My brother (who is a tech journalist) wrote an excellent piece that I feel really sums up the gravity of this loss: http://www.technologizer.com/2011/10/06/an-incredible-loss/
Obama's statement was the first one I read. I thought its last paragraph, in particular, rings very true.
I've been trying to gather up my thoughts and say how I feel without coming off rude, but I fear that no matter what I say I feel that it will be taken the wrong way. But I'll put it like this, I am not a big fan and was never a big fan of Apple and I did not agree with Steve Jobs business's policies or the way he normally ran things. I did not know him personally, so I can't actually say what he was like outside of the job and his public image. Still, it is undeniable that he was a true genius, and an icon and inspiration to millions the world over, and with his passing comes a great loss. In his final years of life, he suffered from cancer which was no doubt very painful and placed tough hardships on his family and friends. A hardship that no one should have to endure. Now that he is gone, they know that he is now not suffering anymore pain. Yes, they greif, and they will for a long time, probably for the rest of their lives but I'd like to think that they're happy that Steve doesn't have to go through the misery he's been in for the last part of his life. And with that, my thoughts go out to his family, friends, colleuges, and everyone he inspired.
Mike Shionda has posted on his blog. "Thank You Steve Jobs". http://mikeshinoda.com/2011/10/07/thank-you-steve-jobs/
Even though I don't like the Product. This guy did a lot for technology. [video=youtube;UF8uR6Z6KLc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc[/video]