Jobs believed memory was less important than making connections.

Steve Jobs emphasized that high intelligence isn't primarily about memory but the ability to make connections. He believed seeing the bigger picture is crucial for intelligent decision-making.

Steve Jobs was renowned for his quick decision-making, like when he returned to Apple in 1997 and swiftly decided which products to cut to save the company. He believed that the most significant indicator of high intelligence was the ability to "zoom out" and see the whole picture.

In a 1982 speech, Jobs explained that intelligence involves seeing the entire city from the 80th floor rather than navigating with a map. This broad perspective allows intelligent individuals to make connections others might miss.


According to Jobs, "smart people excel at making connections," which he illustrated with the concept of neural chunking. This involves recognizing patterns and grouping information efficiently. Jobs's perspective aligns with neuroscientists' understanding of how experts in various fields make quick, instinctive decisions based on extensive practice and deep experience.


Neural Chunking

Neural chunking is a concept where individuals group information into recognizable patterns. This ability helps experts make swift, accurate decisions. For instance, Magnus Carlsen, a chess grandmaster, can play and beat multiple opponents simultaneously while blindfolded. This isn't solely due to superior memory but also pattern recognition and neural chunking.

A study by Adriaan de Groot revealed that expert chess players excel at reconstructing realistic positions from memory but struggle with random patterns. This shows that experts aren't necessarily better at memorization but at recognizing and connecting patterns.

Barbara Oakley, an engineering professor, and creator of the online course "Learning How to Learn," emphasized that chunking is crucial for developing expertise. Extensive practice helps create neural patterns, enabling experts to make quick, accurate decisions.

Steve Jobs's decision-making skills were honed through relentless exploration, practice, and analysis. His ability to see the bigger picture allowed him to make smart, quick decisions, demonstrating that intelligence involves more than just knowledge�it's about effectively using that knowledge.

A Unique Collection of Experiences

Jobs believed that highly innovative individuals draw upon diverse experiences to solve problems uniquely. He advised against following a conventional path and instead encouraged seeking varied experiences to make innovative connections.

Jeff Bezos shares a similar perspective, noting that highly intelligent people often change their minds based on new information and experiences. Jobs's advice was to embrace new experiences, even uncomfortable ones, to develop unique perspectives and connections.

In summary, Steve Jobs's insight into intelligence highlights the importance of making connections and seeing the bigger picture. His emphasis on diverse experiences and neural chunking offers valuable lessons for those seeking to enhance their decision-making abilities and overall intelligence.

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