Lost Hour-Long Jobs Interview Found

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Lost Hour-Long Jobs Interview Found

Posted by timothy on Saturday October 22, 2011 @06:10AM from the all-the-steve-you-can-handle dept.

adharma writes "According to Robert Cringely, in 1995 he was granted an hour long interview with Steve Jobs at NeXT headquarters for Triumph of the Nerds and promptly lost. Two weeks ago, a 'PAL-VHS, dubbed on professional equipment from a D1 master' copy of the interview was found and is in the process of being restored." Cringely writes there: "What we’ll do with the 64-minute video depends on how good it looks this week. Maybe we’ll put it up on the Net, maybe we’ll do something more. I’m open to your ideas."

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AAGGGGHHHH! by MightyMartian · 2011-10-22 06:15 · Score: 5, Funny

Burn it, bury it, put a stake through it's heart. The tape is probably like that girl from The Ring, and if you watch it, the undead ghost of Steve Jobs will come and jam your Android device into your brain.

--
The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
1. Re:AAGGGGHHHH! by msauve · 2011-10-22 06:44 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  "Burn it, bury it, put a stake through it's heart."
  
  I was thinking you were talking about that imposter, Mark Stevens, who stole the Cringley name from Infoworld. I was going to mod you up, then figured out you were talking about the tape.
  
  --
  "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
2. Re:AAGGGGHHHH! by MightyMartian · 2011-10-22 10:38 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  The world is a better place because of Winston Churchill, Florence Nightingale and Aristotle. Steve Jobs was a very successful marketing guy. He didn't save the world or create new ways to explain it, he ran a company who makes electronic doo-dads who, by and large, are totally reliant on technologies made by other people.
  
  --
  The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
3. Re:AAGGGGHHHH! by KingAlanI · 2011-10-22 13:00 · Score: 1
  
  true, major historical figures such as those three had _much more of_ a positive impact than Jobs, and our celebrity culture would do well to remember that. However, that's not to say that Jobs was negative.
  
  --
  I listen to both RIAA and non-RIAA stuff if I like the music, tangential business/politics nonwithstanding.
4. Re:AAGGGGHHHH! by justforgetme · 2011-10-22 21:17 · Score: 1
  
  Dear KingAlan,
  Aristotle was a showman, a publicity whore, a diva and a thief of my ideas!
  regards,
  Euclid
  
  --
  -- no sig today
5. Re:AAGGGGHHHH! by KingAlanI · 2011-10-24 09:59 · Score: 1
  
  Hadn't heard of that - was aware he had learned from Plato who in turn had learned from Socrates
  Note that I said "such as those three", if we tried to make a comprehensive list we'd be here all day. One could certainly add Euclid to such a list.
  
  --
  I listen to both RIAA and non-RIAA stuff if I like the music, tangential business/politics nonwithstanding.
everything old is new again by prgrmr · 2011-10-22 06:16 · Score: 1

step 1: do interview with semi-famous person & conveniently lose it until he becomes famous & dies step 2: ???? step 3: profit!
1. Re:everything old is new again by Anonymous Coward · 2011-10-22 06:48 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  That is not "begging the question".
2. Re:everything old is new again by cduffy · 2011-10-22 06:51 · Score: 1, Troll
  
  To "beg" a question is to "beggar" a question -- that is, make it worthless by implying an answer.
  Perhaps you mean it "raises" the question?
3. Re:everything old is new again by JustOK · 2011-10-22 07:02 · Score: 1
  
  Many modern English speakers use "begging the question" to mean the same as "raises the question". Perhaps you're not modern enough? Which lawn is yours?
  
  --
  rewriting history since 2109
4. Re:everything old is new again by dAzED1 · 2011-10-22 07:03 · Score: 1
  
  The question is tongue-in-cheek, and is "worthless" due to an implied answer.
5. Re:everything old is new again by cduffy · 2011-10-22 07:10 · Score: 2
  
  Many modern English speakers use "begging the question" to mean the same as "raises the question".
  However, as English has no phrase fully equivalent to "begging the question" (in its canonical form -- requiring a premise with no foundation stronger than conclusion it is used to draw), while we already have "raising the question" for the other usage, the language would be the poorer if we stood aside and let this pass into acceptance.
6. Re:everything old is new again by hedwards · 2011-10-22 07:35 · Score: 1
  
  No, what it means is that the previous fact or statement really begs a further question.
  It is not to be confused with begging the question the logical fallacy.
7. Re:everything old is new again by Sun · 2011-10-22 08:07 · Score: 1
  
  I think the source of the expression is with subject and object reversed. It is the question that begs to be asked. This is not exactly the same as "raises the question", as it is much stronger.
  Shachar
  Who is not a native English speaker
8. Re:everything old is new again by Tim+the+Gecko · 2011-10-22 08:16 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Many modern English speakers use "begging the question" to demonstrate their over-reliance on clichés
  FTFY
9. Re:everything old is new again by cduffy · 2011-10-22 08:21 · Score: 2
  I think the source of the expression is with subject and object reversed. It is the question that begs to be asked. This is not exactly the same as "raises the question", as it is much stronger.
  This is not consistent with historical meaning. Please see either or both of the following links, which go into substantial detail:
  
  http://www.fallacyfiles.org/begquest.html
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begs_the_question
10. Re:everything old is new again by SomePgmr · 2011-10-22 08:48 · Score: 1
  
  the language would be the poorer if we stood aside and let this pass into acceptance.
  I'd agree with you, except that it has already passed into acceptance.
11. Re:everything old is new again by Sun · 2011-10-22 08:55 · Score: 1
  
  I think we can safely assume this is not what the original poster meant.
  Like it or not, there IS an idiom in the English language which attributes "raises the question"'s meaning to "begging the question". The interesting question is where that came from, which is not addressed at least by the wikipedia article (it is addressed, but not explored).
  Shachar
12. Re:everything old is new again by spire3661 · 2011-10-22 09:15 · Score: 1
  
  Fuckin nerds...... sometimes a warp core is just a warp core.
  
  --
  Good-bye
13. Re:everything old is new again by sunderland56 · 2011-10-22 11:05 · Score: 1
  
  Many modern English speakers use "begging the question" to mean the same as "raises the question".
  Many American speakers use "begging the question" to mean the same as "raises the question". The American and English languages are diverging at an alarming rate.
14. Re:everything old is new again by shoor · 2011-10-22 11:39 · Score: 1
  
  I confess that we Americans can be pretty illogical with our language. (We say somebody's "in jail" or "in school" but "in the hospital", that last one sounds really weird to you other English speakers doesn't it?) However, this American never uses the expression "begs the question." It's just too darn unclear. And I've very seldom heard it used by anyone else, certainly not in a day to day conversation. I'll say "raises the question" or I'll say "I don't agree with your implied assumptions", or maybe, if I've been watching too much Perry Mason, I'll say "You're assuming facts not in evidence." (Actually, I think they may have used the expression "begs the question" once or twice on Perry Mason, but I don't know if they used it correctly.)
  
  --
  In theory, theory and practice are the same; in practice they're different. (Yogi Berra & A. Einstein)
15. Re:everything old is new again by msauve · 2011-10-22 13:47 · Score: 1
  
  dude much yung english spkrs dont spk english lolz
  
  --
  "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
16. Re:everything old is new again by doccus · 2011-10-23 07:44 · Score: 1
  
  Wouldn't the best original statement have been 'it begs the question , did he only find the tape because Steve died?'
Sell it for monies! by jelwell · 2011-10-22 06:16 · Score: 1, Funny

Sell it for monies!
1. Re:Sell it for monies! by Anonymous Coward · 2011-10-22 08:45 · Score: 1
  
  But bitcoins value just plummeted!
Post it dude... by GPLHost-Thomas · 2011-10-22 06:18 · Score: 2

Instead of making an announcement about something you're preparing, just restore this f*** videotape and post it on youtube...
Re:Put it up by RoFLKOPTr · 2011-10-22 06:20 · Score: 2

However, one should make sure there were release agreements signed by Steve or his proxy, and if not, get permission from the family first.
Umm... why? If you can get away with publishing photos of celebrities nipples without being sued, you can surely post on YouTube an interview which Steve Jobs agreed to have taped with no repercussions.
Figures by Anonymous Coward · 2011-10-22 06:23 · Score: 3, Insightful

Instead of just releasing it, you tease it...announce that you are 'open' to ideas...you're just going to profit off of someone's death like everyone else in the world has. The fact that it was Steve Jobs and it's almost 20 years old doesn't mean you have to actually make money on it...
You didn't use it then, so release it to public domain...Cringley is a profiteering whore.
"and promptly lost" by 6Yankee · 2011-10-22 06:24 · Score: 4, Funny

Lost what? The video, his mind, his virginity to Steve, what?
Editors: Edit, damn it!
1. Re:"and promptly lost" by Surak_Prime · 2011-10-22 06:29 · Score: 1
  
  The Game. He lost The Game. And now, so have I, damn it!
  
  --
  :::The Spear in the heart of the Other is the Spear in the heart of You; You are He - Surak of Vulcan:::
2. Re:"and promptly lost" by Jello+B. · 2011-10-22 13:31 · Score: 1
  
  you don't have to follow the rules if you're not playing.
3. Re:"and promptly lost" by Rakshasa-sensei · 2011-10-22 19:12 · Score: 1
  
  Never try to learn Japanese or any other context-sensitive languages, you'd be completely lost.
4. Re:"and promptly lost" by slackbheep · 2011-10-23 04:52 · Score: 1
  
  Actually, if he's anything like me it could simply change how he communicates in English. It took some time to let the two sets of rules coexist in my brain, but even now I speak in a manner which is notably different from before. I suppose learning any other language makes you more aware of or changes the way you use your own native tongue.
you can see parts of it by Anonymous Coward · 2011-10-22 06:29 · Score: 3, Informative

You can see parts of the interview in Triumph of the Nerds which is available online.
Jobs is much more open and emotional than in more recent interviews. For instance, he talks about Microsoft having no taste and John Sculley destroying everything he'd worked for. This was before Jobs came back to Apple and got his chance to right his earlier failures so you can bet these wounds are still raw.
1. Re:you can see parts of it by flyingsquid · 2011-10-22 08:21 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  There was recently a segment on NPR's Fresh Air where they were playing an interview about Apple, and I remember thinking "who's this geek they're interviewing about Apple?" and then I realized it was Jobs himself, back in his NeXT days. He sounded a lot different from the Jobs I've gotten to know from the keynote addresses. That guy, the one with the black turtleneck, is a confident, slick, polished presenter, a technological oracle. The person they were interviewing on NPR was a lot more human. It makes me think that to some degree the "Steve Jobs" who presented Apple products to the world was a bit of a construct, just some guy that Jobs played, sort of like Steven Colbert's "Steven Colbert" character.
2. Re:you can see parts of it by 93+Escort+Wagon · 2011-10-22 08:59 · Score: 1
  
  Wait until 2015, when Apple rolls out Jobs-bot 2.0 to present the WWDC keynote.
  But maybe I've said too much already...
  
  --
  #DeleteChrome
Re:Put it up by headhot · 2011-10-22 06:33 · Score: 2, Insightful

If he was filmed for a documentary, he already signed a release.
So, is there anything NEW in there? by CAOgdin · 2011-10-22 06:38 · Score: 1, Interesting

An interview that just plows the same old ground is worthless; if it yields new insights that others can glean, it could be priceless.
I'm betting it's the former.
1. Re:So, is there anything NEW in there? by ThurstonMoore · 2011-10-22 09:34 · Score: 1
  
  Works for Toby Keith.
2. Re:So, is there anything NEW in there? by thetoadwarrior · 2011-10-22 11:02 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  It was probably "lost" because it wasn't exciting and now it's been "found" because he's dead. The fact they haven't decided what to do with it means they want to make money from it.
3. Re:So, is there anything NEW in there? by Keen+Anthony · 2011-10-22 13:28 · Score: 1
  
  I'd like to see it anyway. I still have the Cringely documentary and it's sequel on tape. I enjoy watching it every now and then even though it's pure historical and I still remember those events.
Re:64 Minutes by 93+Escort+Wagon · 2011-10-22 06:52 · Score: 1

wasted that we'll never get back.
And how much time do you spend on Slashdot every day again?

--
#DeleteChrome
Idea.. by Anonymous Coward · 2011-10-22 07:01 · Score: 5, Funny

Autotune it and put some phat beats under it.
Who cares? by Hentes · 2011-10-22 07:08 · Score: 1

About a meaningless interview that isn't even published?
Re:Got the Beat by Sponge+Bath · 2011-10-22 07:11 · Score: 4, Insightful

Damn, redundant. Take me down mods!
I feel bad by Anonymous Coward · 2011-10-22 07:12 · Score: 1

I feel bad because of all those people who really think that Steve was the greatest. The are so many more people who had much bigger influence to how we use computers today...
Make it an Android only app by Anonymous Coward · 2011-10-22 07:15 · Score: 1

That way, iOS users will be upset they can't watch it, and Android users will be upset Steve Jobs is on their platform. Lose-lose for everyone.
Cringely Rocks by curmudgeon99 · 2011-10-22 07:20 · Score: 1

Robert Cringely, famous as the only pioneer from Silicon Valley not to get rich, is just an awesome human being. If you don't know why I say that, go to YouTube and find his three-hour creation "Triumph of the Nerds". It's something that is going to be watched for the next thousand years, if humanity survives. It's just an amazing document on the origins of the tech industry and all of its later fruits are visible there.
Re:Got the Beat by backslashdot · 2011-10-22 07:59 · Score: 1

Did you come up with the idea independently? If so, you still have a chance to patent it under the new crummy patent law.
Re:Job interview by interval1066 · 2011-10-22 08:05 · Score: 1

Yep. During that hour they realize you're not "the guy" and thank you politely as they show you the door. Rinse, repeat.

--
Python: 'And then suddenly you have a language which says "we're all stuck with whatever the whiniest coder wants".'
Re:Got the Beat by Anonymous Coward · 2011-10-22 08:07 · Score: 1

Actually, since the story is about Steve Jobs, the right thing to do would be to sue you for "copying" the other poster.
Too early. Wait a bit by jago25_98 · 2011-10-22 08:17 · Score: 1

Still a bit raw. Wait a couple of years and then release it

--
A blog I run for the wealth
Killer idea... by no_such_user · 2011-10-22 08:28 · Score: 1

Let IBM's Watson analyze the interview for a while to come out with the killer app for the iPhone 5: Stevie. It's just like Siri, expect now YOU'RE the personal assistant.
1. Re:Killer idea... by Tomato42 · 2011-10-22 21:46 · Score: 1
  
  With Soviet Apple YOU'RE the iGadget!
  
  I'll get my coat.
Re:Better alternative by 93+Escort+Wagon · 2011-10-22 09:03 · Score: 1

Can someone ask him if he has an unseen interview with Dennis Ritchie instead?
Unfortunately not - but he did that duet album with Lionel Ritchie back in 1998...

--
#DeleteChrome
Re:Got the Beat by Sponge+Bath · 2011-10-22 09:11 · Score: 1

Will I make lots of money? Because my young boy Jimmy Joe needs an operation... and to pay of his gambling debts.
And nothing of value was found. by Richy_T · 2011-10-22 10:12 · Score: 1

Just kidding, it's probably interesting enough.
ITunes by varmittang · 2011-10-22 10:36 · Score: 1

He would have wanted it to go on iTunes for free.

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1. Re:ITunes by marlingrando · 2011-10-22 19:35 · Score: 1
  
  He would have wanted it to be "cleaned", the content of the interview changed to reflect how he would like to be remembered. Only then would it be posted on iTunes. Viewing will require a 1-year subscription to iTunes of $99.
Some ideas by Slashdot+Assistant · 2011-10-22 10:49 · Score: 1

1) Release to laser disc
2) Do that cool effect behind Jobs and Cringely to make it appear as if they're on a roller coaster
3) Add fart noises
4) Give them glowing yellow eyes
5) Have the video playing on four sides of a video cube caught in a giant whirlpool in space
Seriously, needs to be done beyond restoration?
This Shiz Never gets Mentioned ... by Mana+Mana · 2011-10-22 11:43 · Score: 1

``Robert X. Cringely is the pen name of both technology journalist Mark Stephens and a string of writers for a column in InfoWorld, the one-time weekly computer trade newspaper published by IDG.''*
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Cringely
Re:Got the Beat by backslashdot · 2011-10-22 12:52 · Score: 2

Yeah .. I think so, if you do it properly. Many talentless people are making money off autotune, so I reckon you can too.
Re:Got the Beat by KingAlanI · 2011-10-22 13:06 · Score: 1

my voice is crap, but I wonder what I would sound like with slick production (including autotune)
this is as opposed to classic stuff you know damn well you can't compare to.
ironically, maybe some stuff works because it isn't as good - folks relate to it better.

--
I listen to both RIAA and non-RIAA stuff if I like the music, tangential business/politics nonwithstanding.
Re:Not to spoil any fun by WillAdams · 2011-10-22 15:00 · Score: 1

What's even more interesting is to go further back and compare Mac and NeXT Expo keynote addresses and to watch Mac users applaud the announcement of features which NeXTstep had had for over a decade.

--
Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow.
Sarah Jane Adventures. by Kaenneth · 2011-10-22 15:13 · Score: 1

So... anyone else seen the last two episode of 'The Sarah Jane Adventures'?
Summary (with minimal spoilers): The charismatic head of a tech company releases a new portable computer that's utter crap ("Bog Standard"), but his hypnotic charisma makes everyone love it... I wonder who that was a take on?
The actress playing Sarah Jane Smith, sadly, died after filming that episode.
FFS... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-10-22 16:23 · Score: 1

People, can you just get it the fsck over with, and nominate the asshole for sainthood already?
Jesus fscking Christ, the guy made MONEY from technology, and you treat him as the Messiah. Woz did most of the grunt work. Hell, where is the adolation for Kildahl? Babbage? Lady Ada? Jay Miner? "Amazing Grace" Hopper? They ALL toiled to make computers and programming what they are today. Where the fsck are their monuments, buildings, or TV specials?
Just fsck that fscking asshole Jobs...
1. Re:FFS... by ErikZ · 2011-10-23 02:36 · Score: 1
  
  Wow, you make it sound like it happens every day.
  Well, ok then. Show me another tech manager that did what Jobs did. Actually, show me ten. Since it was so easy and worthless.
  The people you list worked on theory. And? Everyone works on theory. Or do you honestly believe that if those people hadn't created those theories, they never would have been made.
  
  --
  Democrats or Republicans. They are both taking us to the same place and they are not afraid of us anymore.
Charge $800 for each copy by G3ckoG33k · 2011-10-22 18:06 · Score: 1

Don't distribute it on anything but a usb stick. Put it in a small white plastic box, square with rounded corners. Charge $800 for each copy, make an end-user shrink wrap license which forces you to e-sign to activate the video, etc.
That would be the Jobs way, overpriced white commodities.
Oh, but I did eventually liked the iPhone, just not Apple.
Oh Great by ttong · 2011-10-22 20:28 · Score: 1

Even after his death, he's going to say ONE MORE THING.
Job(s) interview for an hour? by acidradio · 2011-10-23 06:48 · Score: 1

Oh wait, I thought this article was about a job interview that lasted for an hour. Hey in this economy that can't be so bad right?