I did not invent most of the technology I work with
Steve Jobs frequently sent himself emails containing his thoughts, which I also often do to myself using my [email protected] address. There’s one particular email from Steve Jobs that stuck with me.
Despite wanting to go lower and lower in the tech stack, being a generalist, and touching pretty much every part of a system, I am reminded how I’m still dependent on others who’ve built things for me that I enjoy the convenience of.
From: Steve Jobs, [email protected] To: Steve Jobs, [email protected] Date: Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 11:08PM
I grow little of the food I eat, and of the little I do grow I did not breed or perfect the seeds.I do not make any of my own clothing.
I speak a language I did not invent or refine.
I did not discover the mathematics I use.
I am protected by freedoms and laws I did not conceive of or legislate, and do not enforce or adjudicate.
I am moved by music I did not create myself.
When I needed medical attention, I was helpless to help myself survive.
I did not invent the transistor, the microprocessor, object oriented programming, or most of the technology I work with.
I love and admire my species, living and dead, and am totally dependent on them for my life and well being.
Sent from my iPad