“Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have a faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
- He brought to the world revolutionary products that combined technology and design at a high level, such as the personal computer Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad, and also revolutionized the music industry with the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store.
Quote
“Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have a faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs emphasizes that technology itself is not the most important factor; rather, it is the people who use the technology and the trust we place in their abilities. Jobs believes that human potential is limitless, and when given the right tools, people are capable of achieving remarkable things. Technology, in this view, is merely an enabler—a tool that can amplify human creativity, intelligence, and problem-solving abilities.
This perspective aligns with Jobs’ core philosophy of empowering people through products that are not just functional, but also intuitive and accessible. Apple’s goal was always to create technology that allows individuals to express themselves and push the boundaries of what’s possible, whether through the creative potential of the Macintosh or the revolutionary capabilities of the iPhone. Jobs believed that by providing people with the right tools, they would naturally find ways to use them in innovative and meaningful ways.
In today’s world, this quote resonates strongly in the context of open-source technology, educational tools, and platforms that enable collaboration and creativity. The most successful technological innovations are often those that put empowerment into the hands of users, allowing them to shape the tools according to their needs. Jobs’ belief in the fundamental goodness and creativity of people remains central to many tech companies’ missions today, reminding us that the true potential of technology lies in how it is used by individuals to improve the world.
