Creative Challenge is taking a break. I think I need more readers before taking that on, and at the moment I have more pressing things to say, and do.
It has been an interesting and revealing week for me. On Monday I wrote 2 posts about what I do and don’t know about where I am headed with my work, and on Wednesday I wrote for the Girl Effect Blogging Campaign. Something about that Girl Effect post had a huge effect on me, and woke a desire to work with at risk kids. I have had this thought before, but have made the usual excuses. Not enough experience, don’t have the right degree, wardrobe,whatever. You know what I mean right? After writing that post and thinkin g about what may have become of Hope, I suddenly didn’t care about my qualifications, and then something else happened.
On Wednesday morning the news that Steve Jobs had passed was everywhere. I knew he was going to die, but I did not expect it so soon. As is usual when someone that prominent dies the comments, eulogies, and testimonials were everywhere. His 1995 commencement speech at Stanford was all over Facebook, as was the first think different commercial “Here’s to the Crazy Ones“, which Job’s narrated. In my mind these are inspiring things, especially the think different commercial. Without much thought I posted the speech along with an Rip Steve. Building on my feelings around the Girl Effect I was inspired to do something, to take a chance. Then something else happened.
In my typical need to know more (avoid what I should do) fashion, I started googling Steve Jobs because truth be told I don’t know that much about him. I came upon some really nasty comments and posts about him getting what he deserves etc. I was really upset by this. Is this really the time to point fingers? I am well aware of the Foxconn allegations about horrific working conditions in China, but I am also aware Foxconn is the world’s largest maker of electronic components including printed circuit boards, and yes, iPhones and iPads.
That means all computers and computerized gadgetry are likely made at Foxconn facilities or similar ones. I know we don’t make them here because child labor, forced overtime, and unfair wages were outlawed in this country, but not so long ago. This is why we outsource most of our production, it’s cheap. Cheap labor means bad working conditions. Every consumer in America is responsible for supporting this with every purchase made in other countries (China in particular).
I am not saying this is good, or right, it just is. I do my best to avoid these products, but it has become impossible to do so completely.
At this point I was concerned, upset, but mostly motivated. I want to be one of the “Crazy Ones”, I want to change the world. Because of the technology at my finger tips I can sit here and type to the world. I was psyched, but then I read a FB post from a friend I admire very much. She made the point that Steve Jobs was not the only one that died on Wednesday. There was also the civil rights activist Fred Shuttlesworth who might actually be worthy of admiration. Ummm…
Now I am confused. Does this make me a bad person? Does respecting a person that was the driving force behind personal and educational computers make me thoughtless? I was truly confused and troubled by the implications, intended or no. There was some back and forth of comments and what I came away with is this.
Nothing is so Black and White. We must remember the hundred shades of gray. Steve Jobs may have gotten more praise than due, I am not here to judge. Surely Fred Shuutlesworth deserves more than he got, but let’s look at the common denominator. Both men were innovators, both were change makers. I want to be a change maker. One could argue that technology will be the downfall of humanity, and it may be, but as long as I am here and bound to it I will try to use it for good.
In honor of Fred Shuttlesworth, Steve Jobs, and all the change makers that are no more, I offer this. In the words of Seth Godin:
A eulogy of action
I can’t compose a proper eulogy for Steve Jobs. There’s too much to say, too many capable of saying it better than I ever could.
It’s one thing to miss someone, to feel a void when they’re gone. It’s another to do something with their legacy, to honor them through your actions.
Steve devoted his professional life to giving us (you, me and a billion other people) the most powerful device ever available to an ordinary person. Everything in our world is different because of the device you’re reading this on.
What are we going to do with it?
What are we going to do with it? I will be writing about it as I figure it out. Something big is going to happen.
From the Heart
Thanks for admiring me.
Well, this is a weighty subject. I am going to continue to speak honestly, but please know that I also admire you and any difference of belief isn’t intended as an attack.
I use a computer every day and I’m aware of the environmental and human injury that is part of the history of this object. That is not ideal. Thus far in life, I have chosen to use some amount of objects that involve injury while hopefully partially using them to work toward change.
(It’s a common criticism of environmental activists to say “Oh, yeah?? Well, what about the computer you are typing on right now??” But even an anti-civ, passionate environmental activist will use the tools available (they’ll decide how many and which) to fight the system they view as harmful. It’s something to be aware of, but I don’t think it’s a very meaningful criticism overall.)
And I think that is part of where you are, saying that you will use the tools available to do the work you feel is most important.
Steve Jobs, in particular, troubles me. His actions and his inactions trouble me. Seeing people actually revering him (and I wouldn’t include your post about him in the category of the deep reverence I was seeing) troubles me.
I’m not on an anti-Steve Jobs crusade. This is about so much more than that.
My heart sank when in a time of so many people suddenly speaking about the idea of the the “99%”…that so many quickly moved to reverence of someone who was unabashedly, ungivingly super-rich. This matters to me.
And I often get responses from people on topics like this that tell me, essentially, that it shouldn’t matter to me. My question in life so often is: WHEN is it OK to care? When do we get to hold anyone in power responsible for their actions and inactions? — It always feels like the answer is: Maybe next time.
To make the statement that “everything is our world is different because of the device you’re reading this on” feels insane to me, if I can be honest. The world is full of people who will never use a computer and certainly not an ipod, ipad, whatever. The world is full of mountains and squirrels and volcanoes and moss. Are they all different because of this computer?
I know that I rub people the wrong way often. I am not trying to be inflammatory. I am not trying to be a pain in the ass. This is my heart speaking and I am frightened when we begin to accept ideas like the designers of computers (ipods, iphones, etc.) are the creators of our culture, are the powerful world changers, are on equal footing with someone who spent his life working toward racial equality. I mean that genuinely – it frightens me and I don’t understand where to go next.
That is probably way more than enough for another comment on this subject. Again – please accept this as a sharing of my thoughts and feelings, not as an attack.
I would never consider something this thoughtfully written an attack. As I said I admire you, and I appreciate the honesty.
I don’t have time nor energy to respond fully right now, but I am in agreement about the “99%”, and the shamelessly super rich. I know Job’s was no philanthropist and that concerns me as I feel all the wealthy have an obligation to give.
I also agree saying “everything is our world is different because of the device you’re reading this on” is inaccurate, but I quoted it. I think the part that rings true for me is “What are we going to do with it”
I feel passionately for so much in this world it makes me dizzy, but I have to try to maintain a focus and do what I can. I don’t know how to feel about technology and it’s inventors. I am not by any means saying that they are in the same class as someone who spent his life working toward racial equality. I don’t think most people would.
I am considerably older than you and have seen dramatic change in the world over the years, some for the better, much for the worse. That does not mean I know more, just I see from a different place, perhaps a more confusing one.
I too am frightened and not sure what to do next, but I am also optimistic, perhaps to a fault, and I don’t stop trying. It is the only way I can survive. This too is from my heart.
Thanks Emma
Wanted to let you know I read your response. Thanks for sharing more thoughts!
PS I am also always open to new ideas and changing my mind!
I guess it’s easy to overlook the lack of giving when so many of us feel we were blessed by the innovation. I am typing on an iMac bluetooth keyboard, where my iPhone is charging by the screen. I remember when it first came out, and I realized I didn’t have to run with my iPod AND a phone. And when I’m at myriad doctors’ appointments, I can check my work emails.
But we admire Jobs for the material things he sold us. I don’t think anyone is calling him a generous man. It’s simply that we can’t deny the impact he’s made on our lives in terms of technology.
I will cry and miss my REAL friends. But I think I’m allowed to mourn him a little, despite his selfishness and greed.
Generosity may indeed mean letting go of our need to judge — who are we to judge Steve Jobs? A man whose vision did put a new kind of technology into as many hands as possible. Affordable and accessible technology for everyone is the companies goal and they are successful.
How many people are employed by Apple? How are their lives affected in working for them?
Do any of us know the depth of generosity of Steve Jobs?
Thank you Leslie and happy Birthday! I am still conflicted, but have to say I love my computer.
Pictures to come.
Gotta run and build the bird all day
Thanks Janet! I am with you on not judging. I know nothing about the character of Steve Jobs, and his choice not to be more philanthropic may have reasons we can’t imagine.
Similarly there is no way to know what faults am man like Fred Shuttlesworth may have had. No human is perfect.
I appreciate the comments, and have come to a resolve on my opinion here. It is not so much about whether Steve Jobs was a good man, but that I have environmental concerns that are in conflict with my life style. I have to accept that this is how it is.
In the end I choose to appreciate the contributions of Jobs for better or worse.
If this was a conversation that we were all having together, one of the next questions I would ask might be:
Are there ever times you feel it possible or useful or necessary to come to a conclusion about the ethics of someone’s career?
I am interested in how there is a lot of agreement amongst people (people I know, anyway) about the ethical responsibility of certain CEOs, but not others. Why do so many people find it possible/useful/necessary to make an ethical judgment on the CEO of BP, but not the (former) CEO of Apple?
Good question Emma. I will defer to the not black and white analogy again.
For myself I think it has to do with weighing the severity of the damage done and being able to live with my own self as a contributor.
The BP spill caused irreparable damage in the gulf and that is clear and undeniable. The damage caused by building computers seems less definitive.
I live a life surrounded by things that go against my true ethics and I have to justify that or go mad. Sad but true.
I would prefer that I did not need to drive, use any plastics, cause any harm to the world, but I do. I do my best to limit these things, but I still participate in the mess.
Steve and I discussed what my life would be like if I abandoned it all stayed home and did only home maker things. I would be miserable. I wouldn’t even be able to paint because paint is toxic.
So, I make compromises and in this case I think BP is worse than Apple. Shades of gray.
Hmm…I’m not sure if I’m communicating well about this.
I’m not trying to make a point-by-point comparison of the two CEOs, but rather of when we are willing to hold people accountable for their actions.
I hope that people will hold me accountable for how I live my life. Maybe I can just leave it there. If I ever become super-rich, don’t let me get away with it.
PS I don’t think anyone said that there were no judgements made on the former CEO of Apple, just that he made some valid contribution to the world of technology. As a computer user I don’t know how you can deny that?
I’m referring to the comments such as Janet’s, above, and your following comment.
I think you know – I am not trying to hammer my point to death (is that even an expression in any way)? But this is something I have noticed in general (not on your blog – in general, period).
Got it Emma, and I am not trying to hammer any point home either. The conversation is the important thing. I am willing to admit I don”t really know how to feel given my attachment to certain devices.
But then I am pretty sure you know this, so it is for the conversation.
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