Steve Jobs - The Male Oprah?
Following the death and funeral of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs this week, the public has compared him to past great icons, including Einstein, Edison, and now…Oprah?
According to the International Business Times, after Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June, the top tweet on Twitter was “Steve Jobs is Oprah Winfrey for Men.”
IBTimes attributes this comparison to their similarity as public “heroic” figure; Winfrey because of the immense generosity she exhibits on her talk show, and Jobs because he has provided the world with technological advancements such as the MacBook, iPad, and iPod, which have enabled further global communication.
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A survey by Junior Achievement, an organization dedicated to teaching children about entrepreneurial skills, revealed that students aged 12 through 17 voted Jobs more important than Oprah, because “he has made a difference in people’s lives,” according to the Junior Achievement website.
Jobs also has a generous side. According to tech website Engadget, in 2007 Jobs cut prices for the new iPhone for all Apple employees, both full-time and temporary; equating to a $12 gift to the company’s employees.
His generosity is also reflected through the Apple Company, which offers premium health benefits such as coverage for cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Products such as the new Apple Business model have opened the door for students, and most people agree they cannot imagine life without their iPhones.
“I really couldn’t go through the day without utilizing it,” Dr. Anthony Dasaro told WOWK 13 News.
In 2011, Jobs started an initiative to donate used iPads to “Teach for America.” In September, users upgrading to the iPad 2 donated thousands of original iPads to teachers working at underprivileged schools around the United States.
Oprah is primarily known for her generous side, giving away a desirable free item to her live audience at almost every show, including cars, electronics, and vacations.
More parallels between Oprah and Jobs?
Oprah spoke at Stanford’s graduation in 2008, while Jobs famously spoke in 2005.
In 2010, Jobs and Oprah joined forces for Oprah’s annual Christmas wish list, in which they awarded lucky fans with 275 iPads.
Winfrey paid tribute to Jobs on her “Thursday Are From Mars” webpage, dedicated to male Winfrey fans: “Thank you, Steve Jobs, for your innovation and your wisdom.”
Jobs and Winfrey topped “MSN’s Most Influential CEO’s” in 2010, along with Bill Gates.
