Let It Be Live

Today, my morning reading took longer than planned because I ended up on YouTube, and no, my ADHD brain isn’t the reason this time.

The real culprit was John Gruber and his post Bad Dye Job, specifically the link to Steve Jobs introducing Aqua back in January 2000. I believe that Alan Dye leaving Apple is a good thing for the company, but this post isn’t about that.

What struck me again is how incredible Steve Jobs’ presentations are. Every time I rewatch them, I’m reminded how powerful they were, not only because of his charisma but also because they were delivered live. That alone makes them feel more human than the polished prerecorded shows Apple puts out today.

And that live presentation reminded me of another recent release, Fizzy from 37signals. I admit, it still stings a bit. It feels like seeing a photo of your ex online: you think about how much fun you would have had supporting a product like this and writing the docs, instead of being laid off without warning. But the product itself looks great and opinionated, exactly the way I like it. Too bad I have no one to use it with right now!

Anyway, what I meant to say is that watching Jason’s live demo and Q&A felt refreshing. I’ve always liked that format.

Both presentations have one thing in common. There is a kind of magic when the person who has carried the idea for so long, shaped it, debated it, and steered it, is the one presenting it. Someone who understands not just what it does, but why it exists. Let the slips and mistakes happen. They only make it more real.

I want to see more of that.