Google Interview Blender Question

Introduction

• Famous Interview Question: You're shrunk to the size of a nickel and put into a blender that will start in 60 seconds. What do you do?
• Common Reactions: Duck, break the bottom, push blades, use clothes as a rope, climb walls, or just accept defeat.
• Purpose: Used by Google as brainteasers to screen applicants for problem-solving skills.

Historical Context

• Google's Hiring Challenge: With 3 million applications and only 7,000 hires, creating a 0.2% acceptance rate, brainteasers were one tool for screening.
• Other Famous Questions: How many golf balls fit in a 747? How much to wash all of Seattle's windows?

Possible Approaches to the Blender Problem

• Physics and Biology Considerations:
  • Van der Waals Forces: Geckos use these to stick to walls; possible but unlikely for humans at nickel size.
  • Cockroach and Ant Mechanics: Ants use claws to climb; hypothetical human claws at small scale.
  • Jumping Mechanics: Smaller and lighter creatures can jump higher relative to their body size.

Scientific Exploration

• Biomechanics: Smaller animals have higher strength-to-weight ratios. Smaller humans might be able to jump higher.
• Simulation at Georgia Tech: A human scaled down could potentially jump out of a blender due to increased relative strength.
• Air Resistance Factor: Jump height is affected by body orientation during the leap.

Biology and Physics Limitations

• Human Viability at Small Scale:
  • Organ Functionality: Heart and lungs might not function properly at a smaller scale, questioning survivability.
  • Cell and Neuron Limits: Human biology doesn't scale down effectively.

Google’s Hiring Process Insights

• Attributes Sought in Candidates:
  • Addressing ambiguity, breaking down problems, creativity, intelligence, and communication.
• Teasers as Interview Tools: Originally thought to showcase problem-solving but later deemed ineffective for hiring.

Conclusion

• Value of Brainteasers: Despite not being great for job assessments, they encourage creative scientific thinking.
• Thought Experiments in Science: Historically led to breakthroughs like relativity and quantum theory discussions.
• Embracing the Ridiculous: Silly questions can lead to valuable insights and learning.

Final Thoughts

• Brainteasers’ Impact: Encouraged new perspectives and problem-solving approaches, despite inefficacy in traditional job interviews.