The author gives a reasonable example of the usefulness of this skill. My problem with these questions is when they come out of a box delivered by Cargo Cult A

The author gives a reasonable example of the usefulness of this skill. My problem with these questions is when they come out of a box delivered by Cargo Cult Airlines. If you or your organization don't actually use these techniques in the normal course of the job, then don't ask these questions. "I just want to see how you think." OK, fair enough. After I've answered, describe how I think, and compare and contrast that with how other candidates think. My bet is that most people who ask this question have no idea how anyone thinks, including themselves. Most people. Column 7 of Programming Pearls (which can be read online, http://netlib.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/pearls/ http://netlib.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/pearls/) is an interesting exploration of the actual use of this kind of exercise. When you get a question about golf balls, don't just declare "Bogus." Consider who's asking it, and whether they seem to know what they're doing with the question. The question is valuable to the candidate, and not just to identify lame companies. Face it, most people just don't know how to interview, and if you decide based on this, you're being a lazy interviewee. In rare cases, the question might even expose a company with a clue. Be open.