[hugacow]

I never said it was a coincidence that Apple was hugely successful. But, those at Apple that made it what it is would not appreciate so many attributing so much to Jobs. I doubt it makes his family feel comfortable either.

"they just coincidentally happened to gain superpowers when he was there"

I do not believe that they gained superpowers, literally or figuratively. I do think Jobs had incredibly talented people working for him. He was a great leader. But, he didn't do it all himself.

To me this is like U.S. citizens attributing too much to the president. They think the president started an unfair war, the president is getting them universal healthcare, the president caused the economy to falter. One man does not cause these things, and although leadership and charisma are important, even critical, just as critical are all of the others who do these things, and those around them that relay their messages.

[chc]

Michael Spindler and Gil Amelio also had incredibly talented people working for them — many of the same incredibly talented people who worked for Jobs — but they didn't manage to take the company anywhere but down.

And I don't how how many people at Apple you know, but all the ones I've heard from are just as superlative about Steve's contribution to the company. I haven't yet heard a one take umbrage at the recognition he gets (this was true even before he died, so it's not simply "don't speak ill of the dead").

I'm not trying to downplay the contributions of everyone else — certainly, Steve could never have done it without them — but I don't think you're giving him the credit that his accomplishments deserve, simply because he didn't have the precise role in the process that you personally respect.