The GRTiQ 10: Juan Manuel Rodriguez Defago (Ep. 155)

In the recent GRTiQ Podcast, Juan Manuel Rodriguez Defago shared his thoughts on books, TV shows, music, and life experiences that have significantly influenced him. The GRTiQ 10 is a popular segment where guests share personal inspirations, experiences, and insights, providing listeners with a chance to connect with different perspectives and ideas.

Juan began by discussing the impact of two dystopian classics, “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley and “1984” by George Orwell. Although he finds the books somewhat cliché, he emphasized how their predictions of societal evolution have fascinated him, drawing eerie parallels between the fictional worlds and our own. These books have sparked his curiosity about societal trends and their potential trajectories.

When it comes to TV shows, Juan’s love for storytelling and sci-fi shines through. He highlighted “Breaking Bad,” “The Sopranos,” and “The Expanse” as must-watch series. For fans of unique comedy, he recommended “Rick and Morty,” showcasing his diverse taste in entertainment.

For music, Juan chose Rosalia’s “Motomami” album, appreciating its blend of Latin American culture and flamenco. While acknowledging that listening to just one album forever might become tiresome, he believes Rosalia’s work provides a rich and varied listening experience.

Reflecting on the best advice he ever received, Juan credited his parents, who are university professors, for instilling in him a sense of curiosity and a love for learning. They encouraged him to explore new interests and stay curious, shaping his lifelong pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.

Juan shared an intriguing lesson from his first job at a workers’ cooperative. The cooperative’s decision-making process, where everyone had a voice, taught him the importance of speaking up and contributing to discussions. This experience, coupled with working on a challenging project involving parking meters with limited storage, made him resourceful and adaptable in solving problems.

As for life hacks, Juan suggested using used coffee grounds as fertilizer, emphasizing the importance of resourcefulness and sustainability.

Based on his observations, Juan believes that stubbornness—or rather, a persistent determination to pursue one’s beliefs and ideas despite challenges—is a key characteristic of successful people. This trait helps individuals navigate setbacks and stay true to their goals.

For Juan, the speed at which web3 evolves and the future challenges it presents are the most exciting aspects of the technology. He encourages following various core developers and projects on X (formerly Twitter), such as GRTiQ, IOH, Graph Vertical, and others, to stay informed and foster curiosity.

Lastly, Juan shared that he is happiest when everything works smoothly after a deployment and when subgraphs don’t break during his holidays. Beyond the humorous note, he expressed gratitude for the great people around him and the supportive community he is part of, highlighting his overall contentment and enthusiasm for life.

To hear more about Juan Manuel Rodriguez Defago’s insights and experiences, tune in to the full GRTiQ Podcast interview. https://www.grtiq.com/grtiq-podcast-04-juan-defago/