CRITICISM OF THE DEAD

The King is dead, long live the King.

No, not Elvis or some deceased monarch, I mean King Steve Jobs.

Such adulation, praise, glory, laud and honor spread around the world. We are used to false idols in our country, money being the real king. Power and celebrity status are next. Since Jobs’ death the outpouring of articles, recollections and already a book are ponderous. I am sure a movie and TV series are in the making. But the quip I loved most pointed out that Jobs was an Arab as his father was Syrian.

Jobs created a business and industry that changed our lives. But nothing Jobs created or Apple sells were necessary. Computers, phones, music, games were all available elsewhere. I am an Apple user and like the products I have.

Jobs was a rampant perfectionist. He demanded and got his way. He abused, used and stepped on people, swiped other people’s ideas and developed fine products that we can well do without. He created work for people, that’s true. I was in an Apple store the day after Job’s death, I saw no tears or interest in talking about their leader.

The all-demanding, arrogant, 24/7, hard driving, hard-boiled and ruthless entrepreneurs are held up as heroes in our country. Yet we see early death, ruined marriages, empty lives, failed businesses and bank failures resulting from those very leaders.

I believe the calm and gentle ways of Zen, Jesus, Gandhi and others make for a better and more healthy existence.

Fulfill or Landfill

We are shoved into buying more stuff that becomes landfill. Toys for adults and children, key chains, souvenirs at airports and junk seldom if evern used. We shop 'til we drop. I was born to shop are funmottoes for some women with liesure time and discretionary money. Much of it is waste and fills up the garbage heaps surrounding our cities. More stuff does notmake us happy, does not fulfill our lives. It pollutes the planet.

Producing stuff puts many peopple to work to feed families. Buying the stuff is supposed to be good for those who need the producing jobs. These jobs are sinancial and personal dead ends, there is no possibility for advancement or achievment. The jobs are ruts.

PEOPLE ARE NOT MADE HAPPY, LIVES ARE FULFILLED BY HAVING MORE THINGS, MORE STUFF THAT END UP IN GARAGE SALES AND THE LAND-FILL.

ROBERT