The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

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"Common sense is often just biases and simplifications."
In this (previously) member-only pod, Tony and journalist Philip O’Connor explore Ireland's political descent into fringe positions, media influence, social media dynamics, and the broader implications for democracy and society. They delve into the impact of social media echo chambers, government censorship, and the rise/normalisation of far-right views.
Philip talks about the consent advert that boiled so many brains, via the prism of his work in self-defence classes and setting personal boundaries.
Why Texas turned Blue podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174589890
How Mobilisation is the Antidote to Money:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174555086

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"This is not a moment to be a bystander. Let’s think about this as an opportunity.”
In this Tortoise Shack Podcast, Tony speaks with Human Rights Law Professor at Queens University Belfast, Colin Harvey about the emerging and evolving discussion on Irish unity and the chance to shape a more equal, rights-based future across the island.
They discuss recent attempts to drag us back, Northern Ireland’s political dysfunction, social needs that aren’t being addressed, the right to protest, and media narratives North and South.
They discuss neutrality and the recent attempts to limit access to justice in the South. Then to finish, Colin talks about how civil society and progressive voices should help define what comes next.
Housing - Viability vs Liveability:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174277006
US Mid Terms Rory and Philip O'Connor:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174555086

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"It always looks hopeless, until it's not."
In this Tortoise Shack podcast, Tony speaks with journalist Nicholas Leal of El País about Lula da Silva’s narrow and historic presidential-election victory in Brazil.
(Isn't it great to have some good news for a change?)
Nicholas outlines the grassroots mobilisation that overcame a first-round deficit, turned out an incredible extra 10m voters, and the deeply polarised political and economic constraints ahead. They also examine Meta’s campaign bias, Brazil’s place in regional politics, the unhappy markets, and the latest developments involving Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado.
And yes, Lula's campaign grew a WhatsApp group that included 7% of the Brazilian electorate. Not bad, considering he only got his first mobile phone a week before the vote.
Change is happening podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173857414
Rethinking Housing at an EU Level:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174147727

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Tarak AlFarra is a Palestinian Digital Storyteller, Social Media Creator and Humanitarian Activist from Gaza, who was evacuated and is now in Italy.
His work focuses on humanitarian storytelling, visual documentation, social media advocacy, and short-form creation related to war, displacement, identity, and resilience.
Through photography, interviews, public speaking, and digital media, he's documented the lived experiences from Gaza and helped to amplify underrepresented voices through creative storytelling and his own empathetic style.
The EU Housing Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-174147727
The Unity Conversation:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173857414

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In this Tortoise Shack Podcast, Tony challenges Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration, on his Party's new proposals on long-term residency and citizenship.
They discuss the evolving (devolving?) conversation around immigration in Ireland, and the changing public perceptions of our current system.
The conversation delves into the nuances of immigration policy, including the distinction between residency and citizenship, the criteria for good character, and the economic contributions of migrants to Irish society. It also touches on the issue of racism and the recent controversy surrounding Palestinian student visas, advocating for a more humane approach to immigration.
Lula's Historic Comeback:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173459419
Sigh for Change and our boiled social media brains:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173195588