Steve Jobs Changed Our World

It’s rare when someone affects our lives as much as Stve Jobs has. Whether you have an iPhone in your pocket or not, Steve Jobs has defined our technological present and future more than any one man in the world. And today he passed away at a young 56.
When the iPod Mini was released, Steve said Apple was inspired by the minimalist design of the MINI itself. He thought the MINI was cool because it was small. Less is more was the idea and the iPod Mini delivered on that in a new smaller form-factor. Why does it matter to us? Because here was a man that created the future by looking at what was around him. In this case it was the MINI that inspired his team. In other cases it was the button on a Lecia Camera. Whatever the situation was, Steve took what was right in the world and created something inspired and new. And ultimately something that changed the world in which we live.
Steve and the people at Apple have inspired automakers like MINI and BMW to create in different and distinctive ways. MINI Connected and BMW ConnectedDrive are here (more or less) due to Apple. But you could go further in saying that BMW’s recent gamble and total re-think of it’s brand with BMWi is more inline with Apple’s re-invention (and Steve Job’s mantra of ‘Stay Foolish’) than anything from BMW in its history. And one could make the argument that the closest automotive equivalent to what Apple has done recently is actually the launch of the original Mini in 1959.
In any case, Steve, we will miss you greatly.
Here’s to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules.
And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,
disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They invent. They imagine. They heal.
They explore. They create. They inspire.
They push the human race forward.
Maybe they have to be crazy.
How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
Or sit in silence and hear a song that’s never been written?
Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?
We make tools for these kinds of people.
While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world, are the ones who do.
– Steve Jobs
11 Comments
<p> He will be missed. Great post Gabe</p>
<p>Great picture! My best wishes to Steve’s family, friends and Apple fans everywhere. Steve, we will miss you!</p>
<p>That quote (“here’s to the crazy ones…”) has always inspired and even choked me up a little, and never moreso than now.</p>
<p>Great tribute Gabe,</p>
<p>I was unaware of the direct MINI connection..</p>
<p>He appeared to me as slightly mad but slightly genius, for sure the world lost a true visionary. I hoped someday to hear him present but alas was to late. How sadly ironic for him to pass a day after a “weak” iphone launch. I think expectations for Apple product launches are totally out of whack and the spiel from the tech press is nonsense</p>
<p>I think you meant a Mac Mini and the button on a Leica camera, but I get the point. My first computer was an Apple II. I’ve had Apple computers in my house since I was in school. I have been fascinated by Steve Jobs pretty well my whole working life and will miss him. </p>
<p>Great post, Gabe. </p>
<p>No it was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod_Mini" rel="nofollow">iPod Mini</a> in 2005 that I’m referencing. Although Mac Mini may have been influenced by the MINI as well.</p>
<p>“stay hungry, stay foolish” – Steve Jobs, Stanford commencement address…</p>
<p>Steve Jobs’ Stanford commencement address is a must-watch:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc</a></p>
<p>In addition to the profound manner in which Steve Jobs, through Apple, has changed the world materially, perhaps his greatest legacy might be the millions of people he has inspired, and will continue to inspire going forward.</p>
<p>Thank you, Steve Jobs!</p>
<p>I had the honor and privilege to work at Apple from 1982 – 1995. I remember when the Crazy One’s was written. I was one, and still am, one of the crazy people who thinks she can change the world….or at least my little piece of it. Working with the exceptionally bright and creative people lead by a great man was one of the highlights of my life. </p>
<p>Great quote. I hadn’t ever heard that before. Thanks!</p>
<p>This is one of the only celebrity deaths that I’ve ever been truly saddened by. Everyone dies and it’s no more sad that a celebrity died than joe-schmo across town, IMO. But here is a man that touched almost everyone on earth through his work. The world has been an easier place to live in because of his input. The world has lost a lot of future innovation because of his passing.</p>
<p>Steve has changed as what apples did to us…</p>