Tech Titans: Why I'm still a fan

The tech world's Mount Rushmore - Musk, Jobs, Gates, and Bezos - gets a ton of flak these days. Sure, they've all got their detractors and have done things worthy of criticism, but I remain unapologetically impressed by what they've built and how they've changed our world.

Jobs took a nearly bankrupt Apple and transformed it into a company that made technology beautiful and accessible. When I watched him unveil the Mac in 1984 and then the iPhone in 2007, I was watching someone who knew he was changing everything. His perfectionism drove people crazy but gave us products that "just worked."

Musk frustrates even his biggest supporters sometimes, but who else is pushing this hard on multiple fronts? Tesla forced the entire auto industry to take electric vehicles seriously. SpaceX made rocket science look cool again. The man sleeps on factory floors during production crunches. His first-principle thinking and level of commitment is astonishing.

Gates built the operating system that brought computing to the masses, then pivoted to become perhaps the most effective philanthropist in history. His foundation has helped save millions of lives through vaccination programs and disease eradication efforts. It's a legacy worth celebrating.

Bezos saw beyond the simple concept of an online bookstore to create a logistics empire that delivers almost anything to your door within days. Prime changed consumer expectations forever. AWS powers huge chunks of the internet. The scale is mind-boggling.

These four prove why meritocracy works. They didn't climb corporate ladders based on years served or connections. Each started with a clarity of purpose and vision to build things people wanted, solve real problems, and deliver actual results. Where many organizations reward showing up and not rocking the boat, these guys did exactly the opposite - and changed everything.

Results speak louder than tenure. The market doesn't care about your effort, only your output. These titans delivered output that transformed how we live, work, and connect. That's why, despite the critics, I'll keep backing the people who build things that matter.