what happened with me and steve jobs on Flickr

dev devlin says:

Wow. How rude of him. One of my friends was commenting on how he can be a little abrasive but didn't really believe it until now. It is still not enough reason to make me want to jump ship and get back on board with Gates and Balmer since I don't have to deal with him on a personal basis using my MacBook, but that totally sucks of Steve.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer says:

Jobs has always been the industry's biggest loser - his hyperbolic rhetoric and "imaginary coolness" have always contributed to my refusal to use Apple's products.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

ario_ says:

fake Steve Jobs should totally post a rebuttal! I wonder what he'd have to say for himself :)

Still, mega lame, but at least you got a good story out of it.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

nancywilloughby says:

I've heard stories like this before. Kudos to you for having the cojones to ask in the first place.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

rotorglow says:

Wow. What a jackass.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

ohnochriso says:

You should've stepped on one of his dirty, hippie, bare-ass feet and said "No, jagoff, THAT'S rude."
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

violet.blue says:

there are so many things I should have done! I was really not expecting to be insulted so openly. like, I should have confronted his friends for laughing at me and asking them if humiliating fans is fun, or slapped a Laughing Squid sticker on his back when I walked away...

but check it out -- someone put it on Digg:

digg.com/apple/Steve_Jobs_tells_off_fan_calls _her_rude

"Steve Jobs tells off fan, calls her 'rude'
tinynibbles.com — Blogger and podcaster Violet Blue approached the Apple CEO on the Macworld floor to ask for a photo -- and got completely blown off."
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

einfeldt says:

The days of Apple being a warm and welcoming environment are over, IMHO. If you want to make friends and learn something and not be treated like dirt, Linux and GNU cons are the place to go. And LUGs. Apple is all about being exclusive now. Apple has a higher market cap than Intel fer chrissakes. Why would he need to speak with a funny, witty, sexy author / podcaster who just happens to have driven lots of traffic to his shiny, happy ITMS? pshah! Time to try out Ubuntu on that MacTel, Violet! That'll fix his little red wagon!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Doctor Fyzziks says:

Actually, while I think Steve might've been more polite, I have to agree that what you did was rude (or could be construed as such). Not the part about going up to chat with him - he's a public figure and should expect that sort of thing. The touching his arm part.

Touching someone you don't know to get their attention could be considered a violation of their personal space. It really depends on the person and if you don't know them, you shouldn't assume that it's OK to touch them, no matter how lightly you do it. If I were Steve, that's what I would have found rude about your behaviour.

That being said, he should've handled it better. And without a doubt, the sniggering woman was *definitely* rude.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

vonsydov says:

I think one should understand how much stress a person goes through to do that kind of a stage performance when everything is scripted and is expected to work like clockwork.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

dreikelvin says:

@doctor fyzziks I fully agree. I experienced something similar with a person I worked with. touching someone is like breaching someones personal barrier. there are people who can get very upset about that. and you have to understand his/her reaction. there are even cultures where it is considered as very rude and discriminating if you touch someones body that you don't know before.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

kpetree10 says:

If he said that to me I would have thrown my iPhone and iPod at him and been like, so this is how you treat your loyal fans and tell him that my iMac and MacBook Pro would be on eBay as soon as I got home, and go back to using my Dell. Jobs seems so fun on stage but must be a real ass in reality. Although I agree with the other commenter that touching can be seen as a violation to some people, maybe if you would have just said something he would have been nicer. Now Woz, that seems like the guy to meet.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

saxetknarf says:

As I understand it, he's know for being a pr*ck sometimes. Maybe you offended his karma? hehehehe

Would have been cool if you had gotten his reaction on video too. Oh well, you seem pretty cool and he's still a pr*ck!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

DeoxyribonucleicAcid says:

'Think rude.'
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

drummerjoe says:

It's all about the consumer experience, my ass.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

courtfkizer says:

It's very simple:

1) Don't touch somebody who you don't know to ask for their picture.
2) Steve Jobs doesn't appreciate being idolized, which is why you never see photos of him and a fan.
3) He was on the phone
4) You try having people come up to you ever 3 seconds asking for a photo. You think you were the first one? About 50 other people before you asked for a photo with him, so probably by the 50th person you'd be rude too.

You might be flattered if some random guy asked to take your photo. Then 5 seconds later another person does it, and another 30 people do it. You try hard to look busy on your phone, then the 50th person comes up and touches you asking for a photo...
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

antipax says:

How is touching lightly someone in the arm rude? Are we really becoming that used to interface with other people through technology?

We should all hug more! :P 'Personal space' be damned!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

kideternity.rm says:

"We should all hug more! :P 'Personal space' be damned!"

Yeah, that's my fist going up your a-hole. Sorry. The sign does say, "trespassers will be violated".

Have a nice day.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

openminded888 says:

Any one here who has a job knows violating a personal space let alone touching them is written into code of conduct for a reason. A fan that lacks that basic understanding is a fan I could do with out! In her own mind (like a teenage groupie) she felt that she knew him well enough to put her hands on him. Like myself he probably had never heard of blue violet. To think there are people on here who support your adolescent response after rudely putting your hands on (and talking to) some one who was using his phone. You are what is wrong with the world today. Lack of understanding. Think - doesn't use body guards etc - you could have been some crazed Linux/GNU user up to something sinister.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

rstevens says:

Cartoonists are much nicer. Come to Comicon!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

ThinksMedia says:

Not being there, I can only say that someone I don't know 'touching me lightly' is way out of line. Some people call this kind of reaction an over reaction, however, you don't just go up to people and assault them...which, legally is what you did. I know it sounds pretty petty, but imagine if every person you walked near touched you.

BTW, while I too may have been offended at his reaction at first blush if I was so star struck I didn't realize what I had done, however, further thought would have led me to the fact that it is completely unfair to judge someone who points out your own error in protocol as rude simply because they didn't sugar coat a politically correct response to an unwelcome intrusion, and error on my part.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

drustar says:

Wow. Looks like I won't be buying a Macbook Air!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

mulls says:

Ugh, the annoying pr girl rolling her eyes at you and snorting...I can feel the burn - that would make me want to claw my eyes out. Oh well...it is a 200B corporation now after all...
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

big_man1977 says:

wow, what the hell is wrong with people nowadays. "touching me lightly' is way out of line. " "I have to agree that what you did was rude."

has the entire world gone completely crazy? would you freak out if someone grabbed you to stop you walking in front of traffic? and how fucking uptight do you have to be to freak out at someone touching your arm to get your attention..especially now with the prevalence of portable music distracting most of us.

I can only hope to never meet people this uptight.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

yobosensei says:

Hi violet,

I'm yobosensei. The asian dude at the pownce party who said hi to u. Steve was absolutely too sensative. You can't say hi to anyone just because you're famous? He just shunned you away how rude!

On the other hand, it's so nice of u to say hi to me~ =)

Yobosensei
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Papa-Raboon says:

I'm kinda thinking it could have been conceived as being a little rude touching his arm when he was in the middle of doing something on his phone. I am not a big "Personal Space" advocate but many people are. Hell if you touched my arm and asked for a photo I would be pretty excited seen as you are rather attractive and all that. In fact I would want you to bluetooth over a copy so I could show it off to my friends but I guess SJ isn't someone who likes being touched. Also I guess he is pretty much on edge during Macworld hoping things come off well.

I guess if you went up to him after he stopped poking his iPhone and said. Excuse me, I'm Violet Blue". With your hand out to shake his and a big smile "I'm a big fan of your Work and a total Mac head and it would make my day if I could have a picture of me shaking your hand or something". I am sure you would have had a better response.

I guess his reaction was a bit curt but in a way you could be considered a little rude. However. As I said, if I were Jobs I would have been flattered. I'm married so flattered is all I can be, otherwise I would have asked for your number ;-)

Anyway. I guess it's pretty cool having someone famous tell you you're being rude eh!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Papa-Raboon says:

Actually I just read the other posts on here and it seems people are either at one end of this or the other.

Some good points made though. I guess we do think we know famous people because we hear so much about them and see and read about them in the media. But they totally don't know who we are. If you were someone famous it could seem really strange, a total stranger coming up to you and touching you. Especially when they have the personal advantage of feeling a familiarity with you that you totally don't have with them. This is why as a stranger it's better to wait and take the best opportunity not to interrupt them and to introduce yourself formally first.

Once they reach a common ground with you and feel comfortable and can see you aren't a freaky stalker then they will be pleasant.

One thing I might have tried would be to catch his eye. Smile and stick up my thumb and say "MacBook Air, lovin' it Steve!". You might just get a grin from him and the ice is broken.

From what I hear, Steve Jobs is a pretty personal kinda guy. He is rarely seen out and about. Unlike Woz who is a people kinda person. you could strike up a conversation with Woz that (if you touched upon the right subject like maybe gadgets or Segways) could last for half an hour.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

yonas1 says:

Sorry he called you rude, Violet. But you should know by now that Jobs is notorious for being a bunghole sometimes. Hope you didn't take it too personally.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

rotorglow says:

I think it's funny that there're all these people signing up with Flickr just to troll the comments....
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

BeSublime says:

It really just upsets me that she (whoever she is) reacted like that. There might be a way to justify Steve's comment — although I personal think it was inconsiderate — but laughing at someone you don't know, especially for something like that, is beyond rude. She's obviously pretty useless to the race :) . Props for asking, taking it so well, and handling the attention so well too, Violet.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

pstarr says:

doesn't he know who you ARE???
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

A Blind Man says:

Wow, just listen to some of these comments, they must have their noses jammed up Jobs' arse.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

David Early says:

IMO, you were rude.

I would not like anyone to touch me in any way that I do not know. Call that uptight if you like, but that is my right and you took that away from the man when you touched him. You could have just said, 'Excuse me Mr Jobs/Steve', but you didn't.

However, we don't know if it would have turned out any differently hadn't you touched him so maybe this should just be laid to rest.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

violet.blue says:

wow, so many comments -- thanks to everyone for chiming in. I appreciate the feedback, both the support and the criticism. first, I want to point out that the people in the photo have been ID'd, including the lady snorting at me and still laughing in the photo: that's Katie Cotton, Apple's PR head. this is a funny post about her:

fakesteve.blogspot.com/2007/09/katie-has-plan .html

next, I want to address everyone's comments and concerns about personal space, and having it invaded. keep in mind that I was nervous as hell walking up to the guy -- but also keep in mind that I'm a sex writer and most especially a reasonably attractive young woman. I have my personal space invaded all the time in nonconsensual ways: people (admirers of all genders, and people just squeezing by in a bar) touch my lower back, put their arm around me, put their hand on my ribcage or waist, grab and/or touch my lower, mid and upper arms... you get the idea. I used to work at a sex toy store, and we'd often talk about customers touching us (which happened often), and what was appropriate and not.

so I should -- and I do consciously endeavor -- to respect the body-space of others, and I hold it as a high priority. when I walked up to Jobs, I used the tip of my index and middle finger flattened, and softly touched his sweater upper-bicep, stopping the moment I made contact with his actual body. I did not hold it in place. it was light and friendly, a very soft graze, less than the way you'd politely touch someone to get their attention.

and before I even approached, I watched him for a bit, for a moment when it didn't look like he might be urgently trying to keep the apple site from going down or something; he poked at his phone, would look around, then poke. it seemed appropriate.

I hate telling people who I am to get anything, so I was just anonymous fangirl.

he was in public. I said Hi. they made fun of me.

I don't say much about this publicly, but I am recognized virtually everywhere I go these days. the women processing badges at Macworld knew me (and even shouted my name with big smiles), people in line recognized me, I'm spotted on the streets of SF, people interrupt me at public dinners and lunches to ask for photos with me. I always say yes, because what's the harm? it's become normal. and I always, always thank them for reading me, and tell them that our interaction makes my labors of love (writing, podcasting, etc) worth it, even if I'm being interrupted.

only once or twice have I declined random on-camera interviews, and I explained that I was between talks, feeling wiped out, but I'd love to and could we maybe do it later?

last night I went to a bar and some cute girl ran up to me and told me she was at Macworld and saw all these flashing bulbs and pops of camera flash and saw that it was Steve Jobs just coming down the escalator. then she heard what happened to me for asking, which was after the paparazzi, and was like, WTF?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

sterrito says:

I have a friend who used to teach his Son fencing at Stanford...basically he thinks he's God and if he feels you aren't worthy to be in his prescense he is pretty much an ass. Please don't tell me he's nervous when it comes to Mac World????? He's an arrogant prick who thinks that the world revolves around his expensive crap. When you are someone like Steve Jobs, you are going to get mobbed by folks and you have no "personal space". If he didn't want to be touched, then hire some freaking security. Tapping someone on the shoulder is not illegal nor is it assault. Jeez folks let's wrap our selves in bubble wrap while we are at it and carry "cootie" spray......
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

blinked says:

Look at the brainwashed fanboys and -girls defending this rude egomaniac!

You go girl! I'm really happy that you had the chuzpah to publicize this kind of behavior. If the man doesn't want to be touched (WTF?) or talked to, he and his arrogant cohorts should really get away from the rich geek fest swiftly and retreat to a dark room and proceed with their iWanking there.
BTW - I loved the idea of stepping on his foot and showing him "rude".

Thanks for sharing this picture! What an arse!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

violet.blue says:

OMG, Fake Steve Jobs responds:

fakesteve.blogspot.com/2008/01/re-violent-blu e-controvers...

I love this part:

"Meanwhile, we are considering a civil lawsuit against Violent Blue for assault and attempted battery plus defamation. I gave a police report in San Francisco last night and had photographs taken of the incredibly deep black bruise on my arm. More info as this develops."
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

nojive415 says:

Violet that is such rubbish and you know it! I have seen customers walk up to Steve in an Apple Store and talk to him. For him to just turn around and say " your rude " just doesn't make sense. There's something you are leaving out just to get your name all over the Web. If you said the lady was rude, I would have to agree, she's a real snob!

Oh and I am not a Fanboy! Phil Shiller is the real genuis! Go Phil!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Skin.Bintin says:

That dude in the blue top with his back facing the camera really needs to consider a shirt in a larger size.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

seanbonner says:

Who is steve jobs?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer says:

Steve Jobs was this little rat who clawed his way up over the backs of other, more talented non-rats to rise to dominate a tiny, but marketing heavy niche of the early 21st Century computer industry. Later, during the early teens, the term "to get Jobbed" or to be on the receiving end of a "Steve Job" came to mean being brutally assaulted for tapping someone on the shoulder or arm to get their attention.

-Future WIkipedia
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

kokodhem says:

LOLtrans: Gekeniss - teh Steev haz it

Pretty girl (gorgeous, really) approaches tech guru and gently, politely asks to pose with him in a quick photo... and Steve's underlying geekness comes raging out of the dark recesses of his Id, and his overall reaction is "Pretty girl! Agh! Run!" Just lookit 'im, head down over his screen trying to ignore the perceived threat. Classic.

Oh, and nojive415, you must be a n00b... Violet's name is already all over the web... She's as big a celebrity for most of us as Jobs is. Much luv, VB!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

pookerlout says:

Well dear Violet, you have solved it for me. Steve Jobs = Bill Gates lite. I shall soon be among the other geeksters running Ubuntu and waving my middle finger at the likes of Steve and Bill. I am so tired of elitist snobs that I could just c**p an Apple.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

deanaoxo says:

Heck i would have been more excited to see you there, than to actually run into Steve!

If i saw the two of you talking, it would not be Steve i'd want my picture taken with!

Keep up the great work V!

aoxolove
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

myxylplyx2003 says:

I see someone already ID'ed the others in the photo, but I can confirm as well as report that your story is true to form. What you experienced is emblematic of Apple's corporate culture and it comes from the top down.
As for the ridiculous comments about your touching his arm... some may not care for that sort of contact but it is far from rude; his reaction however was unequivocally so. And for the poster who cried "assault" - go check your law - it would at best be a simple battery.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

amitrunchal says:

Is this actually surprising at all to anyone?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

benjamin_ says:

surprising, no.

case/point for why i refuse to buy apple products (well, one of many).

a company run by assholes/bitches, starting and ending with steve jobs.

quote me on it.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

AnalogKid203 says:

VB - sorry to hear you were snubbed. But I think it's all part of the mystique. Although, that mock turtleneck might be to blame. Whenever I wear mine, I'm less friendly, more secretive and finish conversations with "there's one more thing"....

Let me spin a tale..... just a few years ago....

Imagine a Machead deep in the heart Microsoft's Redmond WA campus... no lie.

Imagine getting in line for the men's room and finding a well-known billionaire and bridge player standing in front of this Machead.... no lie.

Imagine the Machead finally entering the men's room to take care of nature only to find the only open urinal is next to, you guessed it, Bill G... no lie.

Now I wasn't about to tap him on the shoulder. HA! But he certainly seemed approachable and he said hi to people on the way in. I on the other hand couldn't get one word out. Guys just don't talk to strange guys when they're standing next to each other giving back to nature, it's just not in the code. And yes, I had a slight case of stage fright. Frivolous chit chat with Billionaires never helps stage-fright. All I could think of were all my Microsoft Fanboy friends who would be pissing their pants if they were standing where I was!

Anyhow.... he was definitely more approachable than iCEO himself. Heck, he stood behind 7 guys waiting for the loo. (You'd think he'd have a special entrance or a private place, but I digress...). I'm a Machead through and through, however, in public, Gates would probably win the congeniality contest.

Side note. He read PRINTED emails, propped above the urinal with his hand. I guess the Exchange Server was down. HAHA! Steve would never do that. He probably has a lackey that holds an iPhone in front of his face while he takes care of business.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

bonsaibetz says:

I didn't realize until after I emailed you that the woman "sniggering" at you was Katie Cotton. Um...let's just say her behavior is in line with everything I've heard about her. Don't feel shame or embarrassment over the news coverage of the incident. Be proud of the fact you are a normal human being, and ignore the fact Steve Jobs acted like a stuck-up prig with a crowbar made of arrogance shoved up his ass. If anything, the whole incident make you look normal and Steve Job like the P Diddy/Barbara Streisand of high tech.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Dan_H says:

Hell, I roamed the show floor for hours and never even saw a trace of Steve.. i thought he was a ghost.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

magerleagues says:

Why did he get mad?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Rodrigo Hashimoto says:

Steve-o... C'mon man...
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

melocoton says:

..Snort! Laugh... "most especially a reasonably attractive young woman. "

No you're not!

You're beautiful. And any reasonably attractive young or old heterosexual man would be more than simply delighted to take you in his arms and pose for all manner of photographs... heh.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Kevbo says:

iTool.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

gadgettrak says:

that stinks.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

dithers says:

If Steve Jobs didnt want to talk to you, thats it.
He told you so directly.
Why are you whining about it?
Your fragile ego, expanding and collapsing with the attention you are getting or not getting is your downfall.
Your whole life revolves around some kind of faux connection with life. Real life can be a bit frightening - your endless chatter stops you engaging.
You are playing - there is no risk.
There is also no reward.
And, as someone mentioned here, there is more to this story than you are telling.
Steve Jobs picked up your 'I use people to get attention' vibe and responded accordingly....
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

dithers says:

And further:

I love the 'analysis' here - all from people who didnt see the 'incident' at all.
People who were NOT at MacWorld.
Its no surprise that Bush et al got away with 911 when the average citizen is as dumb as some of the inane comments here.

Life in the vague lane.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

dithers says:

And finally:

Yes, I DID see the incident at MacWorld.
I was there.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

jellis629 says:

His jeans remind me of the jeans I see in "Seinfeld" re-runs. Maybe that's why he was in a pissy mood - he was rushed that morning and spilled something on his cool jeans.

So he had to wear his dorky jeans instead.

I do that all the time and it usually puts me in a foul mood.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

violet.blue says:

@ dithers: welcome to Flickr! I love your new profile. let's see, so if you were actually there, you'd either be:

a) still in your turtleneck wishing you had better security and smoother on-the-floor interpersonal skills -- you smiled aggressively at me when you told me off, remember?
b) you're Katie Cotton working on your troll-PR guerrilla tactics
c) you're Phil Schiller, just getting the hang of this Flickr thing and how easily anon accounts are abusable
d) you're the dude Katie is giggling with, just behind Jobs (why you're "dithers"?)

*or*

you're this troll who is making anon accounts on other offsite posts about this topic, repeating themselves on any post that allows anon accounts (like at cNet) that let trolls sh*t airy apples on anyone they want to discredit:

www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/contribute/sn/persona? User=chiliverde

(the incident did not happen in a booth)

*or*

you're the fanboy in the click-wheel t-shirt who pointed Jobs out to the Hi5 and Google employee with me on the expo floor (stage left) and exclaimed that Jobs was *just standing there* in the middle of the public floor (!) just checking his email and OMG you couldn't believe it and you said were going on a "Jobs tour" to everywhere he's been like Reed College. in which case, you were ditched when I went over to Jobs and got snubbed and got the smiling and the rude accusation and back-turning and subsequent guffawing from his apple PR people -- while my friends stood less than ten feet away witnessing the whole thing. they're in the video, btw. they're still saying "yup, I was there".

out yourself if you call me a liar. I have nothing to gain or lose. it happened. and I still have an iBook, so who cares? he's just another guy I met I'd never want to be friends with. I could have been the chick who waited for the iPhone for 35 hours in line or the rep with $950K to spend for my company, and he snubbed me. I was just being a normal person, despite what some people think of what I write about.

every story here is deeply appreciated. the context really helps. I'll never really know why he was rude to me (only he knows). incidentally, here are more images of him on hanging out on the public expo floor @ MW 2008 in the crowd:

flickr.com/photos/scarls13/2195601877/
flickr.com/photos/jimgoldstein/2197204314/
flickr.com/photos/jimgoldstein/2196416405/

(...)
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Tony Medina says:

Dude he must have a plunger embedded in his usb port. Anyway any dude blowing off a hottie coming up and demurely asking for a mugshot with his callow looking mug must be raging a-hole. I would have taken a pic with you the given you a Mac Book Air for the trouble... that is if I was Steve Job. As for Katie Cotton, ... I can see why Apple modeled the Mac BookAir after her scrawny no junk having booty. So "F" her! Violet U rule!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Terramel says:

Violet Blue,

Forget that iTard Steve Jobs... He's just an asshole who thinks of himself as God... Just an egocentric and selfish child... You've should slapped his ugly face... I hate snubbish son of bitches like him...

Forget Apple, they dont respect their customers. They misstreat their customers like if Apple's money came from other sources. What about Woz in a line waiting hours to get his iPhone? Common... Jobs is not a genius or an artist... His just a mediocre marketeer... His only getting all his money and selling a lot because Apple's products are HYPE! He can get dog crap put it in a nice box and call it iCrap and BUM, there will be people in a line waiting to buy one with 500 dolars in their pockets to pay...

Forget Apple... Maybe all this has happened to show you that it is time to BE FREE! Install GNU/Linux, use Free Software ;D go to shipit.ubuntu.com and ask for your free Ubuntu CDs ;)

[]s
your new friend Terramel
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

The Muscle Bound Geek: David Shorb says:

hi, i have been keeping a loose eye on this issue, First I think Mr. Jobs was completely out of line, as was the staff that was with him for laughing at you.

2nd: You are awesome Violet. You totally rock.

Have a Nice day!
David
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

brian_shilo says:

Looks like you got to see the real Jobs, the one people have muttered about for ages. This may have been a more revelatory convention than he intended.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

spanky.tate says:

I'm perplexed. You seem to be pretty wonderful. You're getting props from nine out of ten commenters here. Why do you care so much about this? And why the extraordinary outpouring of vitriol from commenters here? It's annoying to feel rejected, but it happens every day to all sorts of people in all sorts of circumstances. Not to diminish your pain, but it's not like he went after you with a taser. You remain cool, so why not just chill about this?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

tokinafatone223 [deleted] says:

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that a) he was probably doing something and b) he has women throwing themselves at him all the time and you aren't very hot.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

mac.chic [deleted] says:

Not to be rude, but this is your side of the story and only yours. And yet everyone is taking your side blindly. Poor, poor you, who has obviously milked the moment quite well. And what is wrong with Apple telling you to stop playing with a very expensive display of equipment? What are you 5 years old?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Terramel says:

tokinafatone223: take a look at yourself in the mirror! Are you a troll?
I think Jobs dont like women! Almost shure that he's gay!

spanky.tate: probably the problem was not being rejected! The problem was being reject by someone that she admired so much...
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Terramel says:

mac.chic: deleted? It proves that mac.chick is just another fucking troll!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

jennifermf says:

ugh.. i can't believe all the people who are all "ZOMG DON'T TOUCH STEVE!! HE CAN'T BE TOUCHED!! HE HAZ PURSUNL SPACE!!!"

srsly. come on. if i were behind someone in a 7-11 and they just dropped a $20, they'd be thrilled if i lightly touched their arm to say "hey man, you dropped a $20."

i don't see too much difference between that and, "hey man, i buy yer stuffs and help pay yer salary. couldja not be a douche and pretend like you appreciate it?"

he may not want his picture taken, sure, but a) he's head of a billion dollar company and practically a pop culture icon these days with all is iProducts, and b) have some fucking courtesy.

common courtesy is out the fucking window these days. it blows my mind.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Tristan C says:

Um. Yeah.

This happened at a Convention.

A Convention for Apple Products. Called.. what? MACWORLD?

And SJ thinks he can just walk the convention floor and *not* have some people ask him for a photo or a brief conversation?

What you did wasn't out of line, Violet. No one's made you write columns about mac products, essentially promoting their shit for free. Personally, I'd never buy a mac, but that's my own opinion based on experience with their overpriced products which break down frequently.

Ignore the trolls. I know that's easier said than done, especially when what you do puts you right in their line of fire. But you're fighting the good fight.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Terramel says:

I know that everybody says to ignore trolls... Specially here in Brazil where I live and most Linux sites I read says that... But I like to feed the trolls... I'm feeding them with poison... Better than let them jump over me and say all sort of shit... If I dont answer it will look like I have no arguments. So I answer and I answer in a way that can make any troll regret... And, of course, I also know how to take lower and lower the level of the words I use...
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

penitentialarts says:

Jobs is an ass, and always has been. Woz is the real talent, and the one who really started to home PC revolution - without him, Jobs was nothing. Jobs lost Apple's large market share two decades ago, and has never been able to get it back, despite a lot of hype and a zombified set of users. He has always been an arrogant prick, despite his utter lack of real talent.

As far as "personal space" goes, touching the arm of someone you are trying to talk to in a public space is hardly "rude."
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Terramel says:

You guys should really stop with this "personal space" bullshit... OMG! here in Brazil is very common to touch other people when we need to get their attention! What the fuck? Will Steve "pseudo-genius" Jobs melt? Is he made of sugar? Fuck this "personal space" crap!

Steve Jobs is a girly man!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Terramel says:

By the way, I Just posted in portuguese about what happened! Probably the first post about this in portuguese (or at least in Brazil ;D)

terramel.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/steve-job s-trata-mal-fa...

Translation of the title: "Steve Jobs mistreat fan... What an asshole!"

[]s
Terramel
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Rudy Malmquist says:

I wonder if Steve Jobs wants a pickle & fries with his Asperger.

What a socially inept dork!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

rwalford79 says:

Not realizing his blog was NOT his.... I wrote this for both of you....

First and foremost...
I would like to say that "lightly touching" someone, to brings ones attention to, or to warn someone of danger, is HARDLY assault. Legally, it could be, if you had a shady lawyer and were OCD. However, it is considered socially and morally acceptable, under those two conditions. No need to think your better then anyone and go crazy over someone who enjoys Apple and its creator.

Secondly....
Standing on a show floor, pawning off your product, and you DONT expect someone to talk to you? WOW! Thats amazing. Thats like walking into a car dealer and the seller to expect you to just pick something out, without asking questions. You are one of the most famous people on the planet, and yes, it might get to your head, but seriously, how vain and egocentric can you be to think that you SHOULDNT interact with the people who MADE YOUR COMPANY WHAT IT IS. I know that killed me liking Apple products. From being a Mac Boy to now thinking Vista and Microsoft is the way. Id rather NEVER meet Bill Gates then to meet a mean Steve Jobs. Im disappointed, as I would think you were a humble man that interacted with his customers.

Third....
I think that if she really DID assault you then you have every right to be upset. I think letting her know it was rude was right. However, I might suggest that you post the police report, and possibly these pictures. If the media is out to get you and make you look bad, why not back up what you say and clear your name with those who believe in your products and beliefs. You would be seriously amazed how word of mouth is the #1 selling point in th world. I know it worked for iPod, iMac, and the iPhone.
And lastly...
I am not TRYING to attack Apple or Steve, I just think that listening to both sides of the story, you BOTH are in the wrong. My way is not the right way, but its another way to deal with it. I seriously hope that you consider actually talking to this Violet and maybe seeing what her issue was. I think she should do the same for you as well. In the end, you both are two grown people in the world, why use companies to hide behind to bring litigation that need not be, and is costly to both parties. Negative press is certainly more costly then a mediation.

Hope the best for both of you, good luck to you both, and from a now former Mac Boy, I am pleased to see and hear the new products you have created for the Apple Community to enjoy.

Roger Alford
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

scott_rtw says:

Just read about your experience in Forbes (of all places). Immediately had to go to your blog to get the skinny. Sorry to hear about that!

I really appreciate your podcasts (which I download from iTunes). Glad to know you're on Flickr. You're definitely one of the better content producers on the web.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Jan en Michel says:

I keep thinking, wasn't the laughing woman rolling her eyes to tell you: I'm sorry, he's such a prick?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

alphalim says:

I know what we should do... we should all go out and find out who's the nicest CEO and switch all our purchase decisions to his/her products!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

antipax says:

kideternity.rm Dude, how do people like you even find their way into Flickr? Oh right, you're just a fucking troll with a no-photo account! My bad.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

bete.melculum says:

three words: lack of humility
Mr. Jobs displays an enormous amount of hubris, and his snort-laugh sidekick is no different.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

amurch1 says:

fuck that dude. he's a dick.
I could use proper language, but why!?
At the end of the day he's just worm food like the rest of us.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

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what happened with me and steve jobs

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