Your honesty in sharing such a vulnerable experience is commendable and sheds light on an important aspect of the tech hiring process.

I particularly appreciate your critique of the interview system, where stress and tricky questions often overshadow the candidate's real potential and skills. Your point about how the nature of these interviews can reflect the company culture is insightful. It's a reminder that interviews are not just about assessing a candidate but also about how a company presents itself.

However, I think it's also worth considering that sometimes, challenging interviews aim to gauge how a candidate performs under pressure, a skill that's valuable in high-stakes environments. While I agree that overly stressful or irrelevant questions can be counterproductive, a balanced approach in interviews could serve both parties well.

Your conclusion brilliantly sums up the essence of the issue. Interviews should focus more on real-world problem-solving skills and less on creating unnecessary stress or challenges. It's about finding a fit for both the company and the candidate, fostering a culture of growth and learning.

Thanks for sharing your experience and insights.