ROB FLEMING (Rob Gordon in the movie), FROM HIGH FIDELITY SPEAKS
On his top five dream jobs
- NME journalist, 1976-1979
Get to meet the Clash, Sex Pistols, Chrissie Hynde, Danny Baker etc. Get loads of free records – good ones too. Go on to host my own quiz show or something- Producer, Atlantic Records, 1964-1971 (approx)
Get to meet Aretha, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke etc. Get loads of free records (probably) – good ones too. Make piles of money.- Any kind of musician (apart from classical or rap)
Speaks for itself. But I’d have settled just for being one of the Memphis Horns – I’m not asking to be Hendrix or Jagger or Otis Redding- Film director
Again, any kind, although preferably not German or silent.- Architect
A surprise entry at number 5, I know, but I used to be quite good at technical drawing at school
So, inspired by this, I’ve decided to write my top 5 dream jobs, not limited by time travel or qualifications:
- CEO of Apple Inc, 2017-2022
Someone has to take over from Steve at some point and I reckon I could do it. It would also be one of Apple’s most challenging times as we introduce a new iWidget, buy Adobe and have to fight off Google and a newly revitalised Microsoft. Finish up by leaving on a high note with Apple as a worldwide carrier and get on my yacht and sail away on my 50th birthday. - Futurist and Author
Get to swan around conferences dispensing visionary wisdom to adherents. Probably pop out a couple of novels and have one or two optioned into movies. Spend a lot of time talking to interesting people and turn down those TED folk once or twice. - Serial Entrepreneur/Investor
Start and sell a couple of businesses and then spend the rest of my days helping other people get started. Get to hang out with the cool kids in San Francisco as well as prove that you don’t have to be in Silicon Valley to make a splash in the Digital sector. - Technology Journalist/Writer, 1970-2000
Get to watch all of the technology giants take off. Get to meet cool people from some of the most innovative companies during the birth of Silicon Valley and the web. Attend all the big conferences and renew my sense of wonder when someone gave me a computer I could carry with one hand. - Film Director, Writer and Producer
Writing and directing my own films and helping others do it too. Success would be nice – in order to finance the projects I consider to be art. Maybe even get to be interviewed by Apple during one of their product releases talking about how their new iWidget has improved my day.
So, what about you? Top 5 Dream Jobs?
Test Pilot – 70’s-80’s – plenty of hardcore, cold-war jets emerged…back when they were trying to be advanced, but weren’t (before stealth and computers).
National Geographic photographer – 80’s to mid 90’s. The world was opening up and film was still king. Now it’s too open and too instant (digital), lost some of the mystique.
Writer – if you can make your keep. I’d keep a simple life, vagabond around a bit, musing and crafting tales. Soaking up inspiration, reflecting, and hopefully inspiring others with what comes out.
Renaissance man – wealthy and educated, employing my time to further education, the arts and scientific discovery. I would discover a law of something or other and school kids would have to learn it in the future 🙂
Entrepreneur 2010…. The world is changing, markets are changing, priorities are changing…. a big reset button has been pushed as much as can be expected and there is a lot of opportunity for things to be done differently, for new discoveries and developments. It’s a bit unnerving, but the most exciting things often are.
intelligence operator, Afghanistan – part of a tri-service team tracking high value targets in central Asia and the Middle East. The new Great Game
newsflow trader, hedge fund – create and run a proprietary trading system that trades indices (x-asset class) from a macro economic newswire
CEO, Africa -, run a conglomerate that spans the Dark Continent’s 3 big businesses – raw materials, transport and tourism.
feature writer, Wired UK – find and create the emerging tech angle on current trends.
founder, successful internet startup – create a hit that creates a globally recognised brand