Isn't it difficult to reject these puzzles on principle without sounding either bitter or like you simply can't solve them? I can't imagine a single case where this is going to cause a potential employer to re examine these exercises. They'll simply chock you up to being unqualified.

I reckon most jobs simply require you to not be a knob for an hour while someone asks you tricky questions about your worst behaviors. How often, day to day, are you required to explain something bad about yourself in a constructive way? Yet it is as utterly common as programming puzzles.

My supposition is that if that's where the wind is blowing, I'd had damn better face my sail that way. I hate silly problem solving puzzles as much as anyone, but not a shit lot you can do about it when they're the ones holding the keys.