this post was submitted on 25 Dec 2025
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It wasn't intuitive before, either, without making an absolute ton of horrible assumptions.
Anyone who doesn't explore the assumptions should probably fail that particular interview question.
I’ll be honest, a lot of those are pretty stupid
Obviously the wires are connected
Obviously one switch controls the light
Obviously the lights start off
In a thought experiment you can magically reach the lightbulb if you want
Obviously you cannot bring a friend
Obviously you cannot see the light from the switch
Obviously you return to the switches
lol
Every time you say "obviously" to an assumption, someone else gets the job.
If you’re hung up on the basic assumptions necessary to make the thought experiment work as clearly intended then you won’t get it neither
Basic assumptions are why the Challenger exploded. Hopefully nobody ever hires you as an engineer.