Meet the Team: Ontology Harbinger, Geoff Richards
What’s your name and where are you from?
I’m Geoff Richards, I’m originally from England, but I’m currently living in sunny Singapore.
Tell us a bit about yourself. What did you study? What are your hobbies? If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I studied Geological Oceanography for my undergraduate and master’s. I then went on to do my PhD in Geography — with a specialism in climate science. Despite being old, and a little too fond of beer, I occasionally embrace the delusion that I can still play football. Spoiler… I can’t. I have been known to write and publish comics in my spare time, but I’m no longer sure spare time exists. I have two cats, one of which is a giant hairball — much like myself. If I could have a superpower? I’d really like the ability to fill in forms with my mind.
What kind of work do you do on a day-to-day basis?
I have so many roles, but for Ontology, I mainly just talk a lot. I like talking, it makes me feel important. I joined as a Harbinger back in November 2022, I think — Christina had to help me fill out the form. Not long ago, I was a Climate Researcher and Lecturer. However, I gave all that up to go full-time in the crazy world of crypto. One day, my wife will talk to me again.
In your opinion, what makes Ontology stand out from other blockchains?
For me, a blockchain is pretty much a blockchain. I honestly don’t have any strong opinions on them. What actually makes Ontology stand out is the continuous push to build solutions that remove or reduce barriers to entry in this space. Not enough projects do that.
What is the most exciting part of the project you’re working on for Ontology?
The unrealized possibilities of what we are building. When you can see how technology can improve things for users, and everyone else is still waiting to catch up with that idea… that’s pretty cool.
What has been the most important moment in your career so far?
When you’re as old as me, this is a difficult question. I’d have to say getting my doctorate. It taught me how to quickly understand new information. Without it, I’d never have had the patience to deep dive into the world of crypto.
What are you most excited for in your future at Ontology?
When I’m famous enough to have someone fill in forms for me.
As we mark Ontology’s five-year anniversary, where do you see Ontology and Web3 going in the next five years?
What a time to ask this question. The world of crypto is on fire with the fallout of several poorly managed projects. The real world has become more cautious about our exciting technology. But… we’re still in the game and not going anywhere. For Web3 in five years? I would hope we have our first killer dApp. That thing that people have to use because everyone else is using it. For Ontology? At that point, we will be 10 years old, and having seen the development over the last five years, it would be foolish not to be excited. I hope people aren’t talking about Ontology. Ideally, the solutions will just be embedded into dApps that you use and you’ll access them from an Ontology gateway. You won’t talk about it, because it will just work.
