APRIL 2024 MAGAZINE

Who was the most influential person in the last half-century?  Who made so big an impact, a difference that his or her accomplishments gave direction for years to come?  In this, the Digital Strategy column, the answer is obvious: Steve Jobs.  He put a powerful computer in the pocket, pocketbook or on the belt of nearly everyone on the planet.  His music player got absorbed into those pocket computers.  The iPhone was the gateway to those powerful computers.  Computers that enable music and photography functionality and voice communication would have been unimaginable 50 years ago.

His surname was Jobs.  How prophetic.  The industries he triggered and the acceptance and adoption of connectivity and automated machinery helped propel a Digital Revolution. Jobs (Steve) created all sorts of new jobs (employment) and job categories that occurred, as a result of his efforts.

The longer you are put on hold by your phone service provider or your bank is a good indication of just how irrelevant you are—small time spender, low-net worth individual, big fat debtor, bad credit risk, slow to pay and quick to ire. The algorithms have got your phone number.  Get over it and get used to it. You’re a loser baby.