That attention can't be turned off like a spigot. Even if Jobs weren't still actively involved in Apple, people would be deeply interested (and concerned!) about his health, making it a legitimate area for reporters (and biographers!) to report about, as long as the information is obtained in a honest manner.
I believe it's a valid story (for both the WSJ and here) because we care about Jobs, we care about his creative output (including Apple), and we often best learn about things in life -- including dealing with health challenges -- by seeing how they affect prominent people.
And make no mistake: This is prying. You said that attention can't be turned off like a spigot, which may be true but isn't apropos. Water flows effortlessly from the spigot. Gossip like this is dug up and mongered at effort.
Steve Jobs invited the press to the wedding.
But I wish him the best, it seems too soon for him to be leaving this, and I am sure he has more he wants to do.
Apple does not rely on Jobs' public profile for success. Yes, they do rely on his ability as a driver of innovation, but if Jobs were never to say a word in public again, it wouldn't seem to hurt Apple (at least, that's my opinion, having watched the last keynote without him). As such, I don't think Jobs has traded on publicity for his success, and can consequently reasonably request that we leave his private life alone.
Meh.
His health, thus, is of concern to Apple users and shareholders. And competitors too, but in a different, probably evil, way.
His health worries me too - and I am neither a heavy Apple user nor a shareholder, but I am deeply concerned about innovation in this market if he ever retires. Who would lead? Microsoft? Ewww.
And there is also the human factor. I wish him well for no other reason than him being a human being.
You should care as much about his wishes for privacy as you do for his well-being because they are one and the same. There are a multitude of reasons someone might want to keep their health challenges private, including concerns over how young children will be able to deal with scary-sounding information (especially once it gets filtered through the rumor mill). There's no morality in rumor-mongering.
Jon Rubenstein? I think the Palm Pre is of the same calibre in terms of innovation and ease of use as any Apple product. I'd like to see what Palm could do with Jon at the helm, and the same resources as Apple.
this is a private matter for steve jobs, and it felt like the community was supportive of giving him his privacy. i'm surprised this is still alive tbh.
That's a Japanese aphorism I saw in translations of "Lone Wolf and Cub." It means, as a mortal creature, there's only so much of life you can enjoy, no matter how rich you are. You can only eat two large bowls of rice before you feel bloated, and you probably don't use more space to sleep than covered by a couple of tatami mats.
There's neither heaven nor hell,
save what we grant ourselves.
There's neither fairness nor justice,
save what we grant each other.Fame and fortune can directly purchase health.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/north/north670.html
Read it. Time is the great equalizer. Warren Buffett is worth ten thousand times more than you are, assuming you are worth $5 million. But he is 78 years old. Not many people would want to trade places with him, one for one.
Steve Jobs is a better man than I'll ever be, but I'd rather be me than him, Is that strange? No! Because time treats humans like call options--decay is priced in, and hits zero at the set date. Steve Jobs is very, very close to zero, no matter his accomplishments.
"once Mr. Jobs resumes work, the company will have to be "very careful" about what it says"
This strikes me as almost unbelievably cynical, that Jobs' health could be factored into the price of Apple shares. I understand why, of course, but still, I hate it and I wonder how SJ himself feels. "Don't die yet, Steve, I'm long AAPL!"
I think he should retire soon. He's had a good run. Apple will be fine.
Whether or not it was official, I don't think we need to know the exact condition. What would that change? I can't help him, and the one who can have probably been working on it for some time now.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/jan/16/steve-...
If this article had come out before, I think Apple would've taken a hit.
Link? http://www.google.co.uk/finance?q=aapl suggests it hasn't broken out of 130-140 in quite a few days. Particularly not jumping to > 200 yesterday.
Click first link for full article.