Altonnette Jones
Difficulty Essay #1
Gladwell group #1
Creation Myth
“So was what Jobs took from Xerox the idea of the mouse? Not, quite, because Xerox never owned the
idea of the mouse.”
What is an idea? Can a person own an idea? Can a person really steal another person’s idea?
The dictionary defines idea as the transcript, image, or picture of a visible object, that is formed by the
mind. Hence: any object apprehended, conceived, to thought if , by the mind; a notion, conception, or
thought; the real object that is conceived or thought of .
Many have accused Steve Jobs of stealing the idea of the mouse from Xerox. The purpose of the mouse
was to access programs on the computer easier. You can just click an icon on the screen, no more
remembering and typing in the commands. Jobs ‘design for his mouse was sleeker, smaller, and only has
one button. His idea was to manufacture the product for less than fifteen dollars each and it needed to last
for a couple of years. Xerox’s mouse was larger, chunkier, and cost three hundred dollars to manufacture
and it was bound to break within two weeks. Xerox also made the mouse with three buttons and could not
stand the dust and dirt it would accumulate. Jobs’ idea was to make it as simple as possible. A little
research shows that Xerox stole the idea from a professor names Douglas Englebart. His idea came in the
nineteen sixties, large, rectangle, with steel roller skate wheels.
It is believed by some that we are autonomous beings. Each man, woman, and child to themselves. We
only share this earth we live on. On the contrary some believe that thoughts float through the air like
unseen waves of electricity. Which is why two people will sometimes say the same exact thing at the
same exact time. There are times when we share ideas or there are time we disregard ideas because the
idea will cost too much money, too much time, or be too complicated. In Steve Jobs’ case with the mouse
he took the idea and changed it. A slight adaption made it uniquely his. Distinguishable by its new design
and its simplicity of use. Jobs foresaw an invention that would change the world. Steve Jobs wanted to
make something for everyone to use not just the experts. He also took an invention that was thought to be
trash and turned it into a treasure.
A similar idea can be shared by many. However no two ideas will be exactly the same because no two
people are exactly the same. Ideas and thoughts are shared between people , as we share we each add a
small part of ourselves. With each addition the idea or thought changes and becomes unique to each
individual. It becomes a new creation with similarities to the old idea. The idea or thought evolves with
each addition and change into a product used in businesses and homes daily around the world. Steve Jobs
saw the future of the computer industries evolution, faster, smarter, easier to use.
“has come to symbolize the vision and ruthlessness that separate true innovators from also-rans.”
Steve Jobs exhibited the mind and actions of a true business man. Some call it ruthlessness however in the
business world all is fair. Mr. Jobs was an opportunist he didn’t let a chance to capitalize slide past him.
He decided not to lose to the competition but to win. He even attempted to include those that he “stole”
ideas from. His goal to create popular user friendly durable person computer was a business venture that
most others were afraid of. Steve was willing to tap into the unknown and wasn’t afraid to spend the
money needed to try something new. Adapting to the ever changing world around him and meeting the
wants and needs of society. If something doesn’t have an owner it can’t be stolen, even ideas.