Dr. McGonigal on Gaming - Response

At the beginning of Dr. Jane McGonigal's speech, she immediately introduces herself as a game designer who is affiliated with the Research Institute of the Future.  Showing an image of a young gentleman playing a video game, it seemed to just cause the audience to not take it seriously; but when she dove deeper into the face of the player, she explained the "epic win", and the feeling of surprise and optimism on the boys face in the photo.  She then contrasted it with what she called an, "I'm not good at life face".  Right then, Dr. McGonigal created a highly compelling argument dealing with how people in society should play more video games.  Using logos, she described how currently 3 billion hours a week are spent playing games when 21 billion hours of gameplay a week is ideal for the future.  She goes on to explain using pathos how in the "game world", an individual can feel more hope and motivation - a higher sense of bliss and willingness to aid in saving a world.  Although the logic may be deemed as questionable, she encouraged her statements by making a relation to how gamers feel a higher sense of belonging socially and mentally in a video game world, as opposed to the real world.  She explains how games have possibly saved a culture 2,500 years ago playing a game with dice made of sheep's knuckles.  The mentioned game is known as the first game ever created, and the culture survived for eighteen years eating and playing games.  Years later, DNA evidence had shown the Atruscans had some similar genetics to the other 'culture' that died.  She used her career as a game designer as a credible source, which is ethos, and she also referenced books from credible authors and studies along with the game World of Warcraft to make an example.

Personally, I would assume that video games saving mankind is a bit too far fetched, but not impossible.  I have noticed that when people play games such as the aforementioned, "World of Warcraft", they are very ecstatic in terms of how they view that virtual world.  They are determined to reach a goal that is made possible for them, so when they do reach their goal; they get the "epic win".  If society sets drastic goals that are possible in the real world, the world as a whole would definitely be better.  If the same people used decision making, their physical and mental abilities, and the urge to better their real world; positive changes would take effect.  Dr. McGonigal created a very plausible argument that turned out to be quite astonishing.