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I was curious about this and found the precise wording of the question:

> Please tell us about the time you most successfully hacked some (non-computer) system to your advantage.

That's way too broad to support the previous comment's claim, and seems to be looking for examples of ingenuity. Modifying your dishwasher to use less water would fit that prompt.

YC prefers potential profit over anything else it seems, otherwise I can't imagine how this would have gone through.

Because VCs are psychopaths by most measures? I mean just look at Andreesen, or Thiel, or any of the ghouls creating a fascist state.

What YC is (actually) asking: For example, When was a time you went the extra mile to get a job interviewers attention

What HN thinks YC I asking: "how they cheated a system for personal gain"

lol.

Source: Me, I got into YC by answering the question that way.

Are you suggesting that YC applications contain trick questions? Or that the questions are intentionally drafted in a confusing and/or misleading way? That seems kind of weird.

No, just that the questions are obvious to most of us except maybe the most cynical (like OP)