Fake Rumors of Steve Jobs Heart Attack Circulate

[Chupa Chupa]

Illegal, but historically, it was rarely prosecuted until very recently (e.g. Enron). The fact that the nation is now clamoring for scapegoats in Wall Street.... means that the voices are getting louder demanding strong regulation (PREVENTATIVE) so that this manipulation crap is avoided in the first place. Eventually, when the extreme regulation mindset grows louder.... free market capitalism will suffer. Suffice to say, THAT will be bad for everyone, everyone.... except for maybe fans of Marxism and Socialism (who will claim victory).

Rarely prosecuted because it's hard to prove, not because prosecutors aren't looking for a case. I can't really make heads or tails of what you are saying because other than making it an illegal act there isn't much in the way to regulate some dope publishing rumors on the Internet or elsewhere -- that pesky 1st Amendment gets in the way you know.

As for Wall Street "scapegoats," no I don't think people are looking for those. They are looking for the real crooks. Unfortunately, they are not going after the ones that were at FNMA or FRE or in Congress as well.

 

[J the Ninja]

Dear God, Arn, did you put a link to 4chan on the front page or MacRumors? :O

 

[MacTraveller]

This is why a stupid rumor of his death is so quickly received as fact. Everyone knows its coming soon, they are just waiting for the first person to admit it. Heck, Apple knows the stock will plummet when he finally goes. I wouldn't be surprised if it is covered up for a while weekend at Bernie's style just to keep the stock up until they can figure something out.

At least when he does die (hopefully many many many years from now), it is absolutely guaranteed that millions of people will line up to see his funeral casket during his wake, paying their last respects. More people will see his funeral wake than say... at Vladimir Lenin's tomb.... or John Lennon's funeral procession.

 

[sososowhat]

But it's TRUE! The Jobs Market did have a heart attack

Adding Steve's name must have been a typo

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Employers slashed payrolls by 159,000 in September, the most in more than five years, a worrisome sign that the economy is hurtling toward a deep recession.

{http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081003/economy.html?.v=2}
Edit: actually, this one is much better: "JOBS: Worst in 5 years"
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/03/news/economy/jobs_september/?postversion=2008100312

 

[Adjei]

Unfortunately when a company has a lot at stake in the hands of one person a certain portion of the share price is based around the fact that that person remains at the company and is in good health and able to lead the company. Because of this the shareholders do want to know that Jobs is in good health and not potentially in a position where he would need to leave the company on short notice without a proper transition plan in place.

The health of almost all employees is off limits, just once you get to the highest levels of the company (and this would apply to almost all listed companies) there is a definate need for openess and a well documented transition plan.

some examples:

Apple - Jobs
Microsoft - Gates (organized hand over did not impact shares)
Oracle - Ellison
Berkshire Hathaway - Buffet
Dell - Dell

If Apple was not a listed company then they are under no obligations to provide any information other than what is required by law and I guess that would mainly be more tax related and available under freedom of information.

So let me get this, Jobs should get his doctor to release his private medical report for all the world to see, what sort of insensitivity is that, I'm sure if you were in Jobs shoes you wouldn't like that, it's a private matter, Jobs doesn't own nothing to the public or Apple shareholders other that make sure the company is financially sound and is able to move forward which he is doing.

 

[Adjei]

Oh boy. I hate to say it but Ole Stevo is on his way out. Something is wrong with that chap. Either its mental or physical but NOBODY looks that skinny unless there is a major problem. Here are the possibilites:

1. Thin is in: He is OBSESSED with thin and refuses to eat = Mental Problem.
2. Cancer: His cancer is back and he is fighting it.
3. Drugs: He is addicted to crack. Would explain a lot.


And the last option...

4. Normal: There is nothing wrong with him. This one is the most unlikely. His appearance gives him away.


This is why a stupid rumor of his death is so quickly received as fact. Everyone knows its coming soon, they are just waiting for the first person to admit it. Heck, Apple knows the stock will plummet when he finally goes. I wouldn't be surprised if it is covered up for a while weekend at Bernie's style just to keep the stock up until they can figure something out.

Some of you dudes are so insensitive, it's not even funny.

 

[bytethese]

The news of Steve Jobs having a heart attack almost gave me...a heart attack!

 

[theheadguy]

Some of you dudes are so insensitive, it's not even funny.

^^
Actually, that was pretty funny. Calm down and stop taking life so seriously. The stock is UP people... Sheesh.

 

[paja]

Fbi

The FBI has officially been called in to investigate the matter.

Market manipulation is illegal.

I hope they nail the jerk!

 

[happydude]

this really just underscores the importance steve brings to the table, not just for products and software development, but the value of the stock itself. the whole of the value of the stock rests on steve's health.

here's hoping for a good long life, not just because he's a decent human being, but also because his health is interconnected with millions of people's financial well being.

what a weird world we live it . . .

 

[jbernie]

So let me get this, Jobs should get his doctor to release his private medical report for all the world to see, what sort of insensitivity is that, I'm sure if you were in Jobs shoes you wouldn't like that, it's a private matter, Jobs doesn't own nothing to the public or Apple shareholders other that make sure the company is financially sound and is able to move forward which he is doing.

They do not need to release the whole report, but the market could certainly get reassurance from a statement indicating that he is of normal health etc etc.

If Jobs was Joe Generic CEO the market wouldn't care, unfortunately Jobs has become viewed as instrumental to Apple's success, whether he really wanted to be that or not, last I checked the US Government releases the medical reports onthe President, so long as the country is being run we shouldn't have a need to know what is up with the President right?

No difference between running a country and running a major influential corporation. Lots of money and lots of jobs are at stake if things go wrong.

 

[Buschmaster]

What a bunch of jackasses...

That's all I have to say on the matter.

 

[MacTraveller]

this really just underscores the importance steve brings to the table, not just for products and software development, but the value of the stock itself. the whole of the value of the stock rests on steve's health.

here's hoping for a good long life, not just because he's a decent human being, but also because his health is interconnected with millions of people's financial well being.

what a weird world we live it . . .

OK Steve.... drink Mona Vie already!!! lol

 

[Adjei]

They do not need to release the whole report, but the market could certainly get reassurance from a statement indicating that he is of normal health etc etc.

If Jobs was Joe Generic CEO the market wouldn't care, unfortunately Jobs has become viewed as instrumental to Apple's success, whether he really wanted to be that or not, last I checked the US Government releases the medical reports onthe President, so long as the country is being run we shouldn't have a need to know what is up with the President right?

No difference between running a country and running a major influential corporation. Lots of money and lots of jobs are at stake if things go wrong.

Apple has released statements before saying his health is alright, what more do you want from Jobs and Apple, it's his private health, they own you guys nothing, I mean you have papers writting that he is already passed, and others with nonsense such as this fake heart attack, I'm sure if you were in shoes, you wouldn't like that, the man shouldn't release nothing, all he owes to Apple and the shareholders is performance which he is giving.

 

[macenforcer]

The FBI has officially been called in to investigate the matter.

Market manipulation is illegal.

I hope they nail the jerk!

So much for free speech. May I suggest Steve's replacement so the stock would soar ...

http://media.ebaumsworld.com/2008/10/973533/964909.jpg


Hey, Al Gore is on the Apple Board and he was VP. This is possible no?

 

[macenforcer]

Apple has released statements before saying his health is alright, what more do you want from Jobs and Apple, it's his private health, they own you guys nothing, I mean you have papers writting that he is already passed, and others with nonsense such as this fake heart attack, I'm sure if you were in shoes, you wouldn't like that, the man shouldn't release nothing, all he owes to Apple and the shareholders is performance which he is giving.

Nope, his health is absolutely not private. It is tied to apple's stock price as seen by this fiasco and the stock is public making his health a very public factor.

 

[maturnip]

the real problem here is...

they are going to use this as another reason to control the blogging community.

 

[depulse]

YOU ARE JUST AS SICK yourself, with a comment like that. If this is meant to be a joke, it falls flat. VERY flat.

Chill out and go vote for McPain!

 

[Yvan256]

I know it's going to sound a bit paranoid

Is it me or is there people in Wall Street that are making everything in their power to make AAPL drop like a rock?

I know the USA economy is going through rough times these days, but from 167$USD to under 96.18$USD (as of this writing) in about one month, given Apple's track record and the huge pile of cash they're sitting on, something's not right.

Make that 95.59$ No wait, 96.98$... It's fluctuating too much.


edit: as a programmer, I thought that young guy who did the OS X "Core" technology explanations in one of the keynote would be an excellent candidate to replace Steve. Can't remember his name right now, but IMHO he did seem to really care about and enjoy what he presented.

 

[madrag]

this is bad, especially when a person's death/health endangers the "health" of a company.

This situation is also dangerous!

If Steve Jobs is really dead/dies, is apple going to die also?
I hope not, because as much as I would like to believe, everyone is replaceable

Some shine more than others, but a company shouldn't be carried on the shoulders of a single individual.

 

[Adjei]

Nope, his health is absolutely not private. It is tied to apple's stock price as seen by this fiasco and the stock is public making his health a very public factor.

But his health is his private life, he doesn't have to release anything to any public, it's his private matter and if he wants to keep his private life seperate from Apple, that's his busienss. Its' funny how the internet has made everybody so insensitive, somebody can just come and claim someone is dead on the internet and everyone believes it and goes and sells Apple's stock. Steve Jobs should do no such thing, it's his private life, you lot can live with it.

 

[depulse]

Is it me or is there people in Wall Street that are making everything in their power to make AAPL drop like a rock?

I know the USA economy is going through rough times these days, but from 167$USD to under 96.18$USD (as of this writing) in about one month, given Apple's track record and the huge pile of cash they're sitting on, something's not right.

Make that 95.59$ No wait, 96.98$... It's fluctuating too much.

Stock price is not reflecting past and present state of a company. It reflects future expectations.

 

[diamond.g]

But his health is his private life, he doesn't have to release anything to any public, it's his private matter and if he wants to keep his private life seperate from Apple, that's his busienss. Its' funny how the internet has made everybody so insensitive, somebody can just come and claim someone is dead on the internet and everyone believes it and goes and sells Apple's stock. Steve Jobs should do no such thing, it's his private life, you lot can live with it.

The problem is, to the public, Steve is Apple. Many don't realize that Apple would probably be fine without him. This is probably due to Apple doing so poorly before he came back. Coupled with him basically running every keynote since. He probably needs to let others do the keynotes so people can get used to others running the show.

 

[Losenrout]

YOU ARE JUST AS SICK yourself, with a comment like that. If this is meant to be a joke, it falls flat. VERY flat.

Calm down. He's a CEO, not a person!

 

[MidiMonk]

Positive because it's false?

Thats what I took it for, granted I didn't vote.But jeez people its a fake story and macrumors in its own way added to the hysteria by posting this.Best way to handle this was to not make it a story in the first place.

Glad Steve is alright though.