Putting the Internet in Our Pockets Was Too Much
Open letter of a worried father to Steve Jobs
Dear Steve,
You claimed that Apple reinvented the phone, but in reality, it did much more than that. Ironically, it completely rewired humanity while eliminating the need for wires.
Many tried awkwardly to put the Internet in our pockets. You, Steve, did it successfully.
The Internet is freedom. In 2007, there was nearly zero control. Now, in 2024, there is still almost zero control – even if we pretend the opposite – and boundless possibilities.
With the iPod, you put the music in our pockets, and it was fantastic. Then, you exaggerate.
You were a father. Would you have wanted your daughter to have a wireless life but wired to the anxiety, loneliness, and depression that freedom leads to when you are unable to manage it?
You aren’t responsible for the damage social media causes and will cause adolescents. Yet, you opened the door, enabled the gossip entrepreneurs to start their journey, and took no responsibility for the destination.
You were a visionary and knew human beings in depth. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to change the world.
