Technology both terrifies and excites me

I saw a presentation today that really got me thinking - is it ok to have two very conflicting views on technology? I think it is.

I know that in 20 years there will be new advances the likes of which I can't even dream of. Well, now I've seen a man that has dreamed of it, at least to some extent. His name is Jesse Schell, and I'll describe him as a geekier version of Mitch Hedberg. He talks about the future of technology in ways only a game designer and imaginative tech geek ever could. And he does it with awkward humor, which is my personal favorite. Watching his presentation made me ponder these things:

• Do I want "the man" knowing everything I watch, everything I buy?
• Do I want "the man" to use this information to study me and my habits, then change the way they market products to me?
• Will making my life a game make me enjoy it more?

The answer to all of these questions, ultimately, is yes. I do think if someone made everything I did in life into a game, I would enjoy it more. I would enjoy brushing my teeth for 2.5 minutes, 3 times a day if I got points every time I did it. I would enjoy getting a free tube of toothpaste every time I reached 1,000 points. I also think I would like seeing only ads that were geared towards my likes, my humor, my tastes. I'm ashamed to admit it, but if I'm honest with myself I really do think I'd like these things. I don't want to know they're happening and I find the idea pretty scary, but also exciting.

So, technology, I give you permission to study, play, and otherwise use me for your purposes. Just don't tell me when you're doing it.

Here's the presentation (about 30 minutes, but it goes by quickly,
or skip to theend when all the juicy stuff happens):