Let me start saying that the kid is for sure an amazing PG child. Wow to him for doing so well and wow to his parents as well.
Chances are that this kid is way beyond an average 8 year old in English, science and history. To be honest I don't see a problem if he takes time off these subjects as long as he comes back to them at some point. The article doesn't say if he hasn't done any English for last 6 months or last 3 years. A year or two wouldn't bother me.
I couldn't do that, I am too much of a control freak, but parts of me wishes that I could do it. The kid is obviously into math and music and we all know that the kids learn the best if they are very interested into something.
I agree about his father. My impression from the article is that he might have gone little too far with the advertising and such. I haven't seen the boy's web page, but I will have a look.
The part about no friends was pretty sad too. Not a good situation for the child
