Give the Jobs cancer story a rest

Maybe it's our particular infatuation with Apple and its mercurial co-founder, or maybe it's simply a by-product of the times we live in, where seemingly nothing is out of bounds for public discussion. Whatever the reason, I surely can't be the only person reacting to the "Is Steve having a cancer relapse" rumor with a fix of frustration and disgust.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET News.com)

Truth be told, I did wonder whether Jobs had suffered a relapse when I saw his interview with CNBC yesterday. He looked thin, even gaunt. But last time I checked, neither Apple nor its CEO had issued a health alert.

Unfortunately for Apple, people remember that the company's board failed to immediately disclose Jobs' original cancer diagnosis. (Fortune Magazine reported that the board held onto the news for nine months before disclosing it to shareholders.) So now the rumor mill is churning out speculation aplenty--just in case.

Yesterday, Valleywag speculated about Jobs' health and this morning Henry Blodget is running his mouth.

"Many readers will consider this post inappropriate," Blodget began. He should have taken that advice to heart and stopped right there.

Sideline diagnoses aren't worth much, and I don't buy this nonsense that the public has any special rights here. If Jobs no longer can carry out the function of a CEO, he should turn over the reins to a successor. Until then, it's a private matter for Jobs and his family.

Enough already. It's beyond bad form.

[Zen-Masta]

Can I expect to see a youtube video from you along the lines of Chris Crocker?

[jwilson00m1]

Although it is certainly possible that Jobs has had a relapse. There is at least one other explanation for the change in his physical appearance. When people have a brush with death it can be a wake up call. Significant changes in lifestyle can end up causing weight loss. For instance, the "All Raw" diet or "systematic under-eating" have been promoted as life extending lifestyle changes. Either diet coupled with an increase in physical exertion can account for the change in Jobs' physique.

[charlie cooper]

Do have something to add to the conversation or are you just swinging by to play the part of a troll?

[Zen-Masta]

He's a public figure so if people want to speculate who cares. I don't have any reason to believe it is going to affect his job, if it's true the people that NEED to know already do. If its serious he'll come out when he feels comfortable with it. Big whoop.

[M C]

It's Valleywag's sworn duty to report on idle gossip - they're the TMZ of Silicon Valley.

It's CNet's choice whether to even acknowledge it or to further fan the speculation.

Looks like that choice was made.

[Sleep Dawg]

Wow, impressive journalism skills. Don't press any questions that are too hard because, well, that would just be icky. Nice. This is why no one comes to CNET for news. Kindly return to your sponsored product reviews.

[Sophistra]

That was the worst and most rude post from CNET. I have been a faithful reader of your site for 7 years and this surprised me. If Steve Jobs does have cancer, then the public and shareholders need to know. Everything coming out of Apple has his stamp of approval when completed. And you think his health is shouldn't be even discussed. Shame on you Cooper. Do not tell people what to do anymore, you just lost a cnet reader and ex-fan.

I can't believe what CNET has become.

[goldazman]

While most ordinary citizens are entitled to privacy regarding health matters, the CEO of a major billion dollar corporation, like the President of the USA, is not. Investors are entitled to know that the leaders at the helms of industry and government are in perfect health, especially when they are compensated often in the hundreds of millions of dollars taken off the top of potential stockholder profits. I admire Steve Jobs, I wish him nothing but excellent health, but he looks like death warmed over. His trademark black mock turtleneck sweater and blue jeans hang limply over his body. So what gives? If it is just diet and a vigorous exercise regimen, then say so. For so large a corporation with no visible protoge in line to the throne, investors have every right to be concerned. I don't need to know every little detail about Steve's health, but some reassurance that "I'm not dying until I'm over 80" would be nice.

[goldazman]

While most ordinary citizens are entitled to privacy regarding health matters, the CEO of a major billion dollar corporation, like the President of the USA, is not. Investors are entitled to know that the leaders at the helms of industry and government are in perfect health, especially when they are compensated often in the hundreds of millions of dollars taken off the top of potential stockholder profits. I admire Steve Jobs, I wish him nothing but excellent health, but he looks like death warmed over. His trademark black mock turtleneck sweater and blue jeans hang limply over his body. So what gives? If it is just diet and a vigorous exercise regimen, then say so. For so large a corporation with no visible protoge in line to the throne, investors have every right to be concerned. I don't need to know every little detail about Steve's health, but some reassurance that "I'm not dying until I'm over 80" would be nice.

[watchingapple]

Charlie, doesn't this post itself exploit the very issue you tell others "to give a rest"? Sometimes the best response is silence.

[john55440]

Steve Jobs *IS* Apple computer, and since Apple is a public company, stockholders have a special right to know his medical condition.

[OS11]

I realize this "topic" is easy to "dismiss"... especially for younger readers, but it's very real... so don't make light of the subject... it's serious in many ways!

And sadly, I've been carefully watching this decline ever since the cancer scare of 2004. He supposedly escaped that, but in the very secret world of SJ, I'm not 100% sure.

It's been 4 years since then, but he looks feeble and you can see him resting his arm for support during part of the keynote which he has never done before. He has aged 30-40 years since he returned to Apple in late 1996. He was almost "pudgy" some 12 years ago, so something is certainly wrong.

It's a mystery about his father, where is he? All we know is he was of Egyptian Arab decent. Figure that out and we probably know the fate of his orphan son.

And just a correction, he is a Piscetarian, not a Vegetarian.

And lastly, "nobody" has ever escaped this planet alive and I TRUELY wish he lives until 90+, but the clock is turning very quickly with him and it's near time to make plans. What will the Mac Community do when he leaves us?

I see millions in mourning, 100,000's attending a Zen funeral in California, I just hope it's 40 years from now... not 5.

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[Eric Turk]

Thanks for such an original, informative, interesting and innovative piece - not. Do you get paid for this?

I agree that it's nobody's business. It's a private matter. I believe everyone is entitled to privacy. Who cares! I hope he's healthy, but think it's stupid to speculate - also rude.

kurt.