The Political-Media Echo Chamber – Shop Mannequins and the Politics of the Out of Touch

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "If we don't acknowledge that change can be an improvement, change will be forced on us." In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony and thegist.ie writer, solicitor and Mr Data Protection, Simon McGarr, explore the troubling phenomenon of politicians listening to faceless bots on social media instead of the genuine voices of the electorate. They look at the influence that social media is having on government decision-making, eve as it erodes societal trust. They discuss how fake voices, confirmation bias, and systemic issues shape public perception and policy. Simon's Gists:https://www.thegist.ie/simon/ No Go Zones in Northern Ireland - https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172889801 The French Riots and the Broken Social Contract across the EU:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173108103

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Removing the triple lock means Ireland is no longer neutral" In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony and Senator Tom Clonan delve into Ireland's military neutrality, ongoing government moves to abolish the triple lock, and the implications for Ireland's foreign policy and defense. They explore the systemic issues and risks associated with ending Ireland's historic peacekeeping role, in contrast with a potential future of a non-neutral role of peace enforcement. We also discuss Tom’s statement in the Seanad regarding St John’s Ambulance and his views on the cost of disability payments outlined in Budget 2027. No Go Zones in Northern Ireland podcast with Luke Butterly:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172889801 Simon McGarr on the Ignored vs the Adored in Irish politics:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/political-echo-172741259

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Build accessibility into everything from the ground up." In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony is joined by activist, campaigner and Co-Founder of Equality Not Care, Ann Marie Flanagan and Senior Accessibility Lead and Daddy, Brian Dalton, to explore the recent budget's impact on disabled people, the true costs of disability, and the urgent need for systemic change to ensure equality and accessibility for all. We talk about the urgent need for the Government to create parity by giving working disabled people a €500 tax credit, and the way we've built a country that fails to see our disabled community as equal. "To hear that they were calling what is now a top-up to disability pay, a disability allowance, was hugely upsetting... Disabled people are treated as passive recipients waiting for the crumbs of government. This is just not good enough." The Ignored vs the adored with Simon McGarr:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/political-echo-172741259 Peace Keeping vs Peace Enforcement:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172888082

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dr. Belal Adnan Abuiyada is a physician working in paediatrics in Gaza. Alongside his medical work, he writes on Instagram about life in Gaza, displacement, grief, memory, and the small moments of tenderness that endure. His writing offers a personal view of a place and a people too often described only through headlines. He joins us to talk about his patients, his experiences and his hopes for the future. The Ignored vs the adored with Simon McGarr:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/political-echo-172741259 Peace Keeping vs Peace Enforcement:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172888082

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Andy Burnham is a neoliberal to his very core. Let's be blunt about this." In this Tortoise Shack episode, listener favourite, Prof Richard Murphy, returns to talk about how he's packing it all in because Andy Burnham has fixed everything without even putting together a budget. But while he's here, we might as well discuss the failures of neoliberalism, the urgent need for big, bold shifts, and the power of protest (see France and Spain) to shape a better future. They explore the current political landscape, economic control, and potential pathways for transformative change. Richard then gives us a "if I had 48hrs in charge, I'd do..." masterclass to describe what a better song might sound like. Don't miss it. The Public Sector Strikes vs Government Spin:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172328073 A Call for Fairness - Budget 2027 and the Real Cost of Disability:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172433910

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Will Pedro Sanchez win, but still lose? "Vox hates brown people" This Tortoise Shack episode jumps into a tumultuous few weeks in Spanish politics. It explores the complex political landscape, focusing on the runners, riders and far right nutters, who are all headed towards an election in less than two months. Is it a housing referendum? Is it an immigration election? Madrid-based guests, journalist Eoghan Gilmartin and Professor Joe Haslam, discuss the implications for Spain's future and the broader European context. Is a miracle comeback on the cards? Prof Richard Murphy on Burnham and Polanski:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171801910 Dr. Belal Adnan Abuiyada in Gaza:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171782366 The Public Sector Strikes Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-172328073

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Malak Abu Krayem is a Palestinian Computer Scientist, App Developer, and children's book writer. She joins us from Gaza to talk about how she lost the career that was planned out after October 7th. She explains how she is carving a new path through the genocide and, working within Gaza and remotely with people abroad, is creating Apps and Art that open doors for herself and her friends struggling in Gaza. Colour Palestine: https://www.amazon.fr/-/en/gp/product/B0HL7D45NJ?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tpbk_0&storeType=ebooks&qid=1790680560&sr=8-1 Snaptek:https://snaptek.app/ Burnham, Polanski and Another Song with Prof Richard Murphy:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171801910 The Worker's Budget Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171801404

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Unwinding neoliberalism is the key challenge in housing politics" In this Tortoise Shack episode, Tony sits down with Mick Byrne, an Associate Professor of Social Policy at UCD, to discuss his excellent piece on the historic Spanish housing proposals and what it means for a housing system trying to unravel decades of neoliberal policies. Spain has ignited significant public unrest, leading to protests that have captured not only national attention but also given a template to housing activists internationally. Tony and Mick debate this in the context of the Irish system. It is a friendly disavowal of one another. Mick's Substack:https://theweekinhousing.substack.com/ The Spanish Election Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171874179 The Worker's Budget podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171801404 Note: Recorded October 6th, before the sad passing of Mariacarmen.

Please see patreon.com/tortoiseshack 'The AI Boom is starting to look a lot like the Dot Com Bubble.' In this Tortoise Shack podcast, U.S.-based Professor of Economics, Constantine Gurdgiev and Tony explore the intersections of economics, AI, equity and bond markets, and how Ireland's future is tethered to the growing/peaking bubble. We discuss how current trends threaten global stability and dinner table prosperity. The lessons of the near past are often forgotten too quickly, and today's economic landscape is fraught with challenges reminiscent of historical crises. Be Rosa Luxemburg and not one of Hayek's Bastards. The Green Party 's Zionism is Racism motion:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171492244 A Worker's Budget?:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171801404

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Tortoise Shack episode, Madrid-based Journalist, and host of the excellent Sobremsa podcast, Eoghan Gilmartin, rejoins us to discuss his fantastic investigative journalism piece that reveals the influence of conflicts of interest in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the role of Saudi Arabia in climate diplomacy, and the political implications of Spanish border policies. The conversation highlights the complexities of climate negotiations and the importance of transparency in scientific assessments. The investigation is here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/21/saudi-arabia-aramco-oil-scientists-ipcc-climate-reports The Spanish Housing Revolution:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171581922 The Zionism is Racism motion:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-171492244