Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak explains why he became a philanthropist, talks about Apple, his plane crash and subsequent memory loss, and more on PBS’s Tavis Smiley program:
“So thirty years ago, Steve Wozniak came up with an idea that must have seemed like a hair-brained idea at the time. Take a regular typewriter keyboard and combine it with computer circuitry and a video monitor. Of course, that silly idea turned into the personal computer, perhaps the single most important invention of the entire twentieth century.” – Tavis Smiley
Read the transcript of the show here.
Listen to the interview (via RealPlayer): http://media.pbs.org/ramgen/tavissmiley/tavisaudio20061117_36.rm
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Scarbro” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
How the Woz shaped Apple – December 20, 2006
Guy Kawasaki speaks to Woz in hour-long video interview – December 01, 2006
Woz visits Microsoft, speaks to overflow crowd – October 07, 2006
Stephen Colbert interviews Woz – September 29, 2006
Woz and former Apple execs buy Jazz Semiconductor – September 27, 2006
The Wall Street Journal interviews Apple co-founder Woz – September 26, 2006
iWoz autobiography hits bookstores – September 26, 2006
Woz to speak at Philadelphia Library on September 30th – September 14, 2006
Woz’s new autobiography coming in September – August 25, 2006
Woz plans 2007 Hummer ride to South Pole with Buzz Aldrin, James Cameron to film in 3D – August 04, 2006
Video: Woz playing Segway polo (and bonking pedestrian on head) – July 08, 2006
Apple CEO Steve Jobs declines to write foreword for Woz’s autobiography – April 14, 2006
Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak autobiography ‘I, Woz’ coming this fall – April 11, 2006
Read the transcript of the show……. I wouldn’t read anything Tavis Smiley did …………. what a jerk.
Seems like Woz has been capitalizing on Apple’s success as of late… Becoming a bit of a media whore after almost 20 years of silence… Good for him!
A media whore is still a media whore. Woz needs to get a life, with some meaning to it, which seems to be missing lately.
Woz is promoting his book. This is what you do to promote a book. It’s called a book tour. You get booked everywhere you can and you talk about the book. It’s not rocket science nor is it being a “media whore.”
Is he related to Guy Smiley?
And it’s o.k. to be a media whore as long as your book has a happy ending.
imageone:
What did Tavis do to tick you off – just the facts please.
It took both Steve’s to get us here. Woz with the technical sskills, Steve with the Selling skills. The Apple is now ancient history, but if you remove it none of this would exist as it does.
Don’t sell Woz or his acommplishments short.
It’s easy to modify what someone has done before you, it’s genius to create what didn’t exist.
Still just a man, but one who did something.
With all due respect, in order to tell Woz to “get a life” should post first a list of achievements which have changed the planet.
At this point of his life, in my oppinion, Woz has earned the right to write, say and express himself. He wrote a book which is (I think) brilliant and inspiring.
That is, also, considering the invention of the Apple I and Apple II, perhaps the most revolutionary computers in history, but for sure the computer which marked a “before” and “after” in computer history. How bigger can it get?
Of course, nothing is done single handed. Steve Jobs’ commercial vision was what fueled it. But the hard fact is one without the other would have gone nowhere.
It is great to finally see things from Woz’s perspective and to put an end to a bunch of urban legends (cool legends, I agree, but legends after all) and to know what happened within Woz’s mind when the Apple I was created.
And finally, simple to acknowledge Woz’s genius.
Don’t mean to disrespect anybody or bash anybody’s oppinion or insult anybody. It’s just my oppinion, and I don’t agree with the “get a life” statement.
Woz is promoting his book. This is what you do to promote a book. It’s called a book tour. You get booked everywhere you can and you talk about the book. It’s not rocket science nor is it being a “media whore.”
————-
Exactly. And writing a book on Apple at the height of their success is called capitalizing, just like I said in my original post.
Without Steve Jobs, Woz would have got absolutely nowhere. He would have tinkered with little hobby computers forever more. Only Jobs, with his unique vision, could see what these strange little machines could become – he is the only pushing the industry forward and that’s the way it always has been. Woz, whilst certainly a technical wizard, would have been nothing without Jobs. The reverse definitely isn’t true.
Tavis Smiley is an idiot. With this dumb ass, everything, absolutely everything is about race. I doubt very seriously he can interview the Woz without making it about the “plight of the” so called “African-American.”
Woz shouldn’t lower himself to this man’s level.
Apple was founded with a team concept just like HP, Packerd_ Bell, and Macdonald_ Douglas were founded by a team of guys that worked well together. What is the problem with that.
TheloniusCrack, try walking around any city in this country with black skin on.
Go to your video store and rent a copy of “When the Levees Broke”- maybe it will ring a few bells in that thick skull of yours.
You bet your sweet, scrawny, pimply white ass it’s all about race.
Then, shut the f*&k up, you piece of crap.
The number of iRacists on this Blog amazes me… it never fails that whenever a Black person is mentioned on this site the racists climb out of their cubby holes to spew their hatred. In the PC community this is expected, but one never thinks of Mac aficionados as being Those Kind of People… Sad indeed.
TheloniusCrack & Ignorantone … you guys really need Jesus in your life.
Or…you’re just a dork. Not everything is about race.
Kate
How can anybody have an issue with Tavis Smiley. He is honest and fair. The race issue has never entered my mind while watch Tavis.
On the other hand, Tavis Smiley did a great interview. He didn’t obsess about race during the interview, didn’t even mention it actually. That was appropriate, because…not everything is about race.
Kind of pathetic that some of the others on this thread are so quick to imply that TheloniusMac is a racist, with zero evidence. Not surprising, but still pathetic.
TheloniousMac is your name a derivative of Thelonious Monk? Cause if it is may I suggest you take up a new nom de plum? As we all know the great Thelonious Monk probably witness first hand what you refer to as the “plight of the so called African-American”. That “plight” being the remnants of slavery, racism and racial segregation that still permeate American society today. You’re post is case in point that racism can be subtle, and I for one would hope that if you’re going to use the name of a great African-American, who’s ancestors, like my father’s,came as slaves to this country you’ll do so with honor, and not like a jack ass; as your post demonstrates that later.
Tavis Smiley is an author, political commentator, and talk show host who subject matter tends to be geared towards his main audience African-Americans. Being that he is an African-American. I, for one hope, that he does get into a discussion with Woz about serious issues like the digital divide; which is one of the “plights” that face socio-economicly disadvantaged Americans regardless of skin color. I’m certain that Woz will have very interesting things to say to address that issue, as well as suggest ways to encourage African-Americans, no all Americans, to transcend and transverse racism through technology. Much like Thelonious Monk did through music.
To you sir, I say the next time you sign off using TheloniousMac you reflect on the life of the great Thelonious Monk, and reflect on your own internalized racist attitudes; as you use the name of one of the greatest African-Americans this country has ever known.
Dave – it’s only all about race because people like you make it so. If it possible, try reading Thelonius’ post without being a racist yourself and see that his comment is not about the plight of the African American race in the usa, but is a belief that Tavis Smiley can’t write an article without making it about race.
“You bet your sweet, scrawny, pimply white ass it’s all about race.” – without knowing Thelonius’ race how can you make this assesment? Also, to what profit does it help by you spewing this kind of hatred here?
The only one spewing hate on this site is you. You’re the racist here. So maybe, just maybe, you should calm down, and learn to debate someone on what they actually wrote and not what you filtered through your anger.
And before you get you panties all in a wad, I already walk around this country with black skin on.
It’s only all about race to people who make it so – White or Black.
I am Black.
Over 60 and I know a bullshitter when I see one and the “plight” is nothing but bullshit these days as is smiley.
Everyone is a victime to him. Making black folks think they are still victims.
It’s how he earns a living.
He is the true racist.
once again, to the s/he’s out there.
its not normal for a male to admire another male with the intensity that many have regarding steve.
unresolved , repressed issues may be an issue.
listened to the interview, and at no point did tavis mention, discuss, or comment on what theloniousmac suggests is his m.o. “the plight of the ‘so-callled’ african-american.” they did however discuss his philanthropic work, and aspects of his life related to apple, technology, and his home town.
what i’d like to know is why theloniousmac used the words “so-called”? to do so suggests prejudice, at the very least, towards tavis smiley, and quite possible towards american’s of african decent who refer to themselves as african-american. as compared to the various other terms used throughout the history of this country towards black people.
had thelonious not have used those words, or the statement in general this discussion wouldn’t have veered towards race, and the racism that at times erupts on this board.
do we know thelonious’ race? no, unless you know him personally. did he race bate this discussion? imho, yes, read the statement “plight of the” so called “African-American.” explain to me what this means, if it doesn’t suggest race bating.
i for one am glad that woz lowered himself to tavis’ level. the level of “the youngest african-american to ever have a professional school and center named after him on a college or university campus.” can theloniousmac say that about himself? i know i can’t say that about myself, but if it’s lowering oneself to have such an achievement or to be such a role model than i’m all for it. for woz and smiley both did the same thing, they came from modest backgrounds and with the use of technology (woz with apples, tavis with radio and tv) to achieve greatness. we should all be so fortunate.
Hmmmm, I disagree with you i’ve never seen, or heard, Tavis perpetuate the idea of victimization. My experience from watching him on BET, or PBS, or as a commentator, is that Tavis wants black folk to get over the idea that racism from “the man” is keeping us down. We keep ourselves down by not valuing education over a pair of sneakers. Tavis does point out that racism does exist in this country, but we as a people are greater than it and can overcome it through education.
The man supported giving Rosa Parks for the Congressional Gold Medal. Are you going to tell me that that is bullshit? And if so, how does that reflect on her legacy?
And if you want to start tossin’ color in I’m also Black! My mother happens to be Korean, and i’ve seen racism directed towards me from both Black folk and other Koreans. My mother’s Korean family disowned her for marrying a Black man. My father’s family won’t have anything to do with my mother, brother, or I because my daddy didn’t marry a Black woman. That is racism. My father, born in 1933, grew up in Houston’s 5th Ward, was told that wanting to go to college is the “white man’s dream”. That is racism.
A good example of plight of institutionalized racism is when people like Jack Abramoff and Ralph Reed want to mortgage off elderly Tigua Indians and Black folk to pay for government lobbying. That Sir, is the plight that I see people like Tavis Smiley are addressing that affect the “so-called ‘African-American'”. Oh, I’m sorry Blacks.
Kate & and then again, with all due respect, pull your heads out of your butts.
What exactly do you think Thelonious meant when he said, “so called” African Americans??? That is a directly racist comment, and it was not directed at Tavis Smiley- it was directed at every person of color in this nation.
Did you even read his post? How exactly does a show about a computer geek trigger Thelonious’ rant about black people? I simply responded in kind to his blatant provocation.
Please, people, get a clue. Anyone who thinks there is not still a deep undercurrent of racism in this country, is seriously deluding themselves.
Have you already forgotten the images of those thousands of people crammed into the New Orleans Dome, begging for help, trapped for a week with no food, water, or working toilets??? Thousands of people forced to wallow in filth and dying like flies?
“We” let that happen, all of us. And lots of us have found it very convenient to forget.
Sorry guys, not me. If it makes you uncomfortable- stick your head back in the sand.
http://unfilterednewsnetwork.com/?q=node/301