REACTION PAPER

(Pirates of Silicon Valley)

IT01

SUBMITTED BY:
Kim Jean Rivera
M21- BSA

SUBMITTED TO:
Mr. Roy Vincent Recosana
 It's my first time to watch this movie, at first when I heard that Sir Recosana ask us to
watch this movie and make an reaction paper. Curiosity hits me when I first heard the
title. I got some courage to watch it also because I heard that one of the character was
Steve Jobs. As I watched it, I realized it was a great movie. “Pirates of Silicon Valley”
was a film based on a historical fact regarding on Steve Jobs and how Apple got started
and also about Bill Gates and how Microsoft got started. A movie that led to the
development of the first Apple computer and directed by Martyn Burke starring Noah
Wyle and Anthony Michael Hall. Related to it's title Pirates of Silicon Valley this movie is
about piracy in computer world and Silicon Valley is a place in California where
computers are built. It's also a scope of rivalry of the two on the full potential
development of the personal computers, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs performed many
unethical actions during the beginnings of Microsoft and Apple.
Noah Wyle and Anthony Michael Hall did excellent jobs of getting the “look and feel” of
their characters’ real – life personas, Anthony Michael Hall in his portrayal of Bill Gates.
From the voice to the posture and to the facial expressions, it was a very excellent
portrayal. The movie did not particularly display either character in a very favorable light.
Bill Gates (Anthony Michael Hall) A great businessman with no other goal but to
compete on other companies and win that competition. I saw Bill Gates in the movie as
typical businessman but not only a businessman but a successful one. Actually I like the
attitude of him when it comes to work but the only thing you will hate on him is his
greediness. He made an offer to IBM with no assurance on his hand and he take his
own risk in making a deal on Steve Jobs that he will work for Apple Inc. as a developer.
You will see Bill Gates in the movie to be a person with no other things on his mind but
to compete on Apple and win the competition but I know Bill Gates is still a good man.
He is just obsess on matching what Apple does have at that time, but overall in the
movie Bill Gates is a fine man.
Steve Jobs (Noah Wyle) late Apple Inc. CEO, he has an Anger Management. An
attitude that you’ll never want and the precise term is, he is not a good co – employee.
That's why I'm not surprised why he is fired on Apple that time. After that he then
created the Pixar Studios which is the competitor of Walt Disney. Steve Jobs is a man
that has only one side decision and it's always his decision and I think that's the reason
behind Apple's success before he die. But is it really worth it?? He lost his best friend
Steve Wozniac on the business because of his bad attitude or behavior, the behavior I
see exactly in the movie. But he is really a charismatic person, he got the attention of
many people because of what he did and what he invented. A great person really he is,
but lack of responsibility to other things. He do have a family, but never took the
responsibility of being a father. That's a one big issue to him, but others don't mind that.
All they want is what Steve Jobs do to them. Steve Jobs did a lot of wrong things in
Apple before his been fired, success maybe on him at that time but the real meaning of
being a CEO is not at him. The movie narrates how competition flared between the two
leading companies and how they strived to outwit each other and finally, concluding the
scene where Steve Jobs and Bill Gates announced that they are good together.
 Some part of the movie convinces me that Bill Gates stole some ideas from Apple Inc.
that are true but some point, when you criticize the movie again. Yes, he stole ideas but
some only but not the operating system but just the idea on how it work. But still there's
nothing can change the fact that Bill Gates really stole some ideas to Apple Inc. That's
why in my opinion the real protagonist of the movie was Steve Jobs not only because
he got featured more in the film but I also admire his determination to uplift the name of
Apple. Sure he got some attitude problem going on but he did become successful,
right?? He also had flair in talking people into something but you really would not want
to cross him when he's angry or everything will just come to exploding.
I think 70% of the movie focused on Apple, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniac. A little
effort was put into Microsoft outside of Bill Gates’ Harvard days with his friend and soon
to be fellow executives Steve Balmer and Paul Allen. In the movie Steve Jobs split his
company, Apple into two camps. One was old Apple computer camp, and the other one
was the new Macintosh development camp. After seeing this effect on the company,
Steve Jobs is forced to leave his position at Apple. The movie also emphasized the
negative qualities of the two gentlemen that are now having big names in nationwide.
Despite of the unenthusiastic attitude of Steve Jobs to his team and co – founders, he
still managed to uplift and renowned recognition of the Apple Company. On the other
hand, Bill Gates also tried to put everyone down who are in the same business even
though Microsoft at first was an underdog. Still, he also survive and made Microsoft as a
threatening counterpart to Apple. And I think, this is one of the reason why they are the
richest person in the world.
What was really amazing about the film was the two contenders are they actually work
together until Steve Jobs realized that Bill Gates developed Windows using the software
that Apple had programmed for their computers. Can't you imagine behind those things
that happen between them they still managed to work with each other. If when it
happens to me probably, I wouldn't work or attempt to work with that person even if it's
a seconds only or even if you pays me at a high price salary. I will really reject that offer
than to work with that person.
Although based on historical fact, the creator did alter some things that make this
movie a little bit twisty and dramatic. Still, the movie is really interesting for it caters the
audience not only the development of the two largest computer companies but also to
the curious students specially to those students studying computer – related courses
were they can gain knowledge about those evolution of computers and can also gain
encouragement to their course because of these two genius people. It was also a
helpful resources not just on students were they're course are related to this but also to
some students that wants to learn more and discover more about computers and also
for those students who had subject related to computer or technology. The character of
Bill Gates base on the movie was quite hard to understand and I kept seeing him as that
nerdy person who is nuts about computers.
 All I can state, that this movie enlightened me and informed me more regarding on
some added information on the origin of personal computers. There's a lot of things I
learn especially when it comes to computers, I really don't mind those stuffs before but
when I watched this movie it gives me hints why those two people are very important
because they really gave a great contribution in our technologies nowadays. It also
make our daily lives easier when it comes to work and communication that it's really
hard before to communicate especially to your love ones in other country. That's why
their invention is a important part of the evolution of computers and because of that I
respected them very much because without those genius mind technology would not be
a part of our society and would definitely will not exist if that happens.
There's also a matter of values that reflected on the movie, companionship between
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniac, and Bill Gates and his friends. Conviction that their idea
and insistence will make it to the pinnacle of success. Appreciative cooperation in their
respective organization, considering you are dealing different kinds of people with
different personality and capacity. Just like the sayings “No man is an island” it means
you still had to be socialized with other people and be aware of their personality,
perspective, and specially their feelings to get along with them and to have a successful
outcome. Planning with all by yourself is useless because you can't conclude what is
best without the idea or opinion of the others it's better to have a companion to achieved
your goals. Two heads are better than one, the more the better it is to came up with the
best decision to be done.
But there's still a negative attitude to be point out. And it teaches me one thing; you
should not be arrogant in whatever soaring accomplishments you will have, because
you will never know what the future will holds. Sometimes those who are not considered
before might be the one who will succeed more in their striving endeavor. Just maintain
a humble profile and you don't need to hurt someone’s feelings just to focus on your
own interest, a good explanation will be a good step, and consider the other people
point of view. Because in organization, it’s not only a matter of one brain functioning in,
it's sharing of idea and information in the organization to make it immense and
successful.
But still, everyone can change and everyone deserves a second chance, it's a matter of
coping, not just only on your determination to succeed again but especially on altering
your unconstructive character. You can't change your lives if you can't change your
unconstructive character it just worsen the situation. For you to be able to use wisely
your chance don't waste your time before it's too late. As you can see there's a lot of
things you will learn to this movie that's why I recommend this movie to be watched by
other students like me. Not just because it's our assign task but to share with other
students. They can something to this movie that can relate to their life so that they can
be inspire by it and use it for their future life that they will encounter.