But it IS a life skill. It's not comparable to reading or writing maybe, but it is comparable to financial planning. People don't learn to write budgets properly so they go broke. People don't know how computers work, even just the basics, but operate these machines every day as part of their work and their home life. Knowing how to use a command line to look for viruses, how to monitor your home network, or even what a bit of code looks like - enormously useful skills that make you a more savvy, thoughtful, and protected citizen.
I disagree with movie theatres, mice, and phone numbers. Phone numbers are convenient as a primary key for people and are already ingrained in our consciousness, why would we get rid of them?
Movie theatres are more about the common experience, and I think will continue to be so. The author misses the point, you don't go to watch a movie, you go to the movies. It's so ingrained in our culture and has grown to be such a bigger thing than just passive watching. When it comes down to it, people like lining up and hanging out with people for something exciting and new. Look at Apple releases and video game releases, people still line up and dress up to go do things collectively.
And mice are just more accurate than touch and less cumbersome for navigation.
I was going to suggest this, it's excellent and exactly what you're talking about. He encourages creation as it gives you a focus and goal for consuming online. Great stuff.
The author isn't talking about games though, nor is he really talking about "storytelling." He's saying that the philosophical bent and diversity of the game makes it the most important sci-fi universe. Your argument has a great angle, but as for godless diversity and the insignificance of man, Vernor Vinge has definitely been there before.