Hack's Haven

Jane McGonigal’s list of fixes for reality:

1) Compared with games, reality is too easy. Games challenge us with voluntary obstacles and help us put our personal strengths to better use.
2) Compared with games, reality is depressing. Games focus our energy, with relentless optimism, on something we’re good at and enjoy.
3) Compared with games, reality is unproductive. Games give us clearer missions and more satisfying, hands-on work.
4) Compared with games, reality is hopeless. Games eliminate our fear of failure and improve our chances for success.
5) Compared with games, reality is disconnected. Games build stronger social bonds and lead to more active social networks. The more time we spend interacting with our social networks, the more likely we are to generate a subset of positive emotions known as “prosocial emotions.”
6) Compared with games, reality is trivial. Games make us part of something bigger and give epic meaning to our actions.
7) Compared with games, reality is hard to get into. Games motivate us to participate more fully in whatever we’re doing.
8) Compared with games, reality is pointless and unrewarding. Games help is feel more rewarded for making our best effort.
9) Compared with games, reality is lonely and isolating. Games help us band together and create powerful communities from scratch.
10) Compared to games, reality is hard to swallow. Games make it easier to tame good advice and try out happier habits.
11) Compared with games, reality is unsustainable. The gratification we get from playing games are an infinitely renewable resource.
12) Compared with games, reality is unambitious. Games help us define awe-inspiring goals and tackle seemingly impossible social missions together.
13) Compared with games, reality is disorganized and divided. Games help us make a more concerted effort - and over time, they give us collaborative superpowers.
14) Reality is stuck in the present. Games help us imagine and invent the future together.

Maybe we should be treating our reality more like a game.