http://kotaku.com/5037975/parents-let-kid-drop-out-of-high-school-to-focus-

I realize this pours gas on the bad parenting flames of yesterday, but holy crow, I can't not show you this story. Yesterday reader tooji tipped me off to the story of Blake Peebles, 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.

Blake convinced his folks (that is, "We couldn't take the complaining anymore," said his mom) to let him drop out last September. They hired in-home tutors to continue his education there, at least, but there's no doubt priority number one is Guitar Hero. There's a vaguely defined goal of Blake playing it professionally, either through Major League Gaming or by winning prizes in a national and international competitions. But so far he's only made about $1,000, most of that value realized in meals and other freebies won at local competitions. The other pro gamer the reporter contacted for this story said he's cashed in about $25,000 in his entire career.

The description of Blake's room, his interests (or lack thereof) , and his folks' decision to let him do this just ... well, they don't make anyone look good. It would be one thing if the guy was a bona fide music or athletic prodigy. However quixotic a career in either field might be for the majority who pursue it, at least there's a long history of it paying off if you are that good enough. But Blake's never touched a real guitar (cue up the get-a-life bait). He didn't seem interested in much of anything in high school (a Christian academy where his parents had enrolled him) and wheedled his way out of going by complaining that it was a waste of time. (That line should sound very familiar to my folks. If only playing Master of the Lamps on the Commodore 64 could have won me some free Chik-Fil-A. I might have had better luck.)

You gotta read it to believe it, and nearly three weeks after it was first published, it is still one of The News & Observer's top e-mailed stories. Try to keep it civil in the comments, gang, especially if you aren't a parent. I'm not, but I'll admit this blows my mind.

Update: Reader yoagner. points us to an .mp3 of an American Public Media feature on Blake. The story's page is here.

'Guitar Hero' Whiz Aiming Higher [The (Raleigh N.C.) News & Observer, via davelozo.com, thanks tooji]

(Also: Don't tip me on my commenter page, as I check it infrequently. If you've got a tip, send it to me at owen@kotaku.com on the weekends, or tips@kotaku.com for the rest of the staff midweek.)

I wonder what he's doing, now that the Guitar Hero craze is over.

I wish my parents were that cool

(even though I already graduated high school)

Those.... are retarded parents...

I see nothing wrong, after all, he will get at his peak at something like 18 and then reflexes will start going downhill.
If its profesional GH then maybe he could make some money and home tutors can be very good actually.
If we consider this a sport, well, there are many sporstmen who drop school and learn at homes to dedicate 100% to their carreers.

Well, for me it all comes down to if he wins money and will be able to do something after he cant continue with that, which I dont know.

I would not call that a career. Well, whatever. I'm fine with this because this way there are mor vacants for people who need real jobs.

Isn't it a little deceptive to say he dropped out in the title, if he has in-home tutors?

Dumbest parents ever

HS Diploma in GH. Jesus. Well...at least he will have good stories to shoot the breeze with. Responsibility where art thou?

To be perfectly honest, how much do you learn in highschool in this country when the teachers aren't held accountable for their results anyway?

True....  Although I am an ind responsibility guy the teachs and profs need to be held to example as well.  I favor merit pay and firing of bad teachers.