Exclusive Insights from Steve Jobs: A Visionary's Perspective on Technology and Innovation

Before the era of iPhones and iPads, when Steve Jobs was leading the short-lived company NeXT, he granted an extensive interview to Rolling Stone magazine. It was 1994 — Jobs had long been ousted from Apple, the internet was still a realm mostly for geeks and academics, and it seemed the personal computer revolution had plateaued. Yet, even during the most challenging moments of his career, Jobs maintained an unwavering belief in the limitless potential of personal computing. Here is the final part of that insightful interview.

Part One.

Part Two.

Today, it's nearly impossible to open a newspaper without encountering news related to the internet or the information highway. So, where are we headed?

The internet isn’t a novelty anymore; it has been evolving for over a decade. Finally, the wave is reaching the majority of computer users, which excites me greatly. I believe the home office holds far more significance than the living room. The true essence of the information highway lies in bringing the internet into your workspace, not just a TV set-top box. What can such a device do? It might put video rental stores out of business and save me a 30-minute trip to one, but I’m not impressed. Nor am I fascinated by the idea of shopping without leaving home. What captivates me is having the internet in my office.

Telephone companies, cable providers, and Hollywood are all jockeying for the biggest slice of the pie. Who do you think will win and who will lose in the next five years?

I've spoken with some folks from the phone and cable industries, and believe me, they have no clue what to do. The loudest voices often know the least.

Are you referring to John Malone?

I prefer not to name names. Let me just say they don’t grasp how complex this is or how long it will take. None of them understand computer technology. They don’t realize that the small computer they want to embed in a TV box needs highly sophisticated software to function properly.

Let’s talk more about the internet. It’s growing at an astonishing pace. How do you think this new communication network will influence our lives in the future?

I don’t think speculating about such things is very productive. Open any book and you’ll find plenty of such musings.

But I’m interested in your ideas.

I don’t view the world that way. I see myself as a toolmaker. I want to create tools that I can proudly call valuable. Beyond that, you can never predict exactly what will happen, but you can sense the direction you’re heading. That’s the best you can do. The things I create take on lives of their own.

Still, you often speak about how technology can help people and transform their lives. Do you still believe in technology as strongly as you did 20 years ago when it all began?

Absolutely. But it’s not faith in technology itself — it’s faith in people.

Could you elaborate?

Technology is nothing on its own. What truly matters is believing in people — that they are smart and good, and if you give them the right tools, they will create incredible things. You don’t put faith in devices; they’re just instruments that either work or don’t. Faith is in people. I remain optimistic. Sometimes I get pessimistic, but it passes quickly.

It’s been 10 years since the personal computer revolution began. People still debate whether technology has improved the world or not.

The world has undeniably improved. Now, an individual can do what once required large groups with significant financial resources. This means everyone has far greater opportunities to enter markets—not just commercial markets, but markets of ideas, creativity, and public opinion. We have provided individuals with tools equal to those used by the richest corporations. This trend will only accelerate. For under $10,000, you can buy a computer that ranks among the most powerful worldwide.

Moreover, we are fostering connections among people. By creating electronic networks, we have narrowed the gap between the voice of one individual and that of a massive organization. We have empowered people to share ideas, even if they don’t belong to established groups, to unite and launch their own projects.

Therefore, I believe technology brings tremendous benefits, and its impact will only grow in the future.

Regarding Bill Gates, you mentioned that the goal isn’t to be the richest person in the graveyard. What, then, is the goal?

I’m not sure how to answer that precisely. Broadly speaking, it’s about striving for enlightenment. You can interpret that however you want; it’s a very personal matter. I prefer not to elaborate publicly.

Why?

I believe that for those constantly in the public eye, maintaining privacy is especially important.

Do you feel uncomfortable being a Silicon Valley star?

I like to think it’s my famous twin brother. Otherwise, you might go crazy. When you read a critical article by some jerk, you learn not to take it personally. That also teaches you not to take even the most flattering praise too seriously. People love symbols and write about symbols.

I recently spoke with some members of the original Macintosh team, who recalled the 10th anniversary celebration of the Mac held a few months ago. You chose not to participate. Do you feel pressure to replicate the Mac’s success? Some compare you to Orson Welles, who made his best films at 25 but then seemingly faded away.

Honestly, that flatters me. I don’t know what I was supposed to do there—probably cut the cake and eat the biggest slice (laughs). The Macintosh was like a beautiful novel that once graced your life and gave birth to 10 million children! That novel stays with you forever. You still feel it every morning when you wake up, open the window, and breathe in the fresh air. You see your children everywhere, and it brings you joy. Nothing will ever make you regret or resent it.

But life goes on. You can glance back at the past for a moment in the morning, but the rest of the day you’ll be busy with other amazing things.

I believe that ultimately, we all become wiser and more farsighted. The Macintosh sparked monumental changes, and computers with graphical user interfaces conquered the world. That was crucial, but today, the industry faces another closed door. Object-oriented programming will open that door, and then we’ll see if the breakthrough we dreamed of will come true.

And after that… who knows? There might be yet another door behind it, but someone else will have to open it.

***

It’s remarkable how much technology has evolved over a decade and how the world has transformed. Yet, as you can see, the ideas, perspectives, and philosophy of the man behind this extraordinary journey — Steve Jobs — remained remarkably consistent throughout his life. From a visionary inventor to an absolute legend, he gave us incredible tools that empower us to create and improve. It’s safe to say that Steve Jobs’ dream has come true.

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