The Punk Rock CEO

I do not own an iPad.

I do not use an iPhone.

I haven’t even owned a real iPod since my second-generation brick was stolen nearly 7 years ago.

I’m constantly astounded that you’ll find more people hanging out in the Apple Store than in the mall’s food court.

In truth, I’ve never really bought into the “Cult of Apple” at all. Mostly, I’ve found their products to be beautiful and functional, but not necessarily the life-altering technologies most make them out to be (with the glaring exception of the iPod, of course). Perhaps it’s due to some hidden contrarian streak, but I mostly couldn’t be bothered. If it does the job, any tool will due for me. Which is not to say I don’t mourn today for the man behind them.

What Steve Jobs represents for me is not technology. It’s not design, or marketing genius. It’s freedom, courage, determination, and a healthy dose of the rebellious, “fuck you” attitude lacking in most modern entrepreneurs who “make it”. Most eventually get swallowed by their board (as Jobs did himself once), or their product, or their own ego. They lose the edge that made them successful. Not Steve. Although many saw him as sort of a No-Cal Quazi-Zen guru type (is that even a term?), I’ve always seen him in a different light. He was the punk rock CEO, of which few truly remain. Steve was uncompromising in his vision, even when it failed him. He trusted his instincts, and in the course of running a company changed the world forever. Even though I may not drool over Apple’s latest offerings, I’ve always had respect for where they came from, and more importantly the spirit behind them.

RIP Steve.

‘Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition’ “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Everything else is secondary.” - Steve Jobs