The Minimalist

It isn’t easy to come up with a fitting tribute to Steve Jobs. In the weeks following his death, outpourings of grief have been seen in all corners of the world, on a scale usually reserved for rock stars or heads of state. How many businessmen or women have ever been mourned this way? How many people can even name the CEOs of the companies whose products they own? Jobs was not a public figure, yet he cultivated an enormously powerful public persona. Though famously short-tempered and opinionated, he actually was a rock star in his own right. Every time he was scheduled to get up on stage, crowds of thousands would form around the venue. His keynotes, broadcast live, often caused entire sections of the Internet to buckle. Even without his physical presence, police squads have often been required at Apple stores to manage the crowds waiting to buy a new product. Immediately likeable for being an underdog, Jobs rescued a dying Apple—his own baby, which had been snatched from him—and propelled it to stratospheric heights. He represented the soul of a company that had lost its way; the geek, the dreamer. By knowing what people wanted, even if they couldn't describe it themselves, he was able to create products that people instantly felt they had always needed. The moment he unveiled the first iMac, Steve Jobs became a media darling. It was the outrageousness of it all—the young upstart, displacing the stodgy old suits and throwing out their old beige boxes in favor of flashy translucent blue plastic—that made people sit up and take notice. And like a true showman, Jobs painted a picture for the world to marvel at, one in which life was uncluttered, uncomplicated, and constantly joyous. In the often harsh and cynical rat race that we call life, his vision was infectious, and yes, sometimes even magical. Apple most definitely couldn’t have risen to where it is today because of one man alone, but Jobs has consistently been credited with driving the company’s success because of his personal vision and enthusiasm. Since his return to Apple in 1996, the company has been able to anticipate and conceive exactly the kind of products that people want to rush out to buy. From home computers in the late ‘90s to individualistic phones and tablets today, Apple has consistently shaped and created markets for itself. Being deeply involved with the development and launch of each new product, Jobs never had to sell something he didn’t personally believe in. Apple isn’t like any other company in the world today. It makes just a handful of products, offers few customizable options, gets away with all kinds of demands, and doesn’t care for consumer research at all. Whether or not all of this was driven by one man alone, his force has been evident in everything Apple has said and done. As a corporate CEO, Steve Jobs will be remembered as the rebel free-thinker who created and ran one of the most successful businesses in the history of the world. As a human being, he’ll be remembered for his vision, ambition, and clarity of thought. It's hard to imagine any other individual having the same kind of effect on the world, which is exactly why the grief over his death at age 56 has affected so many people. The best we can do right now is to examine his life, examine ourselves, and try to learn from his legacy—live each day as if it's your last, find the things that make you truly happy, and don't ever be afraid to think different. Thanks for the magic, Steve. Rest in peace.