Why My Father Is Wrong: A Defense Of Guitar Hero | Whatever

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Why My Father Is Wrong: A Defense Of Guitar Hero

Posted on August 10, 2026

Posted by Athena Scalzi

12 Comments

Athena<br>" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/whatever.scalzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WHSAthenaS2.jpg?fit=225%2C337&ssl=1" class="alignright size-full wp-image-48640" src="https://i0.wp.com/whatever.scalzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WHSAthenaS2.jpg?resize=225%2C337&ssl=1" alt="" width="225" height="337" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/whatever.scalzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WHSAthenaS2.jpg?w=225&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/whatever.scalzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WHSAthenaS2.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" />My father recently wrote a piece detailing some of his thoughts on AI, and in doing so he compared using generative AI to playing Guitar Hero. I shall not let this analogy stand.

If you think I’m pro-AI, you couldn’t be more wrong. There is no bigger hater of AI in the world than yours truly. So while I disagree with my father’s argument, it isn’t because I like AI, it’s because he slandered Guitar Hero. How could he even compare the two? So few things are even comparable to the absolute plague on humanity that generative AI is, and Guitar Hero should not be included in that list.

This extremely well thought out and provocative essay is only for the eyes of those who are ready to rock. So without further ado, please join me in celebrating the true art that is Guitar Hero.

(I will be referencing my father’s post a good bit, and countering specific points he raises, so feel free to refer to his post here.)

Some of you might think I’m being obtuse in contradicting my father’s analogy of Guitar Hero does not equal being a guitar player, and using generative AI does not equal creating art. However, I understand the base argument being made here is that Guitar Hero does not teach you how to play a real guitar, and that the skills that you get from playing Guitar Hero are not transferrable to the actual instrument.

My father defies his argument with his own wording: "…a non-transferrable skill…"

Skill. Guitar Hero requires skill. Therefore, Guitar Hero is fundamentally and utterly different than using generative AI. Case closed.

However, I will continue my essay, even though I have already proved my point.

While it is true that Guitar Hero does not teach you the skills to be a guitarist, it does involve the skills of rhythm, timing, and hand-eye-coordination. Auditory motor synchronization is a very important thing, you know! Research has proven time and time again how video games, including rhythm games, can create new neural pathways and strengthen your brain, whereas generative AI has proved to do the exact opposite and even actively harm our cognitive functioning, problem-solving, and even memory.

While Guitar Hero has no basis claiming to be a tool for learning guitar, it never stated that that’s what it was for at all. No one ever said "play this to become a guitar player." The point of Guitar Hero was never to make you a guitarist. It never boasted claims of doing so, so why are we saying, "well, it doesn’t make you a guitar player." I know that! Everyone who plays the game knows that!

And, if someone claimed that they were a guitar player, and then tried to make money by booking gigs as a guitar player, there would be some real consequences and mockery involved. Yet, this is not the same for those who use generative AI. Many businesses and establishments get away with using AI flyers for their events or images, and while some people on Instagram may say boo in the comments, they face no meaningful, real world consequences.

I’d also like to counter my dad’s choice of words in saying, "Like Guitar Hero, AI is fun to play with…" First of all, no it isn’t. Second of all, one is an actual game with the purpose of being entertainment, the other is a water-sucking demon that steals art from real artists.

You don’t sit around your friend’s dorm room procrastinating an essay just to prompt AI to "make art," you hang out and play games and have fun! And one of those games for me was Guitar Hero 3 for the Wii. The amount of time I spent progressing from easy to expert is not to be understated. My skill actually grew, my ability to play the game well actually grew. And I did it with my friends by my side, all of us having so much fun. There is no bonding connection like that with generative AI.

As you can tell by my very concentrated face, this was an activity to do together. Be rockin’ together. AI disconnects us from each other and isolates us, not brings us together like Guitar Hero.

(Look at that joyful smile.)

Guitar Hero was a creative and innovative project made with love by real humans. My dad mentions that Guitar Hero uses actual licensed music and paid actual people and artists to make and...