Like a Good Writer, Steve Jobs Tells His Story with Brilliant Technology

Everyone is stunned by Steve Jobs stepping down Apple,
though the reality is that he’s probably been working at less than full
capacity for some time. He’s the CEO of one of the most successful companies in
the world, but it can’t buy him what is most valuable: his health.

A friend works part-time in the Apple store at Union Square.
When I’m in the area, I always stop and look in the store, hoping to catch
sight of him. But that never happens because all I see are rabid Apple fans
shelling out a lot of money to buy the smart, innovative and high-quality
products that the company produces. It’s a cult, and everyone wants to be part
of this.

My first computer was a Mac, and once I learned to drive a
mouse, I was in love. Somewhere along the line, we became the PC generation,
the computer of choice for businesses. Though inferior to the Mac, the PC sold
at a lower price point, and Bill Gates was storming through corporate culture
like Grant through Richmond.

Many thought that Apple was dead, but they didn’t count on the intense loyalty of Apple users. Those
in high-end graphic or art industries wouldn’t be caught dead with a PC. I used
to think this was silly, but I don’t anymore. I look at my friend’s sleek,
lightweight and fully functional Mac and I want one. They cost more, but
there’s a reason for this. Macs are stable, they don’t come down with viruses and
they last more than a few seasons. They also synch with all of the other
wonderful products that Apple makes.

We will always revere Steve Jobs for
his creativity and vision. According to Jobs, “design is not just what it looks
like and feels like. Design is how it works. It’s focus and simplicity. Simple
can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to
make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you
can move mountains.”

I love this. As a writer, I know
that it’s a lot harder to write a little than a lot and that good writing tells
a story. Steve Jobs tells a wonderful story with his simple, well-designed products.

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