I love this! This is EXACTLY the point I make to people all the time.
I am a songwriter. I can say that because I've spent nearly half of my life refining my craft. I've studied it, analyzed it, obsessed over it. If I had been going to medical school, I'd be a doctor three times over by now.
And yet, countless times, I had discussion with people who ALSO identify themselves as "songwriters", because they WROTE A SONG ONCE.
Hey, I watched 4 hours of "House" last night. Anybody need surgery? I can do it, CUZ I'M UH DOKTER NOW.
I work with a girl who told me that her brother bought Guitar Hero so that he could learn to play "Welcome to the Jungle"...
The same girl constantly tells me how AMAZING she is at singing "Wanted Dead or Alive" on Rock Band. Funny, I can sing that song pretty accurately, but it nearly blows out my vocal cords every time. And yet, this amateur (who doesn't even do Karaoke) can nail it no problem?
Let's play another game...all the gamers can bring their paintball markers-and I'll bring my 20 guage. we'll play a few rounds. After all, since what they are doing is "just like the real thing", they shouldn't have an issue with the rules, right?
Wow, it feels good to rant.