Technologies play a significant role in modern society, transforming it greatly and fostering changes. Sometimes people create a kind of religion from the technologic devices, and Apple is one of the most appropriate examples. It should be stressed that Steve Jobs became more than an innovator, after his death, he became a legend and is alive in numerous documentaries, plays, speeches of celebrities and presidents. The primary purpose of the paper is to analyze two articles, namely Steve Jobs, Romantic Individualism and the Desire for Good Capitalism by Thomas Streeter and If Thoreau were to move to Walden today, Would he Bring the Internet by Danny Heitman, in a critical way and to compare and contrast the arguments provided in the articles.
Critique
The fundamental argument of Thomas Streeter is related to the description of Steve Jobs as a celebrity of modern times whose popularity eclipsed Bill Gates, Martha Stewart, and Mark Zuckerberg. However, the author points out that the case with Steve Jobs is more about a culture than about a man who made Apple famous and world popular. The researcher aims to discover the culture of the society in the reflection of the discussions about Steve Jobs because such communicative processes involve the sociopolitical component and can tell more about modern culture than about the legend, Steve Jobs. It should be noted that the life of Steve Job could be compared to Coco Chanel, for example.
This woman changed the branding industry as she turned her life into a vital part of her business. Popular media stress that Steve Jobs had an impressive influence on computing development and contributed to the creation of the fetish product in a significant way.
Sometimes a person after death becomes more popular and appreciated than he or she was during life. I do not profess to be an expert regarding the subject, but I am strongly convinced that it is not the case with Steve Jobs. Thomas Streeter highlighted in his article Steve Jobs, Romantic Individualism, and the Desire for Good Capitalism that nowadays, Jobs itself, like personality and individual, is not interesting, however, the influence he had on the society and shaping the culture deserves attention.
Although there is some truth in these words, however, it is worth noting that Steve Jobs was a skillful manager that contributed to the development of the Apple Company in a significant way and successfully managed to establish the idea of the association between his name and Apple. It should be stressed that Steve Job is a symbol; however, he is a symbol and a personality combined. Several researchers and executives aim to reveal a secret of his success and implement it in the working process. The secret can only be determined with close consideration of the personality, his character, and world outlook. Jobs had changed the way people run business and cause society to rethink the concept of capitalism.
Clarify
The first paragraph on the third page reflects the primary ideas of the article and contains the following points:
- Jobs contributed to the development and improvement of marketing and innovations;
- His ideas corresponded to the enlightenment;
- The phenomenon of Jobs is analyzed through the prism of romanticism and positivism;
- Jobs has more value as a symbol that shaped the culture than the personality itself.
The point that the author is making is that Jobs is the image of technologies and breakthrough; however, his life and personality is less valuable. Jobs was a supporter of neoliberalism and changed the concept of running a business.
Compare
The article that is written by Danny Heitman If Thoreau were to move to Walden today, Would he Bring the Internet is centered on the analysis of the ideas of Thoreau as a skeptic of innovations, and, also, trying to find an answer to the question, would the skeptic bring the Internet with him to Walden? Although Thoreau was against technologies, it should be stressed that he used innovations as a benefit, for example, when he received access to the books because the railroad facilitated the process of book delivery to other parts of the country.
The author draws a parallel between the desire of Thoreau to have a small library in the woods and the ability of modern people to take smartphones and laptops to the forest, meadow, or beach. The paradox is that the ideas of Thoreau found reflection in innovations, making it possible to open the world with one click.
The arguments in both articles are different but close at the same time. Streeter discovers the nature of innovations and the role of the innovator and leader, Jobs. Whereas Heitman makes an accent on a person, Thoreau, and his refusal of innovations and promotion of nature. In both cases, the fact is undoubted; technologies integrated into people’s lives, and at some point fulfilled the desires of Thoreau and influenced culture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be pointed out that Steve Jobs is considered to be a legend and symbol, however, his individuality is a vital part of his image. A lot of stories and myths regarding the life of famous people are created after their death transforming them into eternal symbols. Nevertheless, the personality of Jobs and his ideas and beliefs were essential for shaping success. Although technologies have nothing to do with nature, the person who uses gadgets is provided with the possibility of choice, even Heitman, who rejected the desire for innovative progress used technologies beneficially.