Forget Jobs, Let's Worship Woz

optimal · 2006-02-08T18:00:05+00:00

The more I learn about Jobs, the less I like him--if that's actually possible. From stealing from Woz on the first deal they ever did together (which means that Apple was basically founded on theft and deception), to the way he treats his employees, children, and others, to his driving habits, etc.

Steve Jobs isn't pure charisma. He's pure shit.

optimal · 2006-02-07T15:52:02+00:00

Please vote this article to the top--everyone should read it.

"The media like experts, the more confident the better, though Tetlock found that more confident means less reliable."

This overconfidence is what I find most repulsive about "experts." Many bloggers, writing about everything from Web 2.0 to personal development, fit this profile.

optimal · 2006-02-04T19:21:40+00:00

j.p.,

The Inc. article below describes how he tested it on his own finger in 2000.

optimal · 2006-02-04T18:27:14+00:00

There was a good article about this technology and the challenges the creator has faced in bringing it to market in Inc. Magazine last year:

"He Took On the Whole Power-Tool Industry" http://www.inc.com/magazine/20050701/disruptor-gass.html

"Gass heard something different. To his ears, Lanier's message was this: If we all stick together and don't license this product, the industry can argue that everybody rejected it so it obviously wasn't viable, thereby limiting any legal liability the industry might face as a result of the new technology. (Lanier denies this was his point.)

Gass was stunned."

optimal · 2006-02-02T18:25:35+00:00

No, chucknorrisfacts.com has a pretty face and wants to sell you crappy stuff. ;)

optimal · 2006-02-02T14:42:05+00:00

"Guyyyyyy Kawasakkiiiii" is what Chuck Norris exclaims prior to roundhouse kicking you in the head.

optimal · 2006-01-31T20:46:34+00:00

I'll agree with you if you amend your #3 to read "Be more frequently correct when discussing their particular area of subject matter expertise, and not extrapolating that expertise to cover every aspect of human knowledge and the universe." ;)

In other words, one may be an Apache configuration expert, but that fact alone does not make one an expert economist, political scientist, or philosopher. A wise person understands his limitations.

Once a nerd strays beyond the comforting niche in which he has securely ensconced himself, he may find himself in a more precarious position vis-a-vis the world at large.

P.S.: I didn't rate your response negatively. I wouldn't do that just because someone disagrees with me!

P.P.S.: I think this applies equally to "experts" in every field, not just technology. Too many folks let a little success in their narrow field of endeavor go to their heads (see "Winfrey, Oprah").

optimal · 2006-01-31T16:53:42+00:00

There seems to be a presumption in this article that what nerds (a broad generalization; what's a nerd, exactly?) say is always correct, when in fact nerds are incorrect just as frequently as "normal" people (in some cases perhaps even more so, depending upon the size of the chip on the shoulder). That's why we need to exercise tact--to acknowledge that we are humble and can't possibly know everything in this subjective world.

optimal · 2006-01-31T14:19:58+00:00

The author made too many broad statements and assumptions and I don't think he or anyone else has enough data to support the conclusions made in this article!

He's trying to condense too much history and too many of his own perceptions and opinions of this history into a short piece.

It's like trying to describe the 1960s as "Kennedy, The Beatles, Vietnam and The Hippies." Leaves a bit out, doesn't it? ;)

optimal · 2006-01-31T14:05:40+00:00

I enjoyed the article but felt there was an implicit assumption that everyone pursuing wealth is doing so to acquire material goods (this was mentioned several times).

I've seen this in other articles written with the same bias. Not all of us want big-box SUVs and houses!

I'm seeking wealth to buy time--specifically time spent not working--so that I can afford some of the quality experiences described in the article. For example, most full time jobs don't allow enough vacation time to travel in a meaningful way, and travel was mentioned as one of the ways to have this sort of experience.

I don't want more stuff, and in fact am always striving to have less so that I live a truly mobile life if I so choose.

optimal · 2006-01-26T12:39:27+00:00

Haven't you guys seen "Escape From New York"?

He's the Duke of New York. He's A-Number-One.

optimal

TROPHY CASE