Like everyone else in the world I learned last night of the death of Steve Jobs the Co-founder of Apple computers. Therefore I was not surprised this morning when I turned on the news and listened to the vast outpouring of tributes to a man who was, without a doubt, a leader in the technology field. Everyone was gushing about how much the man meant to them and how he had touched their lives.
I don't gush.
I never owned, nor did I ever want to own, an Apple product. I never owned a phone on which I could access the Internet, take a video, or text a message on. In fact I have never owned any product with the letter "I" in its name. So you see, Mr. Job's passing has not effected me as it seems to have done many others in the world.
Yes. Of course I own and use a computer and Mr. Job's innovations have impacted all computers so in that sense I give him credit.
Maybe the problem is that I am from a generation to whom "Research" meant more than googling the subject at hand. I am from a generation whose phones resided upon a small table in my house and was attached to wires. I like it that way. I use the computer because that is what you do these days if you write. If the computer was not here I would be doing this piece just as I did so many others like it during the seventies...I would be writing it on paper, with a pen or I would be banging it out on my old Royal typewriter. And yes, you are right, few if any people would ever read them.
What Steve Jobs did do was to give the common man a voice that could be heard world-wide and that is a two-edged sword.
You know, as I write this it has occurred to me...it is six-thirty in the morning and instead of being out in the barn, saddling my horse for an early morning ride to clear my mind and plan my day I am sitting here in the house pounding the keys on this dang computer. I guess Steve Jobs has effected my life after all. I never said it was a good thing, did I.


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Comments
Have a great day!
1)I would read your letters written on paper
2)I agree with you about the two-edged-sword.
Your posting here is,as always, much to the point and very much appreciated.
Computers changed my life and brought people like you into my life that I cherish.
HUGGGGGGGGGG
Wait, Steve Job passed away? When?
:D
Course, when I pass away, I hope everyone I have touched, cries like a little baby and goes, "He touched me!!"
And the judge will say, "SHOW US ON THE DOLL WHERE HE TOUCHED YOU!!" :D
However much or little we are involved it's always a sad loss when the world loses an innovator.
I just thank goodness you own that computer and decided to blog to the world. That makes it a better place too.
A double-edged sword indeed....
But my computer (Dell not Apple) keeps in touch with the world and allows me to spout my musings for everyone to see.
I also text a few times a week on a cheap phone that can do nothing else. Shocked my daughter first time I texted her!!
Bye bye Steve J. You brought us the flash mob and Tahir Square.
R
He was a college drop-out who was truly a guru at creating innovative technological communication devices the world wanted and I love that his philosophical outlook on pursuing one's dreams means that everything else is secondary.
I too don’t gush.
Its my understanding that one either worships at the Apple temple or they don’t.
I can’t stand that all the i-devices are locked up tight, can’t do anything without Apple’s permission.
Great quality goods but too much snob appeal for me.
To see what I mean check out the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7yD-0pqZg
viewer discretion / some swearing
~R~
jane smithie.....My phone is right where it belongs, in my house.
Heidi Banerjee.....Thanks for your kind words and thank you for reading.
Matt.....I'm with you, I love those Pixar movies old friend.
Miguela...I agree, just think how much better the world would be if people like him had worked as hard to solve problems rather than make money.
greenheron...you are not alone. Millions of people swore by the Mac I am told.
Linda...One can not argue the impact computers have had on our lives. It is all the other gadgets that make me break out in a rash.
designanator....180 degrees of difference is okay. After all, I am a known old crumbdudgeon who resists all the new fangled gadgets.
Bernadine....I am sorry for the family of Steve Jobs. I am sure they are hurting and miss their loved one. I have nothing against the man, I just don't care for some of the gadgets he is assocated with. As for being like Edison, well Edison was an inventor, he discovered and refined whole new concepts while Jobs was a "re-inventor" he took products and made them better.
Cranky....To be perfectly honest, I once owned an IPod. It was given to me by one of my kids for Christmas. The thing is, after a few weeks of use I figured out that I would rather listen to my music while relaxing at home.
Tink....Thank you. You made Mel laugh out loud when she read your comment. That was priceless, my friend.
nanatehay....I couldn't agree more.
Linda......One of the chief blessings the computer has brought me is letting me meet you, dear friend.
Just Thinking....And that was the main thrust of my entry. Thanks for getting it.
toritto...not sure that the flash mob is entirely a good thing.
Cathy GF....In the end he was a successful businessman. Oh and yes I did and it was a beautiful day indeed.
Belinda T.......I can't really ascribe to his philosophy of putting one's dreams ahead of everything else. To me, my family comes before my dreams.
Oryoki...You are probably right but I would hope that maybe one of those great men in history would have held out...who knows.
Kathy Knechtges....Seems there are enough of them to do that.
Chrissie Pissie....Thanks, I'm kinda proud of that title myself.
M.C. Sears.....Thanks, I will check out the link.
Great post, David. I always appreciate your level headed approach.
R