Dumbed himself down for a job he was over-qualified for and ends bored to depression. Sounds about right.
Do you have a better suggestion?
Maybe doing 3hrs worth of data entry this the most economic value this guy can provide. In that case, he better learn to settle.
The answer is right there in the article. “I learned all I needed to know in high school, ya know,” he argued. “I wanted to make money." The way to get a job is to convince your boss you can make him money. This is why businesses hire. Instead of trying to impress potential employers with yours smarts, or relate to them like a frat boy, impress them with your understanding of the value you provide and how you add to their bottom line. Then you'll get hired.
Nick A. Corcodilos talks about this in Reinventing the Interview:
http://www.amazon.com/Ask-Headhunter-Reinventing-Interview-W...
(Great book, but probably not worth buying. If memory serves, it is a little repetitive, but it is short and you can read it in a bookstore in one sitting.) Or go read back articles from Ask the Headhunter.