The Man Behind Apple And Pixar

Ant writes "Steve Jobs is the chief executive of two of the most powerful technology brands in the world: Apple and Pixar. But what motivates him? And how does he choose a new washing machine? An article in the Independent explores this much loved and much hated man." From the article: "Alan Deutschmann, a journalist who researched Jobs's middle years for a biography called The Second Coming of Steve Jobs, believes he displays two personalities in his dealings with people: Good Steve and Bad Steve. The Good side is charming, and can make people believe almost anything; that's the side on public view at the rock-star product launches. He's been said to have a 'reality distortion field' - by a mixture of charm and exaggeration, he can make you believe pretty much anything."

Not to mention the easiest halloween costume ever

[antifoidulus]

Dressing up as Steve Jobs is not only the easiest to make Halloween costume ever(Black turtleneck and jeans), you can also wear the costume to work at a lot of places!

Re:Not to mention the easiest halloween costume ev

[FidelCatsro]

A Ballmer costume is not that hard either http://www.bryanshulkpage.com/Images/s20007.jpg [bryanshulkpage.com](SF W)

Re:Not to mention the easiest halloween costume ev

[glitch0]

Since when did Ballmer get that sexy :-P

Reality distortion field...

[Shanep]

He's been said to have a 'reality distortion field' - by a mixture of charm and exaggeration, he can make you believe pretty much anything.

I hear that it is even said, that he has managed, with the use of this "reality distortion field", to make many people believe that Apple systems have had far fewer virus, security and stability problems!

A little known secret, is that Apple sells this so called "reality distortion field" [apple.com] here. [apple.com]

Re:Is he really that great or just lucky?

[Anonymous Coward]

I always wondered - was Steve Jobs really just in the right place at the right time?

All this talk of a 'reality distortion field', together with his remarkable good fortune at key moments, has made me think that Steve Jobs is in some ways like a real-life version of Zaphod Beeblebrox.

Of course, Jobs is definitely not as cool, but then, who is?

What motivates him?

[Anonymous Coward]

Money.

Apple Distortion Field.

[Anonymous Coward]

"He's been said to have a 'reality distortion field' - by a mixture of charm and exaggeration, he can make you believe pretty much anything."

Granny smith Apples are NOT better than golden delicious.

Re:Not to mention the easiest halloween costume ev

[John Miles]

Dressing up as Steve Jobs is not only the easiest to make Halloween costume ever(Black turtleneck and jeans)

Yeah, it's pretty much a solved problem [geekculture.com].

iWash

[Anonymous Coward]

He has rejected every washing machine because their names didn't sound right.

Oh, and you didn't see that scratch on your ipod. These are not the scratches you are looking for.

Re:All hail the Jobs

[obender]

No, don't think different, think for yourself.

Just when I was going to copy this and use it as a sig I read it again.

Questions...

[cperciva]

what motivates him? And how does he choose a new washing machine?

Well, I'm glad the important questions were asked. I know when I meet someone new, the second thing I ask is always how they choose a new washing machine.

Washing Machine

[Frankie70]

And how does he choose a new washing machine?

Makes sure it doesn't get scratched easily?

The future is clear...

[ankarbass]

"We spent about two weeks talking about this. Every night at the dinner table imagine dinner-table conversation about washing machines every night!...Of course, this wasn't really about washing machines; it was about passing along the concern for design to his children and perhaps to (his wife) Laurene."

Can you spell D.I.V.O.R.C.E.

Re:Apple and MS are Best Friends

[David Off]

You forget the biggest point... if Apple went away who would Microsoft (and some Linux desktops in that they slavishly follow the M$ user interface) copy and get ideas from? Don't say they would hire the Apple engineers, M$ obviously doesn't provide the right environment for innovation and would stifle anyone they hire.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Jesus, again with the washing machine?

[Farmer Tim]

You're missing the point: its not how he buys a washing machine thats interesting, its the mere fact that he's a nerd and actually wants a washing machine, and even knows what they're for.

Re:Apple and MS are Best Friends

[killjoe]

If apple went away who would do R&D for Microsoft?

No

[commodoresloat]

He gets the machine with only one button.

Re:Full of Shit

[spiderbitendeath]

Hey, The Road Ahead is a great book. I use it to keep my window propped up on those warm summer nights.

value is in the eye of the beholder

[planetfinder]

There is no reason to buy Apple products if you don't mind waiting 3
to 12 months for Dell and IBM to implement a poorly integrated
version of Apple's hardware innovations,
if you don't mind waiting 1 to 10 years for MS to generate a useable kludge of
Apple's software innovations, and if you don't mind loading MS service packs
that completely shut down your computer. The analogy using Lexus and Toyota
isn't appropriate because Lexus and Toyota both make high quality products.
Microsoft recently reorganized its software development effort
and it wasn't because they were proud of what they were generating.

Considering the quality of the products, the sizes of their
respective companies, their marketing budgets, and the free advertising by
the hordes of sychophants who cluelessly attribute innovation to Microsoft
I say that the crown for marketing effectiveness legitimately
belongs to Dell and Microsoft.