Reality Achievements

After being exposed to games like Half-Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2, Bioshock, Halo 3, etc., I've become fascinated by the idea of achievements. For those who are unfamiliar with the idea, an achievement is something you get in a video game when you complete a certain task. Tasks range from simply beating certain parts of the game, completing difficult in-game challenges, racking up a certain number of kills, etc. In general, about half of the achievements in any given game are typically easy to get, but the others are often very challenging and/or very time consuming. I like games that come with achievements as it gives me something additional to work towards after simply beating the game. It gives the game replay value and adds additional challenge without really adding a lot of content (and therefore cost) to the game.

However, my idea (which is apparently no longer original, or more likely never was original) is simply this. What if there was some sort of comprehensive list of real world achievements, achievements you could get simply by living your life and passing significant milestones? In a way, this list already exists in the minds of most people around the planet, but it is not unified nor comprehensive. I guess my idea is really to look at life as the biggest, most important "game" of all, but with real, lasting consequences for you and those you meet along the way. "Reality" achievements would mark your progress or unique path through life.

I think achievements would have a surprisingly positive effect on some people (those who would care about them, that is). I think it would inspire them to pursue different activities or hobbies that they normally wouldn't be interested in. It would open their imaginations and creativity to see, learn, and do new things. Since the list of reality achievements is virtually limitless, there's no worry for obsessives (like me) who would want to complete every one, as it would, by definition, be impossible to in a single lifetime.

Of course, there are negative ways this could be interpreted. Some (hopefully not most) people would begin doing things simply for the sake of doing them, not for the experience or value such an event or action could have on their lives or the lives of those around them. For example, some people could possibly take the "Run for Congress." achievement and run but not really care about their constituents or the issues they support. What if the achievements were bad, like "Kill 100 people." or "Make $10,000,000 selling cocaine."? Laws would still be needed to enforce moral/legal behavior in the pursuit of these reality achievements, just as they do now. And, honestly, bad achievements and those who pursue them already exist; it's up to those who oppose them to stop them from pursuing evil.

However, all in all, I think it would be a lot of fun to have a huge list of achievements for myself that I could look over to see what things I have accomplished during my existence, especially if those things occurred when I was young or very young and I don't happen to remember them.

In light of this idea, I may at some point post some subset of what I perceive to be my own "achievements". As for now, here are some general achievement ideas that I can think of off the top of my head.

Learn how to ride a Bike

Learn how to Swim

Learn how to Drive a Car

Serve as a Juror

Graduate from High School

Graduate from College

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree in College

Obtain a Master's Degree in College

Obtain a PhD in College

Obtain a Job

Become President of the United States

Walk on the Moon

Walk on Mars

Climb to the top of Mt. Everest

Climb the Seven Summits

Visit the Seven Continents

Visit all 50 States of the United States

Watch all Movies directed by Christopher Nolan

Read all Books written by Michael Crichton

Marry your soulmate

Send your Children to College

Become a true Christian

Die for your Faith

As you can probably now imagine, there are unlimited possibilities for this list. My question to you is this. What are some achievements you would be interested in pursuing, or what achievements have you already obtained? Once you mull it over a bit, it really is an interesting way to think about your life and the goals you have going forward.