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I am sure that he is very intelligent, but this is literally child labour. Especially if you are 14, there is more to life than education and career. And I can
by constantcrying 3y ago
I am sure that he is very intelligent, but this is literally child labour.
Especially if you are 14, there is more to life than education and career. And I can't help but think that this might eventually harm him, a major company isn't a place for a 14 year old who should be making friends his own age.
Child labour isn't just bad because it is potentially dangerous and keeps children out of education, but because it can also sever their connection with their peers.
- jqpabc123 3y agoI hope I'm wrong but I don't think this will end well for him --- and clearly no one really cares about that. "Employees" are just disposable cogs in the capitalistic machine --- and this only further illustrates the point.
- s1artibartfast 3y agoConversely, how would you feel if you were forced to be friends with 14 year Olds with an adult intellect. The reality is that there's probably no good fit for this person, so it makes sense to leave it up to them and their parents decide how they want to spend their time
- constantcrying 3y agoI hope that at the very least his parents encourage him to participate in non-technical activities with kids his age, e.g. sports, musics, chess.
- s1artibartfast 3y agoI hope he has a non technical life too. I just don't assume that he would enjoy that interaction with other 14 year-olds. If he is used to studying and now working with adults, he might find them childish, boring, and unrelatable.
- constantcrying 3y agoI have friends who have very different careers with very little technical expertise. Why can't he? The point is that he is not talking to them about engineering, but sports, videogames or music.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- s1artibartfast 3y agoI agree with having diverse friends and non-technical interests. What I was reacting to is the idea that he should associate with other 14 year olds. It is possible that he would find their behavior juvenile, the way you or I would if we had to hang out with 14 year olds.
- jqpabc123 3y agoI don't think it was implied that he should be "forced" to be friends with anyone. But there is more to being an adult than just intellect. And I question if it is even emotionally or mentally possible before puberty.
- reducesuffering 3y ago> a major company isn't a place for a 14 year old Neither is Mars a place for people. Sometimes people have their own unique goals and understand the tradeoffs
- nomad_monad 3y agoBut he is a child, even tho he is out of school he likely still needs to develop socially. I'm betting he worked is ass of in school... i.e. there is likely improvement in soft skills
- s1artibartfast 3y agothis assumes that the best way to develop socially and improve soft skills is to hang out with other children.
- nomad_monad 3y agoAs a father of 2, yes. Assuming the other children are reasonable... Hey maybe this kid is fully capable adult... but that is improbable.
- reducesuffering 3y agoWhat would you have him do instead? Go to a high school for 4 years as a daycare, where all of his peers will be until 3pm? I could only see a case for ensuring a limited schedule (like being done at 3pm) because SpaceX is known for being such a grueling 60 hour week place.
- constantcrying 3y ago>What would you have him do instead? His parents should encourage him to go to non-technival activities with kids his age. Sports, music, chess, etc.
- reducesuffering 3y ago
- kobalsky 3y agowhy apply a mold to someone who is clearly exceptional? this guy is probably living his dream will be schooling phds older than him in short time. I’m gonna guess he’s smart enough to know what he wants.
- 6D794163636F756 3y agoI think you're conflating technical intelligence with emotional intelligence. Letting him work is fine but without being around people his own age he will struggle with emotional growth. If you look at child actors a lot of them become poorly adjusted adults because of this lack of community or peer support. Just like with child actors though, a good family and support system can help them grow to be good or even amazing people. I do think he is exceptional and should be allowed to do this if he is passionate about it, I just hope that he has people around him to make sure he's not taken advantage of and still has opportunities to experience life with peers, both in age and intellect
- linhvn 3y agoHow can he make friends with other kids? Partying, dancing, playing baseball, going to date night, etc.? It's clear that he's not interested in those, and forcing him to do so only causes him to withdraw further to his bubble. At least a job gets him to hang out with people closer to his ability.
- constantcrying 3y ago>It's clear that he's not interested in those How so?
- klyrs 3y agoI knew a 16 year old girl in university. She was taken advantage of by several adults who were in positions of authority or mentorship. She was technically above the age of consent, but she was harmed severely -- both in terms of trauma and reputationally: dating a 16 year old results in 16 year old drama and that killed her career because those were the guys that were supposed to be stepping-stones for her career. She was entirely capable of interfacing with adult peers, but she was exceedingly naive. I agree that 14 year olds, regardless of intellect, should not be working full time anywhere.