The passing of Steve Jobs is a loss on almost every level. The co-founder of Apple computers who today succumbed to cancer after a long battle will be remembered as much for his creativity as his business acumen. The almost perfect Jobs inspired millions with his vast portfolio of commercially successful products that closed the divide that separated beautiful design and technological innovation.
Jobs became a global icon that ruled our creative imagination at a time of global flux that gave rise to a plethora of global technological and industrial titans that include Bill Gates, Carlos Slim, Warren Buffet, Bernard Arnault, Christy Walton and Aaron Abramovich. What separated jobs from his peers of elite entrepreneurs was his innate ability to inspire not only his customers but his partners at Apple.
Despite an almost impeccable rise to world dominance, Jobs managed the virtually impossible by maintaining his creative credentials in the face of growing criticism of his lack of evident charitable strategy and increasing accusations of corporate bullying.
Jobs death has caused a global outpouring of grief and admiration for the man that almost single handedly managed to turn technology into a fashion accessory while fuelling the growing allure of Geek Sheek. While Buffet and Gates broke paradigms with their joint humanitarian efforts and personal crusade to encourage philanthropy, it was Jobs who inspired millions by creating beautiful products that continue to achieve cult status with every new brand launch. While Gates and Buffet rose awareness and showered millions on commendable humanitarian causes and scientific research it was Jobs who earned our unflinching devotion.
What was it about Jobs that made him an icon? It was more than his marketing genius or slickly designed products, it was his unwavering message and ability to repeat it with seeming sincerity and deafest certainty from every ad or public stage where he appeared.
Despite the fact that Jobs joined the ranks of the global status quo, despite the near inaccessibility of his pricing strategy, despite increasing criticism for monopolistic practices, Jobs managed to sell us a marketing fantasy based in guilt-free consumerism. But perhaps most importantly he managed to convince his fans that he was one of us. By promoting and valuing beauty and simplicity Steve Jobs proved to the world that he did think differently.
