[Chapter 865: What Are You Thinking?]
In truth, even wealthy people had their share of worries. It might sound pretentious to claim so, but the reality was undeniable. In a world driven by materialism, much of a person's social standing came from their wealth. Sure, having a pile of cash didn't necessarily mean one achieved anything remarkable. And if one started off poor, the situation was even less desirable.
Wealth mattered significantly to everyone, but changing from poor to rich often led to losing oneself. Conversely, transitioning from rich to poor could mean not just struggling to rise again, but being grateful just to survive.
What? Was it really possible for someone to bounce back? This was the same guy who had once filed for bankruptcy. But then again, his bankruptcy was personal. Just like the current situation with the Hunter family, the patriarch's financial troubles didn't equate to the family's collapse. Their family's claim to fame was the Super Bowl, the highest-grossing sporting event in America.
The celebrity, Donald, was in the same boat; his personal bankruptcy didn't affect the family's fortunes at all. Jeff Bezos certainly couldn't understand William White, wondering why someone already so wealthy still worked tirelessly to earn more.
"Ha! Wealthy people are often less secure than anyone thinks. The most terrifying nightmare is not death; it's becoming utterly broke--that's the real fright."
Going against the current meant either progressing or regressing, and if one wanted to maintain their status, they had no choice but to keep moving forward.
"Steve, how did you arrange this plan? Are you lacking confidence in this movie?"
"Who said that? What do you really mean? Stop beating around the bush and just say it straight."
Seeing the two of them squabbling, Filson just shook his head and chuckled. It was rare to find someone willing to talk to the boss like that.
"Damn, what's this? A Christmas surprise? Since I've invested, I naturally have high hopes for this company. Are you implying we push the film's release date to after the IPO as a gift for investors?"
Steve Jobs looked a bit embarrassed. Given the number of people betting on this movie, he certainly felt confident. He just thought it unwise to drive up the stock price in such a manner.
After hearing Steve Jobs's explanation, Filson felt like hiding his face in his pants. The boss always said Steve Jobs was arrogant, and while he hadn't taken it seriously at first, it was clear now that Steve Jobs was, indeed, a perfectionist.
Finishing the summer blockbuster and then launching the IPO before year-end was the best option. When Pixar went public, if the box office continued to soar, they could announce a new project.
Goodness, forget valuations of seven or eight billion. If they pulled in two or three hundred million in global box office, Pixar's valuation would double.
Arrogant Steve Jobs eventually had to concede a bit. The IPO would now be delayed by two weeks; since William White was so confident, why should he stand in the way of money?
"Now that's more like it, old Steve Jobs. If this works out, you'll make a killing."
"Cut it out. As if you're not making money," Steve Jobs sneered back at him.
"That's different. Money doesn't hold much meaning for me. My ultimate goal is to make the world more vibrant and diverse."
"Come on, enough of that. By the way, what's wrong with Microsoft's browser? Why don't you just buy it back and have some fun with it?"
William White chuckled grimly, wondering how on earth he could buy it back--that would be foolish.
"Netscape is just temporarily in the lead. In the internet sector, who knows? The company that could take down Microsoft might already be operating out of someone's garage. We just don't know it yet."
Dealing with this tough nut, William decided to stop worrying about the finer points. As a Hollywood big shot, he could give it a gentle push.
Perfectionists would remain perfectionists, and nothing would change that. If he were to follow William White's mindset, this year's summer season was lost, and the release should be pushed to next year, delaying the IPO in tandem.
To put it bluntly, when he left Apple, he walked away with heaps of cash. Although he had been spending extravagantly over the years, not all of it was his money. Even if he was broke, many banks would happily lend him cash. With Pixar's valuation as it stood, the chances for a successful IPO were very high. The risks had become quite low, and banks wouldn't hesitate; they were more concerned about him borrowing too little.
"Sir, what's this guy actually holding out for?"
"Hahaha, Filson, I told you. He's just being difficult. What he truly cares about is that apple."
"Hah, what's he waiting for then? Taking over Apple now wouldn't be too costly."
William White sighed. It was this stubbornness in waiting to be invited back that made it frustrating.
"This guy has a weird kind of taste, huh?"
"Not necessarily. People say I resemble Howard Hughes, but you should really look at Steve Jobs--he's the one. He craves perfection; I just don't mind flaws. Sometimes, imperfect things hold more value, like Venus. Do you know, Filson, I have a pair of stunning Kangxi pink and gold peony vases? It's a shame one has a slight chip.
Did you realize? I once had an expert on restoration tell me that if you're into collecting, it doesn't matter. If you're looking to profit, consider removing that flaw for perfection!"
"Cough, isn't that a bit over the top?"
"That's just how antiques work, you know. If only one exists--even if it's flawed--its price shoots up. In fact, products should have some flaws; isn't that how our current phones are? My designs in the safe are far better than what's out there."
Filson started to understand; no wonder this guy could make a fortune. If the same product fell into Jobs' hands, he'd definitely pick the best.
As for William White? He went with versions that crashed every now and then, but would release an improved model soon after, then one that showcased colored screens and cameras before the smartphone era even kicked in. They released a new model every year, a cycle he repeated.
You could be assured that someone would always be upgrading their phone; during the smartphone era, roughly every two years seemed to be the norm. But was there any real need?
The answer was obviously no. If this approach continued, phones would surpass computer speeds in due time. Don't think it was a joke; the development of computer software lagged behind hardware significantly. Unless someone created a groundbreaking gadget, very few would shell out for new computers.
Without demand, there was no market; without a market, how could anyone invest in R&D?
Did Intel really think AMD chips weren't good? Not a chance, the dynamics between these two companies were more complex than they seemed. Intel was simply squeezing the market, fully aware of the situation.
What if they couldn't surpass the third generation Ryzen? Well, the current software couldn't even compete with the ninth generation Core; developing it would be futile.
What? Phones were the same way.
The difference was, even just browsing a webpage, one had to use the Qualcomm 865 chip.
But, honestly, there weren't many years left for such an indulgence. Aside from those who were hardcore gaming enthusiasts, today's hardware was already overwhelmingly superior. Even if someone could produce images rivaling DSLRs, who cared?
"Sir, if this guy returned to Apple, he wouldn't follow through with this behavior, right?"
"Not anymore. The failure of the Macintosh taught him a lesson about the IT industry. Unfortunately, he was powerless at that time.
Now it's different. I believe that without absolute control, he won't take the reins. His current experiences may well serve as valuable lessons."
Filson chuckled, musing that with how much William believed in Apple, he might as well suggest a full acquisition. Those shareholders were regretting their decisions, wishing they had an opportunity to cash out soon.
*****
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