MacExcellence

Macworld Expo Will Miss Steve Jobs

Tue, December 29, 2009

The turn of the year always brings me to thoughts of new beginnings, new (and renewed) resolutions, changes of both the voluntary and involuntary type. The “Auld Lang Syne” New Year’s revery is a fond, natural one for me.

And as January arrives and thoughts return to work and business, my mind springs to Macworld Expo and what wonders it may have in store for all the Mac faithful. The Steve Jobs Keynote address—that mellifluous virtuoso performance staged by one of the masters—is, however unfortunately, not to be a part of the magic anymore. Now, certainly, it wasn’t part of the magic last year either, when Steve Jobs’ health sidelined him for the event and well thereafter. But there was some glimmer of hope that the decision would be reversed, that it would all get a massive reset.

Not to be, for sure. Well, not at Macworld Expo at least, where I’d always had a chance of experiencing it live.

Now it’s here. Now it’s official. OK: officially official. I am going to miss Apple’s presence at Macworld Expo. Since announcing they would no longer take part in Macworld Expo there’s been a period of mourning. One that conjures memories from deep wells of experience with the grand Keynote speech and the reality–distortion–field astral projection that is Steve Jobs. It was the grand highlight for me every time I attended. The iMac announcement. The iPod announcement. The iTunes, iLife, iWork, iThis, that and the–other announcements. Profit reports for a decade that saw amazing stability and growth. What wasn’t to look forward to?

Back when I was an employee of other companies, how I would gyrate and finagle to get Finance to cough up the extra money required for me to get A-class ticket required to get into the Keynote speech. And how thoroughly I would enjoy the entire experience: from waiting in line with the other Mac faithful, to spotting the Mac glitterati (was that Inahtko? Pogue?) to finally sitting in the theater/room/hall, listening to Dylan, or the Beach Boys, or whomever tickled Jobs’ fancy that year. The murmur of the crowd, the low moody lighting, and finally the dropping of the lights and The Man’s entrance. Anticipation was never so sweet and, even during the most lackluster product years, was never disappointed.

The thing was, everyone (well, everyone that I could see) was experiencing the same hyper–reality. We were all ready to be mesmerized. Think about it: how often in one’s life does one get mesmerized…truly mesmerized? Now think further: how often does one get to anticipate it? This was one of those times, shared hundreds of times over by the entire hall. Simply a thrill.

I understand the requirements of economy as regards Apple choosing how best to allocate their exhibition dollars. No doubt they will start to do more of the events like the January 26th Apple Event being discussed in the rumorsphere. Yes, it’s best for them (and, yes, as a fan I certainly want what’s best for them) to roll out products and services and all of those wonderful gadgets and game–changers that we never knew we needed but now can’t live without on their own timeline. I get it. No, really, I do.

I guess it’s just a bit like a death for me. Macworld will never be the same. Sure, there will be other great Keynotes by Jobs.

On his own time, his own stage.

He might even pull the “next iPod” out of his pocket (“It’s been there the whole time.” )

But it won’t be the same as the pilgrimage of Mac–faithful for the annual January Macworld.

I guess, in the end, there’s not much point to this piece beyond the notion that as I get older I long for certain things to remain unchanging. Of course they won’t. Or can’t. Or both. But those things that stir some of the fondest memories are usually the hardest to let go. Steve Jobs, Macworld Expo and the Keynote in particular have been at the heart of some of the most thrilling geek–moments of my life.

Jocks and sports fans have great games whose greatness is heightened by the shared experience. Tech geeks — especially Mac–geeks — have Steve Jobs and his masterful, musical, magical Keynotes.

Macworld will miss Steve Jobs’ Keynotes.
I already do.