Where Do We Go From Here?

Since the death of Steve Jobs, I've had some time to reflect on what his work has meant to me. I've found it difficult to fully express the impact he's had on my life, and this entry is an attempt to satisfy that feeling. I don't wish to eulogize the man, there are people in far greater a position to do so. I don't feel it necessary to justify his contribution to human culture. Truth be told, if you don't already realize his impact this article may not be for you, or simply put, you just don't get it. What I am trying to do is come to terms with the fact that I feel an incredible loss, not a loss of a CEO, or a inventor, or even a man, but the loss of a pioneer.

For a while now, I've come to terms that there are three people, whom I've never known, yet have had a profound impact on who I am; Martin Luther King Jr., Jim Henson, and Steve Jobs. They are now all gone. Each of their lives cut short in the middle of their most important work. And that is what bothers me the most; Steve was in the middle of some of his most important work. King died long before I was born, I only know him through history books and documentaries. I grew up with Henson's work, but I was too young to realize who he was, or when he had died. I only know that he was a big part of my childhood, and his death closed the chapter on that era of my life.

But Steve... I knew Steve.

Sure, when I was 6 and my family had a Mac in the living room, I had no idea who was behind it. I only knew that I had this cool little box that let me paint crude pictures of houses and trees. I became aware of Jobs much later, after I graduated High School and started playing around with computers more seriously. I, like many others, fell in love with Apple. And those who truly love Apple know what I'm talking about. You don't like your Mac, you love your Mac, and you learn to love Steve.

Here was a guy who did it all. He brought you great products with amazing design, but most importantly, he gave them purpose. These machines weren't intended to make us work faster or easier, they were mean't to allow us tho do more, to do greater. Steve often talked about living at the intersection of "Technology" and "Liberal Arts", and I thought that must be the greatest place to be.

Which brings me to my greatest concern:

Where do we go from here?

Jobs was more than a businessman, he was a pioneer, an explorer. In the last ten to fifteen years he has revolutionized the entertainment industry, computing industry, information age and publishing. All the while, making the tools available to the plain man. There are many great CEOs, most of which are highly capable at leading a company, initiating change, and nurturing creativity. Unfortunately, most of these men are reactionary, they don't have what Steve had. Time and time again, Steve took great risks, venturing into new fields, creating entire new markets. Others could only hope to answer with competent, albeit uninspired, products. They tried to replicate, but could never duplicate.

I can only hope Steve's work lasts another life-time. It's not the technology I'm concerned about, the technology will grow, faster and greater still. I don't want us to lose the sense of spirit, adventure, and even foolishness, Steve imparted. I'm sure those who were close to him or worked with him feel that. They now have their entire career ahead of them with the new mantra, "Do for Steve." I can only be optimistic that we can carry on his legacy. Not in the man he was, several accounts make clear that he had his fair share of foibles, but in what he taught us. The most important thing we can do from here on out... is think differently.