"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long; and you have burned so very, very brightly."
- Dr. Tyrell, Blade Runner
Yesterday, we lost Steve Jobs, the Henry Ford of our generation. Yesterday, I also lost a mentor who taught me and inspired me, even though we never met.
It’s difficult to overestimate the impact of his legacy in the field of innovation and, like Henry Ford nearly a century ago, it’s almost impossible to walk through the day and not see his genius in the hands of almost anyone we meet. It’s not an exaggeration to say he’s changed our collective relationship with technology and made it a more seamless and integral part of our everyday lives.
Today, I’d like to add my voice of gratitude for five things Steve Jobs has taught me about innovation:
- Seamlessly integrate…everything.
- Technology is an art.
- Don’t be afraid to borrow great ideas. Jobs identified with Picasso’s quote: “Good artists copy; great artists steal.”
- Sweat the details.
- Have faith in your vision…no matter what.
The following is an unreleased version of a “Think Different” ad narrated by Steve Jobs. It speaks eloquently to the essence of his legacy and to his place in history:
Steve, thank you for these life lessons and for the creative spirit from which they sprang. Your life is a testament to the power we all have--in our own small way—to truly change the world.
