iChanged

Steve Jobs

1955 - 2011

Apple's Founder

October 5 marks a day of triumph for the heavens and a day of apprehension for the rest of us, as we learned of the passing of Steve Jobs.  It also marks the two-year anniversary of my father's death, so somberly I sit. 

I was given an assignment to post an industry-related blog for class, and I was moved to say something, because Steve Jobs truly changed the entertainment industry, especially music.  Simplistically, as you go throughout the day, count how many white earbuds you see attached to an iPhone, iPod or an iPad.  I realize that Steve Jobs never knew my name or the effect that he has had on me, and  so many more, but he really changed our lives.  He has provided an example to all us to follow our dreams, and if we truly believe in something, enjoy what we do, and pour ourselves into it, we can achieve!  I am so motivated by his life.  He started out in the garage and developed a world-changing product, which virtually ended up in our garages.  Apple has touched so many lives, and changed the way we socialize and do business.  I am a student at Full Sail and every student enrolled on campus or online has an apple computer, because of the advanced technology and dependability it provides. 

“Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being”.  

This statement speaks volumes about what he meant to the world.  I remember travelling abroad to Spain and the people requesting that we send back iPhones.  They were very expensive to obtain, but they wanted them very badly.

Steve Jobs created an opportunity for those in the music industry to be seen and heard.  He launched the iPod in 2001, he bound it to iTunes, the first easy-to-use software for managing your digital music collection, which had debuted earlier that year. 

This invention changed the music industry in the aspect of giving the aspiring artist a chance to get his music out there, without a major record deal.  It changed the music in the sense that it gave the consumer more power in the way they purchase music.  The consumer can choose to buy a single, as opposed to buying an album full of filibustering songs.

I admire him also because, he showed us how to survive, even when your world has crumbled.  He built Apple and had a power struggle with his Board and was fired.  He gave a commencement speech and stated how devastated he was, but  he was determined and driven by the passion still inside him.  He started NeXT and acquired Pixar and ten years later joined forces again with Apple.

I pray for his family’s strength.  I can’t even imagine the loss they must feel, and I pray that Apple can continue his vision.  RIP Steve Jobs, hence iChanged.