Jony Ive, WSJ. Magazine's 2022 Design Innovator, Accepts His Award and Remembers Steve Jobs

WSJ. Style

7 Nov 202203:00

Summary

TLDRIn a heartfelt speech, the speaker expresses gratitude and humility, acknowledging their dependence on others for life's essentials. They share an email Steve Jobs wrote to himself, reflecting on the interconnectedness of humanity and the humbling realization of one's place in the world. The speaker thanks the awardees and the WSJ Magazine team for the recognition and the memorable evening.

Takeaways

🙇‍♂️ The speaker expresses gratitude and humility, acknowledging their shyness and awkwardness in the presence of esteemed guests.
📜 The speaker chooses to read an email written by Steve Jobs to himself, highlighting the significance of the message for the occasion.
⏳ The email dates back to about 13 years ago, suggesting a timeless relevance of its content.
🌱 The email from Jobs discusses the concept of growth and dependency, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all aspects of life.
👕 It mentions the reliance on others for basic needs such as food, clothing, and language, underlining the human interdependence.
📚 The speaker reflects on the use of mathematics and laws not of their own making, showcasing the collective human knowledge and societal structures.
🎵 The importance of music, created by others, is acknowledged as a source of inspiration and emotion.
🏥 The speaker admits to being helpless without the medical help provided by others, illustrating the dependency on expertise in various fields.
❤️ The speaker expresses love and admiration for humanity, recognizing the collective contributions to their existence.
🕊️ The email's message of truth and humility is said to slow time and quieten the noise, implying a profound impact on the speaker's perspective.
🙏 The speaker concludes by expressing gratitude to the individuals and teams involved in the event, appreciating the recognition and the experience.

Q & A

Who is Laureen mentioned in the transcript?
-Laureen is not explicitly identified in the transcript, but it is implied that she is someone who has spoken before the current speaker and has said something generous or complimentary.
What is the speaker's self-assessment of their personality in the transcript?
-The speaker describes themselves as the most shy and awkward person present at the event.
What does the speaker decide to do instead of speaking off the cuff?
-The speaker decides to read an email that Steve Jobs wrote to himself, which they believe is fitting for the occasion and the audience.
When was the email from Steve Jobs to himself written?
-The email was written about 13 years prior to the evening of the event, as mentioned by the speaker.
What is the main theme of the email Steve Jobs wrote to himself?
-The main theme of the email is gratitude and humility, emphasizing the speaker's and Steve Jobs' dependence on others and the world around them.
What are some examples of dependencies mentioned in the email?
-Examples include the food the speaker eats, the language they speak, the mathematics they use, the freedoms and laws that protect them, and the music that moves them.
What does the speaker find about the email when they read it?
-The speaker finds that the email's truth and humility slow down time and quieten the noise, putting their trivial preoccupations in perspective.
How does the speaker feel after reading the email?
-The speaker feels only grateful after reading the email.
Who does the speaker thank at the end of the transcript?
-The speaker thanks Christina, Elisa, Magnus, Chris, and the team from the WSJ magazine for the award and the dinner.
What award is being referred to in the transcript?
-The specific award is not mentioned in the transcript, but it is acknowledged as a significant honor by the speaker.
What is the WSJ magazine's role in the event?
-The WSJ magazine is likely the organizer or sponsor of the event, as they are thanked for the award and the dinner.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Gratitude and Reflection

The speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the introduction and acknowledging their shyness in the presence of esteemed company. They choose to read an email written by Steve Jobs to himself, dating back 13 years, which encapsulates the essence of humility and the deep interdependence on others for survival and well-being. The email highlights the speaker's and Jobs' shared motivation in their collaborative work, emphasizing the insignificance of individual contributions in the grand scheme of human achievements and societal support systems. The speaker concludes by thanking the individuals and teams involved in the award and dinner, reflecting on the impact of the email's message on their perspective.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Generous words

The term 'generous words' refers to the act of speaking in a way that is kind, complimentary, and supportive. In the script, it is used to acknowledge the praise given by Laureen, setting a tone of gratitude and humility. It illustrates the speaker's appreciation for the recognition received.

💡Shy and awkward

'Shy and awkward' describes a person who is not comfortable in social situations and may feel self-conscious or uneasy. The speaker uses this term to describe themselves, indicating a sense of modesty and discomfort in the spotlight, which contrasts with the high-profile nature of the event.

💡Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs is a key figure in the script, known as a co-founder of Apple Inc. and a renowned innovator. The speaker references an email written by Jobs to himself, which serves as a central theme of the speech, highlighting the importance of humility and the interconnectedness of human achievements.

💡Motivation

Motivation refers to the reasons or the psychological drive that influences a person's actions. The script mentions the shared motivation between Steve Jobs and the speaker, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the collective efforts behind individual success.

💡Humility

Humility is the quality of being modest and not overly proud or self-important. The email from Steve Jobs to himself exemplifies humility, as it acknowledges the speaker's dependence on the contributions of others, which is a central message of the speech.

💡Overwhelmed

To be 'overwhelmed' means to be deeply affected or dominated by an emotion or situation. The speaker feels overwhelmed in the company of remarkable individuals, which underscores the sense of awe and respect they have for others.

💡Remarkable company

The phrase 'remarkable company' refers to being in the presence of exceptional or distinguished people. It is used to express the speaker's honor and the significance of the event, as well as to highlight the collective achievements of the attendees.

💡Dependencies

Dependencies in the script refer to the various ways in which the speaker relies on others for their existence and well-being. This concept is used to emphasize the interconnected nature of society and the importance of recognizing the contributions of others.

💡Freedoms and laws

Freedoms and laws are societal constructs that protect and govern individuals. The script mentions them to illustrate the speaker's reliance on societal structures that they did not create, further emphasizing the theme of interdependence.

💡Music

Music is an art form that the speaker is moved by, but did not create. It serves as an example in the script to show the appreciation for the creativity and contributions of others, aligning with the theme of recognizing the work of humanity.

💡Medical attention

Medical attention refers to the care provided by healthcare professionals. The script uses this term to highlight the speaker's vulnerability and dependence on others for survival, reinforcing the idea of human interdependence and gratitude.

💡Love and admiration

The phrase 'love and admiration' expresses deep affection and respect. The speaker uses it to convey their feelings towards humanity, indicating a profound sense of connection and appreciation for the collective efforts of the human species.

💡Trivial preoccupations

Trivial preoccupations are concerns or interests that are considered unimportant or insignificant. The script mentions them to contrast with the profound impact of recognizing one's place in the world, suggesting that such realizations can put personal concerns into perspective.

💡Grateful

To be 'grateful' means to feel or show an appreciation for something. The speaker expresses gratitude as a result of reflecting on the email from Steve Jobs, which leads to a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of human life.

Highlights

The speaker expresses gratitude and humility, acknowledging their shyness and awkwardness in the presence of remarkable company.

The speaker chooses to read an email written by Steve Jobs to himself, dating back 13 years, as it encapsulates their shared motivation and perspective.

Steve Jobs' email emphasizes the interconnectedness and dependency of human beings on one another for survival and well-being.

The email highlights the speaker's realization of their insignificance in the grand scheme of human contributions and achievements.

Jobs' words underscore the speaker's appreciation for the languages, mathematics, freedoms, and laws that they did not create but benefit from.

The speaker is moved by music they did not create, reflecting on the collective human creativity that enriches their life.

The speaker admits their helplessness when in need of medical attention, illustrating the reliance on others' expertise.

The email by Jobs serves as a reminder of the speaker's deep love and admiration for humanity, despite their individual limitations.

Reading the email slows time for the speaker, allowing for introspection and a quieter mind amidst the noise of life.

The speaker finds gratitude in the realization of their dependence on others, putting their trivial concerns into perspective.

The speaker extends their thanks to Christina, Elisa, Magnus, Chris, and the team at the WSJ magazine for the award and the memorable dinner.

The speaker appreciates the award and the opportunity to be part of such a distinguished gathering.

The transcript conveys a sense of humility and interconnectedness, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the contributions of others.

The speaker's choice to read Steve Jobs' email is a testament to the enduring impact and relevance of Jobs' philosophy and vision.

The email's content is described as having the power to quieten the noise and put the speaker's preoccupations in their place.

The speaker's reading of the email is a reflection of their own values and the motivation behind their work with Steve Jobs.