The Christian Science Monitor article so entitled inspired me to create this post. I learned of Steve Job’s passing six minutes before starting a debate with three other candidates. You see, I’m running for school board in Beverly Hills. The news shocked me and I wondered if I could continue. I felt choked up and could not think about the issues I was expected to discuss. As the other three candidates gave their opening statements I realized what I needed to do. As they talked I confirmed the news I had heard with a reporter sitting in the front row. Then, when it came my turn, I pushed my statement aside (it was boring anyway) and announced the news of Steve Jobs passing and explained how this man would be remembered in history for the love he had for students and the advancements he had made, and his company continues to make, in education. As the article states more eloquently than I did “…he accelerated the quality of life on earth … a model in openness to ideas that no one had ever dreamed of. Undiscovered ideas were limitless to him, only to be plucked by expanding one’s vision and then working with others to make them real.”
I had the privilege of working for Mr. Jobs in 1986 when I was asked to create a sales film for the new Macintosh computer, then only six months old. The film was not about the history of the computer, but a history of its marketing, and I had only three days to produce it. I’ve uploaded it onto YouTube so you can see it.
I believe the energy, excitement, innovation, and originality in thought of Steve Jobs is seen in this film. This is something we are all capable of emulating. And doing so, we honor him.
