Distributed terrorism as pervasive game/ARG isn't new, but it looks like it's here to stay.
This sort of thing was a staple of near-future sci-fi back when "collective intelligence" was cool – think Global Frequency – but it was usually for good. Oh well!
Archive: https://archive.is/L16IJ
It's too simple to say this is Discord's fault or video games' fault, or even "addictive algorithms".
It's not like it's that easy to go out and take photos or spray graffiti vs staying indoors playing World of Tanks!
At the same time, I don't think this is the work of some evil genius FSB game designer. They're throwing shit at a wall and they found that:
1. Making teens feel cool and special
2. Giving them clear tasks escalating in difficulty
3. Paying them £500 in crypto
sticks!
It is FUN to imagine you are a spy going out on a secret real world mission, getting messages from a handler.
The money helps, but the main thing is that it's free, unlike practically every comparable form of real world immersive experience/pervasive game.
Anyway, maybe I'm crazy but maybe we should provide exciting real world activities for teens to do that don't further the FSB's agenda?!
Feels like it would pay for itself!!
I have this nagging thought that @cstross is making a (possibly war) movie reference, but I cannot place it.
Even if not intended, my memory is nagging that there's some connection.
Which is mildly annoying because I don't really enjoy old World War movies.
I've checked some lists of pool movies on the WWW, and nothing rings a bell. So another annoying possibility is that my memory has made a completely spurious connection.
It will be even more annoying if weeks from now I wake up remembering that it was actually from Buffy or some such. (-:
Adrian Hon
Charlie Stross
JdeBP
C.