1) What is plausible and what is implausible about the future that Jesse Schell describes and, most importantly, make a clear case for why? 

I think it is possible that the eye sensors for objects, such as the idea of sensors being in kindles and watching how we read, is very plausible. I think it would help us understand how we read and how we can improve our reading skills, because since technology has come around, I believe that reading skills in the country have significantly dropped because we tend to skim. For example, when I read something, especially if it’s a school related reading, I will see where the end is and I will read faster than previously have been, just because I want to finish the article and get it over with.

I think the points system is implausible for the future. I think it would be too complicated to control and its a very silly concept. At the same time, I like the idea of accumulating points for doing every day things, but there are a lot of things that need to be worked out if this point system were to become a thing that we use. For example, how would our points be added up? What system would calculate these points? How would they be managed and kept separated between every person in the world? Would we have an option to use this point system or would we be forced into it? Generally, when point systems are used, they can be redeemed for things later on. Is there a system to make these points redeemable? So many questions, so little answers.

2) How do you think current city screens (such as animated billboards) and future ones (as described in Living Skins) will factor into a future where we continue to be constant contributors of data (of both personal and impersonal nature). For example, how might this bring communities closer, educate us, empower us, alienate us, and/ or commodify us or de-commodify us? Provide at least two exampls of where this is happening already. Use the links to the left. 

I think being constant contributors of data will help bring communities closer and educate us, because if we are constantly contributing, we are constantly working together, which helps bring people together. We will be educated because, just like when teachers are teaching us things, we learn from others as well because everyone else knows different things than what we do. I liked that the SPOTS installation called 33 Questions Per Minute included the public asking questions, but I think its ironic that the computer generated questions were more interesting than the questions submitted by the public. I think its ironic because we are learning from a computer instead of others, so I think either way, we are being educated. I also liked the very last work mentioned, which was “Motion Study” by Ben Rubin. The guessing of what the colors of the colored light tubes stood for or represented. 

3) How might gaming factor into this (or not)?
I don’t see how gaming factors into this at all, but I’m not a gamer so maybe gamers will have a different perspective on this. But I could see how gaming, depending on the content, could be considered educational.