“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.”
I certainly was expecting that sooner or later someone would start bashing Steve Jobs, as most, if not all, icons have their weaknesses, nor are perfect. I'm respectfully ascertain that most have even done the appropriate amount of research before publishing their article.
What I despise and would expect is "professionalism". Meaning respect for those that knew him personally (wife, children, inner circle, colleagues) who loved him intensely, warts and all, and allow them time for grief …. Before having to face the ugly side that was sure to emerge.
To assume that anyone of us is perfect is naive. Give people credit. The wide world of web means access to a ton of information, opinions, truths, and lies. Very few faced with so much information, believe everything they read. About Jobs already? All I know, is very little is accomplished without a lot of sweat and tears. Many of us have had teachers or bosses that seemed impossible, didn't always communicate in the best fashion yet we look back at them with respect to the degree in what they taught us.
My own naivity continues to believe in the best of people. Yet, I would still expect grace to allow the mourners the time to reflect on wonderful memories before having to face those that want to be the first to “expose” Steve Jobs weaknesses. I guess there is that notch out there -- to be recognized as one of the first to uncover the ugly side of Steve Jobs. We all have our choices. My choice is to think about the magnificent impact he did have on my life. i.e. a colleague sending me his “Stanford address” around 6 months ago so I could pass it on to my 18 year old daughter who was trying to decide what to do with her life, what to take in university, etc. I forwarded it to her, we discussed it, saying: “don’t worry so much about figuring out your whole life, start by understanding what you are interested in, want to learn, and go with that”. That is what Steve Jobs’ address inspired me to say to her.
Uncovering the commentaries on who, what, where the iPODs, iPhones, iPADs are manufactured. China: imagine that! Look at what you wear, where you shop. I could pretend that I’m brilliant to say that there is a pretty good chance many are “Made in China”. I certainly hope those same authors are asking people to boycott places that sound like W-mrt. Let’s see, 1 billion people, minimum wages unheard of in North American terms, an outrage! Teens and younger having to work instead of going to school, that is beyond fathomable! I have had teens who turn up their nose at washing dishes in my own home, never mind at a restaurant. Who are we fooling here? Give credit that there are people out there that respect, help out their families, placing others before their own desires, just to put food on their tables by everyone pitching in. Those same articles and beliefs are where all this self-entitlement comes from. We push our kids off to university, let them live at home, while their degree measures up to working at a fast food restaurant because if the job isn’t the CEO, then they’ll bide their time.
At the end of the day … when my time comes to pass, I would be thankful if people celebrate the good that I’ve done, respect my family and loved ones mourning. Thinking about it, perhaps obscurity won’t be such a bad thing. At least, there won’t be an “a-wake” to what I could have done better.
“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”
Steve Jobs
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