Won't he be surprised when you do well in life - as I know you will. You are smarter than he is. Don't doubt that for a minute. And if he was honest, he'd admit he has his own regrets from when he was your age, and is feeling those instead of wondering what YOU want.

I know bug repellent won't work on him, but doncha wish you could silence his annoying buzzing with one quick slap of the fly-swatter?