On just war, complex equality, universal ideals of justice, and more.
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Inevitably links go out of date.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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A Degree in Sleeping and Not Washing
Degrees in surfing, watching tv, games – vocational training or a waste of time and money?
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Revolting Drivel
The serpent stands for rationalist mischief, says godbothering ethicist Leon Kass.
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The Name of the Rose It Ain’t
A best-seller about Leonardo, the Holy Grail and ‘the Goddess’ is a tad shaky on the facts.
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Funnier Than Anything Hope Ever Said
Christopher Hitchens’ loving tribute to a comedian whose only fault was total absence of humour.
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The Vatican is Being Gravely Silly
Shocking, cruel language, not open to argument – the Catholic church is being another Soapy Sam.
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Ann Widdecombe Approves, Anyway
The Telegraph doesn’t mention any other MPs who like the Vatican’s statement on marriage.
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Edward Said on the Importance of Edward Said
How odd – his book came out 25 years ago, and yet people still aren’t obeying it.
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Canadian PM Could Burn in Hell
Calgary bishop declares Chrétien’s eternal salvation is in jeopardy.
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Skepticism is not Cynicism
‘To doubt claims that are not backed by evidence…seems only reasonable.’
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The Vatican Clears Things Up
Homosexual marriage not analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family. Oh.
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Why Books Level the Playing Field
Students prefer prettier professors, and may learn more from them.
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How Are False Memories Formed?
Study suggests how to increase memory without also increasing corresponding false memories.
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A Bigoted, Misanthropic Elitist
How we miss him! Wendy Kaminer reviews a book on Mencken and religion.
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Endless Irritating Debate on Nature-Nurture
H. Allen Orr is pleased to find that Matt Ridley does have something new to say about the subject.
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Science Does Progress
Science is not a matter of opinion, John Gribbin says.
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Do Humans Make Progress?
Adair Turner says John Gray’s pessimism is overstated and his economics all wrong.
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‘Journalists Aren’t Supposed to Tell Lies?!’
When they tell a pack about him, John Lloyd discovers how unbothered they are about it.
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Junk Science
The real risks of not immunising children outweigh worries based on bad evidence.
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First Aid TV Style
Fully trained after watching ER?