- The sound of a whistle: If the sound of a whistle hasn’t haunted you yet, give it time — I’m sure it will. You know you are a true lifeguard when you start to hear a whistle even in your sleep.
- Tan lines: You have given up on trying to get equal tan lines over the summer. If your bathing suit hasn’t left its mark, your guard shirt sure will. My favorite look is the raccoon eyes when you have left your sunglasses on far too long.
- The smell of chlorine: The pool smells of chlorine, the building smells of chlorine, you smell of chlorine, everything smells of chlorine. You can try as you might but it seems you can’t shower enough to get rid of the smell.
- The weather app: You know you’re a lifeguard when the thought of rain gets you excited and thunder makes you even happier. However, if the weather app says it will rain, don’t bank on it — odds are it won’t. It seems like the only time it rains over the summer is when the pool is actually closed or it’s your day off.
- No running, no jumping, no diving: This phrase will be repeated at least 1,000 times a day. If I had a dollar for every time these dreaded words have left my mouth, I could take a trip around the world. I think all the signs around the pool are invisible and only the guards can actually see them.
- Lap swimmers: Nothing screams boredom more than watching a lap swimmer. My head starts to feel like a pendulum.
- The bottom of the pool or the abyss: I don’t know how half of the stuff at the bottom of the pool makes its way down there. From condoms, to jewelry, to food — it will forever remain a mystery.
- Parents: It wouldn’t be a summer if you don’t get yelled at by a parent. Some parents think your second job is being a babysitter, and they really don’t like to hear it when you say you are not. Sometimes it’s hard for a parent to get in the water with their child. Did I mention every child is a sweetheart that abides by the rules?
- Children: The sound of a child's laughter sends shivers down your spin. If anyone says children are innocent, adorable creatures, they obviously have never been a lifeguard. I can’t begin to tell you the crazy things these kids do to the pool or in the building. Let me just say they leave destruction wherever they may be.
- You don’t remember ever being hired as a janitor: Cleaning the bathrooms is always an adventure. Clogged toilets, drawings on the stall, feminine products left on the floor and even fecal matter that is definitely where it shouldn’t be.
- Drama: There is always drama within the staff. This lifeguard is dating this lifeguard, or this lifeguard doesn’t like this lifeguard for x number of reasons. If MTV was smart, they would make a reality TV show about lifeguards. I’m sure it would be a hit.
- No matter what, you love being a lifeguard: Being a lifeguard is one of the best decisions you have ever made. For every struggle you face there are 100 more blessings on why you always stay. You have gained a new family within your coworkers, even if they sometimes are a pain. You have learned so much about yourself and your community. You will never have a job like this again, so enjoy each summer while you have it.
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
StableDiffusion
The Illusion of Creativity
AI-generated music is often marketed as “artistic” or “educational.” But what does it really teach?
- That style can be replicated without understanding.
- That emotion can be simulated without feeling.
- That effort can be bypassed with a prompt.
For young creators, this sets a dangerous precedent. Why learn to play guitar when an algorithm can do it faster? Why study harmony when AI can generate chord progressions in seconds? The risk isn’t just laziness — it’s the loss of depth, discipline, and the tactile joy of creation.
I have listened to several AI-generated music covers. My initial reaction was one of considerable impressiveness, particularly regarding the reimagining of classic pop hits in diverse genres with novel arrangements. Here is one good example a-ha — Take On Me
However, after engaging with several such Ai generated song covers, a sense of emotional detachment emerged, attributable to the perceived absence of human artistry and genuine sentiment, resulting in a technically flawless yet ultimately soulless auditory experience.
Copyright in Crisis
What does the copyright law say about AI generated music, especially in field of music covers. Who is liable for copyright in this case, AI developers, people who used AI to generate music or people who published it on music platforms?
Recent lawsuits show that the music industry is pushing back hard:
- Universal, Sony, and Warner sued AI music platforms Suno and Udio in 2024 for allegedly training their models on copyrighted songs without permission Ars Technica The Lyon Firm.
- They’re seeking up to $150,000 per infringed song, arguing that the AI outputs resemble famous tracks and voices (e.g., Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson).
- These lawsuits target the developers of the AI tools — but they raise broader questions:The legal gray area is training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use Sites at USC.
But who’s liable?
Role | Legal Risk | Why |
AI Developers | ✅ High | For training on copyrighted material without licenses. |
Users | ⚠️ Moderate | If they intentionally recreate protected works. |
Publishers/Platforms | ✅ High | For distributing infringing content. |
The grey area lies in training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use. Meanwhile, AI-generated works themselves aren’t eligible for copyright unless a human provides substantial creative input — leaving them in legal limbo.
The Educational Mirage
Some argue that AI music helps people learn genres, production styles, or vocal techniques. But this “education” often lacks context. It’s like learning to paint by watching a printer — technically impressive, but creatively hollow.
True musical education involves:
- Struggle and iteration: Learning through mistakes.
- Emotional connection: Expressing what words can’t.
- Cultural lineage: Understanding the roots of sound.
AI shortcuts bypass all of this. And in doing so, they risk flattening the rich terrain of human creativity into a sterile landscape of algorithmic mimicry.
Why This Fight Matters
This isn’t just about music. It’s about the future of art, storytelling, and human expression. If we allow machines to dominate creative spaces, we risk turning culture into content — optimized, monetized, and devoid of soul.
We must ask: Do we want a world where art is made by machines, or one where machines help humans make better art?
5 Key Takeaways
- AI-generated music blurs the line between innovation and erosion in the creative arts
- AI-generated music raises questions about copyright, culture, education, and artistic expression
- AI-generated music can replicate style without understanding, simulate emotion without feeling, and bypass effort with a prompt
- AI-generated music sets a dangerous precedent for young creators by potentially leading to a loss of depth, discipline, and joy of creation
