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Weakly held view: Tech interviews are stupid because they don't actually interview you for ability to do the job or culture fit. Implicit behind them is a filter for "Tech Culture" which is predominantly set due to massive influence by large tech companies.

Interviews are not designed to make sure getting someone to move across the country or to a different country will work out for everyone. They are designed to test if you fit neatly into a box. E.g. "During my time at school the stupid people flunked out of algorithms, ..."

"... Here is a question to test if you, like me, were part of the non stupid group." The result is that only certain types of people pass the filter which creates a positive feedback loop for certain types of people.

It's actually a lot better than many historical precedents. If you can prove that you have the base cake in place, any type of frosting is accepted. Many industries do not have this. Tech is much more meritocratic than many other jobs.

The pressure comes when tech becomes the only good career. The kneejerk reaction is to increase the 'power' of the existing system (making questions more difficult) to (rightfully) react against pressure to lower standards.

Instead of the pressure prompting increased knowledge sharing, teaching, mentoring, guidance, etc... it increases defensiveness. "here's proof you're stupid, solve this algo I just worked on yesterday"

Equality can come from building people up as well as tearing people down. "Lift me up, or I'll tear you down."