That sounds like a really pleasant experience actually. I think the dialogue here is most important aspect. Most of the interviews I have done the interviewer gives me the problem and sits there silently while I work on the solution.
I could have worded the post better, but I definitely meant as part of the interview conversation. (I definitely know I am not the smartest guy in the room, nor do I want to be).
I had an interview recently where my solution was O(n^2), which I could tell was bad. I asked the interviewer if he code show me/code up the more efficient solution he mentioned previously. He mentioned that we didn't have time and dismissed my request which is very disheartening.
I hear you, I don't always word things the best either.
I think your example here is a fair question, but if there is still a lot to cover I may not take the opportunity to answer it either and instead move on to the next part of the interview, if your answer/question gave me what I needed from you. e.g. you gave an answer, and you knew it wasn't the best but were willing to look for other options and collaborate. That said, many times I am the guy who wants to talk through it with you because learning your thought process to me is WAY more important than whether you got the right answer.
Once you get out into the main world outside the tutorial there is a board you can post an application for wizhood on.
Or just send an in-game mail to me.
It is fascinating to me that comedians are included in this list. Perhaps because who they are influenced by is readily available information. It would be fascinating to see one of these tailored to specific communities such as scientists, business or politics.
I like these ALOT. No best practices, or you should do this better. It is about making something you love and get the code to production. I look forward to more of these.
If you enjoy these blog posts, you might want to check out 'Masters of Doom' by David Kushner. It's about John Carmack & Romero and id Software's early years (The Johns' childhoods through to Quake 3). Like these blog posts, it's more of a story of the early id team and games than anything else.
