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Parents Let Kid Drop Out Of School To Focus On Guitar Hero

kotaku.com — Let's try to keep the bad parenting bait to a minimum for this one, folks, but holy crow, I can't not show you this story. A 16-year-old in Raleigh, N.C., whose parents have let him drop out of school so that he can focus on a professional gaming career via Guitar Hero

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  • albotropolis, on 08/17/2008, -8/+303Oh my lord
    • Surferess, on 08/17/2008, -2/+153I am feeling a lot better about my parenting skills all of the sudden.
      • Elranzer, on 08/17/2008, -1/+74I feel I am a much better parent now, too... and I don't even have kids!
      • LeeSoong, on 08/17/2008, -1/+13A full explanation of the future
        of the USA might be found right here:

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1sE1E3z7jU

        Now time to pull your kids out of school for the Duke Nuk'em Forever Release!
      • netMASA, on 08/17/2008, -1/+2Wait, it has a release? Wow.
      • DocHoliday22, on 08/17/2008, -16/+1No, your parenting skills are probably ***** if you feel better by this news. This kids parents have even ***** skills.
      • Charlotte_Web, on 08/17/2008, -6/+2@DocHoliday22:

        Actually, it's a compromise. He's still finishing high school through a home school program, and he gets to chase his dream. I agree that it's a helluva gamble, since only the top 1% of tournament players are able to make a living at it.

        Hopefully his parents can convince him to balance college and tournament play as well.
      • ronaldinho, on 08/17/2008, -0/+6@Charlotte_Web

        If his parents can't convince him to balance Guitar Hero and high school, how the ***** are they going to convince him to balance Guitar Hero and college? This kid needs a life, and his parents need to get new brains. This is ridiculous.
      • siszam, on 08/18/2008, -7/+1He is being tutored/home schooled. Can't you people read?
      • card51short, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1DNF is coming out this year...I just KNOW it!!!
    • Rendonsmug, on 08/17/2008, -34/+10People get home schooled all the time. Is it really that much worse because he also plays guitar hero?
      • azreal156, on 08/17/2008, -13/+5Learn to read. He wants his career to be a professional gamer specializing in guitar hero. Luckily his parents aren't completely stupid because they got a tutor for him since he dropped out.
      • siszam, on 08/18/2008, -5/+3That fact you were one of the few who read and understood the article and you are being dugg down by so many....sigh. It says a lot about our failed public schools.
      • GassyTurd, on 08/18/2008, -1/+4My parents let me drop out of school to ***** horses. The way of the Amish is the way of the future.
      • smacksaw, on 08/18/2008, -0/+6I'm homeschooling my kids, but unlike these douchey parents, *I* got Rock Band.
    • steviesteveo, on 08/17/2008, -1/+43So THIS is why I keep getting beaten so badly online.

      I thought Guitar Hero was a casual, good at parties game? I never thought it was a full time job. I'm not practicing enough.
    • johndavidjack, on 08/17/2008, -2/+19This is one of those times as a parent, you look at yourself and say, "I've failed, it's time to start over"; as you grab your gun.
      • TheGuruStud, on 08/17/2008, -2/+6No *****, at least if it was UT or Starcraft his parents could be proud lol.
    • rpgmaker, on 08/17/2008, -9/+20Wait, to me it sounds like a good inspirational story of a guy following his dream.
      http://www.newsobserver.com/2766/story/1155589-p2. ...

      FTA: "Blake is happy with his success. Mom and Dad are happy with his grades. Since he's gone to the tutoring arrangement, she hasn't once had to tell him to do his homework, because he does it on his own. They got plenty of grief from family and friends about their decision at first, but they've also watched Blake, who is shy and disliked school, become a happier person."

      This is a new world. More than likely things that we're not used to will happen. This may be one of them.
      • ferrariman60, on 08/18/2008, -1/+3Um, every 16 year old dreams of dropping out and playing video games all the time. Doesn't necessarily mean it's a good thing.
      • feliks2, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1He will be poor as ***** and depressed for the rest of his life and don't you deny it.
      • ericrous, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1In all fairness, not every kid dreams of playing video games. Some dream of becoming rich rap stars or reality show sluts.
    • LeeSoong, on 08/17/2008, -10/+14From a ''Christian Academy'' to home schooling and cyber-schooling = trading religious dogma for more freedom and self expression ?

      Good deal for the kid,
      one loss for the 'Dinosaurs aren't in the Bible' crowd.

      And unlike some schools - he wont have to put up with fights, drugs, bullies, and wasted time and lost youth to endless Bureaucracy.

      But Really:

      Give up on the worthless Guitar Hero.

      Buy a real six string, over at the five and dime.
      Then play it until your fingers bleed,
      during the summer of '09...
      • EatSleepJeep, on 08/17/2008, -0/+4red state
      • johndavidjack, on 08/17/2008, -1/+9"And unlike some schools - he wont have to put up with fights, drugs, bullies, and wasted time and lost youth to endless Bureaucracy."

        Yeah, because that kind of ***** doesn't exist in the real world at all, only in High School.
      • coldgirl, on 08/17/2008, -1/+1amen!
      • 00100001, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2Raleigh Christian Academy is more 'academy' than 'Christian'; I know people of all faiths who go there. It's in the top 25 high schools in the nation.
      • LeeSoong, on 08/18/2008, -1/+2Raleigh Christian Academy - apparently not top enough for this young man.

        So, they don't mind atheist students telling them that there is no god floating in the sky, or Hebrew students telling them Jesus does not save, because he certainly is no more a son of G-D than you or I ?
      • feliks2, on 08/18/2008, -1/+2Ouch, someone had no friends in school.
    • Cloud7654, on 08/17/2008, -0/+11It's a fun game and I play it probably a little more than I should, but WTF?
    • Drax0n, on 08/17/2008, -6/+3EVERYONE is over reacting to this.. in a huge way. I have news for all of you thousands of 16 year old students drop out of school every year, and thousnads of parents let their kids drop out.

      |News flash those kids don't even get a in home tutor.

      Grow up and stop being drama queens. I'm not saying I would let my child do it, but a 16 yr old dropping out of school and having a home tutor is NOT NEWS.
      • Cooperfan, on 08/17/2008, -0/+11But that is because the kids have either no motivation, want to start working, have bad grades, or are on drugs.

        This kid drops out...

        to play GuitarHero for the rest of his life.
      • johndavidjack, on 08/17/2008, -1/+4The parents are letting this kid drop out to basically be a loser the rest of his life, given this kid's "plans".
      • Drax0n, on 08/17/2008, -1/+2But its still not news, thousands of parents let their kids drop out, and basically become losers. How is this news? drugs, woman, crappy jobs or a video game its all the same.
      • LeeSoong, on 08/18/2008, -3/+1Going into a bus to waste fuel to go into a large energy hungry building is not the only way to go to school:

        Cyberschooling:
        http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Cyberschool

        Home Schooling:
        http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=homeschool

        If you think you or your kids deserve a better education, you do have options.

        Never Settle for Second Best.
      • GassyTurd, on 08/18/2008, -3/+1"I have news for you," "News flash", shut up you angry little wanker.
      • feliks2, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1LeeSoong, ***** people, right? Kids don't need friends. A computer won't hit them, laugh at them, make them fall down, won't make them have babies.

        Oh wait, we need babies, and this is basically virtual castration.
      • smurfsahoy, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1It's news because it's ironic, and therefore entertaining, duh. I think you're confusing Digg with the Wall Street Journal or something.
    • LavaWarrior, on 08/17/2008, -5/+2IT'S A TRAP!
    • netMASA, on 08/17/2008, -1/+4Just because he dropped out doesn't mean he isn't being schooled. He's no longer in a school building, he's getting home schooled with a private tutor.

      It's not a big deal, but the priorities are a bit off. As long as the kid is still doing his lessons, you can't be calling the parents completely bad (though not very money savvy). Pretty nice that they let him attempt at fulfilling his dream.

      It probably won't work out as well as he hopes.
      • johndavidjack, on 08/17/2008, -0/+9***** that. His dream sucks. He's just another rich, spoiled brat that got his way.

        If I ever wanted to skip school once to play video games, my Dad would've given me 5 across the eyes.
      • Cyber_Akuma, on 08/17/2008, -2/+1Notice how everyone on Digg seems to have a dad that would have beat them senseless if they did anything out of line?

        With all these dads that beat their kids senseless out there it makes me wonder how any of these crazy news stories pop up.
      • gh0st3000, on 08/17/2008, -0/+2Maybe it's because not every dad would beat their kid senseless if they did something massively retarded. Sometimes they gotta lay down the law and tell the little bitch to go to school.
    • meshman, on 08/17/2008, -0/+1Mine too!
    • tacochampion, on 08/17/2008, -7/+2"Oh no, such bad parents"
      If I had a 16 year old son who I genuinely felt was smart, talented, and capable, I'd let him drop out if it was to focus on something, even if it's something I think is stupid (Who am I to judge?)

      High school was useless.
      Just because he dropped out of highschool doesn't mean he's doomed. If later he decides he wants an education in some field, he can do as I did, get his GED, go to a ***** local junior college, and then move to a 'normal' university.

      He's already more important than any of you. How's that feel?
      • Soniti, on 08/17/2008, -3/+11I'm sorry; A video game playing highschool dropout is "more important than any of us?"

        Normally, I would just roll over and let this one pass, but not this time.

        I've been to Iraq twice, and I'm heading to Bagrahm AB next month. I've put back together more bodies than you'll ever imagine the next time you watch Saving Private Ryan. Don't ***** tell me that this whiney little kid has somehow given more, or experienced more, or is somehow better than anyone because he can perfect TTFaF.

        In short: You, tacochampion, are one ignorant, arrogant, *****. Eat ***** and die.
      • Cyber_Akuma, on 08/17/2008, -1/+5First, he didn't drop out, hes being homeschooled by a private tutor.

        Second, hes 16, most teenagers have no firm grasp on the reality of the future beyond their current years. Yes yes, I know a few do, but most don't.

        Do you honestly think a 16 year old can seriously make a professional living by playing videogames all his life? Is he going to support himelf by gaming by the time he is 50? Without a highschool and/or college degree future jobs are going to be hard to come by unless by some insane chance he manages to create a startup that makes him millions.

        Sorry, but I have to disagree with you, this is indeed bad parenting.

        Who are you to judge? You are his/her FATHER, the one who has already gone through what they are going through and hopefully has the life expirence to know better and say no when they are going to try something that will clearly be for the worst in the long run.
      • Drax0n, on 08/17/2008, -5/+2You do realize 20 years ago no one ever thought you could make millions playing sports..... cyber your a arrogent prick for thinking you know what will happen 20 years from now.
    • ronaldinho, on 08/17/2008, -1/+1If my kid is any smarter, he would not focus his energies on things like video games. Just how long can you make a living playing video games? This is even worse than making it big by getting to the NBA or the Olympics, and even most of these people go to school while honing their talents.
    • thavi, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1certainly if he's coordinated enough to "go pro" he could play a real instrument at a high skill level.. and get this.. WRITE HIS OWN SONGS!
    • tjmasco, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Funny how none of these comments are in response to "Oh my lord"...
  • davidbrown2, on 08/17/2008, -20/+614Another reason why retards shouldn't be allowed to breed.
    • SouljaBoySTFU, on 08/17/2008, -25/+1How could you let your son do that?!
      • lordgibbon, on 08/17/2008, -0/+8Looking at your username, I wonder the same for your father.
      • siszam, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1I guess you let your son be tutored just like child actors are. How about children who are ill and cannot attend school? They are tutored. Are you really so brainwashed that you think children must spend five days a week in a government brainwashing center in order to learn? In a years time when he has given up this little dream of his. Thanks to tutoring he will probably be ahead of his former classmates in academics.
      • fedja, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Yea, "homeschooled" has always made me think "smart" and "sociable".

        Orrr wait, actually, not quite. Every homeschooled wanker I ever met was socially inept and unable to learn anything that required more than one point of view. 99% of them were homeschooled because their parents didn't think brainwashing them with Jesus was something that could wait until 4 pm.
    • megamod, on 08/17/2008, -0/+35I was thinking "onion, SWEET there's no way I'm wrong this time..*****"

      And parents blame the game industry?
      • Cyber_Akuma, on 08/17/2008, -0/+5"And parents blame the game industry?"

        Obviously those parents don't.
      • electricwaffles, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1You realize it says the source URL right below the title, right?
    • bhdakanat, on 08/17/2008, -1/+10I assumed this was a product of the onion when i saw the title. Turns out people really are this stupid.
    • billyf1, on 08/17/2008, -0/+5what are you talking about, this kid has great ambition!
      /sarcasm
    • badenglishihave, on 08/17/2008, -0/+12Ever seen the movie "Idiocracy"? Yah. That movie scares me.

      http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/
    • egoideal, on 08/17/2008, -0/+24"Have you ever tried simply turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?"
      • Menchions, on 08/17/2008, -0/+9I love you.
      • psaffire, on 08/17/2008, -1/+0@Bender/egoideal -- I see what you did there!
      • coldgirl, on 08/17/2008, -0/+2If you haven't started breeding yet, want to? :)
      • CanadaMan87, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Somebody gonna get'a hurt real bad.
      • caramba420, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3Damn, coldgirl, you're not very subtle, are you?
    • bulletmoy, on 08/17/2008, -1/+0There not counting all the money hes made hustling little kids. Where do you think he got all those guitars?
    • Mightbiteyou, on 08/17/2008, -0/+0maybe not, maybe the kid is just that awful and if they lock him in the basement civil service will lock them up, this way the kid is happy and all the local small animals are safe.
      And think about it this way, that probably has a better chance of making him money than focusing on his football/soccer/basketball/hockey, and everyone is all for that. Sure its still probably 1 in 1,000,000 but its better chances than making it as a professional athlete.
      • Issius, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2wtf are you talking about?
      • caramba420, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1"Sure its still probably 1 in 1,000,000 but its better chances than making it as a professional athlete."

        Professional athletes number in the thousands. As far as I know, there are no professional Guitar Hero players in the world. You may want to reevaluate your statement.
    • Cyber_Akuma, on 08/17/2008, -1/+5Sadly, Diggers probably have an even lower chance of breeding
    • OffPiste, on 08/17/2008, -0/+1I believe Obama supports forced sterilization for people like this.
    • katanaswordfish, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1I'm pretty sure Hitler said that same thing.
    • OpenRevolt, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1He'll be Walmart Hero by 18
    • andythefan, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1evolution will take of that... *chuckles and dusts hands off*
    • cnbroke, on 11/30/2008, -0/+0Ummm...why don't you Google "Blake Peebles" and see what it pulls up? There's a lot more out there on him than YOU and you're just jealous that he's so cool that the world actually cares about his life. You're jealous that he can make money doing something he LOVES while all you ***holes hate your jobs.
      And he's getting his education, anyway. Just now, he doesn't have to put up with the half-wits he did when he was going to school. He's probably a lot smarter than you guys.
      And his parents are good people. They are not "retards". And how can you even say that? You don't even know them.
      Grow up.
  • MSstar, on 08/17/2008, -51/+425"YOU... ARE... FAGS!"
    • Switchnig, on 08/17/2008, -19/+62that kid is a professional fag
      • itsthebrod, on 08/17/2008, -19/+4Nah he's still a novice fag. He hasn't hit that professional level yet.
      • madkiller, on 08/17/2008, -19/+4wow you all use the term fag very loosely like u have a guilty conscience or something
      • daverave999, on 08/17/2008, -1/+12You use the term fag like you haven't seen the episode of South Park they have.
      • scot333, on 08/18/2008, -1/+6whats all this talk about cigarettes?
      • MacintoshSauce, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2As Oliver Hardy used to say to Stan Laurel, "I'm all fagged out."
      • caramba420, on 08/18/2008, -1/+2Actually, gay porn is a relatively lucrative occupation. If you're willing to take it up the ass, you can pull around $3000 per scene. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for playing Guitar Hero.
    • cmw72, on 08/18/2008, -9/+1I don't get it ...
      • sandman979, on 08/18/2008, -2/+5South park bro... south park. Go see "guitar queero" now dammit.

      • dirtypenguin, on 08/18/2008, -0/+4South Park Reference from GH episode
    • phillykid162, on 08/18/2008, -3/+2If he went to ***** public school I am very happy for him and his parents for making the best decision of their lives. I would have been glad if my parents let me drop out of high school to flip burgers at mcdonalds while paying for a community college class at 14.

      If not, shoot the parents....
      • caramba420, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3"Universal education is the most corroding and disintegrating poison that liberalism has ever invented for its own destruction."

        -Adolf Hitler
  • HCviolence, on 08/17/2008, -8/+915It'll only lead to Heroin Hero
  • Androfire, on 08/17/2008, -8/+220But, dad!! I want to be doctor!!
  • johnleemk, on 08/17/2008, -21/+601I swear, the moment I read the headline I said to myself "This has to be from The Onion."
    • elshizzo, on 08/17/2008, -7/+50Does someone always have to say that on every story where something wierd happens?
      • johnleemk, on 08/17/2008, -5/+63Seriously, the headline is exactly how it would read if The Onion ran this.
      • Xspire, on 08/17/2008, -37/+1Do you work at the Onion? Then how would you know how they would run it?
      • Refridgeron, on 08/17/2008, -0/+25@Xspire: I'm gonna take a stab in the dark here and say he reads the stories, douchebag.
      • jxfallout, on 08/17/2008, -0/+14Well, when reality is becoming just as ***** up as a typical issue of The Onion, you really should be worried. I know I am!
      • quinlan, on 08/17/2008, -0/+14it's not so much that it's because it's something weird. we're mostly just hoping it's all a joke
      • 801NvizioN, on 08/17/2008, -5/+2Yes.
    • phoggey, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3For those of us who still have faith in humanity, yes.
    • Nauru, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2Let's just face it, when was the last time an onion story made the front page?
    • LiberalKid, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1I thought the exact same thing and this isn't just weird, its profoundly stupid.
    • solistus, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Apparently, so did 525 other people, myself included.
  • teotbote, on 08/17/2008, -4/+509Awesome. In 5 years, when nobody gives a ***** about this game anymore, he's gonna be *****.

    On the bright side, though, he'll be of drinking age. At least he'll have something to do.
    • SSUK, on 08/17/2008, -1/+44Yeah, there'll be plenty of bins for him to rummage through.
    • dhughes, on 08/17/2008, -10/+6 That's 4 1/2 years too late.
    • mrfizzle, on 08/17/2008, -1/+13Assuming he has any money to pay for booze
    • N837AW, on 08/17/2008, -2/+5Just like skateboarding!
      • TommyHigh, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2I can imagine that....

        Theoretical News Coverage: "Everyone thought it was just a passing fad, now 30 years on the guitar hero craze is still growing stronger everyday. Millions of dollars in endorsements and advertising contracts are being offered to the best and the brightest in the newest sport to be included in the olympics."
    • foldor, on 08/18/2008, -8/+35 years? He's 16. In Canada that means he can drink in 3 years :p. (2 if you live in Quebec)
    • xanadu2113, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2ok maybe it would be acceptable for halo or call of duty, but guitar hero is not even a game worth putting that much time in to. there's a limited number of songs, and most of them are relatively easy. what's he going to do? play "through the fire and the flames" over and over for the rest of his life?
  • Darkangel754, on 08/17/2008, -10/+105BAD PARENTS
    • ziffel, on 08/17/2008, -2/+25Thanks, Einstein.
    • ProductNumber01, on 08/17/2008, -6/+3WHINY BITCHY KID
    • Philmer, on 08/17/2008, -11/+5GOOD PARENTS; at least he wont have tto suffer through the terrible education system that america has to offer. He will do something he loves, and joy is WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. let them be.
      • supermanly, on 08/17/2008, -0/+4Yea enjoying life for no longer than 5 years, then he realizes that he can't make it big and doesn't have a proper education. What is he going to do then?
      • ap44, on 08/17/2008, -1/+4Well clearly he could still get a job at great places like McDonalds, Wal-Mart, etc.

        He can tell his friends who have graduated that he is just working there part time as he is trying to make it big with his "music."
      • litothegreat, on 08/17/2008, -2/+1finally someone who understands what life is actually about. being successful is great but being unhappy and having money is by no means a successful life.
      • bagelmaster, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3If you have a decent amount of money, good friends, and a place to live and still aren't happy, you need to stop ***** whining.
      • boogface, on 08/17/2008, -1/+1thanks for posting this. I dont understand why everyone thinks you have to follow the same path in life that they did.


        if he decides he wants to do something else that requires more education, he can go back to school. it might not be easier that way, but he'll probably grow a hell of a lot more making his own decisions and taking risks than those who just take the safe path.
    • michaelz92, on 08/17/2008, -0/+5He was enrolled in private school which is separate from the education system america has to offer
      • afruff23, on 08/17/2008, -3/+1How so? To become a sanctioned private school you have to meet State-created curriculum standards.
      • michaelz92, on 08/20/2008, -0/+1Yeah, but most private schools go above and beyond those, while public school meets the bare minimums.
    • Darkaged, on 08/17/2008, -0/+4I blame video games
      and radiowaves
      and society in general
    • litothegreat, on 08/17/2008, -6/+1when he makes his first million at the age of 20 by playing video games while at 20 u were in college amassing a huge college loan debt. BAD PARENTS. wouldnt want ur kid thinking he can actually be whatever he wants to be. lol smh
      • ziffel, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2Judging from your grammar and spelling, I can tell you're a big fan of dropping out of school for useless pursuits.

        If you honestly believe anyone is going to make a living playing Guitar Hero you should strongly consider evaluating your grip on reality.

        Good parenting does not mean letting your child do whatever the hell he wants. It means proper and wise guidance. These parents are guilty of neglect.
    • bullhead2007, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3Yeah every day I feel we actually get closer to Idiocracy.
    • boogface, on 08/17/2008, -1/+3maybe. or....


      BEST PARENTS EVER!
    • coldgirl, on 08/17/2008, -3/+1Yup, see litothegreat's comment above...
  • acmaurer, on 08/17/2008, -0/+41Wow. Well that sounds fulfilling.
    • LeeSoong, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3Thank goodness he isn't wasting time
      on 'Habitat for Humanity', the local Food Bank,
      or 'Adopt a Highway' !

      Just think how flooded local charities would become if teens were allowed to simply roam free to do ad-hoc pro-social activities !
  • Elliottx, on 08/17/2008, -59/+9In a related story, a 16 year old teenager has commit suicide after reading all of the hurtful comments about him on Digg.

    Go cry emo kid.
    • energyblue, on 08/17/2008, -1/+16Your profile picture looks more 'emo' then he does.
      • Elliottx, on 08/17/2008, -17/+1My profile picture is EVUL! I r teh evil bad photoshopped guy!
      • blacksteve0, on 08/18/2008, -0/+6Just can't get enough of that buried feeling huh?
      • Elliottx, on 08/18/2008, -3/+2It feeds me.
  • IndustrialJones, on 08/17/2008, -16/+174This just blows my damn mind. I'm not a parent, but sensibility tells me I wouldn't let my son or daughter drop out of school to play a ***** video game for a living, no matter how good they were... even if the devil showed up on our doorstep and he beat Lucifer at Guitar Hero... I don't give a DAMN!! Makes me want to punch the mother in the ovaries and kick the dad in the dick.
    • alex7575, on 08/17/2008, -1/+50Balls, you gotta go for the balls...
      • xtrench, on 08/17/2008, -2/+59Meh... He's used to going for the dick.
      • Jones82, on 08/17/2008, -0/+23There's bound to be some splash damage to the balls anyway
    • alclone, on 08/17/2008, -0/+62Even if your child is pro at Starcraft?
      • Sornos, on 08/17/2008, -0/+60Only if he's Korean.
      • ronaldinho, on 08/17/2008, -0/+2I rather have him or her to be more than one-dimensional, so yes, even if my child is a pro at ***** Starcraft, I will still make him go to school. I'm not tolerant of my kid being ignorant.
      • ZeroFive1, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1@Sornos: I think it would be more amazing if he wasn't...
      • DefaultGen, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3@ZeroFive1: If you think you're a pro at Starcraft and you're not Korean, you're wrong.
      • worldnick, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1That question is just silly. A child might as well be good at building space ships. No seriously I used to be good at Starcraft, but koreans have now devoted lives to it. It's not like piano or even guitar hero there are too many elements, strategies to learn. Only an adult could be could at starcraft unless they had some serious tutors.
    • wc3452, on 08/17/2008, -3/+25You know, you are able to play against the devil in Guitar Hero III.
    • Katana314, on 08/17/2008, -6/+2That reminds me: All these bad parenting situations can be solved by one thing.
      FALCOOON PAAAAAAAWNNNNCH!!!
    • goombah, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1"...even if the devil showed up on our doorstep and he beat Lucifer..."

      Didn't some guy get a fiddle of gold for doing just that? Hey, it worked out for him (at least according to Charlie
      Daniels).
      • Issius, on 08/18/2008, -0/+4It was probably plated. Lucifer is an ***** from what I hear.
    • barrakuda, on 08/18/2008, -1/+2even if the devil bet plastic guitar plated in gold against your soul?

      ...because he thought he was better than you?
    • Tyrghast, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3Ok, what is sad is that for some reason we reward people who are great at rhythm games, but we don't even have a dedicated competitive gaming channel or televised league. At least Korea has an all Starcraft channel...
    • siszam, on 08/18/2008, -4/+1Go back and read the article again. I hope you don't breed. Please.

      They hired tutors for him. Maybe your parents should have gotten you some extra help. Then you wouldn't fail at reading comprehension.
    • mozert, on 08/18/2008, -1/+3You sound like a girl.
    • Syphon8, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1I hear the only thing Lucifer hasn't FCed is gergorge on expert.
  • KevinRWright, on 08/17/2008, -54/+444Uh, lighten up folks... If you RTFA you would see that the kid is being home schooled by private tutors. He was going to a fancy private christian "academy". Chances are he's learning more at home with the tutors than he was reading the bible.
    • alex7575, on 08/17/2008, -38/+19I don't care if the kid's an A+++ student. Letting your 16 yr old kid decide he's going to play video games for a living is just moronic at best.

      You are praising him for something most people do w/o expensive private tutors.
      • KevinRWright, on 08/17/2008, -9/+30You might want to check out your reading comprehension skills because I never praised the kid. I was simply pointing out that a lot of you are over reacting, as you continue to do so.
      • ch4os1337, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1There is probably somebody better then him who probably has a full time job :P
    • rockwithme000, on 08/17/2008, -18/+11People like Jonathon Wendel make a living off of playing video games. Tournaments winnings, sponsorships, etc bring in more than you probably make.
      • RiverBelow, on 08/17/2008, -8/+5You're absolutely right. I have no idea why you're being dugg down. If you're a really good pro gamer, as opposed to mid tier ones you can get multiple thousands for tournaments, and as professional gaming (such as MLG) becomes more and more mainstream, as it is (you can watch it ESPN), you'll see kids like team Final Boss signing a 1 million dollar contract.

        Though that by no means makes it suitable to let your kid drop out of school, everybody should have gone through school, especially through high school. If he wanted ignore post-secondary, fine, that's his choice, but he could at least finish high school. Although once again, its being blown out of proportion because he's still getting private tutors and will still get the knowledge he'd get at school - I'd just worry about him being a complete social outcast.
      • puttly, on 08/17/2008, -0/+1You do realize that Jonny Wendel didn't make a living until after five to six years of competitive play before earning a name for himself, playing more than ONE game. Winning tournaments and sponsorship combined don't allow him to make a living, he started his own gaming company that sells gaming equipment.
      • RetlawST, on 08/17/2008, -0/+2The problem is actually addressed in your statement, River. In most fields, you can be a good mid-tier worker (somebody who's good, but obviously not a genius) and still make a livable income. In gaming, if you're not the best, you're making ***** for income.

        Most "professional" gamers have a job other than gaming because they enjoy things like food, clothing, and the occasional hooker.
      • Mononuclear, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3If you read the article only the top 1% make any decent kind of money. The other guy in the article who is a professional gamer has made $25,000 total.. not per year.. total over several years. You can barely live off $25,000 a year.

        Being the world's best guitar hero player will not make you any money. You may get $1,000 here and there from prize money but that is not a career. The chances he can make a career from this are much much less than becoming a professional basketball player and even then most kids who want to be pro sports players stay in school and get college degrees.

        Wendell is one of like 5 people in the US who make enough money to live from gaming.
      • saxmaster, on 08/17/2008, -1/+1He says in the radio interview that he is working on multiple games. Also, his parents say that this goal has given him a drive in life that he never had before, and he is making straight As in his classes... so I think it was the right move.
    • contradictator, on 08/17/2008, -10/+43Right, he's totally gonna have a regular education.

      He's just gonna become a social outcast. =P

      And no, I'm not blaming video games, I'm blaming his parents for letting him isolate himself like that. The kid has no other hobbies (according to the article), and he's not gonna be interacting with kids on a daily basis anymore.

      So I'm thinking there might be a bigger problem than lack of a diploma here.
      • Hockey13, on 08/17/2008, -13/+19No human being should be forced to be social in the way you find normal. If the parents would rather the kid socialize with other kids online, or on the weekends/after school at the park or whatever, that is their decision. Just because you learn how to socialize by going through a "regular education," doesn't mean that's the best way.
      • Mononuclear, on 08/17/2008, -5/+5In order to function in the world you need certain social skills. Skills that most kids who are home schooled do not have. You don't need a "regular education" but "normal" social skills are required for life. You need to know how to interact with people, work on a team, take criticism, respect authority. Unless you are one of the few who can make money working for yourself from home without ever having to deal with other people then you will fail at life and be moving from one crappy job to another because you can't work with other people or you don't know how to work for someone else.
      • Puffles, on 08/17/2008, -2/+8I've been homeschooled almost all my life... and I'm not what you'd call an isolated social outcast. Believe it or not, people like me have friends, too.
      • str1fe, on 08/18/2008, -0/+5Homeschooled does not -automatically- equal socially inept. I've known homeschool kids who spent their lives in things like church youth groups, homeschool sports teams, and the like. They turned out perfectly normal and were still brilliant.

        Of course, I've also met homeschool kids who weren't exposed to all that and didn't have any regular interaction with people outside their families. Most awkward people I've ever met. Both sides of the spectrum are true.
    • heliox, on 08/17/2008, -12/+3ass
    • staticneuron, on 08/17/2008, -4/+35I graduated from HS. I look back and think I might have benefited more from a private tutor. A tutor can adjust to your learning styles while at school in overcrowded classroom may not benefit your style of learning. I really didn't know I had a style of learning until I went to college.
      • hakz, on 08/17/2008, -1/+7At school, I sucked at science and maths, mostly because I couldn't see the board as I had no glasses, in a crowded class, I found it difficult to get the help I needed from the teacher, when at times it seemed I was the only one not understanding it.

        I got a private tutor and it really helped, I picked up, went a head of alot of the students and did quite good it my final exams for high school. You might not know the kids full story, maybe he was doing ***** in that school anyway.
      • steviesteveo, on 08/17/2008, -1/+4I took a private tutor for extra lessons for an admission test for a private school when I was 11. I also signed up for extra math lessons when I was 16 just to make sure I made a university admissions requirement, but I never stopped attending full time school while doing it.

        Sometimes you have to admit that being taught in class isn't working for some of the material for you and you need to take a different approach but it's really not the book learning that you get out of the school experience - many people manage to sit in a class from the age of 5 and barely learn to tie their shoes. It's the social side that shapes you. I think he would have done better to move to a different school.

        My final year common room had Guitar Hero set up for people to use during breaks, he'd have had a good social experience thrasing people on that.
      • Mononuclear, on 08/17/2008, -0/+2Private tutor you can help you learn more and progress faster but there are invaluable life lessons you learn in HS just from interaction with peers and teachers. You learn how to deal with horrible teachers. You will probably in life have to deal with a retarded boss where they are always right and you just have to suck it up for a little while. You learn how to deal with retarded classmates. You learn how to work in groups with people you despise. You learn how to make friendships and learn social cues on how to judge people by the way they act or talk or what they say about other people behind their backs.

        I sometimes wish I was home schooled because I often felt school was a waste of time. I felt I could have graduated HS by the time I was 14 and been off to college but the social aspects of life I learned in HS were invaluable.
      • thallium205, on 08/17/2008, -3/+4I gots me ma govament edumacation in HI SCOOL, WIT A 3.8 GPA FO' DOIN' NUFFIN! Nao i am supa ready to be a govament bureaucrat!
    • steviesteveo, on 08/17/2008, -2/+8He's getting tutors but he won't see another non family or tutor human being for the rest of his natural life. He says he plays "until he can't play anymore" and when you're that age and you /really/ like a video game that's pretty much dawn till dusk. There's no way he's going to interact socially and train to be a Guitar Hero cyberathlete.

      Should his tutors manage to get him the grades to get him into college he won't /fit/ into college because he's shy now, he dropped out of school instead of sublimating the fears and feelings of alienation that many people experience in school and getting on with their trial and error growing up process. It's hard learning to be a socially interactive and independent human being but it needs done and letting him drop out will almost certainly backfire on him.
      • madmccoy, on 08/17/2008, -0/+6Dude, I was like that even though I *didn't* drop out of high school.
      • hatdrop, on 08/17/2008, -0/+2i hated the kids at my school and actually chilled more with my friends who happened to go to my school's rival school. i met these people in elementary school and if i was home schooled or tutored i'd still be kicking it with em, course i was too poor to be home schooled or tutored.

        point is you don't need to be in a high school to have social interactions, cause the kids at my school were rich ass pricks and i didn't want to be around them. hell i even went to the other school's prom instead of mine.

        yes i haven't read the article yet, but who's to say he doesn't already have an established group of friends? not to mention he'll potentially be out talking more to people in the real world instead of a place with arbitrary social hierarchies and cliques that either disperse when they get into college or stay stuck and waste away at community college for 8+ years.
      • ch4os1337, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1I think the parents should be crucified.
    • lofispy, on 08/17/2008, -1/+4Heck, I did RTFA...and my mind is still blown....it's the principle of the matter that gets to me most....it's not about the video game, it's about the fact that this kids parents let him isolate himself like this...he has almost no chance of being socially functional if he continues like this...and well, you can debate whether is so bad or not...but it's still an epic fail on the part of his parents...
    • FatPig78, on 08/17/2008, -0/+1this is true, cept now he cant focus on the real reason everyone goes to school, the girls. mabe he will go gay or become a priest
    • IHaveCrayons, on 08/18/2008, -4/+14Have you ever been to a private Christian academy? There's hardly any religion at all, but I like your bias. Kids that go to Christian private schools end up with higher SAT scores and end up going to better colleges. Nice try though.
      • gfxlonghorn, on 08/18/2008, -8/+1And then they go on to become the brilliant creationist scientists of tomorrow!
      • arah91, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1And all people that go to a public school are evolution scientists? If that where the case i would take a Christian school any day which i already would any how as private schools tend to be better as a whole.
      • IHaveCrayons, on 08/18/2008, -1/+4You know what's hilarious gfxlonghorn... I go to UT:Austin too and I went to a private Christan school. Right back in your face.
      • gfxlonghorn, on 08/18/2008, -1/+2Wow that really hurt.. a person from Texas went to a Christian School!?! What are the odds??
      • Aurorae, on 08/18/2008, -0/+0I went to a private Christian school for grades 1-3. Religion was a subject just like English/Math/Science/History that we studied every day. Plus we had to go to the school's chapel every Wednesday morning to pray and have a service. I was really happy to get out and go to public school.
      • tony23, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1"There's hardly any religion at all,"

        Really? Here's the one on our neighborhood:
        http://www.woodcrestchristian.org/189254.ihtml
    • 00100001, on 08/18/2008, -2/+8I agree with IHaveCrayons; Raleigh Christian Academy is one of the highest-ranked high schools in the US. Wake County's school system rocks the house, on the whole (Enloe FTW).
      • tony23, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Wake County's school system is great, if you don't mind your kids being transferred to a different school every year.
    • doshindude, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3doesn't ***** matter, the kid is a tool for even thinking that he could make a living out of it, and the parents sound like they never finished school themselves.
    • feliks2, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1Right, he will get a great education. Maybe he will even learn some basic geometry and will eventually finish reading about two books during his "high school" times. He will be so smart and prepared, right? Going to some religious school would be terrible, but basically not getting an education and not having any friends whatsoever guarantees a ***** life, from any perspective.
    • bxblox, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2I went to both a private christian academy and public high school. It's probably completely different than what you this it's like.
    • fedja, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2To be honest, High School doesn't teach you much more than reading and basic math in the US. The main thing kids get from HS is basic social skills, introduction to tobacco, alcohol, and sex. That's what he'll be missing out on, and that's why he'll fail at life later on.
    • worldnick, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2What if the tutors are all for GUITAR HERO!!!
  • bigdoglj52, on 08/17/2008, -3/+14shame on them
    • wontstoptalking, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1Yes, but they get their points back for naming their son Blake Peebles.


      Seriously, can you think of a more badass name?
      *waits for other digg users to do so and reply to this with them*

      EDIT:
      Never mind. I read it as "Black Peebles." Late on a Saturday, you know?
  • hinmanj, on 08/17/2008, -2/+121If I were going to drop out of school to be a pro cyberathlete, I would choose a better game than Guitar Hero. There are already people who've gotten 100% on basically every song. One guy got 100% on the Buckethead song in GH2 on live TV. The kid should have chosen Counterstrike or something where the limit hasn't already been reached.
    • Nick22, on 08/17/2008, -0/+67or go to korea and play starcraft
      • Lunarbunny, on 08/17/2008, -1/+48At least he'd get girls that way.
      • bobbi21, on 08/17/2008, -1/+14I'd love to go play starcraft in korea. You're like an actual athlete there. Awesome.
    • Camphlobactor, on 08/17/2008, -0/+9Nah, if he were to pick up Counterstrike now it would be too late to go pro.
      • DefaultGen, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1And this is the reason why a normal job would be a nice thing to have.
    • mnetlucas, on 08/17/2008, -9/+12He didn't 100% it on tv, he did it on ustream. I was there to watch it. Also I have talked to this kid before and this story blows it out of proportion. He couldn't concentrate in school so he decided to be homeschooled. Because he was getting homeschooled he decided to try bring a professional gamer. He isn't being stupid.
      • Chris1280, on 08/17/2008, -4/+2Way to go Jax, your a *****.
      • fedja, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2When I couldn't concentrate in school, I'd fail a test. Then, my dad would tear me a new one.

        You should try it, it does for wonders for adolescent concentration.
    • goombah, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3Cyberathlete? Is that what the PC crowd is calling a gamer nowadays?
    • CrispyGame, on 08/19/2008, -0/+0As far as music games: Beatmania IIDX. No contest.
  • stits, on 08/17/2008, -7/+64Mother of *****, these parents should be sterilized.
  • jiminizer, on 08/17/2008, -3/+40Meh i've got a mate who dropped out to spend more time raiding on WoW. No amount of persuasion will convince him to go back either - it's a pity cos he's pretty smart.
    • Ramble, on 08/17/2008, -4/+85Apparently not.
    • skinrock, on 08/17/2008, -7/+27Obviously he isn't that smart.
    • jiminizer, on 08/17/2008, -0/+57Ok, sorry let me clarify - he's intelligent - that doesn't mean he has common sense.
      • otros, on 08/17/2008, -4/+12na, still not so intelligent.
      • Sloi, on 08/17/2008, -6/+7Truly intelligent people have common sense. What you're referring to is absentmindedness in the gifted, which is also a fairly common trait.

        Your friend isn't very intelligent. Just accept it.
      • Rizzen, on 08/17/2008, -2/+11His intelligence score is probably around 16, but his wisdom is 6. Haven't you played DnD, gawd.
      • Nidy1, on 08/17/2008, -0/+5Charisma: 1
      • jiminizer, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1@Rizzen Hehe actually yeah i play it pretty often - I was even going to use that analogy but i wasn't sure many people would get it.
    • secrity, on 08/17/2008, -0/+8Does gold farming pay for the WoW subscription and the broadband charges?
    • PhoenixAvatar2, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3One of my roommates a couple years ago did the same thing. Can't say I was upset to see him go, he was a douchebag and it left me with the room to myself for an entire term.
    • Poseur117, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3It sounds like I'd hate your friend.
  • ferrell, on 08/17/2008, -11/+151Heh... Another onion.com story...

    WAIT. WHAT?!?
    • cusoman, on 08/17/2008, -11/+3This trend is getting annoying. Life is naturally satirical, get over it.
    • GianDoe, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2dead honest that's what just happened in my head...
  • JedicodeWarrior, on 08/17/2008, -3/+16Home schooling at it's very best!
  • whoreable, on 08/17/2008, -3/+56Facepalm just doesn't cut it.
  • wm2010russ, on 08/17/2008, -2/+31i want to see a video of him playing
  • wettestwillie, on 08/17/2008, -17/+1If he really made 25k so far, this might of been the right choice for him.
    • AlanFang, on 08/17/2008, -0/+10Read the article, it says he has only made $1,000.
      • rnawky, on 08/17/2008, -0/+7Wow... And I made $1,600 a month working part time at a food store.
      • wettestwillie, on 08/17/2008, -1/+5Opps, I misread.
      • devila2208, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1I doubt you can make that much working PART TIME at a food (grocery?) store.
    • qber, on 08/17/2008, -0/+15No, another gamer who was contacted for the story made 25k, and that's over the course of 8 years of being a pro gamer.
      • TommyHigh, on 08/18/2008, -0/+225k in 8 years... what a hero. I get 10X more with 2 kids on welfare.
        Maybe he should try that?
  • ChayesFSS, on 08/17/2008, -3/+57Picard.png
  • AlanFang, on 08/17/2008, -10/+34You sure this wasn't from The Onion?
  • MurphyWatson, on 08/17/2008, -2/+42I don't get this. Guitar hero isn't anything like a real guitar, its not anything like an olympic sport. Its a fad. Anyone who buys into the idea that they are actually talented for playing a ***** guitar sim deserves the ***** life that they are getting when the fad ends.
    • Typhoon2009, on 08/17/2008, -1/+2I think it's too soon to play GH's final song. DDR's been popular for ages.
      • Issius, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1Yea DDR died a while ago. People still play it but nobody cares about them. Guitar hero lets you play in dorm rooms whereas DDR does not lend itself easily to that.
    • Syphon8, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1Top GH players have a talent. It's obviously not the same talent as player real guitar, but you're an idiot if you think they don't have a talent.
      • scubaninja, on 08/20/2008, -0/+1Yes, but does that talent translate into being able to support themselves financially for the next 40 years?

        Of course, maybe he was going to drop out anyway. People do get jobs without finishing high school.
    • nicko68, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1"I don't get this. Guitar hero isn't anything like a real guitar, its not anything like an olympic sport. Its a fad."

      I guess that's why Guitar Hero:World Tour and Rock Band 2 were hardly noticed at E3. At least it's not yet another FPS.
  • greenfrogblue, on 08/17/2008, -3/+18tang tang tang tang click click
    • Evi1d33d, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2I love that song.
    • tsunamitomi, on 08/21/2008, -0/+1CLAP..... CLAP.... CLAP.. CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!
  • timsline, on 08/17/2008, -8/+4Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure 3
    • 33PercentGod, on 08/17/2008, -0/+1No,Ted was going to be sent to military school in Alaska. Much different.
  • Firespray1138, on 08/17/2008, -14/+145Wait wait, he drops out of school so he can play a video game that emulates playing a guitar...WHY THE ***** DOESN'T HE GO OUT AND BUY A REAL GUITAR?!
    • Orodent, on 08/17/2008, -0/+32My thoughts exactly. Playing a real guitar can get you more places than playing a fake one.
      • KSUdesigner, on 08/17/2008, -1/+19Like in bed with a woman. Women are just going to laugh at him when he tells them he plays a plastic guitar for a lliving.
      • Frogee, on 08/17/2008, -0/+24"Don't worry babe, I'm a professional Guitar Hero."
      • Schmecky, on 08/17/2008, -3/+3You know, I didn't think telling a kid to drop out of school and focus on becoming a musician would be very wise or responsible -- until I read this story.
    • ziffel, on 08/17/2008, -1/+53Because a real guitar is about 1000 times harder than these silly plastic wannabe games. As much as I enjoyed playing Rock Band, learning to play the real thing makes you feel almost stupid for picking the plastic version.

      the only comparison between the two is that they are roughly the same shape.
      • solesoul, on 08/17/2008, -0/+22Thats extremely true, but that defense only works when you're playing Guitar Hero for fun, and you only play every now and then. The time and energy it takes to get good at GH isn't even 1/100th of the time required for actual guitar.

        The reason that defense fails here is because he plans to spend just as much time as it would take him to become skilled at guitar, playing the game. This kid sucks.
      • ZeroFive1, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1And it's completely different.

        I've played Guitar for 2 years now, but I still suck BALLS at GH. Reflexes are not what Guitar is about. It's about finger strength, ect ect.
      • Syphon8, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1Depends on the song entirely.
      • BoneheadFarker, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1Unless you want to learn how to play drums. In which case, once you get to expert level on Rock Band, you're ready to move onto a real set...
    • Spoomeister, on 08/17/2008, -0/+13They're not the same skillset at all. Go look on youtube for the video of Rush (only one of the best rock bands ever, been around for 30+ years) trying to play one of their own songs, on Rock Band. They end up totally befuddled. Alex looks like he's having a stroke. Neil knocks over the drum set.
    • energyblue, on 08/17/2008, -0/+11I've played guitar for 12 years. But damn is Guitar Hero fun.
    • fdsarawr, on 08/17/2008, -11/+12Because real guitars are for old people.
      • vanyamuina, on 08/18/2008, -5/+0Guitars are for anyone, jerk...it's not like they've gone out of style or something. I'm 20 and I play guitar...and to my knowledge, 20 isn't old.
      • Jeffler, on 08/18/2008, -0/+5C'mon, that was funny (for the people who are burying him, its from the Guitar Hero south park ep)
      • jlian, on 08/18/2008, -0/+3Guys stop burying him
    • Haoie, on 08/17/2008, -0/+4Whoa, you mean 1 of those things that doesn't link to your TV? Gasp.
    • katanaswordfish, on 08/18/2008, -5/+3Well considering he already made $25,000 playing guitar hero in one sitting, i would say hes already better off than most pro guitarists. sadly...
      • worldnick, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2That was a referenced gamer, not the boy.
    • Spymodhf, on 08/18/2008, -1/+5http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/rock_band.png
    • Nairebis, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2Because "musicians" don't play instruments anymore anyway. Just ask rappers and D.J.s. /sarcasm
    • Hota, on 08/18/2008, -0/+2You can't score (points) with a real guitar. Some people just prefer to be able to "win" rather than developing a real talent that can't easily be quantified.
    • Syphon8, on 08/18/2008, -1/+2Why play Grand Theft Auto when you can go out and kill a hooker in a park with a baseball bat?
      • Firespray1138, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Cause that ***** gets you arrested.
  • GardenDoor, on 08/17/2008, -16/+2I wanted to take a semester off college to spend 6-10 hours per day mastering the real guitar so I could start a band, and follow my dreams, but hope was deferred. I'm so insanely jealous. All that matters to my parents is education and nothing more. I could have developed the next big idea for something and it wouldn't even matter. I'm not Asian either. I hate dealing with feeble-minded individuals who can't recognize greatness because they are blinded by decades of faded dreams and living in a society with other sheep-like drones. I was getting insanely good at the guitar, and fast--not quite a prodigy, but it was in my blood. I still play, but if you want to be the best, that has to be your central focus and you need a lot of time. Would have worked out if I lived in Denmark.
    • spkrcity, on 08/17/2008, -0/+14Tom Morello practiced guitar for 8 hours a day while taking a full course load at Harvard.
      • Optiks, on 08/17/2008, -4/+4Yeah, and look what that fancy degree has done for him?
      • Sloi, on 08/17/2008, -1/+6"Yeah, and look what that fancy degree has done for him?"

        Something to fall back on, for one. Douchenozzle.
      • spkrcity, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1His degree is in music. I'd say it paid off.
    • Sloi, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3The thing is, you're (statistically speaking) a Hell of a lot more likely to succeed in becoming an independent adult by getting an education. If you fail in your musical endeavors, which is fairly likely - whether or not you choose to acquiesce this reality - what will you fall back on? That's right: your parents. Since they don't want to deal with your ***** well into your early thirties, they force an education down your throat.

      You should be grateful, kid... they have the common sense that you lack.
    • vanyamuina, on 08/18/2008, -0/+0There's nothing wrong with taking a bit of time off of college to pursue other goals, like learning guitar. But this kid dropped out of high school to play a fake guitar (that doesn't even have strings) that will eventually die out. Learning to play a real guitar can get you somewhere...learning to play a piece of plastic with a few buttons on it won't!
  • Epistaxis, on 08/17/2008, -13/+3You laugh, but someday he'll be on the concert circuit and cranking out bestselling albums.
    • Khast, on 08/17/2008, -0/+9On a 5 button, guitar? That has a on/off whammy bar?

      I think I'll go back to listening to Atari 2600's Greatest hits, it had more musical capabilities than the Guitar Simulator's guitar will ever have.
      • minorgods, on 08/17/2008, -0/+4Great idea.. I was a demon at Yar's Revenge. Screw all this programming noise.
  • HappyScrappy, on 08/17/2008, -1/+35The guitar controller pictured doesn't even work with Guitar Hero.
  • SpookyPig, on 08/17/2008, -2/+12There are some stories where I really hope it's from the onion, so then I don't have to cry for our future.
  • 5needles5, on 08/17/2008, -2/+56Lim Yo-Hwan - Boxer is a profesional starcraft player in south korea.

    he makes insane amount of money by playing and more by advertisement and at one point his parents had to support him too... and at that time it was crapy choice too.

    True it is South Korea where video game champion is equal to famous actor or frontman of music bands.

    But starcraft is something else than guitar hero too...

    • alclone, on 08/17/2008, -6/+38Yeah, but the kid is too old already. Pro Starcraft players go pro at like 3rd grade.
      • Lukesed, on 08/17/2008, -5/+10The game has only been out for ten years. If what you say isn't complete *****, then everyone who plays pro Starcraft in Korea is 18 or under, and those would only be the ones who started right when the game went gold. Yeah, sounds like *****.
      • bobbi21, on 08/17/2008, -1/+3lol owned.
      • alclone, on 08/17/2008, -1/+1When I mean go pro, they play in leagues. After a few years they go on TV.
      • 5needles5, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3Flash the young prodigy of starcraft is 15 years old, and he won major leagues now, so it means he must have start playing quite young
      • puttly, on 08/17/2008, -0/+8In Korea, its customary on your 8th birthday you get a copy of starcraft. Eight years old is the rating on the game and Eight years old = roughly third grade
    • gnotDigger, on 08/17/2008, -4/+11guitar hero is a sad excuse for a videogame.. sorry.
      • djpray2k, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1I love guitar hero but have to agree with you - GH will never be a 'pro' game like the others as its too based on one skill and very little tactics compared to the others. Waste of time kid.
    • Namaha, on 08/17/2008, -1/+2But then he did service in the Air Force, something I doubt the kid in the article would do.
    • jasonh1234, on 08/17/2008, -3/+1Isn't he the guy that died in his chair in an Internet cafe after playing for 4 days straight or something?
      • Namaha, on 08/17/2008, -1/+1No, he's practically the most famous person in South Korea. He was even voted the greatest gamer of all time in 2004 by readers of ESReality, a very popular Western electronic sports website.
      • Typhoon2009, on 08/17/2008, -0/+1If he was dead, then 5needle's post woulda been in the past tense...
    • Junkyardjim, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1sc and gh are 2 way different things, one is playing a song on a fake instrument, the other is co-ordinating armies and such...



      SC2 FTW
    • pzea, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1Starcraft takes balls. Guitar Hero is a gimmick. They will never be comparable.
  • MediaCrisis, on 08/17/2008, -1/+53Not everyone can be an astronaut.
  • gabe37, on 08/17/2008, -2/+12It won't last long. He'll be giving guitar(hero) lessons in his living room soon.
  • compgeek, on 08/17/2008, -3/+13wow these parents are morons they are setting this kid up for a life of either welfare or "do you want fries with that" OH WAIT not even McDonald's would hire him seeing as he'd probably put his current occupation as pro gamer on his resume and it would get trashed without even going through page 1

    this guys life is going to be an EPIC EPIC FAIL!
    • GardenDoor, on 08/17/2008, -3/+1One thing you forgot--they have money.
    • bobbi21, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3He is still being home schooled.
    • outlaw4freedom, on 08/17/2008, -0/+1Its great to scroll there here and see who the real failures are.... :-)
  • JONNYELLIS28, on 08/17/2008, -12/+5Guitar Queer-o
  • Andrew7, on 08/17/2008, -7/+40He's still being homeschooled by tutors.
    Tons of kids are homeschooled, and I'll bet a lot of them spend the rest of their free time playing video games.
    You guys are overeacting.
    • heliox, on 08/17/2008, -7/+15The kid want to stay home to play video games. The kid whines about it. The parents give in.
      You think that is normal, or a healthy upbringing of a kid?

      Do us a favor...don't breed.

      • dannyboy3020, on 08/17/2008, -12/+6Who the ***** are you to say what's "healthy"?
      • bobbi21, on 08/17/2008, -4/+8Well if the public schools suck in the area and he argued that he should be home schooled then sounds healthy enough to me. Might be a little anti-social but he might have a good set of guitar hero friends or something.
      • vickers500, on 08/18/2008, -2/+3No, you do us a favor. Don't speak.
    • kinseyincanada, on 08/17/2008, -4/+5OVERREACTING ON DIGG! HOW DARE YOU MAKE SUCH AN ACCUSATION!!!
    • Atomic1fire, on 08/17/2008, -2/+1Besides, If he ends up becoming famous, good for him, bad for the kids that decide that its a smart career choice, if he does not, then he still has the rest of his homeschooling to fall back on for collage
      • ronaldinho, on 08/17/2008, -1/+1I don't think it's the kid we are blasting, it's the parents for going so soft on him in my opinion. As a parent, I would never let my kid drop out of school. He or she WILL get at least a college degree, even if they are talented at whatever. Education is very important. And yes, schools may suck these days, but I'm sure you have to learn at least how to interact with people. School is more than just a classroom.
    • michaelz92, on 08/17/2008, -1/+4For "Collage" LOL
    • fxu1989, on 08/17/2008, -1/+1True.... but his main focus will be gaming, and he won't give a ***** about homeschool...

      Kids who have been put to homeschool because it was their parents' decision it's another story. He already got what he wanted. To play instead of studying.
    • xDynaBlade, on 08/17/2008, -1/+5The kids across the street from me are home schooled and holy ***** are they ***** weird. They have NO social skills whatsoever and they hardly know anything outside of their own yard. The daughter ***** dresses like it's still the year 1620.

      School is more than just a place to gain knowledge and basic problem solving skills, it's a place to practice interacting with peers and building social networking skills to help later in life when you have a job and a career. Home schooling is not a good excuse for allowing him to drop out of school and play videogames.
  • GoodnDelicious, on 08/17/2008, -3/+3Well atleast he's being homeschooled. Its not like he just stop learning. But still wow.....
    It's like I've seen his face before....youtube?
  • GardenDoor, on 08/17/2008, -11/+9If you retards read the article instead of hopping on the sheep bandwagon, you'd realize that he is being homeschooled.
    • heliox, on 08/17/2008, -1/+3And that makes it okay?
      • Lukesed, on 08/17/2008, -1/+2It means he'll get a diploma and go to college in two years, unless his gaming really does get him somewhere before then.
      • bobbi21, on 08/17/2008, -0/+2what exactly about it makes it not ok?

        Home schooling can sometimes have a better education for a kid if the schools suck (which they often do in the states)
      • asus2000, on 08/17/2008, -0/+2It probably makes it better actually...
      • itsaplayonwords, on 08/17/2008, -1/+2I think that if my parents allowed me to stay home where I had a collection of games I loved to play, I think that whether I was being home schooled or not I would make GH a priority. Obviously that is all he cares about.
      • spykez, on 08/17/2008, -1/+1In my second year of high school I broke my ankle and for the first semester I ended up being homeschooled. Based off my experience, it was a hell of a lot better then being in school - your level adjusts with how well you know the stuff, so things that I learned in one day took a week in school for the whole class to understand and move on. By the time I went back for the second semester I was practically finished with the year, realearning stuff I already learned. The only negative aspect to it is that if I was homeschooled my whole life I might've been a lot smarter now but I wouldn't know half the people I know. It's got it's ups and downs.
      • heliox, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1@all
        The fact he bitched and whined to his mommy and daddy so he can stay home and play video games.
        They acquiesced.

        Home schooling "COULD" be better than regular.

        After his "career" as a gamer (lol) is over in a few months, he will need to lean to deal with people, and realized his parents are not there to give him what he wants.

        I guess most of the diggtards here are the same way.

  • Ex3poo, on 08/17/2008, -7/+8DUMB....*****
  • spkrcity, on 08/17/2008, -9/+22"He didn't enjoy school, he says, and especially didn't like the rules associated with attending the Christian academy. Shaggy hair is more his style."

    Sounds to me like the kid got tired of being told he was gonna burn in hell for being human. If he's following the state's curriculum for home education, then I don't see what the problem is.
    • secrity, on 08/17/2008, -0/+4Come on -- his parents sent him to a Christian academy, I don't see that he has a hope in hell of getting a rounded education from his parents
      • bufar, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3He's not getting an education from his parents; they hired a tutor for him. His education will be fine.
        But does anyone really enjoy school? School isn't supposed to be enjoyable. You aren't supposed to like rules. How soft are they on this kid? Does he get to choose his own punishments? Come on people, I could parent better than that, and I once lost a kid I was babysitting.
  • t4stringer, on 08/17/2008, -4/+16Wow, how pathetic. He's probably gonna regret dropping out soon enough.
  • TKS123, on 08/17/2008, -28/+2What did you expect? We have a Nation that has kicked God, the Bible and prayer out of schools. Then for a substitute people are putting the Stupid propaganda box (TV) in front of their minds for 3+ hours A DAY! Sheeesh... You then you even mention anything like The Bible and people SCREAM..... "seperation of church and state" and they are completely CLUELESS as to the origin of the statement and THINK it means KEEP the Bible out of schools. IDIOTS!
    • Lazydriver, on 08/17/2008, -2/+15The Bible is one big fat propaganda brick. You ever read the thing and a lot of the horrific things it says to do like killing your son if he disobeys you? Oh wait.... Christians chose their own morals, not from the Bible, and thus it makes the Bible irrelevant.
      • vanyamuina, on 08/18/2008, -0/+0I've read the Bible and it doesn't say that...ANYWHERE. I went to church and christian school up untill high school, and lemme tell you, I hated it! But still, christians have a bad rep. and not all of them are horrible...
    • TheBanditKing, on 08/17/2008, -0/+12STFU, that has nothing to do with the story.
    • minorgods, on 08/17/2008, -1/+2uhh.. his parents let him drop out of a christian acadamy... (this has been mentioned about 15 times already)
    • Neiby, on 08/17/2008, -2/+3I want to keep the Bible out of schools because its presence has an apparent correlation with a lowering of the average IQ of the students. Wherever it thrives, we find a higher number of illogical, uneducated, ignorant people.
    • Rivv, on 08/17/2008, -0/+11I so wish that was sarcasm. Sadly, I don't think it is.

      Your comment history gave me a laugh though.

      A few gems

      "Just who the F** is Buzz aldrin to speak on the future of ANY space exploration?? Just because he was in a cheap moon movie makes him an expert???"

      "The problem here is that Most people are idiots and equate the Bible WITH religion."

      "You mean science is once again catching up with the Bible?"

      "The Bible is TRUTH and the Bible tells what happens TRUTHFULLY! But, as God would have it, it is ALWAYS done as tastefully as possible "
      "They are WAY off on their dates. Those are Pre-FLOOD (as in Noah's) and are about 4,500 years old. There is NO scientific way possible to date organic material as old as they claim as there is no scientific way possible to date ANYTHING in the "Millions""

      Thanks, provided me with a laugh.
    • thegrantman, on 08/17/2008, -0/+5Holy *****.
  • AMSRay, on 08/17/2008, -2/+21To those who doubt this - I live in Raleigh and this was in the local newspaper (Raleigh News & Observer) about a week ago. His dad says that he follows his own schedule, staying up until 3 or 4 in the morning playing Guitar Hero. They cited the example of someone who had made $25,000 last year on the pro-gaming circuit as justification, but that was on FPS games where there are tournaments that pay real money. I know they're trying to get a Guitar Hero tour thing going, but how is he going to make anywhere near what he would make if he went to school and got a job?
    • johndavidjack, on 08/17/2008, -0/+11Wow, a whole $25,000 on a pro gaming circuit.


      • bobbi21, on 08/17/2008, -0/+6should learn starcraft and move to korea.
    • MaxEdison, on 08/17/2008, -0/+6I read this local article as well: the best part was when it said "among his prizes: $1000 and free chicken sandwices."
    • Pyralis, on 08/17/2008, -0/+1Any idea which school he went to? I'm from Raleigh as well and happened to go to one of those private Christian academies. I'm simply curious.
    • vawksel, on 08/17/2008, -0/+4Watching two teams blow eachother up in FPS can be fun.

      Watching someone hit every note in YYZ or even TTFAF over and over is not entertaining at all.

      Kinda like why Bowling isn't all that exciting. Any sport or game where the score really starts from 100% and goes down isn't fun.

      It's a good thing in Golf you can go under par, otherwise that game would be screwed as well.
    • Buzzpatrol, on 08/17/2008, -0/+3Nah, he won't regret this at 30 at all...
    • logload, on 08/18/2008, -2/+1on the other hand, if he CAN make enough money to survive from this...


      guitar hero > work anyday
    • Evilena, on 08/18/2008, -0/+4Back in my day, we used to stay up until 3 or 4 in the morning playing video games and still make it to school.
  • blast_flame, on 08/17/2008, -8/+3I really hope he manages to get a career doing that or else...
    Edit: read some more, he's still being home schooled. Should be alright as long as his parents aren't nuts.
  • TheOther1, on 08/17/2008, -1/+47Isn't that the Sanjaya chick from American Idol?
    • vanyamuina, on 08/18/2008, -1/+1lol! Unfortunately...he went to my school...
    • AFHCO, on 08/18/2008, -0/+1Yea, I was looking for that little girl to be crying somewhere...
  • ericdano, on 08/17/2008, -5/+9Yeah, he's going to be a real productive member of society.............
  • efitz11, on 08/17/2008, -2/+2anyone have a video or anything like proof of how good he is? scorehero page?
  • antoniuk, on 08/17/2008, -5/+13Fodder for spanking children. You can not reason with a child.
    • quiggibub, on 08/17/2008, -2/+3Screw that. At 16, he's old enough for a smack across the face.
    • ronaldinho, on 08/17/2008, -0/+2If your child cannot take rational reasoning and accept your guidance and rules (provided, of course, that your parenting is also rational and reasonable), then you haven't brought him or her up well either.
  • OneEye, on 08/17/2008, -0/+20I'm quitting school. myself.


    Just waiting for Tuba Hero to come out.
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