Well, I was once in Alaska on a vacation and went to an Indian village where they were building totem poles. The indians (native Alaskan's) were using a chain saw to make the cuts in the logs. They also used chisels, gouges, etc. I commented that it didn't seem quite right for them to use a chain saw to build a totem pole as the old timers didn't have them and didn't use them. The Indians comment was pretty simple -- they would have used them if they could have. Thats kind of how I view the guide thing.

So, to each his own. Certainly a guide is not required or preferred by some but is a considered a good idea and economy for others. There is plenty of room for us all.