Steven Paul Jobs. A man who himself would not believe his level of success. He set out to change the world. Very few people that set out to do so actually achieve their goal. He did. He saw beyond the present more than anyone else and laid the foundations for all aspects of our personal relationships with technology today.
He saw technology in ways that nobody else has ever done. He has always got it right. He made technology so complex but simple to use. He made us smile when starting up a computer. He realised that as important as it is to cram the biggest and best technologies into products, he also recognised that its just as important to hide it from the user. As he taught us that a computer is like a bicycle for our minds he wanted anyone and everyone to utilize these tools without any work or training. To be able to step right up to that Macintosh 128k or that iPad and begin using it to its fullest, almost immediately. It just works is something he has said many times. Thats the thought that comes to mind when using an Apple product, it works. It does what you want it to do in the natural way your mind expects. Nothing gets in the way.
He realised the importance of design when manufacturing our devices. How important it is to make something look nice, like a building that not only serves its purpose, but looks incredible too. Why? Because then people enjoy going in that building or using that device. This makes a difference to peoples lives. A bold statement I know, it does. Great design makes us happy. His philosophy on design is to remove what you dont need. To keep things simple. But, this makes things so powerful. Perhaps the main reason for this incredible level of design is something else we come on to.
Perfectionism. Maybe he is the greatest perfectionist since Walt Disney. Steve Jobs cannot, has not and will not allow anything that just will do to be sold with an Apple logo on it. As he said we dont ship junk. When creating products he made them the way he would want them. He made them for himself. He made things the best he could, he made products the way he did because he wanted a phone or computer that looked so incredible and at the same time worked so well. Perfectionism is his greatest habit and he could not allow himself to make a third-rate product.
Using a Dell or HP PC running Windows? Carry an Android phone? You wouldnt if it wasnt for Steve. He created the foundations for what those devices are and what they do. He created the PC and he created the smartphone as we know it.
He is different. As with us different people, we often have big ideas and nobody believes in us. But Steve taught us to ignore them and that the people who are crazy enough to believe they can change the world, are the ones who do.
You have taught me so much in life. You have given me faith when I have been looked down on for being different. You have given me the faith that it is possible to do anything and that I can one day make a difference in the world.
You still had so much to give.
Thank you Steve. Thank you for everything, you will forever be in our hearts and minds for being the different one, the one that taught the world to take notice of people like us.
R.I.P Steve Paul Jobs 1955 - 2011
