Blog • Page 3 of 15 • INGO VOGELMANN

My 50 Simple Pleasures in Life

8 September 20237 September 2023Leave a comment

Life is a series of moments, some grand and some simple. While the grand moments often steal the spotlight, it’s the simple pleasures that really make my journey worthwhile. As someone who has lived in various corners of the world and experienced life’s many facets, I’ve come to appreciate these small joys most. They are the unsung heroes that add color to my days and warmth to my soul. Here’s a list of 50 simple pleasures – inspired by this – that make my life great.

The first sip of morning coffee when my house is quiet.
A long, hilly hike with breathtaking views.
The sense of accomplishment after finishing a challenging project.
The first cold beer on vacation.
Walking through a snow-covered landscape, feeling the crunch under my boots.
The smell of rain hitting hot asphalt.
Pouring a glass of wine perfectly without spilling a drop.
Hearing an old favorite song on the radio.
The sound of wind rustling through the trees on a quiet day.
A juicy ribeye steak fresh off the grill.
The satisfaction of completing a difficult bikepacking route.
Seeing a mountain range in the distance.
A freshly cleaned E-Bike, ready for the next adventure.
Sitting around a campfire, enjoying the natural surroundings.
Finishing a good book and feeling content.
A deep and meaningful conversation with friends.
A clear night sky filled with stars.
Nailing the perfect mix or master in my music studio.
The earthy smell of freshly cut wood.
A spontaneous bikepacking adventure.
The joy of discovering a new hiking trail.
A moment of genuine, natural gratitude.
The feeling of heavy muscles after a good workout.
Capturing a great photo or video during one of my outdoor activities.
A moment of solitude, far away from crowds and noise.
Strumming my guitar and losing myself in the music.
The thrill of reaching a summit and looking out over the landscape.
Discovering a new track that I can’t stop listening to.
Watching a distant thunderstorm roll in.
The feeling of freedom when I turn off my phone for a day.
Diving into genealogy and connecting with my past.
The rush of wind against my face as I bike downhill.
Taking an unplanned detour and discovering something new.
Watching the sunset and reflecting on the day.
The satisfaction of fixing something that’s broken.
The freedom of an open road and endless possibilities.
Using an old tool that still works perfectly.
Dipping my feet in a cold stream on a hot day.
Writing with a pen that glides effortlessly on paper.
Walking through morning fog when the world seems softer.
The thrill of a fast E-Bike ride.
The excitement of releasing a new music track.
The first snowfall of the season.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee filling my house.
The satisfaction of solving a complex problem at work.
The feeling of sand between my toes.
The adrenaline rush from an extreme outdoor activity.
The peacefulness of a deserted beach.
The joy of cooking a new recipe to perfection.
The comfort of my favorite old sweatshirt.

While the list is personal, I believe that the essence of these joys is universal. They remind us to pause, to breathe, and to savor the small moments that often go unnoticed. In a world that’s increasingly complex and demanding, these simple pleasures are my sanctuary, my moments of zen.

I hope you find your own simple pleasures that make your journey just as rewarding.

Beyond Words: Why the Generic Masculine Still Holds Value

5 September 20235 September 2023Leave a comment

In a world that’s constantly changing, where every word is dissected and every phrase analyzed, the debate over the generic masculine stands as a testament to the complexities of language and society. Words are tools, yes, but they are also more than that. They are the framework through which we interpret the world, and yet they are not the world itself. They are symbols, and like all symbols, they are subject to interpretation. Just like my music, which is mostly without lyrics. But despite that, music is a form of communication. It’s language, subject to interpretation.

The generic masculine has come under fire. Critics argue that it’s a relic, a leftover from a time when men were the default, the standard, the norm. They call for new language, inclusive language, language that reflects the diversity of human experience. But here’s the thing: language is a reflection of the mind, and the mind is where discrimination takes root. You can change the words all you want, but if the mind remains unaltered, you’ve achieved nothing. You’ve put a new coat of paint on a crumbling wall.

Before we go any further, let’s make one thing clear: the issue of gender identity is a separate matter altogether. My stance on the generic masculine should not be conflated with my views on gender identity. I am the best man to a queer couple, comprised of a trans woman and a cis woman. I understand that there are individuals who feel they were born into the wrong gender, and I respect their journey. This is not about denying the complexities of gender identity; it’s about the complexities of language and interpretation.

Equality, for me, is not just a matter of words; it’s a matter of action. It’s embedded in my daily behavior, emanating from my core beliefs. When I use the generic masculine, I do so with the full understanding that I am referring to all genders. My use of the term is not a reflection of bias or exclusion, but a linguistic choice rooted in a broader perspective of equality.

This brings me to the topic of gendered language, a subject that has become increasingly contentious. I reject the push for gendered language for two fundamental reasons. First, we already have a well-functioning language. It has evolved over centuries, shaped by countless influences, and it serves its purpose well. To dismantle it in the name of progress is to ignore the richness and complexity that make it what it is. Second, language and culture cannot be forced; they must evolve organically. You can’t dictate how people speak or think; you can only influence it. And influence is a slow, gradual process, one that takes place over generations, not overnight.

Interpretation is a tricky thing. It’s influenced by our experiences, our culture, our personal biases. When you hear the word “man,” you bring to it a lifetime of experiences that color its meaning. It’s never just a word; it’s a word seen through the lens of your life. And that lens is never neutral; it’s always weighted, always influenced by a myriad of factors that you may not even be aware of. You hear “man,” and you think “human,” encompassing both male and female. Someone else hears “man,” and they think “male.” Neither interpretation is right or wrong; they’re just different, shaped by different lives, different experiences.

And that brings us to the crux of the matter: responsibility. I can’t control how you interpret my words. I can’t control the lens through which you see the world. I can only control my own lens, my own interpretation. And for the vast majority of people, “man” means “human,” irrespective of gender. When I use the generic masculine, I do so with the understanding that it includes everyone, not just one sex or gender. I don’t intend to discriminate or to exclude. But I also can’t be responsible for how you interpret my words. That’s your responsibility, shaped by your lens, your life.

So where does that leave us? It leaves us with a choice. We can focus on the words, dissect them, analyze them, change them. Or we can focus on the real issue: the mind. Changing the words without changing the mind achieves nothing. It’s a superficial solution to a deep-rooted problem. But change the mind, and the words will follow naturally. They’ll become what they were always meant to be: tools to communicate, not the final destination.

Why I’m a Pantheist. And What About My Album “GOD”?

28 August 202328 August 2023Leave a comment

From my earliest memories, the universe has always been a source of profound fascination. The night sky, a tapestry of stars and cosmic wonder, seemed to pose questions that penetrated the very core of my being. My quest for answers led me through various domains – religion, philosophy, and empirical science. Yet, none offered the holistic understanding I yearned for. That is, until I discovered Pantheism.

At its core, Pantheism is a worldview that is both elegantly simple and profoundly deep: the universe and everything within it is divine. But let’s clarify what I mean by “divine,” as it’s a term often misunderstood. For me, divinity is not about an anthropomorphic God sitting on a celestial throne. I’m an atheist in that regard, finding no logical or empirical basis for such a deity. Instead, my sense of the divine is rooted in the inherent order that permeates the universe – an order that allows for the existence and functioning of all things.

This divine order is not a set of commandments but a natural, self-organizing system that can be observed in everything from the laws of physics to the complexity of biological systems. It’s the reason why planets orbit stars, why ecosystems maintain their balance, and why we, as conscious beings, can ponder our place in the cosmos. This order is the closest thing to “God” in my Pantheistic view, and it’s an understanding that fills me with awe and wonder.

When I first encountered the concept of quantum entanglement, it felt like a scientific affirmation of this divine order. Here were particles, separated by vast distances, yet intrinsically connected in a way that defied classical understanding. It was as if the universe itself was giving a nod to the Pantheistic idea of interconnectedness, an inherent feature of this divine order.

The first law of thermodynamics further resonated with my Pantheistic beliefs. This law, stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only transformed, seemed like another expression of this divine order. It’s a principle that can be observed in the water cycle, where water evaporates, forms clouds, and returns as rain, never being destroyed but merely changing form. This eternal cycle of energy and matter is a testament to the inherent order that governs all things.

The cyclical nature of the universe, as suggested by theories like the Big Bang and the Big Crunch, also aligns with this view. These theories propose a universe in a constant cycle of birth, expansion, and eventual contraction, mirroring the eternal cycles that are a cornerstone of Pantheistic thought and another manifestation of this divine order.

The concept of emergence, where complex systems arise from the interactions of simpler entities, offers yet another glimpse into this inherent order. Consider a termite mound: each termite contributes to a complex, self-regulating system, a microcosm of the divine order that I see as permeating the universe at all levels.

Fractals, with their infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across scales, serve as a beautiful metaphor for this divine order. Whether it’s the branching of trees, the course of rivers, or the structure of our lungs, these fractal patterns are a testament to the inherent order that underlies all existence.

So, why am I a Pantheist? Because Pantheism offers a framework that harmonizes the spiritual with the scientific. It provides a lens through which the mysteries and realities of existence can be explored and appreciated. In embracing Pantheism, I’ve found a spiritual home that satisfies my intellectual curiosity, fills my soul with a sense of divine wonder, and aligns perfectly with my atheistic rejection of a traditional deity. For me, Pantheism is not just a belief; it’s a profound understanding of the divine order that makes us, and everything around us, a part of this wondrous cosmos.

The Irony of “God”: My Musical Perspective

Now, you might be wondering about my album titled “GOD.” I have never explained this. This is a first.

Contrary to what the title might suggest, it’s not a religious work. In fact, it’s quite the opposite – it’s a satire, a commentary on how religious teachings, particularly those surrounding figures like Jesus, have been misunderstood and distorted over time.

I have immense respect for Jesus as a historical figure. He was a revolutionary who preached love, tolerance, and understanding in a time when such ideas were radical. However, I believe that his messages have been twisted and turned into something he never intended. My album “God” aims to poke fun at this religious misinterpretation while also shedding light on how I see the divine order that governs the universe.

Back then I have been accused of blasphemy and even been threatened by religious fanatics.

In the album, I explore themes that resonate with my Pantheistic beliefs, using music as a medium to express the inherent order and interconnectedness that I see in the cosmos. It’s my way of challenging conventional religious thought and encouraging listeners to consider a more harmonious and scientifically coherent understanding of divinity.

So, when you listen to “GOD,” know that it’s not an homage to a deity in the sky but a musical journey that invites you to question, explore, and ultimately find your own understanding of the divine order that makes this universe so incredibly awe-inspiring.