The implication is not that the questions are easy for the average person, but the questions are relatively easy to programmers talented in solving these kinds of questions (even if they don't actively grind problems on leetcode).
I personally think it's true that there might not be a high correlation between being good at solving leetcode style problems and being good at software development in general, and there's definitely a valid point to be made that some FAANG companies are essentially off feeding unconscionable ad money to a class of "smart" people who can leetcode without a bitter grind.
But when people complain about mandatory leetcode grinding, I just can't help but find it kind of ironic that they're simultaneously feeling bitter about not being able to get that $300k+ job, yet also feeling self-entitled because they have some so-called industry experience (which may or may not be relevant), and also proud of forgetting what they were taught in their CS curriculum... I suspect the Dunning–Kruger effect is strong in those cases.
At the end of the day, it's a job. If the employer wants you to grind LeetCode to get the job, then yes, you are going to have to do it. It still doesn't make it right though. I have no problem having to jump through hoops, but it does grind my gear when programmers use LeetCode as a badge of honour to show they are superior than others. Elitism within the LeetCode community is very strong.
The implication is not that the questions are easy for the average person, but the questions are relatively easy to programmers talented in solving these kinds of questions (even if they don't actively grind problems on leetcode).
I personally think it's true that there might not be a high correlation between being good at solving leetcode style problems and being good at software development in general, and there's definitely a valid point to be made that some FAANG companies are essentially off feeding unconscionable ad money to a class of "smart" people who can leetcode without a bitter grind.
But when people complain about mandatory leetcode grinding, I just can't help but find it kind of ironic that they're simultaneously feeling bitter about not being able to get that $300k+ job, yet also feeling self-entitled because they have some so-called industry experience (which may or may not be relevant), and also proud of forgetting what they were taught in their CS curriculum... I suspect the Dunning–Kruger effect is strong in those cases.