All the World’s a Game, and Business Is a Player - NYTimes.com

Win virtual badges for agreeing to have all of your activity micro-instrumented

"If this made-up award makes you feel good about yourself, then you are on your way to understanding gamification, a business trend — some would say fad — that aims to infuse otherwise mundane activities with the excitement and instant feedback of video games.
Many businesses are using these game tricks to try to get people hooked on their products and services — and it is working, thanks to smartphones and the Internet."

All the World’s a Game, and Business Is a Player - NYTimes.com