‘He was expert in nothing. Therefore nothing was off limits.’… 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Inevitably links go out of date.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.
Therapy and Moral Panic 
Oct 16th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Is the emphasis on stress and counseling in universities teaching students to think learning is too much for them?… Read the rest
Victimhood Envy
Oct 16th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Anne Applebaum considers new books that claim the Germans were also victims in WW II.… Read the rest
One Tributary of Darwinism
Oct 16th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The geologist James Hutton wrote of adaptation and survival late in the 18th century.… Read the rest
How Natural Are These Disasters?
Oct 15th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
David Stanway looks at environmental degradation in China.… Read the rest
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Oct 15th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘…even ruthlessly secularized activities can have a religious feel to them.’… Read the rest
Woolly Jumpers and Even Woollier Language
Oct 14th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The aim was to ‘reduce a text to a kind of fine powder of politico-sexual assumptions.’… Read the rest
Pets I Mean Companion Animals
Oct 14th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Do we spend too much money on them? Should we like them less and people more?… Read the rest
The Politics of Sensitivity Training
Oct 13th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Defining political protest as hate crime, if the protest is against the Vatican.… Read the rest
Science Within Reason
Oct 13th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Review of Susan Haack’s new book.… Read the rest
Oh Dear, the National Review?
Oct 13th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Yes, but the piece on the diversity essay is hilarious.… Read the rest
Why No Lampshades on Their Heads?
Oct 13th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Why do US conservatives keep pretending they’re a persecuted minority?… Read the rest
Lists Are Always Fun
Oct 12th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Observer offers its list of the best 100 novels.… Read the rest
Whither Canonicity?
Oct 12th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Nobody ever said canon formation was easy. Robert McCrum on The List.… Read the rest
Catholic Church Lies About Condoms
Oct 12th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Anger at claim that condoms don’t offer protection against HIV.… Read the rest
What Happened to Secularism?
Oct 12th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Paul Kurtz considers the reasons for the retreat from science and reason in the US.… Read the rest
BHL the Anti-anti-American
Oct 11th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Bernard-Henri Levy looks at the concurrent rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism.… Read the rest
Public Intellectuals
Oct 10th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A Tory squire and a Palestinian exile, but both thought academics should reach a broad public.… Read the rest
How It’s Done
Oct 10th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Add or omit quotation marks, call it ‘superweed’ or ‘wild hybrid’ – it all adds up.… Read the rest
Celebrity Equals Entitlement
Oct 10th, 2003 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
David Aaronovitch on what footballers and other athletes think of women.… Read the rest
