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Despite the questionable wisdom of it, right there in your answer is exactly why these questions get asked: you've just given the interviewer a mountain of info

by astrec 14y ago

Despite the questionable wisdom of it, right there in your answer is exactly why these questions get asked: you've just given the interviewer a mountain of information about you. I've probably sat through 500 or more interviews over the last 15 years, and the percentage of candidates who would approach such a question with a blank, not incredulous, but blank look is utterly astounding.

v0cab 14y ago
Everybody knows there are different kinds of buses. It is the first thing that springs to everybody's mind when you ask "How many golfballs fit on a bus?". Someone who didn't ask about what kind of bus is under the impression that, as it's just a toy problem, the kind of bus doesn't really matter, and they're just supposed to pick an average kind of bus and play along with the stupid game.
- astrec 14y ago
  You're making a number of assumptions, most of which I believe are wrong. a) No, it's not the first thing that springs to everybody's mind. Experience says it's the first thing that springs to a relatively small percentage of minds, actually. b) No, someone who didn't ask about the kind of bus isn't necessarily under the impression that it's a toy problem. Again, experience says that for a large percentage of people the problem, or more specifically any problem of the ilk of this problem, is completely overwhelming.
  - v0cab 14y ago
    > Experience says it's the first thing that springs to a relatively small percentage of minds, actually. Can you explain in more detail about what experience lets you know this? > No, someone who didn't ask about the kind of bus isn't necessarily under the impression that it's a toy problem. Again, experience says that for a large percentage of people the problem, or more specifically any problem of the ilk of this problem, is completely overwhelming. Also I'd like to know how you know these people are 'overwhelmed' with the problem itself, rather than just with not understanding the point of it or not knowing whether its OK to make assumptions or ask questions about the type of the bus etc.

by astrec 14y ago

v0cab 14y ago

Everybody knows there are different kinds of buses. It is the first thing that springs to everybody's mind when you ask "How many golfballs fit on a bus?". Someone who didn't ask about what kind of bus is under the impression that, as it's just a toy problem, the kind of bus doesn't really matter, and they're just supposed to pick an average kind of bus and play along with the stupid game.

astrec 14y ago
You're making a number of assumptions, most of which I believe are wrong. a) No, it's not the first thing that springs to everybody's mind. Experience says it's the first thing that springs to a relatively small percentage of minds, actually. b) No, someone who didn't ask about the kind of bus isn't necessarily under the impression that it's a toy problem. Again, experience says that for a large percentage of people the problem, or more specifically any problem of the ilk of this problem, is completely overwhelming.
- v0cab 14y ago
  > Experience says it's the first thing that springs to a relatively small percentage of minds, actually. Can you explain in more detail about what experience lets you know this? > No, someone who didn't ask about the kind of bus isn't necessarily under the impression that it's a toy problem. Again, experience says that for a large percentage of people the problem, or more specifically any problem of the ilk of this problem, is completely overwhelming. Also I'd like to know how you know these people are 'overwhelmed' with the problem itself, rather than just with not understanding the point of it or not knowing whether its OK to make assumptions or ask questions about the type of the bus etc.