The means of transformation

Also, about the means by which people are being transformed - I think a magical cause would work much better than a technological one. Reasons? 1. With magic there's possibility to change the reality itself, and so to escape the office setting at some point if needed. You want to your character to be transported to a beach? Well, unless your transformation device is also a teleporter you can't really do it. 2. With magic it'd be much easier to control other people's reactions, memories, personalities etc. Which can be sometimes desirable. Eg. the stone makes all the people who didn't hear a wish unaware of it's effects. Quite helpful. 3. With magic, I think, it's much easier to have it misused, doesn't matter if intentionally or not. That too can be a potential plot device.