I agree, it's much faster. When hiring for a developer position I usually ask "what's the most recent scientific paper you have read" and ask them to discuss it

I agree, it's much faster. When hiring for a developer position I usually ask "what's the most recent scientific paper you have read" and ask them to discuss it. Extra credit is given if it's in a different field than computer science. I have found this a very reliable way to weed out candidates who can talk the talk but really are just winging it.