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

Summary

In 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.