Well, I'm seeing a lot of posts about "gamificaton" - creating game-like elements everywhere, including work.

When, may I ask, was all this not a game? Ever since Sister Mary Whosit or Mrs. Tarshaguadle or Mr. Fuggettaboudit  gave you a gold star for completing your work well, or you got an award for "perfect attendance" (no sick days), your life has been "gamified."

We earn little badges and pass milestones no matter what we do. We complete our college work and get a diploma. We do well at work and get a new title or a corner office.  We stack up the certificates of completion we earn at seminars and workshops. We get to use more letters after our names.

But there is a difference. I am left to wonder if achieving a GollyYerFabulous badge on a website or at work will have any real consequences, or if the new "gamified" world will dispense badges and tokens instead of raises, better benefits, respect and responsibility. Or maybe the badges are the real deal and the raises are an illuson. 

Well, whatever your game is, play it well and play it wisely.