First of all, I have to admit that I was not familiar with this great man. I even had to baidu to find out who he was when I first heard of the news that he had passed away as CEO of Apple. Honestly, I’m no fan of iPod or i-phone or any other Apple product. However, I do know that their products are cool, unusually cool and they have kind of become a symbol of fashion combined with high technology. The problem is that these nice-looking devices are not for everyone to enjoy using; their prices are also fashionable enough to make you keep a respectful distance. In spite of that, young people have been crazy about their products. Gradually we come to realize that some things are so powerful so trendy that no one can possibly stop them from becoming popular and finally seeping into our daily life.

Steve Jobs is without question a great success, but in a special way. His mother is an unwed college student. I doubt if he knew who his biological father was. He was adopted by a working class couple. And he dropped out from university. Against all the odds, he finally made it and became a legendary person. We all know stuff like that. But I think what we should pay attention to is his “odd” qualities.

He is the first person who has successfully combined art with science. To many of us, science is serious and noble, not something entertaining. However, Steve made us know it is not only possible but could be done so beautifully. All of their products are works of art, so to speak. Once you use their product, you’ll have to admit it is something that you really need. More importantly, they are so cool so lovable that you might never want to separate from them.

If you have listened or watched one of his lectures, you must have found one impressive thing that he so persistently stuck to: do what you truly like to. He said it again and again that if you have not found the thing that you really love, keep looking; once you’ve found what your inner heart wants, just do it and never give up on it. Not everyone can be a great man, but I guess we can be the type of person Steve advocated. Only when we do what we really like can we bring out our potential and do the things to the best of our ability.

One of the best suggestions he gave to us youngsters is: Your time is limited. So don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma. Maybe you’re still young, but the time will come when you will be cleared away for the new. We are brought up to respect authority and theories that are widely regarded as truth. Sadly we have got used to all of those and just take them for granted. For instance, we all believe that we have to listen to customers’ opinions if we want our goods to be well received. However, Steve was bold enough to put forward a different voice: Customers may not know what they really want. Sometimes we have to give them choices. Search your heart and ask: Do I always know what I really want?

Successful and world famous as he was, he wished to stay hungry and stay foolish. He told the audience in his commencement speech at Stanford: And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you. One can never make progress if he thinks that he is already smart enough. One can never be truly successful if he thinks that he has learned enough. So let’s remain humble but keep a passionate and determined heart. As Steve Jobs put it in his lecture, don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.