and so I blog...

Phenomenal people have lived and passed on like Steve Jobs and many people will write about him and wax nostalgic ( I've always wanted to use that phrase but now its anti-climatic) finding lessons and meanings for themselves in things he's said. I myself am not immune to the worldwide gasping and reflection. I never knew the man. Not in the remotest bit, nor his history, but I do remember being in grade school where we used an old dirty-cream Apple desktop computer with its rainbow colored apple symbol used back then. I also recall being somewhat reintroduced to Macintosh by a boyfriend in 1997 and that was the point at which I knew there was something special about a Mac. Not because of him but because using a Mac gives you a feeling, a feeling like you can do something. Like you can make something, like you, even you, are intelligent enough to use this. It's conscientious computing, with a personality, with a 'soul'. It is the innovator's computer - it thinks the way we do - full of ourselves and introspective, always searching for meaning. Although I wasn't wise enough at that young age to know that I should purchase stocks in Apple, I put stock in Mac as a computer I trusted to own.

At the time, I also was unaware that Steve Jobs had just been rejoined to Apple. Subsequently, the breakthrough came and suddenly Apple reemerged, shaking off the dust and back in black (white) like never before. Bringing out their Ipods, pads and aspiring to turn laptops into thin air. I was jealous, but only because they monopolized everything. I couldn't stand their Agreements and felt forced  like a captive slave to agree to their terms. I resented their order and know it all technology whilst everyone else was constantly trying to keep up. I grew suspicious of them and yet in 2009 I settled on getting a laptop and where else would I go for the simplicity of having a worry free computer experience? Apple of course! Even so, I can still see room for improvement. When something unimaginable is realized, the mind then becomes rabid with ideas and one is able to conceive of what seemed to be impossible before.

Now the task will fall on someone new. Some new innovator stepping in to fill giant shoes. Steve Jobs knew this when he said

"...Death...is life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you , but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away."

I found a common thought process with the man, nothing special I'm sure many people do in that he used death as a motivator and aid in decision making. I found other thoughts in common with him now. When before, I never had the time to be interested in anything he had to say. But that's always the case with us fickle beings. I think part of the reason I looked at his quotes now was to see how he thought but that probably would just be one aspect of what everyone thinks he is. Thinking changes with time and I'm sure he'd be abashed to see some of the quotes being posted having fallen from his mouth. I enjoyed some of the quotes such as

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma."

Today we have coined a new job title - Innovator. I can see job postings now offering such position and a job description carved from the stylings of Jobs' workload. These are the people we 'hate' and admire -The ones who live, learn and work according to their own methods, unconventionally. They dare to be in your face whether you like it or not because they are out to make money and feed their families! Steve Jobs will be remembered by many not only in his creations but because after you realize 'the man' you realize he was, and will remain an inspiration to the not so mainstream thinkers and underdogs.

I have long held my jealousy and resentment for Apple since their resurgence, boycotting their products (as I type on my Macbook) and avoiding the pod crazes and appleworld media reports. Yet when I heard of Jobs' step down from his position in August, I knew something was up. Upon his death my reaction was shock and uneasiness of sorts, for what, I wasn't sure. But then uncertainty comes with change. I'm sure the people at Apple feel the same. No matter how much you dislike a person their taking the helm and steering the ship is respected and you follow, however grumpily. That uneasiness must have been what the masses felt when Alexander the great was killed and all the power fell to his generals. It is left to be seen what road Apple will take from here and what it will become, if anything else.

In the wake of his death I couldn't help asking the views of everyone I encountered what their thoughts were on his passing. Here are some of the varying responses I received:-

"He was truly an exceptional man. It's a great loss"

"Oh well, there will be more people like him. He was not the only smart person alive"

"What do you think about Jesus dying?"

"I just hope Apple can continue to make and sell the same great products"

"Like these chickens, he's just sleeping" 

"Sad...I think it's so sad. He was still young" 

"He was born the same year as my mom, so I think that is way too young" 

 "I just hope it will slow Mac sales. It's unfortunate but I'm not overly concerned"