News of last Wednesday sent repercussions to lives of many. Many may be too few: millions, or billions may be right. The icon of Apple passed away. It was sad news to the World. But what had he done that affected the World to such an extent?
People said his ideas changed life. He was a symbol of hope. His belief and attitude towards life were like a breath of fresh air that inspired followers. He was a genius. He knew what life was. He was a person of influence...
Steve had established a cult of Mac, or of Apple, so to speak. Everyone was excited to see him coming on stage. Everyone was dying to see what surprises the next product (or was it Steve?) would bring to them. I remember someone once told me she thought she was a complete idiot until she started to use a Mac. Her life changed instantly.
I didn't start to use Apple products until about 4 or 5 years ago. Yes, everything is just pretty, neat, simple, straight-forward, and trouble-free. With that, it means quality and enjoyment, and it means $. Yet users are willing to pay for these pretty products because they know behind these pretty creations, the needs of users are in the heart of the mastermind. The creations are purely for them...to bring to life.
I tried to imagine what the creations would be like if there wasn't an "icon" like Steve. The products could be sold like a BMW or Audi where you wouldn't need the CEO and his team to come up to the stage to do a showcase. Every creation was just beautiful. Would Apple be the same then?
As a fairly new cult member, I actually felt quite sad of the loss of this one little icon amid billions and billions of people. He did live a great life and created quite a stir in people's life, and in his competitors. I feel that, in fact, people love Steve more than Apple, because he was a human figure with personality, thoughts, views, and a bit naughty and playful in provoking competition. Even competition became fun! Look at all the other mobile manufacturers and the big changes in the past few years. How many of you have not gone through any conversations with friends before comparing the functions of the mobiles YOU ARE USING (not being displayed in shops)? Isn't it fun to compare, and compete a little on what each of us have? And imagine all the mobile makers, they will be watching the reaction of mobile users every second since the launch of their products to see how the competition goes. Even the mobile makers are enjoying the competition...I guess.
The competitors decided to delay the launch of their new products. Imagine that. Products, without us knowing, became human. We all mourn. There may be a period of "uncertainty" in the mobile device market. Life goes on of course, but it may slowly take on a different track because of a dip, not due to something like a financial crisis but the loss of a charismatic person. Apple is at a turning point to seek to sustain the mark as human creations, that have life. They have a need to sooth the sorrows of "his" cult members. Imagine that this is quite important for the industry too.
If I said I could understand the pressure on the current team at Apple that would be very wrong. As a cult member, I share their sorrow and just want to say that they have a great team. They are great creators. As long as they can continue to preach Steve's belief with charisma and continue to bring beautiful human creations to life, this new cult member will continue to be there, by their side.
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