Steve Jobs’ health concerns raises questions again
Posted by Dave Merten 
Jun 11, 2008 at 11:23am
Steve Jobs’ physical health has been an on-again off-again topic of discussion ever since he was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer four years ago, but his frail physical appearance at WWDC, has raised questions once again.
Apple has responded to concerns spreading across Internet blogs regarding the health of Steve Jobs after photos taken Monday at the WWDC conference in San Francisco show him looking a little more frail than usual.
A spokesperson at Apple told the Wall Street Journal that Jobs has been plagued by a “common bug” in recent weeks, but that he felt it essential that he make good on delivering the opening keynote address at WWDC.
Last year, financial publication Barron’s suggested that Jobs may be worth more to Apple than any other chief executive in the world, estimating that Apple’s market cap would instantly bleed $20 billion in value should he abruptly be forced to abandon his leadership role at the company, reports AppleInsider. Investors and pay particular attention to the chief executive’s appearance because they consider him to be irreplaceable.
Photos of Steve Jobs at WWDC 2008
Mark Says:
I will say this: some folks like to pretend that it’s nobody’s business if Jobs is truly sick, and that such information as his previous bout with pancreatic cancer needn’t be divulged. I think this attitude is both legally incorrect (as far as I understand SEC regulations) and a symptom of the general Apple elitism (which I’m combatting myself as I’ve recently converted to the Mac from the PC).
Given Jobs’s positioning as the Apple rock star, guru, and general savior since his return (all probably accurate), his presence at the company is extremely important to Apple’s success. Shareholders have a right to know his health and whether he can be relied upon to continue leading the company. So, if he IS truly sick, he should be letting everyone know about it. That is, if the same rules are going to apply to Apple that apply to everyone else…
Posted on June 11, 2008
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Dave Merten
Dave was one of the founding guides at ‘The Mining Company,’ now known as About.com, in February 1998. Dave was their ‘Focus on Mac Support’ guide. In 2004 he started ‘G5 Owners Support Group,’ and in 2005, renamed it ‘Mac Owners Support Group.’ In 2006, he started the ‘MacOSG Support Corner’ column here at Macsimum News.
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couchpundit Says:
I think Steve looks “OK"--other than the bug he’s been fighting, his overall appearance doesn’t look much different than other extremely health conscious 50 somethings I know--rail thin, and scraggly looking.
I’ve heard heard he’s been on a very strict diet and exercise regimen to keep him healthy.
I think if he were REALLY sick, he wouldn’t have the stamina to stand up there at all--especially at his current weight.
Mini Steve (aka Scott Forstall) is being groomed to take his place. I’m sure the training will be complete before Steve does retire or otherwise steps down.
Then again, maybe Steve just needs to go out to eat with Phil Schiller a few times :-)
Posted on June 11, 2008