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- niccha, on 07/22/2008, -12/+73I don't care if you think that Apple is a cult ruled by Steve Jobs or if you think Apple would disintegrate if Steve Jobs wasn't there... Anybody who's ever suffered through a major illness or had close family in that situation knows that a person or family's fight with that illness is their own. There's enough personal self-doubt generated without the bandwagon of gawkers there to encourage it along.
- h3smith, on 07/23/2008, -5/+39The investors have a right to know, that is for sure. They have a right to know who is being groomed/selected for his follow up. Jobs has been important in reviving Apple, investors care VERY MUCH how he is doing.
- SIRBERUS, on 07/23/2008, -2/+32It's a publicly traded company... a company which is known to have been saved by Steve Jobs. So yes.
- allnone, on 07/23/2008, -4/+30If Steve goes, Apple goes. It'll be just like the last time, except he won't be returning to save their asses.
- TheUngod, on 07/23/2008, -1/+25It isn't our business to speculate, but it is our (or at least the shareholders and potential shareholders) right to know. Love him or hate him, his personal health is very important to the financial health of Apple.
- seanmx, on 07/23/2008, -5/+17When Steve Jobs dies, he'll only become more powerful than we could have ever imagined.
- h3smith, on 07/23/2008, -5/+17You mean "couldn't care less" http://incompetech.com/gallimaufry/care_less.html
- fordhamwt, on 07/23/2008, -0/+11Well, not for three days...
- norman619, on 07/23/2008, -0/+11When the man who seems to be responsible for the continued success of Apple appears to be in poor health it sure as hell is the business of the share holders. If he leaves the company chances aren't great that whoever will replace him will be able keep the company just as profitable. Their interest in his health is purely business not personal. This is not tabloid news this actually is business news.
- inactive, on 07/23/2008, -4/+15His company is public. Yes, it is OUR business. Much more so than the life of some actress or actor.
- cliffr39, on 07/23/2008, -0/+8Not sure if I agree or disagree with you - yes his health is a personal issue but...
Apple stockholders know that Steve Jobs is the only reason Apple is were it is now. Without him at the helm Apple might well crash and that is why his health is such a concern. I don't think anyone is hoping for the worst, but the opposite - Falldog, on 07/23/2008, -7/+14From a business perspective I could care less about whether he has cancer or not (from a business prospective). I would be less likely to invest when I know that the companies main asset is actively trying to cover up his health status. It leaves a lot of room for suspicion.
- FeargusMcDuff, on 07/23/2008, -3/+10Ha! I love it when grammar nazi's don't even know the rules they preach so hard.
- isukeyo, on 07/23/2008, -0/+7If this was a privately held company, I'd agree with you. But Apple is a public company and the health of the CEO, who is in large part the reason for it's success over the last decade, is every shareholders business! That's the nature of opening up your company to the public - anything that affects the value of the company is the business of the people who have invested in the company. It's not about liking or disliking the Cult of Apple or personal feelings about Steve Job.
- neilapril, on 07/23/2008, -1/+7Ok first of all I think Steve Jobs is awesome. I have nothing bad to say about the man.
Ok second he had pancreatic Cancer. This is a death sentence.
Here is the key point. The Five year survival rate for Pancreatic Cancer is 4%.
He had it removed 4 years ago.
What is another tell tell sign that cancer has returned? Unexplained massive weight loss.
And yes I am a doctor. - secrity, on 07/23/2008, -1/+7He may have privacy rights, but investors also have the right to abandon Apple stock if it appears that the key corporate executive has significant health problems. Do you have some sort of insider knowledge or fortune telling ability to claim that "Everything will be fine."?
- danielrh9, on 07/23/2008, -2/+8I originally was of the school of thought that it wasn't really anyone's business. But a comment by Merlin Mann on Macbreak Weekly a few weeks ago changed my mind about the issue. Steve is a very charismatic and irreplaceable part of a very public company that a lot of investors have large shares in. Therefore, his well-doing is certainly at least their business.
- seanmx, on 07/23/2008, -0/+6You are a quick one arent you.
- illt, on 07/23/2008, -0/+6from a business perspective, most people do care about his health as they see him as the reason for success at apple.
Last time he left, apple nearly went bankrupt, and when he came back he revived it.
Which is why the stock took a dive the other day when this rumor ciruclated. - perlogik, on 07/23/2008, -0/+5It's my business if I own Apple stock. When a public company has a CEO that adds that much value, it is material information. If Jobs were to leave tomorrow that would hurt Apple in the short run and cost Apple shareholders millions of dollars.
It's not ideal but that is the system we live in. If you knew he had cancer and shorted the stock right before he announced it, you would make a lot of money-of course that would be illegal. - secrity, on 07/23/2008, -2/+7The health of key upper level executives can be a legitimate factor in the value of the stock. This has been especially true in the case of Jobs' health and stock price of Apple.
- Mavital, on 07/23/2008, -0/+5Agreed. As a CEO, your personal health is of great importance to the stakeholders of a company. In particular, Apple's success has largely been attributed to Steve Jobs, making this news that much more important.
- theutopian, on 07/23/2008, -3/+8But keep in mind that Steve Jobs in a employe of Apple Computer and as an employee in the United States he has privacy rights related to his health. Does anyone really think he hasn't thought about this? That there isn't a plan in place in case something happens? Many speculate the Jonathan Ive will step in since he's responsible for many of the designs that have turned Apple around. Everyone needs to calm down. Everything will be fine.
- SRSco, on 07/23/2008, -1/+5howdareyou fails at grammar. Although his correction/substitution is correct (Jobs's), that which he is trying to correct is also correct (Jobs').
They're both correct, its just a matter of style preference. (I prefer Jobs'...it's much more modern.) - Vtorch, on 07/23/2008, -0/+4If you own Apple stock...YES, it is your business.
- ilistenisee, on 07/23/2008, -0/+4not really a mac fan...but hope all goes well with his illness
support - pudds, on 07/23/2008, -0/+4He's the CEO of the publicly traded company; one which many analyst argue is successful solely due to his inputs. Unfortunately, he's accountable to his shareholders, and letting the public know where his health is at is part of that.
- Kypt, on 07/23/2008, -0/+3Except with people that are as much on the spotlight as Jobs, it only becomes annoying. Now people that may only wish him good will bug him every time he's seen with "are you ok" and he'll turn around to "pity" stares all around. Its his business how to deal w/ it and no one else's.
- lexbaby, on 07/23/2008, -0/+3So? Let's hope Steve is a responsible enough parent and is communicating with them and the rest of the family.
Here's the point to all this speculation: When Steve Jobs was forced out of Apple, the company lost focus and tanked. The obvious fear is that if he leaves Apple due to health problems or worse, the same thing will happen. - neilapril, on 07/23/2008, -1/+4They always come in two.
- Charlotte_Web, on 07/23/2008, -0/+3If you want to blame anyone for this, the first person you have to blame is Steve Jobs. After all, he intentionally built the company around himself. A large chunk of the value of the stock price reflects the fact that Steve Jobs is CEO of Apple. Therefore, it's a valid concern that stockholders have, and a valid question to ask.
Apple is a $135 billion company. Many, many people are heavily invested in Apple. Because the news could negatively impact shareholder value, Jobs has an ethical responsibility to disclose any serious illness, and the shareholders have a right to ask. - alperea, on 07/23/2008, -1/+4but everyone has aids!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o3FZOL3oZxo - bethebryant, on 07/23/2008, -2/+5The next generation iPhone eats cancer, so he'll be fine as soon as it hits. They were going to put it on the 3G iPhone, but opted for GPS instead.
- diabulos, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2Wrong and right, it is not for us to speculate, that can turn into idle gossip without foundation, but it is not the right of Apple to decide if the information goes out, but the right of anyone that has Apple stock. If his health issues can hinder the business then he needs to either step down or come public and work with the company to handle the media and a succession plan. As long as his health will affect the business and he continues to act as the head of Apple, then it is public matter as a publicly traded company, if he rescinds the role of head of Apple then his health issues pose no threat to the business, just to his family and friends. With position comes responsibility and that responsibility may erode your privacy rights.
- triPzZz, on 07/24/2008, -0/+2Absolutely nobody else's business whatsoever. Period.
- davecor, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2"An Apple a day keeps the doctor away"
Oops. - theberlindoctor, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2I'm an investor in Apple, and I think its none of my goddamned business what health matters Jobs or anyone else has. Thats private information, regardless of his position and no one "has a right" to know his private medical information.
- grindmygears, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2But will she love me long time?
- banmaster, on 07/23/2008, -1/+3No, he'll become worm food or ash.
- thebaron2, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2I don't think Balmer is nearly as integral to Microsoft's success as Jobs is to Apple's. Microsoft could get along with a replacement Balmer.
Apple has already shown it has potential to nose dive without Steve. - thailand1972, on 07/23/2008, -1/+3Steve Jobs cannot die - I read it somewhere.
- dragon76, on 07/23/2008, -1/+3Jonny Ive is also sexy as all hell and has a cool British accent. It's not like Apple would be worse off with him.
- MacBigot, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2As an APPL stockholder, I think Job's heath is very much my business:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-6170443-7.html
Barron's: Steve Jobs is worth $20 billion
Posted by Tom Krazit
"Apple CEO Steve Jobs is worth more to his company than any other CEO in the world, as much as $20 billion in market capitalization, according to the annual list of influential CEOs in Barron's Magazine.
"In real life, Jobs isn't worth quite that much money, although once you get over a billion, who cares? But were he to leave Apple (willingly or unwillingly), the fallout would cost Apple $16 billion in stock market value, the magazine estimated. In the middle of the Monday trading day, Apple's market capitalization was $82 billion.
"The article is behind a paid-subscription wall. But in a free video (for those who don't have any billions) posted on Barron's Web site, associate editor Andrew Bary puts the figure closer to $20 billion. Either way, Jobs is going to have to leave Apple at some juncture, and that day definitely won't be a good day for Apple investors." - FredFredrickson, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2For investors who see Apple in danger without Jobs at the helm, sure, it's kind of their business. I don't think they should be prying at his windows or tapping into his personal health files, but if the man needs to leave Apple for whatever reason, it is the investors' right to know about it.
- darny, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2Steve Jobs' health is directly related to his ability to serve as the company's CEO. His ability to serve is directly related to the company's stock price. As a stockholder I want as much information as possible regarding possible leadership changes.
When you sign on as CEO or any high ranking position of a public corporation, the part of your life that involves the corporation becomes public. This case, while humanistic, sensitive and empathy demanding is no different. - JQP123, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2It would be shortsighted and irresponsible of the company and it's investors to ignore the status of his health. Yes it is a private matter ... that just happens to be of extreme significance to a public company.
In any case, all concerned should prepare for the worst. The prognosis for anyone diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is generally regarded as rather poor with less than 5% of those diagnosed still alive five years after diagnosis, and complete remission still extremely rare. - norman619, on 07/23/2008, -1/+3Then you mean it's a plot to ruin Apple since Apple was on its last leg when Bill Gates and Steve Jobs showed up. Gates provided a much needed injection of funds and Jobbs provided much needed vision and leadership. Jobbs is the heart and soul of Apple.
I'm actually more concerned about Pixar. I'm sure Disney is worried as well. - thebaron2, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1@theutopian,
The worry isn't about tomorrow if Steve isn't around, it's about next year, and 5-10 years from now. If you think that Steve Jobs' leadership has been a critical success to Apple's recent meteoric rise from the ashes then you must concede that concerns regarding the duration of that leadership are very pertinent, and will affect share prices. - howdareyou, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1It's actually Bridget Jones's Diary, that was my point.
- tnoy, on 07/23/2008, -0/+1Even though I have a lot of distaste for Apple and Jobs, I hope him and his family the best.
My father is going though cancer treatment right now, and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. -
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