While I am no tech nerd, I find myself extremely saddened by the passing of Steve Jobs. Obsessed by the power of technology, I am not, but obsessed with the character and innovation of a great man - that's a fruit of a different design.
Someone once told me that life was not a book and thus, should not be lived as such. It seems to me that Mr. Jobs not only created his own narrative reality, but falsified the aforementioned notion by changing the world and shifting mass perspective in the process. Albeit its brevity, it's one of the most powerful and timelessly human outlines in existence.
Throughout history, many men have had similar tales to that of Mr. Jobs. I admire them all as I admire Mr. Jobs. I admire them because these are the people crazy enough, daring enough, intelligent enough to make waves in a pretty cynical world. Not only do these people rely on intuition and deep curiosity to craft their own story, but in doing so, they inspire others to drop the herd mentality and go fucking crazy. Crazy to do something, maybe not great, but new.
And new inspires. And new may eventually be great. And great may eventually change the world. And that always inspires new.
Not everyone can be great and even fewer can be Steve Jobs, but everyone can try new.
The ironic part of this blog entry is that the fellow who told me that my life was not a book is the same fellow who turned me into a believer in the genius of Steve Jobs and his products. An unfortunate disconnect in philosophy and practice, I suppose, but his love of technology eventually made me more efficient and for that I must tip my hat.
I posted this quote from Jobs' Stanford Commencement speech in 2005 back in August, but its truth is as relevant as always.
So Mr. Jobs, there is no better way to end this note than to say:
I will stay hungry and I will stay foolish.
