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McGonigal:

It’s a compelling idea, certainly. I’ve been covering video games for more than 10 years and am especially interested in the “serious games” movement; I believe whole-heartedly that wonderful things can happen when people play. But gamification advocates do not preach the beauty and power of play. Perhaps without knowing it, they’re selling a pernicious worldview that doesn’t give weight to literal truth. Instead, they are trafficking in fantasies that ignore the realities of day-to-day life. This isn’t fun and games—it’s a tactic most commonly employed by repressive, authoritarian regimes.

Gamification: Ditching reality for a game isn’t as fun as it sounds. - By Heather Chaplin - Slate Magazine

The Big Society is gamification.

I Like:

The hunt, called “Find the Future: The Game,” was created for the library’s centennial celebration by Jane McGonigal, renowned for designing games that tackle real-world problems designing marketing for major corporations and writing books about how that’s a good thing, really.

hyde or die: New York Public Library Looking for 500 Volunteers for Overnight Treasure Hunt  

FTFY