Bill Gates on Steve Jobs' Acid Advice: "I Envy Those Skills. I'm Not In His League"

In a recent interview with The Independent, Bill Gates shared an anecdote about a conversation he had with the late Steve Jobs. According to Gates, Jobs once suggested that he should have experimented with hallucinogenic drugs to enhance Microsoft's product design. Gates responded with a light-hearted remark, "Look, I got the wrong batch. I got the coding batch, and this guy got the marketing-design batch, so good for him.” He also acknowledged Jobs’ talents in design and marketing, admitting that they were not his strong suits.



Gates' decision to discontinue experimenting with drugs after starting Microsoft likely had a significant impact on the company's early product design and market positioning. His pragmatic and logical approach, combined with his focus on functionality and performance, led Microsoft to prioritize these aspects in its early products. This focus on functionality and efficiency contributed to Microsoft's early success and market dominance.

On the other hand, Jobs' experiences with LSD and his belief in the importance of opening his mind to new experiences and perspectives influenced Apple's focus on design and user experience. This approach, combined with Apple's innovative product designs and marketing strategies, helped the company differentiate itself in the market and achieve significant success.

In conclusion, the contrasting personalities and experiences with drugs of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs significantly shaped their respective companies' cultures and product philosophies. While Gates' pragmatic and logical approach led Microsoft to focus on functionality and efficiency, Jobs' visionary and perfectionist approach resulted in Apple prioritizing design and user experience. These differences in philosophy and culture have had a lasting impact on the tech industry and continue to influence the products and services offered by these companies today.

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