At one single moment on October 05th, 2011, the overwhelming power of connectivity our lives today came to life.
Why?
Because someone’s life had come to an end. Steve Jobs.
Without any boundaries – time zones, languages, media – word spread. And for some, tears were shed.
Our world had lost one of its greatest minds, a man who, as aptly stated by President Barack Obama: “was brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.”
For the first time in decades, the stopping of one heart caused heartache across a global community billions strong. Regardless of age, culture, location, qualification, corporation or socialisation, voices were expressing sadness at the passing of a man being described as an icon, a visionary, a modern day Edison, Bell, da Vinci.
He was a man who was able to do absolutely anything he put his mind and energies to. But he was not able to stay alive.
As the days and hours have slowly passed since his passing, one of the remarkable truisms that Steve Jobs has revealed, yet again, just what the people of the world need. He was a master at this, and even in his absence, he continues to do so.
With all of the technology we have in our loves – the iPods, iPads, iPhones, iTunes, iChat, iLife and of course the world of Mac – all of the things that keep us tech-connected to one another, what people the world over have needed at this time of sorrow has been pure, unwired, unedited and unashamed, un-grown up connection of emotion.
Through his work, be it Apple, Pixar or any of the other ventures that shaped his passion and profession, Steve Jobs did what few other great creators have been able to do. Technical expertise he had, in abundance, as have other great inventors. But within Apple’s clever codes and creative genius was the ability to not only unlock the mind of the user…but the heart, allowing the inner child to play, freely, openly, and proudly.
Only one other globally celebrated, grown-up creators has ever been able to do that: Walt Disney.
And like the late master of animation, Steve Jobs remained focused on one ever-important truth: “I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.”
The awe-inspiring technology will continue to be created, the legacy of Apple’s founder and father will live on. But the inner child in Apple users – young and old, big and small, tech-savvy and simply appreciative of the basics, will, sadly, remain hurting.
The place, and face, of inspiration has gone to the clouds.
Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2011