4 ms·

Are you saying it's rational to avoid things that might cause an emotional response? Should I not have attempted Stripe's CTF challenge since, as a web develop

Are you saying it's rational to avoid things that might cause an emotional response? Should I not have attempted Stripe's CTF challenge since, as a web developer, it would have been demoralizing to fail?

marquis 14y ago
That's not the same thing: you're not given a time-limited test that has specific answers. A challenge means solving problems in creative ways: that kind of test is fascinating and in no way demoralizing unless you haven't learnt that even failure can be useful in it itself for the fact of trying.
- bithive123 14y ago
  Stripe CTF had a time limit and required very specific solutions. Figuring out the answers on an IQ test often involves creative problem solving. I don't see a difference except in an individual's preconceived notions about the significance of the test itself.
  - marquis 14y ago
    Yes, but the Stripe CTF isn't going to compare you to the entire body of humanity: just to the already-brilliant people who want to take a crack at it. I didn't know about the challenge, but I'd consider if I failed at it, that I don't have sufficient knowledge in a certain technology area, not that my ability to abstract and reason is measured to a global degree.
jessedhillon 14y ago
The IQ test is, to many people, an evaluation of themselves and their capabilities. It may even be received as an assessment of one's limits. If you think that the Stripe CTF challenge has the potential to evaluate and define you as an individual, then perhaps you should either think twice about it, or work really hard. For most entrants, and I guess probably you too, it's a harmless and fun challenge with very few implications for your core identity.
- bithive123 14y ago
  So the real problem is perception of the test, not the fact that one might get emotional...

4 ms·

Are you saying it's rational to avoid things that might cause an emotional response? Should I not have attempted Stripe's CTF challenge since, as a web develop

by bithive123 14y ago

marquis 14y ago
That's not the same thing: you're not given a time-limited test that has specific answers. A challenge means solving problems in creative ways: that kind of test is fascinating and in no way demoralizing unless you haven't learnt that even failure can be useful in it itself for the fact of trying.
- bithive123 14y ago
  Stripe CTF had a time limit and required very specific solutions. Figuring out the answers on an IQ test often involves creative problem solving. I don't see a difference except in an individual's preconceived notions about the significance of the test itself.
  - marquis 14y ago
    Yes, but the Stripe CTF isn't going to compare you to the entire body of humanity: just to the already-brilliant people who want to take a crack at it. I didn't know about the challenge, but I'd consider if I failed at it, that I don't have sufficient knowledge in a certain technology area, not that my ability to abstract and reason is measured to a global degree.
jessedhillon 14y ago
The IQ test is, to many people, an evaluation of themselves and their capabilities. It may even be received as an assessment of one's limits. If you think that the Stripe CTF challenge has the potential to evaluate and define you as an individual, then perhaps you should either think twice about it, or work really hard. For most entrants, and I guess probably you too, it's a harmless and fun challenge with very few implications for your core identity.
- bithive123 14y ago
  So the real problem is perception of the test, not the fact that one might get emotional...