What Science Is
Mar 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
It’s not common sense, for one thing.… Read the rest
Michael Kazin on Howard Zinn
Mar 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘A People’s History is bad history, albeit gilded with virtuous intentions.’… Read the rest
Historians on Zinn
Mar 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How does Zinn compare to Hofstadter and Foner?… Read the rest
The French Hijab Ban is not Anti-Muslim
Mar 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One of the ban’s architects explains the thinking behind it.… Read the rest
The Pledge, the Deity, the Court
Mar 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Pledge is not religious, it’s patriotic, says Bush administration.… Read the rest
Monty Python to the Rescue
Mar 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Tired of Passion-passion? See Life of Brian instead.… Read the rest
Two People Die at ‘Passion’ Screenings
Mar 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Heart attacks during the torture scene. Just a coincidence?… Read the rest
Kevin Drum on Intelligent Design
Mar 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He says it isn’t, and introduces The Panda’s Thumb. … Read the rest
The Panda’s Thumb
Mar 25th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘dedicated to defending the integrity of science against all attempts to weaken it, distort it, or destroy it.’… Read the rest
Indian State Seeks to Arrest Author
Mar 24th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He said bad things about Shivaji, so bust him.… Read the rest
Congress Party Joins in the Fun
Mar 24th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Going after the Sena-BJP vote, Congress tries to outdo them in threatening author.… Read the rest
India Times on Laine Issue
Mar 24th, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Maharashtra seeking Interpol’s help in arrest of author.… Read the rest
The Court, the Pledge, the Deity
Mar 23rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What does the word ‘God’ mean, anyway?… Read the rest
Life Among the Lexicographers
Mar 23rd, 2004 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Compiling a dictionary of regional English, and what one learns thereby.… Read the rest
