It's an interesting analogy. I'm going to have to remember that one. The cake as a motivator works really well, considering the context of the game. It's a driving factor that is supposed to motivate the player to see the tests through to the end. You don't know if it exists or not, just told by someone that it does, and you have to go on faith that it will be at the end of it all, waiting for you.
To me, I see religion as playing a very similar function. Having no chosen religion personally, I can't say I speak from experience, but rather from observation of the people around me. Many people use the motivation that there is a higher power at the end of life to act as a reward for their hard work and dedication. Personally, I'd disregarding the fact that we do, in fact, see a cake in the ending cinematic. That's beside the point that I believe is trying to be proven.
Whether or not the cake exists is irrelevant; it's more of how it acts as a motivation throughout the game I think. As for the other applications, they may work also. I think it's a bit petty to try to make that kind of trivial argument, though. Most metaphors are applicable to more than one situation. That's kind of their nature.
As for you, Wheeeee, that's kind of a nasty thing to say, isn't it? What you're saying is that instead of being insightful, we should just go back to watching TV or putting other people down. If you aren't going to be constructive, find another topic that you can post on.
