Analysis paralysis is evidence of somebody either completely missing the point or people who wish to think they are smarter than they can actually perform (Dunning-Kruger). Either way it is a performance failure, and failing to perform against a baseline, even if flawed, is not an indication of smart.
Good thing it wasn't analysis paralysis. The conclusion of the analysis was "the question is badly worded" and from the way he worded his original reply it seems like he understood what they were aiming for
That is an (small) indication of smart
Sounds to me like just an oversight. If what experience I have with public institutions is worth anything, it just didn't occur to the people who designed the question that the wording was shit and that to arrive at the intended answer you have to be loose with the meaning of words. That does not reflect well on American po-pos
