Also, about the means by which people are being transformed - I think a magical cause would work much better than a technological one. Reasons?
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
