Actual Reality > Alternate Reality - The UpStream

Britain has finally done it. They have completely lost their minds. Launching soon will be a new Internet-based game in which you watch people remotely and report crimes. For every suspected crime reported, you will earn one point. For every legitimate crime reported, you will earn three points. For really good tips, there could be cash prizes of up to 1000 euros.

Now, this certainly sounds like a terrible videogame, doesn't it? Well, good news - it's not a videogame. This will be a 100% real online game. The government has taken the concept of Alternate Reality Games and gone one step farther. The actual basis of the game is that you will have access to the country's infrastructure of traffic and city cams and you are encouraged to snitch on your fellow citizens. Clearly the British don't have the expression "no snitching."

Obviously there are people who are unhappy with this idea, and I don't mean just the criminals. Civil liberty groups are protesting against the idea of anyone being able to watch these cams and essentially spy on their neighbors and friends. The only problem with their argument is that these cams have been around for ages, many of which have been publicly viewable, just not all in one place. Or with prizes. With the addition of prizes, maybe I can see their point.

Would you be interested in playing such a "game" or is this just a ploy to make the government look like they understand the Internet and kids?