Sources & Methodology

Research transparency for Steven Paul Jobs's biography

Research Methodology

This biography was compiled using the Biography Compiler epistemic research system, a 10-phase pipeline designed to enforce intellectual honesty and documentary rigor.

The 10 Phases:

  1. Orienting Intelligence - Prevent premature narrative lock-in
  2. Secondary Source Saturation - Catalog existing literature
  3. Primary Source Extraction - Anchor claims to documents
  4. Contextual Research - Prevent presentism
  5. Interview Review - Separate perspective from fact
  6. Timeline Reconstruction - Enforce chronology
  7. Character Analysis - Document patterns, not diagnoses
  8. Myth Control - Correct overclaims
  9. Narrative Assembly - Build the story
  10. Ethical Review - Final publication gate

Disclosures

  • This biography relies heavily on public statements, published interviews, and documented corporate communications for the period 1976-2011
  • Accounts of internal Apple dynamics and personal relationships often conflict between sources; we present documented perspectives with attribution
  • Jobs's early life (1955-1976) documentation is limited; some details rely on later recollections that may be imperfect
  • Perspectives from former colleagues and competitors are labeled as viewpoints, not established facts
  • Financial and business details are drawn from public filings and reported information available through 2011
  • This biography cannot capture the full complexity of personal relationships or private motivations

Secondary Sources (7)

Steve Jobs

Walter Isaacson (2011)

Authorized biography with extensive interviews with Jobs himself; potential hagiographic elements due to subject's cooperation and timing near death

Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader

Brent Schlender and Rick Young (2015)

Schlender had 25+ year relationship with Jobs as journalist; more sympathetic portrayal challenging Isaacson's characterizations

Inside Steve's Brain

Leander Kahney (2008)

Technology journalist without direct access; relies heavily on public statements and employee accounts

The Third Apple: Personal Computers and the Cultural Revolution

Jean-Louis Gassée (1987)

Former Apple executive who worked closely with Jobs; insider perspective but potential corporate loyalty bias

Return to the Little Kingdom: Steve Jobs, Apple Computer and How It All Began

Michael Moritz (2009)

Time magazine reporter with early access; updated edition incorporates later career but maintains 1980s perspective

iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon

Steve Wozniak with Gina Smith (2006)

Co-founder's memoir with complex relationship to Jobs; technical focus may downplay business acumen

Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine

Alex Gibney (2015)

Critical documentary perspective without Apple cooperation; focuses on darker aspects of legacy

Primary Documents (7)

Stanford University Commencement Address

Speech - 2005-06-12

Most famous public speech containing his philosophy on life, death, and following passion

All Things Digital Conference Interview with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher

Interview - 2007-05-30

Key interview about Apple's strategy, iPhone development, and technology vision

Apple Computer Inc. Securities Litigation Deposition

Legal - 1981-03-15

Under-oath testimony about early Apple history and business practices

Playboy Magazine Interview

Interview - 1985-02-01

Extensive interview during his departure from Apple, revealing personal philosophy

Macintosh Introduction Keynote

Speech - 1984-01-24

Historic product launch that established Apple's presentation style

NeXT Computer Introduction

Speech - 1988-10-12

Shows his vision during wilderness years between Apple tenures

Apple Computer IPO SEC Filing S-1

Financial - 1980-11-06

Official business description and risk factors in Jobs' own words