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I'm not personally mourning Steve Jobs' death

5 points by hugacow ↗ HN
My condolences to his family and friends. He made a lot of money. He indirectly made a lot of people happy with the products and services provided by companies for which he worked. He was a good front man. Woz made the Apple computer, he just helped sell it. He didn't make the Mac, he just joined the Mac team after the Lisa failed. He didn't make the iPod, iTouch, iPhone, iPad, or iAnything. He helped hire good people, and between he and Tim Cook, helped lead them and provide advice. He was a great man. And, I'm sure that his family is grateful for your praise. But, even though I use Apple products and loved my Apple as a kid through college, I do not attribute to Steve all that you do. Cancer is a completely terrible way to die. If you want to do a tribute to Steve, consider donating time or effort toward getting rid of it. I personally don't appreciate all of these token posts making the man seem like a God. In my opinion, he wasn't.

9 comments

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chc
I'm sure it's just a coincidence that Apple was hugely successful when he was there, when down the toilet while he was gone, and went on to create and dominate three new markets after his return. I mean, sure, a lot of the same talented engineers and designers were working at Apple both with and without Steve, but they just coincidentally happened to gain superpowers when he was there — nothing to do with him.
hugacow
I never said it was a coincidence that Apple was hugely successful. But, those at Apple that made it what it is would not appreciate so many attributing so much to Jobs. I doubt it makes his family feel comfortable either.

"they just coincidentally happened to gain superpowers when he was there"

I do not believe that they gained superpowers, literally or figuratively. I do think Jobs had incredibly talented people working for him. He was a great leader. But, he didn't do it all himself.

To me this is like U.S. citizens attributing too much to the president. They think the president started an unfair war, the president is getting them universal healthcare, the president caused the economy to falter. One man does not cause these things, and although leadership and charisma are important, even critical, just as critical are all of the others who do these things, and those around them that relay their messages.

chc
Michael Spindler and Gil Amelio also had incredibly talented people working for them — many of the same incredibly talented people who worked for Jobs — but they didn't manage to take the company anywhere but down.

And I don't how how many people at Apple you know, but all the ones I've heard from are just as superlative about Steve's contribution to the company. I haven't yet heard a one take umbrage at the recognition he gets (this was true even before he died, so it's not simply "don't speak ill of the dead").

I'm not trying to downplay the contributions of everyone else — certainly, Steve could never have done it without them — but I don't think you're giving him the credit that his accomplishments deserve, simply because he didn't have the precise role in the process that you personally respect.

ReadEvalPost
That you're not mourning Jobs is fine. To tell others "Remember him the way _I_ do" is offensive at best.
hugacow
Modified the wording a little bit. Hopefully now it won't offend anyone?
epo
The parade of whiny self-righteousness just never ends.

If you don't want to read about Steve Jobs then don't do it.

rohit89
>> He was normal, maybe just a little better.

I think that is hugely underrating. If he was a "normal" guy for you, I'd hate to know what you think of people like me.

There are plenty of places with talented people. Having talented people doesn't guarantee success. Steve had that quality about him and he always gave credit to the people working at Apple.