CONNECTING THE DOTS

About the Story:

"Connecting the Dots" is a renowned commencement speech delivered by Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., at the 2005 Stanford University Commencement Ceremony. In this speech, Jobs shares three impactful stories with the students. The first story reflects on his university experience and how learning calligraphy unexpectedly influenced the design of Macintosh fonts. The second story delves into his journey of success and failures, highlighting his fresh start with Pixar Animation Studio. The third story is a poignant reflection on his battle with cancer.

About Steve Jobs:

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., was a visionary entrepreneur and technological innovator. His unwavering commitment to innovation and design excellence led to the creation of iconic products such as the iPhone, iPad, and Macintosh computer. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to disrupt industries with groundbreaking ideas solidify his enduring legacy in the realms of technology and business.

Meaning of the Title "Connecting the Dots":

"Connecting the Dots" was a phrase frequently used by Steve Jobs to convey the notion that life's events and experiences may appear unrelated at the time but can later come together to form a meaningful life path. While we may not always foresee where life will lead us, looking back allows us to recognize how seemingly disparate experiences are interconnected.

Steve Jobs stressed the importance of having faith that these connections would become evident in the future, even when their relevance isn't immediately clear. His message encouraged individuals to trust their unique life journeys, learn from their experiences, and believe that they would contribute to a fulfilling life story.

Questions and Answers:

1) Why did Steve Jobs leave his studies at Reed College, and what new interest did he pursue?

In the first six months at Reed College, Steve Jobs left because he found the classes uninteresting. After dropping out, he enrolled in calligraphy classes, where he learned about Serif and Sans Serif fonts over the next 18 months.

2) Why does Steve Jobs refer to his decision to leave Reed College as "one of the best decisions" he ever made?

Steve Jobs considers his decision to leave Reed College and take up calligraphy classes as one of the best decisions because his knowledge of Serif and Sans Serif fonts later proved instrumental in designing multiple typefaces and proportionally spaced fonts, which were used in his Macintosh computers and subsequently adopted by Windows.

3) What challenges did Steve Jobs face for survival while a student at Reed College?

During his time at Reed College, Steve Jobs lacked a dorm room and often had to sleep on friends' floors. Managing meals was difficult, and he collected and returned empty Coke bottles for 5 cents. Additionally, he walked seven miles to the Hare Krishna Temple every Sunday for a free lunch.

4) What approach to life did Steve Jobs advocate that made a significant difference in his life?

Steve Jobs believed in karma, trusting his instincts, and embracing the journey of life. He maintained an attitude of continuous learning and saw value in every experience. This approach ultimately made a significant difference in his life.

5) Provide some information about the founding of Apple.

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple in a garage when Jobs was just 20 years old. Over the next 10 years, Apple grew into a $2 billion company. However, Jobs was later ousted from the company.

6) Steve Jobs says, "The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again." Why does he say this?

Steve Jobs found that the pressure and expectations associated with success at Apple were burdensome. When he was fired from the company, he had the opportunity to start afresh and view his life with the mindset of a beginner. This allowed him to focus on learning and exploring without the weight of previous success and expectations.

7) What is Pixar?

Pixar is the world's most successful animation studio, which Steve Jobs founded after being fired from Apple. Interestingly, it was at Pixar that he met his future wife.

8) Steve Jobs says, "Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle." Why does he say this?

Steve Jobs emphasizes that despite facing significant setbacks, including his departure from Apple, one should not lose faith. He believes that to achieve greatness, it's essential to have a deep passion for one's work. If you haven't discovered your passion yet, he encourages you to keep searching and never settle for something that doesn't truly fulfill you.

9) "That was the closest I have been to facing death." Why does Steve Jobs say this?

Steve Jobs makes this statement in reference to his battle with a rare form of pancreatic cancer in 2004. At that time, his doctors had given him a grim prognosis, advising him to prepare for the worst. However, he did not lose hope and underwent cancer treatment successfully, which led to his recovery. Hence, he reflects on this experience as the closest he came to facing death.

Task:

Read the following and answer the questions given below it:

1)     “Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.”

 a)     Which decision is Steve Jobs taking about here?

The decision of switching from regular classes he had opted for to the calligraphy classes, Steve is talking about here.

b)     What did he learn when he took ‘this decision’?

His decision of opting from calligraphy classes made him learn a lot many things. He learnt how to design Sans and Sans Serif fonts, and how to create proportionally spaced fonts.

 

c)     How does ‘this decision’ help him?

His decision to opt for calligraphy classes made him design new fonts, and he designed those fonts for his newly launched computer Macintosh. Later, those fonts were copied by Windows.