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To understand the meaning of Steve Jobs, we must look deeper into the archetype that he embodied: The Trickster. Read More
great article
I agree that Jobs was a trickster. Not just with his reality distortion field, but his very spirit. The story of when he was little and an older kid told him that maybe the reason why he was adopted was that his original parents didn't want him - Steve runs to his adopted Mom and was told that no, he was "chosen" as "special" by them. That feeling of specialness & a quest to make insanely great products - it was his calling.
RE: Steve Jobs is a kindred spirit for me
I am interested in this series. I might interest you in "The Pearson Archetypal System" http://www.herowithin.com/system.htm
An excerpt:
"The Pearson Archetypal System
In all times and places, people have shared certain universally told stories. The tales we all know feature characters that take action to fulfill genuine, shared human needs and to accomplish tasks that we all have in common.
People everywhere can relate to a Hero who overcomes great obstacles, a Magician who helps make dreams come true, and a Jester who brings out the fun in a situation.
We tell and re-tell stories featuring these kinds of characters because they assure us that our own needs can be met. In a sense, the stories provide the key to understanding human meaning and motivation.
Renowned Swiss psychologist Carl S. Jung's work on archetypes led Dr. Carol S. Pearson to conclude that these narratives formed the structure of the human psyche. Jung coined the term “archetype” to define the underlying psychological patterns that recur in these stories and are frequently found in the symbols, images, and themes of art, mythology, sacred texts, and popular entertainment.
Building on Jung’s work, Dr. Pearson has created a system for working with these archetypes that enables us to understand individual and group development and motivation. Her 12-archetype system includes the archetypes or storylines that her research found to be most correlated with success and fulfillment in contemporary society. (Links to the profiles of each of these 12 archetypal storylines, including how they are reflected in both individuals and groups, can be found at the left side of this page.)"
Thanks Kelly!
Pearson's work is very interesting, thanks for the link. And I'd be happy to send you the PDF... can you send me your email address via the private contact form here:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/moses-ma
Genius
Just utter genius.
I have not read anything else of yours Moses, aside these two articles, but you are like 50 years ahead of your time.
How on earth are you able to see all of this?
I would have never even stopped to consider why Apple is in fact called Apple, and now it seems that perhaps you have been dwelling inside the mind of Steve Jobs himself.
I find it so odd that I never noticed him until his passing. Once I glanced at merely one of his quotes, I then knew he was going to leave a legacy.
I love the dichotomy going on, of how Apple is such a superb company, as far a reputation, and their technological innovations, coupled with this whole notion of non-conformity.
It seems Steve left a hidden message for us to decipher, and those who read your work, have no deciphering left to do.
It seems to be that the whole levels of technological advance bestowed upon us via Apple, happened at such a fast rate that the majority miss just how amazing this technology is.
The size of a phone that has 64GB of memory blows my mind. I wondered honestly if they tapped into some form of alien technology for it is so advanced.
It is unfathomable what products they have released and the relentless pioneering invented. It almost seems humanly impossible.
Thanks again for such an illuminating read. I am awed by your insightful awareness, tying it all together with other renowned historical figures in such an eloquent fashion.
Your writing skills and insights may be equally as innovative towards the writing community as Steve Jobs inventions were to the technological field. Just incredible Moses.
Thanks!
Martin, thanks so much for your generous words. I sense you are one of those who see innovation as a priesthood.
About your observation on how amazing technology is, have you ever seen Louis CK's schtick "Everything Amazing and Everyone Complains" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk
It follow my theory that there are five stages of technology adoption by society: Invention -> Adoption -> Invisibility -> Annoyance -> Frustration.
Everything looks magical when it's invented. The best stuff becomes woven into the fabric of society, and essentially becomes invisible. Then people complain about it, driving a new cycle of invention to address the frustration factor.
To me, this process is amazing.
Love Louis CK!
Well thank you Moses.
I have recently had another one of those sort of awakening experiences yet again, so I am not sure if I am able to quite assess my position quite yet.
I love Louis CK, that is so true what he said. I am constantly amazed at the capabilities on my iPhone 3G, not even a 3Gs.
How quickly the world owes him something he didn't know existed 10 seconds ago.
Sometimes when people say, you need to upgrade your TV, play station, iPhone etc., and they want to show me the new version, I don't want/need to see it for I am enjoying the one I have :)
Back to the other topic, I do feel that I am starting to see passionate innovation as a priesthood though.
There is a semblance of the whole: 'This is our one life, and it goes by so fast!' going on, coupled with more of a belief in myself that I can do more.
Yes I think in your 5 part societal adaptation
Invention -> Adoption -> Invisibility -> Annoyance -> Frustration.
What is going on is the individual is looking at an outer object to lay the cause of their feelings.
As in, the feel discontent, so it must by my under-performing iPhone 4S causing these feelings, dam signal! or, stupid high speed internet isn't working on the plane.
The writhing discontentment that plagues people. Then they move into attraction, then aversion, when in reality, neither at it's core is the cause of their discontent.
Cool stuff, although I philosophize a bit less, and live passionately a bit more these days.
I sense there was an element in my philosophizing that was leading the way for me to find my passion.
I am enjoying this discussion though Moses, really awesome!
interesting retort from Louis
I think you may find his further explanation of the video you posted Moses, this takes it a step further.
He is really interesting. What a great balance between humor and self awareness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjNgNDZzH5o
Yeah, he's funny and wise at the same time
I think the key point is that when we live life without thinking and from our egos, we end up absorbed in the petty slights of life - like how goddamned unreliable the AT&T network is on my iPhone. In this state, all we can do is complain.
However, our entire life can change if we flip our consciousness and learn how to follow the Buddhist precepts contained within the four 'sublime abodes' that reflect the mind state of enlightenment:
Metta, aka Loving kindness (especially towards AT&T)
Karuna, aka Compassion
Upekkha, aka Equanimity
Mudita, aka Appreciative joy
Of these, the most applicable is appreciative joy. In other words, our day to day lives might be more fun and fulfilling, if we learn how to look at all these new technologies with appreciation and gratitude, as well as an underlying core of blissful joy and wonder.
Personally, I think that innovative works better when its sourced from the joy of inventing and loving kindness for the user, than "Oh, I'm gonna kill my competitors with this one!!"
Also, if there's one skill that entrepreneurs need to survive a startup, it's equanimity.
Thanks for your comment and participating in this dialogue!
Thinking about what you have said
I was just thinking about this whole notion Louis CK is talking about, and it reminded me of something recently.
I heard this music, that was close to the best I have ever heard. I told someone how much I liked it and they said yeah it's pretty good, and sort of moved on to another subject.
Half of me wants t stop and say, 'wait! this music is amazing' and just sit there, in awe of it, perpetually.
Rather than moving on quickly for something even better, which is so common for people to do.
I agree with you on the appreciative joy, and I would say awe also. I think you are putting a finger on that aspect that composes a Steve Jobs.
I have been appreciatively and joyfully listening to his talk at Stanford all night and this morning, and I noticed a bunch of giggles from the soon to be graduates.
Simultaneously, Steve was really imbibing his priesthood, that you have helped me to be able to see. He may have said some things that could be taken as funny, but in another sense he was dead serious.
He was addressing them all attempting to articulate it in a way that they would hear it and think that anything is possible, and even I could do something like he has. (that reminded me of Jesus' expression of 'even the least among you can do as have I)
And they all say, 'it's easy for him to say it, he's Jesus/Steve Jobs'
I sense Steve Jobs says that before, and that is what makes him. He doesn't wait to speak like that after the success happens, but rather his priesthood of following your passion, heart and intuition made the way that nothing less than what transpired could happen.
And there are so many other examples of that such as Will Smith, P Diddy, Arnold Schwarzeneggar etc.
I like those 4 sublime abodes, I haven't heard that before. Many would see those as sources of weakness, and there is such infinite power behind those traits.
Really great article.
That's really very interesting, particularly the Apple connection.
I wonder if you think 'benevolent trickster' is more apt. Did he really 'open question and mocks authority'? I only recall reading he did that privately. When Larry Bird, a man who didn't seek the press any more than Jobs, came on TV and said "We lost because we have no heart." was that being a trickster or just 'tough love'?
I'm going to pass this on and repost it to Facebook. Really great article.
Benevolent Trickster
Thank you so much for you kind words. It's very encouraging for a writer!
As for the trickster, I believe that all humans have complex psyches - that contain both ego and shadow. As that human evolves and becomes empowered, both the selfless spiritual side and the crazy shadow side are amplified. Certainly becoming worth more than $100 million before you're 25, like any movie star, could lead to the amplification of the shadow. For this reason, I believe that entrepreneurs should pursue a life that balances introspection and meditation with enormous drive and ambition.
Again, thanks to all of you for your support and appreciation.
Moses
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