Goodbye Mr. Santo Domingo...or Mr. Jobs? |
El Espectador gets it right. |
They differed, too, in their style of business. Jobs was a brilliant designer and marketer of consumer products, while Santo Domingo bought and grew old-line companies, acquiring all or part of the Bavaria beer co., El Espectador newspaper and Caracol TV, among others. Santo Domingo was gregarious and partied with the jet set, whereas Jobs appears to have been something of a loner. Finally, Santo Domingo lived a long life, whereas Jobs died tragically young, at 56.
The subtly-named Julio Mario Santo Domingo library, in north Bogotá. (Photo: El Espectador) |
Sure, Santo Domingo's efforts represented only a tiny proportionn of his fortune and served to immortalize his name. Still, he made some efforts and his heart was in it. Jobs, who seems to have been sainted because his creations were cool, contributed very little to charity, despite appeals by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
But the coincidence of the deaths of Jobs and Santo Domingo also points to a less encouraging contrast between the Colombian and United States styles of capitalism. Santo Domingo achieved wealth and success thru hard work, perseverence and creative business thinking. But Colombia has yet to produce a Steve Jobs, who built his fortune out of creativity and ingenuity.
Why is it that Colombia - and the developing world in general - produces so much great art and music, but hasn't generated the same innovation in business and economics?
In the meantime, why not tip back a cool, frothy Bavaria brewery product in Santo Domingo's honor?
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