Apple's Steve Jobs: In his own words

I don't use Apple products, but it's clear even to me that Steve Jobs has been a remarkable visionary and innovator throughout his career. Even though I use rival products, I have benefited from the way Jobs has pushed the industry on.

But YUCK!! - those audiences of squealing sycophants are just awful! What is it that makes Apple product users behave like this? Even if you think your iPhone is the best phone in the world (which it may well be), why would you yelp in adulation every time SJ opens his mouth? Don't you find it embarrassing and undignified? Because watching you, I do.

I suspect that when people buy into the Apple brand they feel they're joining some kind of extra-enlightened elite, who - being both smarter and smaller than the evil Microsoft-loving majority - feel the need to proclaim the wisdom of their choices, and the almost holy perfection of everything Apple, at every opportunity.

It's really very strange - very much like a religious cult. The volume is way disproportionate to the message. The problem is, these are just gadgets. It's embarrassing to squeal and fawn over a gadget.

Personally I like the intellectual freedom and insight that goes with not nailing my colours to any brand. I can take a balanced view of the strengths and weaknesses of all of them. Oh, and I get to maintain my dignity, too.

SteveT

hmm, why can't I see this video playing? I get a black window that gives an arrow to play the video, but nothing... I'm using Safari on an iMac.

I appreciate the elegance of physical design, but will not subscribe to any closed system. I drank the cool-aid in 1982 and wasted my money on a suite of very expensive equipment that was orphaned by Apple.
Never again . . .

I don't use Apple products, but it's clear even to me that Steve Jobs has been a remarkable visionary and innovator throughout his career. Even though I use rival products, I have benefited from the way Jobs has pushed the industry on.

But YUCK!! - those audiences of squealing sycophants are just awful! What is it that makes Apple product users behave like this? Even if you think your iPhone is the best phone in the world (which it may well be), why would you yelp in adulation every time SJ opens his mouth? Don't you find it embarrassing and undignified? Because watching you, I do.

I suspect that when people buy into the Apple brand they feel they're joining some kind of extra-enlightened elite, who - being both smarter and smaller than the evil Microsoft-loving majority - feel the need to proclaim the wisdom of their choices, and the almost holy perfection of everything Apple, at every opportunity.

It's really very strange - very much like a religious cult. The volume is way disproportionate to the message. The problem is, these are just gadgets. It's embarrassing to squeal and fawn over a gadget.

Personally I like the intellectual freedom and insight that goes with not nailing my colours to any brand. I can take a balanced view of the strengths and weaknesses of all of them. Oh, and I get to maintain my dignity, too.

SteveT