Ingratitude

It broke my heart, but, honestly, we all knew it was coming.

A man wanted to be a writer, his father told him to conform to society like an interchangeable part, he became a leader in an industry funded by Apple contracts, then said to ignore Steve Jobs—the very man who made him rich. It reminds me of the brat teen, cursing his parents, saying he has nothing.. when he, too, has a MacBook, iPad, iPod, iPhone, and maybe even an iHome and the accouterments to boot.

Steve Jobs didn’t get along with people because he stayed focused on his vision: putting a ding in the universe. His company cultivated teamwork, not because they tried to get along, but because they pursued the same goals, ruthlessly. Steve didn’t worry about food. He was hungry during some of his greatest years of learning because his passions took priority. And, most of all, Steve didn’t sell himself, rather, he sold the idea that computers could be as consumable as Apples.

But in spite of these three examples set by the man who changed the world by changing technology, what are we told by the academic world of engineering and business: teamwork over vision, food over inborn passion, and sell yourself.

Jesus said that heathens worry about food, but seek God’s Kingdom first and food will be given to you. Steve proved that it works. Jesus said to take the small road, which most people avoid. Steve did that and it made all the difference. Jesus said to take the humble seat, put yourself last, and wait for others to invite you to the place of honor. Steve seemed to follow Jesus, though, perhaps, he didn’t know it. That raises other questions we won’t get into. Either way, what will we do?

We’re told that we shouldn’t listen to successful people because, “They are special.” In other words, the academic community (actually a business) doesn’t want to loose students because they’ll loose their food—and food, they say, is their first priority. “After all, you’ve gotta’ eat.” So, according to them, you’re not special. Steve is. You don’t have talent. Steve did. God didn’t make you special. He made Steve special. So, don’t listen to the “special” person. Instead, study, take out a loan, ignore your passions, and conform yourself to the pattern of everyone else. “That’s just the way it is,” after all. However, as Bruce Hornsby disagreed, “Ahh, but don’t you believe it.”

What would that man have become had he pursued his writing passion, rather than squandering it on food? Hungry writers are the best writers. Take Dostoevsky as an example. Maybe food should take a back seat.

So, I say, listen to Steve Jobs. Ignore those who don’t create anything new, forsake their own passions, love food above all else, and get rich off the men they tell all of us to ignore. Follow your heart, work hard at whatever you do, and remember that college isn’t wrong, it’s optional.