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Steve Jobs leaves the core of Apple to Cook
Reasons why Facebook should not be a part of everyday life
By Nikos Frazier Business Manager
By Carly Bertolozzi News and Opinion Editor
Over the last year, Apple Inc. has undergone many changes, and last month, they experienced the most unexpected one yet: the resignation of then CEO Steve Jobs. Apple has made only one official statement in regards to Steve Jobs resignation, which named him as Chairman of the board. In his letter to his employees, Jobs stated, “I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.” With the loss of their leader, how will Apple’s employees uphold his legacy and continue to amaze their clients with technologically advanced devices and computers for years to come? Science teacher Tina Doss commented on how well Apple will preform product wise, “It all depends on what products he designed before he left. I think he set up a legacy and has been planning on leaving for a while.” How will their new products compare to Jobs ideas? Without Jobs, people may think Apple’s ideas will be a lot less
Photo illustration by Nikos Frazier
For all those who have previously opened, currently use, or are thinking about signing up for a Facebook account, I have one question: why does Facebook play such a large role in our lives? I say “our” because yes, I do have a Facebook account and yes, I do check it regularly. My honest to God opinion, however, is that it is completely unnecessary. A few months ago I got so fed up with the craze and obsession of Facebook that I flat out deactivated my account, swearing to myself that I would never reactivate the wretched thing again, only to (who guessed it?) reactivate it one month later. I told myself it was because I was missing out on all the party invitations... because why would anyone actually call a person and ask them to help you celebrate your birthday? That’s just plain stupid. But truthfully, I missed Facebook. I missed being able to write inside jokes on my friends’ walls. I missed being able to see the pictures from last weekend’s party. And I missed the infamous “lurking sessions,” which, you have to admit, we all do. However, Facebook does pose some serious issues to our growing society. One of the more serious issues is communication. We have all heard our parents say, “Get off the computer! Why don’t you actually talk to the person instead of hiding behind a screen?” Well, in all truth, they’re right. What happened to relationships where you actually talk to people in person? Speaking over the Internet or cell phones gets the point across, but it’s impersonal and takes away important aspects of the conversation that you can only get in person. According to a study used by CNN, 25 percent of the people they interviewed in June 2010 had been previously dumped over Facebook. I found this quite humorous considering the fact that you can’t really have a relationship without communication, which is exactly what this statistic proves. However, that was arguably the main concern of the adult population, but what about the people who play some of the largest roles in our lives? Our friends. It has become a common fad to deactivate Facebook accounts at Carlmont, and by talking to some of our peers, I have discovered why. Reason number one: Facebook is one of the number one distractions a teenager can have. Doing homework while checking your Facebook is like trying to take a history test in the middle of the Quad while ASB is hosting the Carlmont Cup competitions. You are more interested in the person wearing pantyhose on their head and less focused on what you should be doing. Reason number two: plain and simple, it’s a popularity contest. In the past, people I have never talked to in my life have messaged me asking me to like their status. What I don’t understand is how one “like” can make you feel any better about yourself, especially if you had to ask someone to do it. Although, now and again, this aspect of Facebook is somewhat sadly amusing in the sense that some people seem to try to outdo each other with the game of “who can post the best intoxicated or suggestive picture.” Finally, reason number three: drama. If you have personal issues with certain people, why is there a need for it to be publicized? True enough, some people may just be dying to know what’s going on in your life, however I’m willing to bet a few dollars that more people would rather not hear about your boyfriend cheating on you with his best friend’s ex-girlfriend. I do admit these are all generalizations, and people have specific reasons for either having a Facebook account or deactivating theirs, but if you are going to use Facebook, I find it a bit nonsensical to make it such a large part of everyday life.
creative and as a result not sell. “The Board has complete confidence that Tim [Cook] is the right person to be our next CEO,” commented Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech. Previously, in Jobs’ medical leave, he had appointed Tim Cook to act as CEO while Jobs was fighting his pancreatic cancer. Jobs started Apple with his then partner, Steve Wozniak. They publicly opened on the stock market at $2.84 in 1985. In 1996, Apple’s then CEO Gil Amelio was driving Apple into bankruptcy. The Board decided to fire Amelio and re-hire Jobs as CEO. To bring his company out of debt, Jobs made a $150 million deal with Bill Gates, guaranteeing Apple’s safety and a place for Microsoft technology with Apple products. Just thirteen years later, Apple is not just back to its former glory, but has far surpassed their consumers imaginations. With Cook as CEO and Jobs on the sidelines, will Apple provide consumers with newer and better products? As Apple comes out with new products, will consumers upgrade their products or instead keep their old Apple products manufactured and thought by the Jobs? Jobs might have set up a legacy, but how long will it stand now that he has left? Jobs commented in his letter to the employees that, “I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.” How does there new leader compare to Jobs? Timothy Cook has spent more than 13 years in the tech world before he was hired by Jobs in 1998. Cook worked in the Macintosh department until 2007 when he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO). During Job’s 2010 medical leave, Cook was responsible for the running of Apple, but Jobs still made the major decisions and announcements. His experience makes him a good candidate for running Apple.
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