Enlighten me. Or are you just going to post snarky comments with no logical base?
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Bono Defends Steve Jobs Against Criticism Over Lack of Public Philanthropy
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Enlighten me. Or are you just going to post snarky comments with no logical base?
I'm defending common sense, and really anyone in his position.
"He's not a charitable man." Um . . . OK. So what?
Because the latter is what really matters.
The only thing absurd here is the level of attention being paid to someone's presumed level of generosity. What people do with their own money is really nobody's business.
Jobs is, and has always been, a colossal egocentric dick. This isn't really open to debate... it's basically just a fact. No one who knows anything about him would dispute this.. at least, not without an agenda.
Completely fallacious argument. And that's ignoring the fact that NeXT went bottom up. Or giving consideration to the fact that Pixar was founded before Jobs had any capital at all, and certainly wasn't founded by him.
No one's saying he should have given ALL his money away. But even 1% of $8 billion is quite considerable. That's $80 million.
He isn't. In case you hadn't noticed, Apple is ALL about PR... and so is Jobs. They don't save a leaf without you hearing about it.
And actually the only thing we DO know about Jobs and money is that he's stolen more than once.
It's unlikely that the authors have much by way of disposable income.
Have any of you actually done any reading on the man? At ALL? Like, historical background? It doesn't seem that way.
Not bothering to check facts is a large reason our country's in the mess we're in right now, actually.
Completely fallacious argument. And that's ignoring the fact that NeXT went bottom up. Or giving consideration to the fact that Pixar was founded before Jobs had any capital at all, and certainly wasn't founded by him.
No one's saying he should have given ALL his money away. But even 1% of $8 billion is quite considerable. That's $80 million.
He isn't. In case you hadn't noticed, Apple is ALL about PR... and so is Jobs. They don't save a leaf without you hearing about it.
And actually the only thing we DO know about Jobs and money is that he's stolen more than once.
It's unlikely that the authors have much by way of disposable income.
Have any of you actually done any reading on the man? At ALL? Like, historical background? It doesn't seem that way.
Not bothering to check facts is a large reason our country's in the mess we're in right now, actually.
There's a very basic philosophical point here. Who is doing more for society? The man who donates millions (or billions) to charity, or the man who is an inventor and innovator? After returning to Apple, Steve Jobs took a company from the brink of bankruptcy and turned it into the largest company (or second largest, depending on the week) IN THE WORLD by market capitalization. In 2010, Apple had 49,400 employees working for them (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.). In addition, they indirectly employ tens of thousands more through all of the third market companies who make accessories for their products as well as the companies which are contracted by Apple to build the computers/iPads/iPhones overseas, and the people paid by Apple for legal services, marketing and advertising, etc. Finally, you have people and companies making money from Apple, like the guy who runs this website (as well as MANY MANY more rumor sites), Apple magazines and publications, books, and finally the software publishers. This single company, largely as a result of a single man, was able to turn around and create an entire ecosystem of people whose livelihoods stem from the very existence of Apple.
In contrast, a person who donates money to charity is giving money to an organization which ultimately provides food, clothing, medical care, etc. to people who would probably die without assistance.
Yes, charity is vital for the very survival of society's least fortunate individuals. However, I would argue, without inventors, innovators and basic capitalism, our entire society would be stuck in the middle ages. Just because someone doesn't give any money to charity, it doesn't mean that he or she hasn't benefited society.
Steve Jobs is not just another rich investment banker or real estate tycoon who makes tons of money by working the system. He is a creator and innovator who has not only changed the world by giving us new technology and products, but he directly and indirectly employs many more people than most of us can imagine.
Barack Obama, the President of the United States, talks about how much he cares about spreading the wealth around and creating jobs, but his history of never having worked in the private sector, let alone run a business, illustrate how he has never created a single job in his life.
Our country doesn't need more Obamas who want to raise taxes and take money from the rich to give to the poor. We need more people like Steve Jobs, whose brilliance and creativity has benefitted mankind more than the charitable donations from the likes of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates ever could.
In contrast, a person who donates money to charity is giving money to an organization which ultimately provides food, clothing, medical care, etc. to people who would probably die without assistance.
Yes, charity is vital for the very survival of society's least fortunate individuals. However, I would argue, without inventors, innovators and basic capitalism, our entire society would be stuck in the middle ages. Just because someone doesn't give any money to charity, it doesn't mean that he or she hasn't benefited society.
Steve Jobs is not just another rich investment banker or real estate tycoon who makes tons of money by working the system. He is a creator and innovator who has not only changed the world by giving us new technology and products, but he directly and indirectly employs many more people than most of us can imagine.
Barack Obama, the President of the United States, talks about how much he cares about spreading the wealth around and creating jobs, but his history of never having worked in the private sector, let alone run a business, illustrate how he has never created a single job in his life.
Our country doesn't need more Obamas who want to raise taxes and take money from the rich to give to the poor. We need more people like Steve Jobs, whose brilliance and creativity has benefitted mankind more than the charitable donations from the likes of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates ever could.
Sorry - did you say that products were what really matters?
Seriously?
Can I call you Tin Man from now on? WOW.
I very much doubt that he has 8 billion in the bank, he would in shares but certainly not in hard cash that he could call upon in the bank, he pays himself $1 a year, lives in a pretty modest house, sure if he sold every Apple share and Disney share he would net $8bn but there is a difference between paper wealth and cash rich.
Basically this entire conversation is about a problem that probably doesn't exist and certainly isn't our problem.
Bono has done more positive work than y'all combined, and to the U2 haters, go away and give Achtung Baby another listen. Or even better, go away and do something productive with your own time and money.
Bono has done more positive work than y'all combined, and to the U2 haters, go away and give Achtung Baby another listen. Or even better, go away and do something productive with your own time and money.
Yeah. SERIOUSLY. That is the business he was in. That's what he did for a living. As long as there's nothing else going on that's illegal, the rest is GRAVY. I'm sure otherwise he was nice to his friends and good to his family, but that's really no one's business.
First, who really gives a damn.
Second, he's a Buddhist.
Namaste.
Agreed. Just because Steve doesn't talk about giving money to charities doesn't mean he doesn't give.
99.9% sure? You don't know anything, how can you put a number on it?
This is the cult thinking that made him rich. Instead of spiking the punch, he punched you in the wallet.
Don't get me wrong, I have Apple stuff. But I don't pretend it's the best thing in the world. There are problems with a lot of their hardware, just as there are problems with a lot of other hardware. Stop putting Apple on a pedastool and stop thinking Jobs is God.
Man people will believe anything won't they?
Charity is overated anyway, I donate to 3 animal shelters each year but nothing else, I can't go anywhere without someone waving a tin in my face trying to guilt trip me into donating (usually by direct debit), every supermarket, every time I turn on the tv, every time I collect my post, there is always some sanctimonious **** trying to guilt trip me with pics of starving africans and abused kids, the reason I don't donate is 1 I dont like it being forced upon me and secondly because most of the money donated never reaches the people it is meant to help, most of it goes in expenses and lavish offices for executives, if Jobs is opting out of that **** fair play to him.
I will refrain from any sort of proselytizing since that would be inappropriate to this discussion, however, I think my analogy helps illustrate that Steve Jobs is not as charitable as Bono claims.
lets just be happy with what he gives us with his apple products that we can enjoy.
I wouldn't want anyone breathing down my neck about what I Should Be Doing With My Money!!!
EDIT: @Popeye206 thank you for reminding me,
He has given a bunch of people jobs and kept them employed, as well as pushed technology and research!
I wouldn't want anyone breathing down my neck about what I Should Be Doing With My Money!!!
EDIT: @Popeye206 thank you for reminding me,
He has given a bunch of people jobs and kept them employed, as well as pushed technology and research!
Quite honestly, it's none of our business. He's responsible for millions of people being employed with good jobs both at Apple and Pixar, and because of Apple, and Pixar. Same can be said for any successful business person, but that alone has helped many. Someone with that level of money almost has to disperse a percentage to charity... but how, where and how much is not really our business.
That's not to say it's not great to see people like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates do what they do, but SJ has the right to do what he feels is best and not flaunt it if he chooses to.
I knew better than to start reading this thread but...I did anyway.
What disturbs me is how freely some folks slam pretty much everyone that is alive, especially in forums. Steve may be dying and still folks are accusing him of everything under the sun, most of the time when they have no idea. Very sad.
What disturbs me is how freely some folks slam pretty much everyone that is alive, especially in forums. Steve may be dying and still folks are accusing him of everything under the sun, most of the time when they have no idea. Very sad.
Okay, I'm going to try to do this the easy way.
You sit and praise Steve Jobs for growing a company and making a ton of jobs (some are suicide sweat shops, but whatever).
But then you turn around and completely bemoan the fact that the federal government, under a democrat (and no, Obama is not the first one contrary to what some of you tea party/republicans think) wants to provide jobs, bail out the auto industry and financial industry (which I disagreed with, but understand), and give money to the poor.
You cannot have it both ways. Read that again. You... CANNOT... have it both ways.
You cannot say Steve is a God, and then ding the government when it tries to do the same thing.
And, "Steve Jobs is not just another rich investment banker or real estate tycoon who makes tons of money by working the system."
REALLY?
Where in the hell do you think Apple and Steve have all their wealth from? You do know it is a publicly-traded company, right? Where do you think Steve has all his money???? HE OWNS STOCK. A lot of it. From Apple and from Disney/Pixar...
"Barack Obama, the President of the United States, talks about how much he cares about spreading the wealth around and creating jobs, but his history of never having worked in the private sector, let alone run a business, illustrate how he has never created a single job in his life.
Our country doesn't need more Obamas who want to raise taxes and take money from the rich to give to the poor. We need more people like Steve Jobs, whose brilliance and creativity has benefitted mankind more than the charitable donations from the likes of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates ever could."
Seriously? So you're saying that the rich should continue paying less in percentage just because they have the money to do so? You're saying that the tax burden should be placed on those who are more likely to not be able to handle it?
And please, name me ONE politician that does have a clue about the real world?
People that don't think logically really make me question how in the hell our species has made it this far.
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Wait. I thought the point of donating money was for the good of the charity, not to have everyone know that you've done it.
BTW, it's paper/not money
Steve has most of his money in stocks, in either Disney or Apple. Based on the ROI of those stocks, and his involvement in the management, he should maintain those investments.
What he wants to do with his growing wealth, now, later or after his death, is his and his families business.
It's paper money, and by all accounts, he doesn't live a lavish life style as some celebrities are wont to do. He surely doesn't own a 40,000 square foot home as Gates does, nor a home as modest as Buffett in Omaha. He does have a Gulfstream V which is particularly useful for a then Corporate CEO making deals around the world.
Steve has most of his money in stocks, in either Disney or Apple. Based on the ROI of those stocks, and his involvement in the management, he should maintain those investments.
What he wants to do with his growing wealth, now, later or after his death, is his and his families business.
It's paper money, and by all accounts, he doesn't live a lavish life style as some celebrities are wont to do. He surely doesn't own a 40,000 square foot home as Gates does, nor a home as modest as Buffett in Omaha. He does have a Gulfstream V which is particularly useful for a then Corporate CEO making deals around the world.
The contributions he's made to Apple, which in turn have made to changing our world through the PC, iMacs for education, OS X and iPads and the like for scientists, engineers, etc. are pretty big contributions regardless of how much vanilla money he gives away for other organizations to use.
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Charity is just that, charity. money that has to be paid is called tax which he almost definitely pays. I hate people who think rich people owe it to charity, with a passion..
Charity is just that, charity. money that has to be paid is called tax which he almost definitely pays. I hate people who think rich people owe it to charity, with a passion..
Celebrity preacher who avoids paying his taxes in Ireland by having his business and personal in off shore accounts, offers defense against lack of 'giving' to Steve Jobs.
please........................
Bono and NYC Apple store have something in common alright, both are so transparent I can see right through.
I don't think it's Steve that needs a defense. Ask Bono to bring his accounts back into Ireland, and pay his taxes and help the country 'he calls home' instead of all the hypocrisy he preaches to others.
please........................
Bono and NYC Apple store have something in common alright, both are so transparent I can see right through.
I don't think it's Steve that needs a defense. Ask Bono to bring his accounts back into Ireland, and pay his taxes and help the country 'he calls home' instead of all the hypocrisy he preaches to others.
Donating or not is purely personal. Companies do it - some for genuine reasons of generosity, others because it's expected, and others because it's good publicity. Some private individuals do, others don't, or you don't hear about it.
Bottom line: at the end of the day, it's GRAVY. It's a bonus. I'm not going to come down on someone because they don't give to charity. It's a personal act and really nobody's business. Now being stingy might not make the person a saint, but there's so much more to a person's story than acts of charity.
It doesn't really matter one way or the other, and it's rather silly to beat someone over the head with it when they have accomplished and done as much as Steve Jobs (a lot of which was for the good anyway.)
Well it's just a good thing that whoever donated their liver believed in things beyond products then, isn't it.
1) It is up to Jobs whether or not he gives away his money. It's quite the double-standard we hold successful people to: "Work hard, be an awesome CEO, become a billionaire! But you can't keep it!"
2) He's a private guy. As private as he is with his donations, he is also private with his personal spending. I doubt he is holding onto it in order to build up his own material wealth. The guy wears the same turtleneck and jeans almost every day. He's got a nice Mercedes. As far as I know, he owns one home in Woodside, CA and it's not a Gates-esque complex. Even when he was a young millionaire, he lived in an old house and slept on the floor.
3) It's quite possible that he gives privately. I believe he's a practicing Buddhist, and is probably prone to giving alms.
4) Come on, guys. He's 55 years old, he's brought his company to the zenith of success, he's got $9 billion in the bank, and he's possibly got life-threatening cancer. I suppose he's just gonna keep sucking up money so that he can finally buy $10 billion in turtlenecks and floor mattresses?
Knowing Steve, he's got a "one more thing" up his sleeve somewhere.
2) He's a private guy. As private as he is with his donations, he is also private with his personal spending. I doubt he is holding onto it in order to build up his own material wealth. The guy wears the same turtleneck and jeans almost every day. He's got a nice Mercedes. As far as I know, he owns one home in Woodside, CA and it's not a Gates-esque complex. Even when he was a young millionaire, he lived in an old house and slept on the floor.
3) It's quite possible that he gives privately. I believe he's a practicing Buddhist, and is probably prone to giving alms.
4) Come on, guys. He's 55 years old, he's brought his company to the zenith of success, he's got $9 billion in the bank, and he's possibly got life-threatening cancer. I suppose he's just gonna keep sucking up money so that he can finally buy $10 billion in turtlenecks and floor mattresses?
Knowing Steve, he's got a "one more thing" up his sleeve somewhere.