The Optimistic Pessimists

Henry Bateson and Edward Walling

Why are things the way they are. Henry and Ed leave no stone unturned

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Socrates: The Jimmy Anderson of Athens

    Henry explores why Socrates matters so much to philosophy: he's the man who started it all. To explain the Socratic method, Henry turns to cricket. Picture Jimmy Anderson setting up a batsman: outswinger, outswinger, outswinger. The batsman gets comfortable, leaving ball after ball. Socrates works the same way, with simple questions his victims answer happily. Then comes the inswinger. It nips back through the gate, the stumps go cartwheeling, and the batsman, or whoever was answering Socrates' questions, has been found out. And for note, Edward will be joining Henry in a couple of months when we embark on our main weekly episodes, focusing on why things are the way they are. The areas that interest us include the following, and will be weaved into every episode we do: history, psychology, philosophy, economics, politics and health. Simply put, it’s two optimistic pessimists working out the world.

  2. 4d ago

    Turkmenistan: Gas, Gold Statues and the Gates of Hell

    Henry is joined by Harry Winsper to deep dive into Turkmenistan. Harry is very well travelled, having experienced 59 different countries. He found Turkmenistan interesting because of the scale of everything: the marble, the Guinness records, the burning crater, and much more. We hope you enjoy! And for note, Edward will be joining Henry in a couple of months when we embark on our main weekly episodes, focusing on why things are the way they are. The areas that interest us include the following, and will be weaved into every episode we do: history, psychology, philosophy, economics, politics and health. Simply put, it’s two optimistic pessimists working out the world.

  3. Oct 31

    Plato: Communist, Fascist or Philosopher?

    Henry tries to understand who Plato really was. What did he believe? What was his ideal state? Plato is brilliant because he annoys right wing and left wing people. We hope you enjoy this episode; next week will be an episode on Socrates. Henry cites the David Butterfield episode on Triggernometry from 20th May 2026. And for note, Edward will be joining Henry in a couple of months when we embark on our main weekly episodes, focusing on why things are the way they are. The areas that interest us include the following, and will be weaved into every episode we do: history, psychology, philosophy, economics, politics and health. Simply put, it’s two optimistic pessimists working out the world.

  4. Oct 28

    Why Do the Swiss Vote on Their Own Taxes?

    Henry works out how Switzerland go about their wealth taxes and why it works. Their system is truly fascinating. We are now also available on Apple, if you prefer getting your podcasts from that platform. This weekend Henry will be trying to work out if Plato is a communist or a fascist. And for note, Edward will be joining Henry in a couple of months when we embark on our main weekly episodes, focusing on why things are the way they are. The areas that interest us include the following, and will be weaved into every episode we do: history, psychology, philosophy, economics, politics and health. Simply put, it’s two optimistic pessimists working out the world.

  5. Oct 26

    Finland’s Schools: Remastered (and updated)

    Henry explores Finland's education system. This was one of the very first episodes he ever recorded, and since he was new to podcasting at the time, he decided to give it another shot. Consider this the remastered version, now updated with the latest PISA results. Coming soon: sometime in the New Year, Edward will be joining Henry for our main weekly episodes, focusing on why things are the way they are. The areas that interest us, which will be woven into every episode, are history, psychology, philosophy, economics, politics and health. Simply put, it's two optimistic pessimists working out the world.

  6. Oct 23

    Aristotle vs Modern Britain

    Henry explores a philosopher he’s been fascinated in for several years. Aristotle has had a huge influence on western civilisation. Following this episode, next weekend he will delve into Plato’s beliefs. We are now also available on Apple if you prefer getting your podcasts from that platform. Ed will be joining Henry in a few months for our first proper episodes where we explore the ‘why’. Please give this episode a review if you enjoyed the show, it helps us enormously. Thanks you!

  7. Oct 21

    Singapore Series: How Singapore got Rich

    Henry explores the economic miracle of Singapore. Was it the system or the people involved? How did it become so successful? We are also available on Apple if you prefer listening to your podcasts on that platform. And for note, Edward will be joining Henry in a couple of months when we embark on our main weekly episodes, focusing on why things are the way they are. The areas that interest us include the following, and will be weaved into every episode we do: history, psychology, philosophy, economics, politics and health. Simply put, it’s two optimistic pessimists working out the world.

  8. Oct 14

    Singapore Series: Ethnic Integration

    Henry explores Singapore’s approach to ethnic integration. How did Singapore navigate their way after the 1960s race riots? Was it a success or a failure? We are now available on Apple Podcasts too. And for note, Edward will be joining Henry in a couple of months when we embark on our main weekly episodes, focusing on why things are the way they are. The areas that interest us include the following, and will be weaved into every episode we do: history, psychology, philosophy, economics, politics and health. Simply put, it’s two optimistic pessimists working out the world.

  9. Oct 7

    Singapore Series: Water Chaos

    Henry explores the problems Singapore faced with its water. The 1960s proved to be a vulnerable decade, and like most things for Singapore, they managed to successfully think outside the box. Next week’s episode will be on how they went about integrating their diverse population. And for note, Edward will be joining Henry in a couple of months when we embark on our main weekly episodes, focusing on why things are the way they are. The areas that interest us include the following, and will be weaved into every episode we do: history, psychology, philosophy, economics, politics and health. Simply put, it’s two optimistic pessimists working out the world.

  10. Sep 30

    Singapore Series: Genius Savings

    Henry explores the fascinating CPF system in Singapore. They force you to save, and they shrewdly designed a system to make that happen. Each week Henry will be deep diving into a niche aspect of a country. He will be attempting to put it into a UK context, making it easier to understand through comparison how well we do things (or, more pertinently, how badly). There will be a particular focus on Singapore over the coming weeks. And for note, Edward will be joining Henry in a couple of months when we embark on our main weekly episodes, focusing on why things are the way they are. The areas that interest us include the following, and will be weaved into every episode we do: history, psychology, philosophy, economics, politics, nutrition and health. Simply put, it’s two optimistic pessimists working out the world.

  • 10 Episodes

About

Why are things the way they are. Henry and Ed leave no stone unturned

Information

  • Creator
    Henry Bateson and Edward Walling
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Henry Bateson and Edward Walling
  • Show Website
    The Optimistic Pessimists