Apple’s Culture of Secrecy

The New York Times (excerpt) ^ | July 26, 2008 | JOE NOCERA

[HAL9000]

Excerpt -

On Thursday afternoon, several hours after I’d gotten my final “Steve’s health is a private matter” — and much to my amazement — Mr. Jobs called me. “This is Steve Jobs,” he began. “You think I’m an arrogant [expletive] who thinks he’s above the law, and I think you’re a slime bucket who gets most of his facts wrong.” After that rather arresting opening, he went on to say that he would give me some details about his recent health problems, but only if I would agree to keep them off the record. I tried to argue him out of it, but he said he wouldn’t talk if I insisted on an on-the-record conversation. So I agreed.

~ snip ~

[Anselma]

Thanks, but no thanks, for the posting. I’d rather see the whole article, than give the NY Slimes even one more “hit” online.

[cynwoody]

Then perhaps you might enjoy reading "How Apple Got Everything Right By Doing Everything Wrong", in Wired last March. The Wired article addresses Apple's close to the vest business methods in general. The NYT article focuses specifically on the question of how much shareholders are being told about Steve Jobs's health.

[Dr. Sivana]

After he hung up the phone, it occurred to me that I had just been handed, by Mr. Jobs himself, the very information he was refusing to share with the shareholders who have entrusted him with their money.

You would think he’d want them to know before me. But apparently not.

I wouldn't. After all, the Board representing the shareholders fired him 20 years ago, and went through quite the group before asking for him back. (Sculley, Spindler, Amelio)

[ccmay]

This ought to be worth five or ten bucks worth of improvement in the share price Monday morning.

[Swordmaker]

Steve Jobs Health Hot Line... from the NYT— PING!

Apple Health Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[SunkenCiv]

a slime bucket who gets most of his facts wrong

That could be almost anyone at the NY Times...

[sarasota]

Steve would share details with this guy? I didn’t read the entire article (no need to “hit” the Slimes) but why the personal connection with the author of this article?

[Mind-numbed Robot]

I’d rather see the whole article, than give the NY Slimes even one more “hit” online.

No need, I will tell you what it said.

Steve died three years ago. What we have been seeing are holograph animations of Steve put together by the Pixar people. A script writer is now running Apple.

[HAL9000]

Some people believe that Jobs is indispensable to Apple, so the company must make an official statement about his health. Others believe that Jobs is entitled to privacy, as long as his health does not have a material effect on the company.

It seems that Jobs is reserving his right to privacy, but made an "off-the-record" personal disclosure to the reporter in order to reassure investors.