_Steve Jobs_ by Walter Isaacson
Like the man, I found the varied reactions of people to the book to be passionate. The few people to whom I mentioned that I was reading this book gave me responses such as “He was such an asshole that I couldn’t keep reading it,” or “He focused too much on doing drugs and this is suppose to be a role model,” or “He really wasn’t much of a man in terms of a human being,” and so on.
While I was utterly shocked at his methods of criticism and his attitude towards people, I have to say I totally disagree with the negative comments.
Of course, everyone knows that I am an Apple/Mac fan. I have been for years – perhaps from the time that I learned to play Artillery on the Apple I in elementary school. We had a Commodore 64 when it first came out and my parents embraced the computer age ensuring that my brother and I were literate with this new technology for our future. I always wanted to own my own Mac, but they were out of my price range for years. My friends in high school and college were more the ‘Wozniak hacker-types’ rather than the ‘Jobs-creative-elites’.
I never knew the history of Jobs and Apple before he returned and changed the world. The book was fascinating for me.
Okay, I will agree Steve Jobs was not a nice person. I will agree that he was selfish and self-centered about most things. I will agree that he may not be the ideal role model in terms of lifestyle choices. I will agree that he may not have been a great family man. However, I will not agree that he shouldn’t be admired, respected and given the awe he deserves because of the above.
This man and his colleagues contributed to the greatest advancements in our history. Apple products are ubiquitous around the world! There is no denying he accomplished greatness, despite the path he took to get there.
In so many ways, IĀ related to his personality, philosophy and general attitude. Why can’t we just tell people when something is shit directly? Why can’t we be expected to achieve greatness in everything we do? Why can’t we want each and every person to contribute to the betterment of society and our world today?
Anyway, I didn’t know him personally, so I can’t make any judgements of his character. I do know his products and learning more about his passion for the creation of them, I’ve gained an even greater love for the products. š
-T
