DICE 2010: "Design Outside the Box" Presentation

Maiestas777

I am stunned. This guy is a freaking genius. Although, I sit here and I don't know whether to fear this or embrace it.

On the fear side, the only way this works is if suddenly every company starts to participate in the "Meta-game of Life" at about the same time. If not, suddenly one company begins to herd the masses, and we begin to fall at the whim of this company. Eventually the company owns all of our lives and world domination.

Even more so we get the question of negative points. What happens if (big if) suddenly the police force begins to reprimand you based on the times you lose points for doing things deemed morally irresponsible. Granted, this would allow for quick and decisive action against rapists, murderers, etc. However, who decides these point gains and losses? Suddenly we are at the mercy of the companies unless, say, there has to be a screening of every award created.

This then creates a bigger problem in itself of regulation, assuming the points system cannot tell when bad rewards or punishments are being created. We cannot allow these points to run rampant, as eventually if our world becomes dependent on this point structure, since it is automatically calculating all of your good and bad actions, they will dictate our lives. Who would keep this system in check to stop people from abusing it? We would then fall to the same trappings of a modern society. The speaker spoke of how this would cause people to be morally responsible, but what if it is abused, as any system always is.

On the other side though is the revelation of how great this would be. Assuming my above points are addressed correctly, this would usher in a new era of prosperity for humanity. It would give everybody this new sense of self-worth and purpose, and allow them to proper. It could lower suicide occurrences in which the reason was feeling like you have no life purpose, as now your purpose is that instinctual urge to get the high score.

Overall this idea is both scary and amazing. We are all going to be a witness to the dawn of a new age of man, a modern renaissance if you will. But with this new power will come great responsibility, as is the cliche saying. We must be careful, but not fearful. It is a bold new future we are going toward and I, for one, am excited.