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well there's the rub. How am I supposed to be "adequately" interested in the company/job if I don't know anything about the company or the job?

That's what I mean by talking to a candidate before the screen. Going through a recruiter isn't sufficient for most of the information I would like before deciding to apply for the job.

In this argument, it would seem that to be "adequately interested" in a company, I need to be willing to do unpaid labor for them as a first step. I would argue that most, if not all companies, should disabuse themselves of the thought that this is anything but exploitation.

that's a good way to filter for enthusiastic juniors. it's not such a great way to select for experience.