Christian Schmidt (born 1969) grew up outdoors — with his grandpa, a dog, and plenty of forest.

His years as a scout left marks — not just on his clothes, but on how he thinks. In the 1980s, he started out practical, but his love for philosophy, literature, science, and economics stuck around. As an early internet user, one theme never let go of him: connection — and contradiction. Today he works in IT and believes in lifelong learning — because complex things don’t sort themselves out.

He lives with his wife Andrea in Krefeld, the place he chose to call home. Their three children are mostly off on their own paths. Born in the Ruhrgebiet — a region known for coal, steel, soccer, and a kind of humor that survives anything.

For example: “Born in Gelsenkirchen, raised ‘auf Schalke’ — and yes, in Dortmund they call that treatable.” The soccer rivalry between Schalke and Dortmund isn’t sport here. It’s identity, irony, and a way of laughing that gets you thinking.

The Ruhrgebiet isn’t just coal, steel, transformation, and soccer. It’s one of Europe’s quietest, most diverse regions — where people from all over the world have lived, worked, and laughed together. The humor here? It’s not pure. It’s mixed. It’s tested. And it speaks many dialects — always with a grin.

But this isn’t about the author’s personal story. It’s about how thinking happens — in real life, in real forests, and in real contradictions. In places where humor was survival, not decoration. And somewhere between stadium, forest, and snack bar, he learned: Clarity doesn’t come from control — it comes from laughter, sometimes even at yourself.

His texts and articles aren’t confessions. They’re mirrors — and invitations to reflect. And if you find yourself smiling while reading or thinking — then maybe, just maybe, you’re already on the right track.

Christian’s writing continues on Medium.com — not as a blog, but as a living “Denkraum”. His articles invite reflection, resonance, and the courage to think aloud. If you enjoy Klartext with depth, humor, and a touch of philosophical rebellion, you’re welcome to explore.

No pressure. Just resonance — if you're up for it.

„But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best.“

Robert Baden-Powell (* 22. Februar 1857 in London; † 8. Januar 1941 in Nyeri, Kenia)