The Hidden Cost of Innovation: The Tenth Letter of Steve Jobs

This is a record of an interview with Steve Jobs, who sought Chao Du at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects upon his life and his subsequent spiritual transformation. Recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fa, on August 19, 2017.

Steve Jobs speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Coca-Cola remains a product that never goes out of style. It is essentially a flavoured syrup that, once mixed with ice and adjusted to taste, unlocked infinite business opportunities and a loyal customer base. It is a model I, Steve Jobs, have always admired and studied deeply. Cola has become an integral part of human life; it has a permanent market, representing a traditional and enduring food industry. As human beings, we all have basic needs: food, clothing, housing, and transportation. I, however, chose to walk a different path. My industry was one of boundless imagination, filled with creativity, encompassing both hardware and software. I believed my business would also be one that never fades—one that would spark a global trend even greater than that of Coca-Cola. Once I set my mind to it, I knew I could achieve it. Through my endurance and persistence, I did. Now, who does not know Steve Jobs? Every household has at least one Apple product, and surely, no one is unaware of the Apple brand. Creating a global phenomenon and changing the world—that was my achievement. I once dreamed of building a technological utopia, a world of perfect, convenient living.

The Subtle Chains of Technology

Robotics is the latest frontier of human research, and more and more tasks are being replaced by machines. Washing machines, dishwashers, and vending machines are all forms of robots; it is just that in recent years, the concept of AI has been integrated, making robots as intelligent as humans. Many people view this with optimism, but there are also those who are worried, capturing the anxieties surrounding robots in films. Will human life be replaced by robots? Will self-aware robots eventually become the masters of their creators? I say this with deep repentance: in truth, Apple products have already begun to exhibit that very tendency. While it may not be exactly like the robots in movies controlling human behaviour, think about it—people cannot bear to be separated from their phones and tablets. The level of trust and dependence placed in these devices is immense. People spend over eighty percent of their day using electronic devices, and their minds have become digitised. They even feel panic and anxiety when they are without their phones. I offer my deepest apologies for this form of control, which influences everyone so subtly that they are not even aware of it. Perhaps you have not yet considered this level of the problem.

Protecting the Innate Potential of Children

Many schools have also transitioned to electronic education. E-books and electronic whiteboards allow children to come into contact with technology at an earlier age, which may be stifling their innate instincts. This is my error. I hope that governments can allow children to return to paper books and not let school education destroy their natural potential. I, Steve Jobs, am now a practitioner of the Buddha's teachings. It was the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre that rescued me from the darkness of the hells, and they are still helping me deliver my karmic creditors. What does it mean to have karmic creditors? You may not understand. They are the people I harmed, those who have now become spirits and are still waiting to find me. Because I caused them to be unable to go to a good place after death, they might still be playing with mobile phones, still using tablets, perhaps trapped in the space of digital games. It may be hard to imagine, but it is the truth. It was I, Steve Jobs, who created this technology that harmed them, so I must take responsibility for it. Yet, I changed the entire world of humanity; I am a great sinner, and I apologise. I urge you to change schools back to using paper books so that children can properly develop their innate potential. I ask governments around the world to help me, so that at the very least, the weight of my sins may be lessened. Thank you.

A Place of Inconceivable Wisdom

Let me introduce the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Their instincts are far more advanced than the technology I created. They rarely use technology; instead, they use the most natural methods to purify themselves and recover the ability to receive information from the space around them. The dimensions of space are vast, including flowers, trees, hells, ghosts, celestial deities, angels, and Buddhas—from the highest to the lowest, they can reach it all. That is why they have the ability to save Steve Jobs. This place is truly inconceivable. They are angels who help people. In this current generation, few are willing to give so much and treat others with such sincerity. I hope you can visit, or if you wish to learn these innate abilities, you are welcome to come. I, Steve Jobs, will be here to welcome you."