What a ridiculous article. Given that you found out how to turn off notifications (probably AFTER you started writing), there's absolutely nothing to complain about, and no point to make. It's like complaining that the ceefax subtitles are activated on your TV. They're optional!

Secondly, video games are distantly abstract from reality, and the achievement system on the Xbox 360 is part of that abstract view. You could say that they model the emotion of satisfaction, or success, and so in fact add to the game experience (as they do for me and many, many other gamers). This is why most people give you that blank look when you ask about switching them off. It's not because they are lame sheep, it's because they have accepted the system as a positive addition to the experience.

Daniel (commenter above this), that's an even worse topic of discussion. And you are quite mistaken if you think that's new ground. The achievement system has been really successful at prolonging the life of a large number of games. To be honest I can't be bothered to explain why if the reason is not obvious.