Much has been written about Steve Jobs in the last couple of days. People throughout the world have showered their love and affection for the public figure of Steve Jobs. Apple’s products showed that their creator must be a force to reckon with. For people here in the valley, especially enchanted with products, design and innovation, Steve was a legend way before his death.
I never met the man, and only knew of him through his products, and his public appearances and quotes. Most people, like me, knew Steve Jobs only this way. So why is it that we all feel so overwhelmingly sad at his demise? Is it because he was a great man of our times who brought the future to the present? Is it because he showed us what beautiful products look like? Is it because that he reminded us that true beauty is, in fact, universal? Is it because we all know that products in the future will just not be the same anymore without the guiding force of superior design?
It is all of the above and much much more. Most people say that Steve’s brilliance lies in the fact that he really knew what customers wanted. I think that’s totally incorrect. I don’t think he cared about what other people wanted. But I think he did care immensely himself. He was just trying to make the best thing he could given the technology of our times. Steve wanted more, because he knew that more was possible. The main difference between him and other innovators has been that he went much further in trying to solve a problem. Most people would stop at a very very very good product. But not Steve. He wasn’t trying to be perfect, but he was making the best thing that appealed to him. And because he was incessant in his quest to find the thing that truly appealed to him, it actually appealed to the masses as well.
Yes, Steve inspired us all to make beautiful things. And yes he did inspire us to design things well. But the reason we really miss him is because he showed us that we should do something wonderful that we want to do, and not because someone else demands it. Steve showed us a way to live our life which breaks all traditional and cultural norms. He showed us that we should stop worrying about what other people (including customers) think, and instead worry about whether we are being true to ourselves in building what we can. He showed us that it’s important to have taste, good or bad, and bring it to what we do. He showed us that good enough just isn’t good enough.
Steve taught us that it’s important to do the best you can with whatever is available and not give up too soon. Not because we should satisfy other people’s cravings, but for our own sake. Because, after all, this is our life we are talking about. Noone else teaches us that lesson. Only the people, like Steve, who have lived their life by that code can inspire us to attempt to do the same. And they teach us that the purpose of our life is not to earn great riches or to have huge impact or build things that others want, but simply to do something wonderful.
And for a reminder of that lesson, I thank you Steve, and may you rest in peace.
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