Joho the Blog
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April 27, 2005
Jobs doesn't like what a biographer says about him so he stops Apple stores from selling all books by that publisher? Note that he's not just keeping the book he doesn't like out of the store. No, he's de-shelving any book from that publisher in retaliation. You can pre-order the book here. Let's drive it up the charts. (Hey, Amazon, how about pairing this book with a Dixie Chicks album?) [Technorati tags: apple SteveJobs DixieChicks] Posted
by D. Weinberger at April 27, 2005 11:46 AM
TrackBackListed below are links to weblogs that reference Tell Steve Jobs he's a vain, petty tyrant:
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Comments
He's just taking his cue from the "blogosphere" and "de-linking" them. He's telling them "unsubscribed!"
I think I'll go buy another Mac.
Posted by: dave rogers | April 27, 2005 11:54 AM
What if they were your stores and the book to be released belittled your thinking? For sure, there is something draconian about removing all books by this publisher; yet, I can see both sides.
And the "vain petty tyrant" you speak of makes some pretty outstanding products. So he can have his tantrums.
I do wish he'd refrain from litigating against bloggers, though. That's bad.
Posted by: David Burn | April 27, 2005 04:23 PM
I respect your point, allthough I fail to see the problem. The publisher still has access to an abundance of alternative outlets - so even if their chain of preferred distribution has been changed, the readers access to preferred literature has not been curbed.
Even if Steve Jobs chose to purchase the all copies of this book and burn them in a public display of disgust with the content I would still defend his right to do so.
In my view there would only be a problem if the publisher refrained from publishing this title at all, thereby "gagging" the writer.
Posted by: Peder Christensen | April 28, 2005 07:08 AM
Through his action, S. Jobs has guaranteed a wider reading of the book.
Posted by: fp | April 28, 2005 07:26 AM
Peder, I'm not saying he doesn't have the right to do it. I'm saying he's a jerk for doing it. He's being a bully well within the limits of the law.
Posted by: David Weinberger | April 28, 2005 07:44 AM
And you have a very good point, David. As "fp" says it will probably secure a stronger selling, even though I found that the book "The second coming of Steve Jobs" made for some sobering thougts about Steve Jobs; especially his occasional "fuck 'em!" comment about his customers in a heated discussion about customer service. (forgot the exact spot in the book, but remember the point well, as a customer myself that is.... :-).
Posted by: Peder Christensen | April 28, 2005 08:43 AM