Perhaps it’s because I’m stuck in a Munich hotel with the flu, but this most recent round of rumors about Steve Jobs undergoing surgery today is annoying me more than normal. The entire report is based on something someone heard someone else say at a party. That kind of stuff is fine when it’s a funding rumor and the flimsiness of it is disclosed. But we’re talking about someone’s very personal life here – someone who has repeatedly requested privacy. The fact that CNET, taking a few moments away from their Pulitzer Prize winning effort to determine the most hated person on the Internet, jumped on this so eagerly is particularly disappointing.
Our own source, who is significantly more believable than some person at some party, says Jobs is in the office today in meetings and most definitely not undergoing surgery. Does that mean he might go under the knife tomorrow instead? Do we really need to know?
Let Steve Jobs do his job and live his life. Just because you can write a story doesn’t mean you have to.
Annnddd…. leave Steve alone.
Maybe Steve wants to start a couple more industries. 4-5 months is enough for him. Keep a watch, the man has proven twice or more . that he surprise you with something totally awesome while you’re writing him off into history books. He wants his “Beginner’s Mind” back. Hence the break.
Exactly…. reporting that they should not be reporting????
BTW “…Pulitzer Prize winning effort…” ha ha ha
TC story clearly planted by Apple to provide background substance to fictional PR reacharound that Mr. Jobs is healthy–when in fact he is most likely dying.
Why Jobs’ health is relevant–becuase Mr. Jobs made his very own employment w Apple directly affect the overall value of the stock.
Can’t have it both ways, fellas. No one wishes him poor health, but for Christ’s sake, be honest about it.
The above story does not–IMHO-reflect any sort of reality of the situation.
Understand, Lemmings?
Oh please, you criticize them when you spout nonsense about Jobs making a big deal out of his own employment? Where ever did you pick up that piece of nonsense?
Jobs has made it CLEAR for YEARS now that he is not the be all and end all of Apple, and that Apple will do fine without him.
But reality certainly isn’t your specialty I would guess, then, would it?
“Let Steve Jobs do his job and live his life. — ”
Well said
Don’t think so. As someone said in the comments, “people are interested in the CEO of Apple, not necessarily Steve Jobs.”
APPL’s market cap is $80B. There are a lot of shareholders, ISPs, and others vested in Apple who really want to know what is going on with its CEO. His health makes a considerable difference in their lives.
Well said Mike
This slop handed reporting is beyond belief.
For gods sake would they give the man a break and leave him get well in peace.
Since then you care about someone’s privacy, Arrington ? What a joke.
It is quite clear you don’t know who you’re talking about.
Terrific article. Thanks for the “leave him alone” part.
Yeah very well said, give the man some privacy.. its his health.. his life.. he announced that he would take some time to focus on the health issues so lets all give him the space so he can get back to work.. CNET are golddiggers – but money isnt everything.. ;o)
Well said, Michael. Thanks for writing this!
“Let Steve Jobs do his job and live his life. Just because you can write a story doesn’t mean you have to.”
well don’t then you bloody loser and let him die in peace. God, what a bunch of lowlife cocks you lot are
OH, and if you have the flu, then you shouldnt bloody be able to get online. What you have is called a “COLD” and in no way equates to pancreatic cancer, double loser.
the pancreas was where the the cancer landed, but the root cause is deeper, neuroendocrine cancer – one that deals with the nerves. If you all want him to get better, do as he asks, and let him remain private.
Oops, i mean, if you don’t want it to get worst. Getting better is tough. Lance Armstrong + Deepak Chopra hanging out with him, maybe…
Mike,
Glad you confirmed the truth. Still, if Apple’s CEO had undergone surgery today, it is news that merits reporting.
I guess people are interested in Apple’s CEO not Jobs. Sorry Mike, it won’t stop!
when Obama was attacked during the primaries, he said if you aren’t prepared to be fouled, you shouldn’t play football. I think Jobs is fair game since he is CEO.
PS: You are winning the poll. I voted for you
I love how people will cry out leave jobs alone! but no one says the same about celebrities. he is in the limelight just like everyone else and privacy does not exist when you are. I agree people should leave him alone and anyone else but if they want to start the rumor mill
tough
one of the perks of the job
I agree with you. Part and parcel of being a celebrity CEO. I highly doubt Steve is at home reading rumors on the Internet anyways, or letting it get to him. He’s a big boy.
i think its more about the kind of sites who are treating the story like this? i.e. sites readers come to for professional experienced postings about topic areas. Not sites who will post crap like if britney didn’t wear a bra when shopping today. The way they are smothering this story is in my opinion, out of context and interest of many readers.
I have continuously maintained that if the CEO of a company is unable to perform his duties on a day-to-day basis, that is a material matter.
Coinciding with this, it should be noted that Jobs is currently on a leave of absence and HAS no day-to-day duties. Therefore, whether or not he is in surgery or in meetings is immaterial at this point.
Apropos very personal life: Hope you’ll recover form the flu soon and say hello to my German fellas.
Oh, yes, the post is on the point.
( If not in context, kindly ignore
)
What’s with the Germans? I dont think I got the context at all, but _if_ i have, still *you* are saying this, not the Germans.
I hope this is not off-topic
mike…
sorry.. couldn’t stop laughing when i read your article…
do the words pot.. kettle.. black have any meaning to you!
i’ve looked at TC for a bit now.. and some of the crap you guys let pass for news reporting.. i’m not sure you have the moral authority to talk about leaving someone alone..
i mean.. weren’t you guys the ones who posted some guy’s linkedin posting.. without really checking to see if it really was the guy, as opposed to someone spooging the guy!
puhleeze!
but you’re right, i fully think that private/personal matters should be respected.
so.. why don’t you start cleaning your own house!
peace
Reasons why the man is one of the most influential people in the world. Five stars for supporting to leave the guy alone!
I’m with everyone else – leave the man and his family alone for cripe’s sake!
Anyone who knows anything about Apple, would know that it is a very well-oiled machine, not just hastily balanced on Steve Job’s head…Ives is the one behind the design of the iPod and iPhone…why aren’t we hearing about what his health is like or if he’s been to a frozen yogurt shop?
I think the flue is indeed making to overreact here, Mike. This kind of stuff is nothing new. Public figures have to deal this such stuff all the time. Heck, just look at Hollywood celebrities and what have to do to simply enjoy a few moments of privacy.
Steve Jobs is a public figure and a celebrity. I personally look up to the guy and would be interested in any news re his health status. Am I being a bit unfair by trying to invade into the guy’s privacy. Perhaps. But it’s the price one pays for being famous. Sorry!
Now, stop letting some miniscule crap annoy you and take some rest! Don’t you know that staring at your laptop screen would make your flu symptoms get worse?!
jobs would never let cheap gossip separate him from living his life and doing his job.
LeaderLocator.com – ahead of the pack
I meant to say flu, not flue. DUIGGGG!!
I bit hypocritical though. I didn’t read CNET today, but found out about this news through this post. So because of TC, not CNET, I found out about this gossip.
Well said. And right on.
I sincerely hope Steve Jobs will be okay. If he does not recover form his health problems I think Apple will survive and continue to innovate.
I wish the focus of so many Steve discussions focused more on health and quality of life rather than monetary issues.
“Just because you can write a story doesn’t mean you have to”
way to leave him alone…by posting another article about the subject, would it not have been easier to just follow your own advice and let this one be?
I agree with the post and am similarly disappointed by the CNET article.
Things are tough for everyone right now from the Wall St to the rust belt to silicon valley. Everything I’m reading lately has such a negative undertone to it.
I look forward to getting back to the days where instead of everyone beating up on each other and talking about who is more hated, we can read about great opportunities and innovative products being worked on that will help us pull out of our dark times and put good people back to work.
Mike Arrington and everyone else on CNET’s hate-list all contribute great stuff that we all (at least in the valley) benefit from every day — for free. Cut them a break.
Adam
Bravo.
I admire you Mr. Michael.
Yeah, right, Arrington. Leave him alone. But you do still sniffing around it, hoping you are the first one to know and posting any headline-worthy news related with Steve health. Just admit it,
YEAH! Don’t anybody write about this but Michael.
No, he doesn’t need to be left alone. He’s the CEO of a major company. It requires full disclosure. They dont’ want Apple’s stock to keep falling. Grow up, this is a business, he runs one. And his shareholders deserve to know about his health. Bottom line.
Michael –
thanks for this.
time to place the focus on how the rest of the apple leadership is stepping up to fill any gaps.
Steve
It’s clear to everyone…
Steve Jobs is dying… pics don’t lie and it’s clear that his docs misjudged his illness. This is far from “benign.”
If he goes back to surgery it’s a clear sign this is a losing battle. Typically a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is a death sentence in about 6 months. Steve’s form may be a more “benign” form but deadly none the less.
As far as Apple stock is concerned… it’ll tank along with the rest of the economy…
Amazing! I didn’t realize Steve Jobs was your patient, as well as your being a professional analyst as well as doctor. Actually, it’s much easier to diagnose your problem than it is Steve, without meeting in person. I haven’t seen your pictures, but like everyone else- you’re dying, you’re losing money, and you’re a jerk.
Thanks for your insightful and witty comment. You are a true scholar.
Steve Jobs is a public figure and his health is fair game.. like it or not. so far apple has been deliberately misleading the public about his health. He is very sick (whipple’s have a poor success rate) and I seriously doubt this is just a “hormonal imbalance”
Meh…there’s billions at stake here. Given the way the stock moved when it was announced he was stepping down, you’ve got to expect people to jump on it. Why? Because it’s NEWSWORTHY.
Every Monday Apple has a marathon meeting in which they review the entire business – every product.
I imagine Steve is in for that.
Hey, you can’t sit in Munich with the flu. Go out to Marienplatz (Expensive Bavarian food) or Münchner Freiheit (Good Bavarian food)! Or drop by our technical university in Garching. We have two big opposing parabolic slides in our IT hall that go from the third floor down to the ground floor (http://flickr.c.../mbo/270176737/)!!
Ha, Mike you have such double standards it’s not even funny. Talk about getting annoying and ridiculous.
I remember when Jason Calacanis asked you not to reprint one of his emails or whatever it was and you pretty much said f-you to him, talk about two faced.
I have to agree with DR. Didn’t you just do exactly what you’re “annoyed” with CNET for doing? Don’t get me wrong, I love you guys…just saying.
You write an article about Steve Jobs’ health to tell how everyone should respect his privacy and not talk about his health.
It reminds me of when someone does a ‘reply all’ telling ‘please stop replying all’.
Not the most glorifying moment, IMHO
Thanks for posting this, Mike. I had already read the Valleywag story and thought it was probably true.
It’s disturbing that such stories are published with seemingly no fact checking at all. Page clicks are all that matters.
No one on this planet is more responsible for the fact that I can sit at my computer and read the story about SJ and respond here, than Steve Jobs. The people writing this story at Valleywag and CNet are collecting paychecks because of Steve Jobs.
Yet I have encountered many people online who want to read negative stories about Apple, or anyone who works for Apple. Most of them are PC gamers. There are millions of them. Sites like CNet play this audience for every click they can get. And they are far from the only ones.
“Just because you can write a story doesn’t mean you have to.”
A honourable principle. I would love seeing you follow it. Except – wouldn’t TC and a bunch of other “news” sites be almost empty…?
Its great that you are concerned about people meddling in Steve’s personal life, but I am surprised that you don’t realize that your blog is one of the most read blogs, and you are the one who is posting the most about Steve!
You were doing that even without the flu, so I won’t blame the flu for that!
I am disappointed
Thanks for the last line! Why anyone cares so deeply about this is anyone’s guess. Apple will be Apple, with or without Jobs sitting in the office every second.
Fully agree.
Michael, you’re the biggest hypocrite of them all – did you really have to write this post today? I didn’t know anything about surgery until I read your post on TC.
You’re one of the primary catalysts behind the whole unmasking of technology execs private lives (and Owen Thomas)
Please, the man has children. The parent has the right to protect his children in anyway they please. Will you folks have the decency to respect this family?
Larry Fritzlan
Remove the CEO status and the public should leave him alone. Keep the CEO and his health is important to Apple shareholders.
I saw him buying condoms at 7×11 last night. I’m telling you people, he’s up to smthing. We need to investigate. QUICK!
I’m tired of hearing about Steve Jobs declining health. So please TC stop writing about it.
As with many people, I didn’t even know about this rumor til I read it here. What is this, Valleywag all of a sudden?
If TC stopped writing about it, 75% of the problem would go away.
Hey! You just wrote about Steve Jobs’s health, even if it was to tell others to stop writing about Steve Jobs’ health. This brings traffic to your site and brings more money through ads. Just like the enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend, the critic of the Steve Jobs critic is not his friend, either.
Cheers
i heard Steve Jobs had a bowel movement today.
stalkers.
Arrington *not* peddling rumor and innuendo?? Shocking!!