[keiferski]

For sure, the vast majority of people taking the roundabout path don't achieve his level of success.

I just mean it's interesting how there don't seem to be more young people trying to emulate his particular route. Many claim they want to be "the next Steve Jobs" or achieve the same level of success, but then just go the same route as every other ambitious person.

[aero9188]

That's because the "independent thinker" route (Steve Jobs' route) is going to look different for everyone by definition. Whereas you can look out onto the "yellow brick road" anytime and see who is on it.

Ambition and independent thinking are pretty much orthogonal. Cultivating boatloads of both is rare, but can allow for great moonshots.