The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

Educating for the Future in Gaza

The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

Show Notes

Dr. Mahmoud Altarabin is an Associate Professor of Translation and Linguistics and Deputy Head of the Department of English at the Islamic University of Gaza. He is an author and scholar known for his textbooks and research on Arabic-English translation, media, legal, and technical translation. He joins us from his displacement tent in Khan Younis to discuss how he has maintained and diversified his teaching over the past three years; the need to support students' education and well-being; and his hope for greater solidarity with international academia. This is a must-listen podcast. Lynn Boylan vs The State:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173553999 Lula's historic comeback:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173459419

More from The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

Oct 26, 2026

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack "Race hate crime is a year-long problem." In this episode, Tony speaks with journalist Luke Butterly of The Detail about recent developments in Northern Ireland, including the Drumcree court cases, cross-community tensions, and the challenges of addressing racial and political issues. They explore the impact of government policies, community responses, and the ongoing crisis of political inaction. Luke’s reporting has revealed some very uncomfortable facts about the racist pogroms and the weakness and or ineptitude of the Stormont government. Lula's Historic Comeback podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/patron-exclusive-173459419 The piece: https://thedetail.tv/articles/stormont-emails-warn-of-permacrisis-of-racist-unrest Permacrisis https://thedetail.tv/articles/stormont-emails-warn-of-permacrisis-of-racist-unrest Ballymena report https://share.google/wxWzdmP63VNvlKfNA

Oct 24, 2026

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

Oct 21, 2026

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

Oct 20, 2026

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

Oct 20, 2026

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

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