‘Human rights are human rights and they are of universal validity or they are nothing.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Danish Science Ministry Criticizes Committee 
Dec 18th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Says committee failed to provide evidence of bias or flawed methodology.… Read the rest
Oliver Taplin Reviews Mary Lefkowitz
Dec 17th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How important are the classical Greek gods to understanding Homer and Euripides?… Read the rest
Desire, Excess, Lust
Dec 17th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Is there any problem with living in a sexualized culture?… Read the rest
Whither Theory?
Dec 17th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
And how did theory become synonymous with literary and cultural theory?… Read the rest
Let’s Have a Circumcision Party!
Dec 17th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Malyasia has a new plan for bringing Muslims and non-Muslims together.… Read the rest
Lomborg Decision Overturned
Dec 17th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Danish Ministry has repudiated findings by Danish Committees on Scientific Dishonesty.… Read the rest
That Pesky Enlightenment Rationalism
Dec 16th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why wasn’t Jefferson as environmentally sensitive as we are?… Read the rest
Kenan Malik on ‘Hear the Silence’
Dec 16th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Conspiracy theories used to be a right-wing item, but now the left likes them too.… Read the rest
Drama Increases Worry Over Jab
Dec 16th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Difficult for audience to know what’s true and what isn’t.… Read the rest
Snakes Croaking under the Irish Coconut Trees
Dec 15th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Mix the Osbournes, the Simpsons, Don DeLillo and Eminem: an anthology of media cliches.… Read the rest
Skepticism is All Very Well But
Dec 15th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
But taken too far, it can lead to perverse outcomes.… Read the rest
Science and Corruption
Dec 15th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There are flaws in LA Times article about industry funding of researchers at NIH.… Read the rest
Ding Dong the Witch is – Captured
Dec 14th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Iraqi tyrant found in hole in ground.… Read the rest
Reactions
Dec 14th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The nightmare fear of a return of Saddam Hussein is over.… Read the rest
From Evasion to Denial
Dec 14th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Has the Left abandoned the Enlightenment ideal of universal freedom?… Read the rest
Her Views as a Mother
Dec 14th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Doctors criticize Juliet Stevenson for comments on MMR jab; Channel 5 says she has every right to speak.… Read the rest
Bendy Yellow Fruits for Sale
Dec 13th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Eats, Shoots & Leaves offers overheated whimsy and forensic quibbling.… Read the rest
The Brains Are Under Construction
Dec 13th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Brain research casts doubt on lowering voting age to 16.… Read the rest
Headscarves and Secularism Clash
Dec 12th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
French commission of inquiry recommends banning very visible religious clothing, including crosses and headscarves.… Read the rest
