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
But there is more to being an adult than just intellect. And I question if it is even emotionally or mentally possible before puberty.
The point is that he is not talking to them about engineering, but sports, videogames or music.
Because people are different.
I started working at my first job at age 15 at a fast food restaurant.
I didn't get an allowance from my parents so earning my own money at a job felt really good. Working at that minimum-wage job was more important to me than hanging out with my high school friends. I was trying to save up for a guitar and hanging out with my buddies wasn't going to accomplish that. Also, being able to buy a new record from a band without pestering my mom for the money felt good too.
But I'm not recommending that other 15 or 14 year olds get jobs. I'm just saying that it's not some punishing psychological trauma for a high-school kid to work at a job if he really wants to do that. On a farm, the 10-year olds and 12-year olds running the tractor for the first time are doing far more arduous work than I did mopping floors and flipping burgers.
I don't know the subject of the story but if he really wants to work at SpaceX, that seems like a very reasonable path. There are already protective child-labor laws in California that regulate things like max hours a week. E.g. It already covers Hollywood children acting in movies and tv studios, etc.
"Employees" are just disposable cogs in the capitalistic machine --- and this only further illustrates the point.
Neither is Mars a place for people. Sometimes people have their own unique goals and understand the tradeoffs
His parents should encourage him to go to non-technival activities with kids his age. Sports, music, chess, etc.
You think starting a business as a 14 year old is a better social improvement than working with others at a SpaceX office?
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
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.
How so?
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.