Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

In my opinion, the two biggest developments in my life have been: (1) the downfall of the Soviet Union, and (2) the rise of computers. Many people of my generation (including my brother) actually understand computers, and can tinker with them in much the same way people used to fix up old cars. But I cannot. For most of my life, I have thought about computers in much the same way I thought about Dominique Wilkins -- spectacular and unbelievable at times, but inconsistent and prone to letting you down.

And this explains, I think, why Steve Jobs was such a hero to so many of us who don't particularly understand computers. Of all the folks in the computer business, he seemed to spend the most time thinking about what it's like for the rest of us. He understood that what many of us were looking for was a machine that would be as easy and simple as a television -- and that we were willing to give up certain features to make that happen. He also understood that non-techies tend to care a great deal about industrial design -- that people will love even a technically troubled product (like the Corvair) if it is beautiful.

Jobs was also important for another reason. One of the most important aspects of American life is that we allow great privileges to entrepreneurs. This is harder than it seems; traditionally, intellectuals and the common people have united in hatred against entrepreneurs, which is why the history books are filled with attacks on merchants. Business is often not "fair" in the way that intellectuals (or the average person) tend to define fairness, and this unfairness leads to conflict. But occasionally, America produces someone like Thomas Edison, or Henry Ford, or Walt Disney, or Steve Jobs, who develops innovative products that really make people better off. These men keep alive the notion that, for all its problems, capitalism is fundamentally fair, and entrepreneurs are entitled to their special place in our society.

Now that Jobs is gone, the world will seem less exciting and less fair. For years to come, every presentation by every tech executive will be judged by comparison to Jobs's master showmanship. Every new product will be compared to the original iPod and iPhone. And, for the most part, they will come up short. That's how it always is, until the next great salesman comes along.

Steve Jobs was very lucky to live in a society that loved capitalism as much as this one; it made him rich, famous, and popular beyond the dreams of mortal men. But we were lucky to have him as well.