Writing Article on the Rubik's Cube. Need All Your Help!

[NikWilliamNovak]

Hey Everyone,

My name is Nik Novak and I am from Ottawa, Canada. I am practising journalism in school and have decided to write an article on the popularity of the Rubik's Cube. I was hoping that you fellows could help me better understand the mind of a solver. I'm looking to use your answers as quotes, so the more responses I get the more colourful article I can write. Thanks to all who participate and feel free to answer as many or as few questions as you have time for. And hell, I'm excited to learn from all you and become a little "cube cultured".

Background Information: Full name, Age, Where you're from.

How long have you been cubing and how long did it take to solve your first cube?
Can you describe the setting, emotions, and thoughts at the moment you solved your first cube?
How do you challenge yourself to become a better solver?
Most memorable cube solving experience?
Can you attempt to sum up what it means to be a solver? Be as logical or abstract as your mind wants to be.

[JonnyWhoopes]

Jonathan Grayum, 17, Worcester MA, USA

I've been cubing since May 20th of 2008, it took me around two hours to solve the cube the first time. I used Dan Harris' book.

The first time I solved the cube, I was excited, but not as much as I expected. The true excitement didn't come until about a week later, when I solved it without any outside help for the first time. That was a euphoric rush.

I challenge myself by not accepting anything lower in quality that what I believe I should have. It only takes a few times of extreme frustration with yourself before you either quit, or figure out how to fix your mistakes.

My most memorable cubing moment was probably my first sub60 3BLD. Most exciting thing ever. The rush you get every time you take off the blindfold in anticipation is incredible, let alone when you break one of the most difficult barriers you've faced before.

To be a solver is to enjoy solving puzzles. This can be as narrow or as broad as you wish, you're still a solver. If you only solve the 3x3, or if you solve non-regulation puzzles, you're still a solver. A speedsolver, on the other hand, is somebody with a love for speed when solving. In a generalization, the fastest speedsolvers tend to have an appreciation for almost all aspects of solving in general, while slower ones only care about speed. It's interesting really.

[Akash Rupela]

Name- Akash Rupela
Age-18
From- Delhi,India

I have been cubing for 11 months now. My first timed cube solve was 9 minutes after learning the beginners method from the internet
When i solved the cube for the first time, the feeling was okayish, nothing as special as i thought it to be. Obviously, i just learnt a method and applied it.
To become a better solver, i look upon all the national records of my country, watch videos of fast people, get motivated, and practice A LOT , like really a lot
My Most memorable experience was i made a painting of the face of a girl i liked (let know if u want a photo of the painting) with 400 cubes on her 18th birthday. Not a solving experience, but most memorable cube experience indeed.
For me, being a Rubiks cube solver defines me. Precisely, not a solver, a speedsolver. Solving is not interesting as such after 1-2 days of knowing how to. Its about trying to beat yourself everytime you solve it. If you are ambitious (like me), it is very addictive. I feel proud to be a speedcuber

[Zyrb]

Hey Everyone,

My name is Nik Novak and I am from Ottawa, Canada. I am practising journalism in school and have decided to write an article on the popularity of the Rubik's Cube. I was hoping that you fellows could help me better understand the mind of a solver. I'm looking to use your answers as quotes, so the more responses I get the more colourful article I can write. Thanks to all who participate and feel free to answer as many or as few questions as you have time for. And hell, I'm excited to learn from all you and become a little "cube cultured".

Background Information: Full name, Age, Where you're from.

How long have you been cubing and how long did it take to solve your first cube?
Can you describe the setting, emotions, and thoughts at the moment you solved your first cube?
How do you challenge yourself to become a better solver?
Most memorable cube solving experience?
Can you attempt to sum up what it means to be a solver? Be as logical or abstract as your mind wants to be.

Zack Bright, 15, USA

I've been cubing for 2 years, it took me about 1 week to learn how to solve a Rubik's cube, my first solve (without help) was about 10 min. I was at home and my dad was watching me try to solve it. Once I did solve it, the feeling was the same as finishing a race or receiving a present. As soon as solved it I knew I had to do it again.

Everyone wants to become better at something. With speed solving you can watch yourself improve through times. The same feeling that I had when I first solved the cube returns to me every time I reach a goal. I always critique and analyze my solves, I try to be very strict with myself because I'm the only one to blame for my bad times =)

My most memorable experience so far was solving the cube in front of around 20 soldiers, during the whole solve I could sense there eyes following every turn I made, and when I finished everyone cheered and to have people that I respect so much think I did something awesome, felt amazing

Speed solving for me is a constant race against yourself. When I speed solve, I imagine myself as my opponent always trying to beat my previous times and abilities. Though, I wouldn't be a speed solver if I didn't enjoy it, every solve is a different challenge and a different experience. A lot of people at school identify me as the 'Rubik's cube guy' and I like that. I'ts something I'm proud of, a proof of dedication.

[antoineccantin]

Antoine Cantin, 13, Ottawa, Canada

I've been cubing for about 2 1/2 years. I took me quite a while to learn how to solve a cube. My brother wanted to teach me how, since he could solve it, but I was not as enthusiastic as he was about solving cubes. After a lot of convincing, and teaching, I finally got it after a couple months. (without a sheet of algorithms)

I unfortunately don't remember my first solve

To become a better solver, I practice a lot, learn new algorithms, and set myself some goals.

As for my most memorable cubing experience, I would have to say when I went on TV for cubing for the first time. It was on CBC's "The National, with Peter Mansbridge". It felt awesome!

To be a speedsolver for me, is simply someone who tries to solve a cube/twisty puzzle the fastest they can!

[Hippolyte!!!]

Hippolyte Moreau, 16, from Nantes, France.

I practice cubing since 2008 (I start when I was 11 or 12 year old, I can't precisely remember). Once a guy of my school came with a cube, he taught it to a friend, who also taught to another, and then in a few weeks many people knew how to solve it. Soon, I wanted to be able to solve it too, and I ask my friend Antoine Piau (I mention him because he's now the third best French :-) ) to teach me. When I went back home that afternoon, I could solve a Rubik's cube. Of course it was awesome and really self-rewarding, and I was really proud, but the biggest success feeling I had after an accomplishment was one or two year after, when I could solve the first blindfolded I tried.

As many others, beat myself is my main goal in speedsolving (strictly speaking, because this hobby has many other amazing points, like meeting great people, nice and fun, from your home country and from abroad, travel, and live great experiences). For reach that goal, I train a lot, with of course periods of high-motivation and periods of low-motivation, periods of 3x3x3-obsession and periods of other event-obsession, but always by keeping in mind that I can beat myself, sometimes easily, sometimes with hard training, and also beat others (obviously still in a friendly mind).

As regard as my most memorable cubing experience, I start answer in my first paragraph, but in speedcubing, there is always goal with a special meaning for you or the community to reach. Solve for the first time each puzzle, go for the first time to a competition, solve for the first time a cube blindfolded, and then in multi-blind, solve for the first time with not much movements in the fewest moves event, and mainly for me: beat significant barrier, like old records. Even I'm far away of the current world level in some events, I'm very proud to think that I did better in official competition that previous national, continental or even world records. That is very very rewarding, mean a lot for me and can sometimes boost my motivation.
Getting my first national record was also great, even though it was in feetsolving, with a relatively good time. :-) Same for my first podium and my first (and still last currently^^) podium in french championship...

Answer to your last question is the hardiest for me, especially with my poor English, because there isn't a definition. Be a solver mean, as it was written, that you enjoy solving twisty puzzles, but I think there is also a difference to make between solver and speedsolver. Some of us haven't speed goal, but only like to solve and to go to competitions to meet people to share their hobby. Some wants to have a better "cube comprehension". Those ones typically practice fewest moves, perhaps blindfolded, and often learn lot of different ways to solve a cube, just by curiosity. The most (I believe), prefer to be as fast as possible. It doesn't mean that they don't like others aspects I mentioned, but the thing they enjoy the most is getting faster and faster. I belong to these category: I like fewest moves and weird methods, but it doesn't annoy me to practice a method just because fast guys use it, if it enable me to be fast too.

I hope I could help you, and was happy to answer. Do not hesitate to ask if you don't understand some point. ;-)

[ryanj92]

Ryan Jones, 19, England

How long have you been cubing and how long did it take to solve your first cube?
I learnt the beginners method when I was 15 just out of curiosity, and could solve the cube in about 2 minutes using a beginners method I found on YouTube. I then didn't really do much with it for a couple of years, but about a year ago I got back into cubing, and started learning again.

Can you describe the setting, emotions, and thoughts at the moment you solved your first cube?
I was following the YT video fairly closely as I was performing the final step for the beginners method, and I think the main emotion was relief - I'd performed the final algorithm wrong on more than one occasion so just to get it right was a big relief! It definitely wasn't the biggest sense of achievement I've felt from cubing, but looking at the solved cube puts you in the old dilemma - do I just put in back on my shelf now, fully solved, or do I perform the heart-wrenching task of scrambling it up again and going from the beginning? Fortunately, I chose the latter. My speedcubing career wouldn't have gotten very far otherwise, haha!

How do you challenge yourself to become a better solver?
I practise almost daily, and make sure I give myself some long term goals to aim for. Personally, I want to participate in the UK Open this year, so I want to get my average down to at least below 30 seconds so I can prove myself as a competent cuber (and it'd be cool to see it on a WCA profile!). Things like race threads give me the quantitative feedback from my practise that keeps me motivated and allows me to identify weak points in my cubing, so I can also have some short term goals that eventually will allow me to satisfy my long term ones.

Most memorable cube solving experience?
It's hard to pick one, really, because each milestone I pass brings its own sense of achievement, I think the biggest three have been breaking a one minute average of five, and breaking both a 30 second single solve and average of five. I have a feeling that there'll be more memorable moments to come, though: participating in my first competition, and lowering my times as far as I can!

Can you attempt to sum up what it means to be a solver? Be as logical or abstract as your mind wants to be.
I think there's a lot of incorrect perceptions that people who don't solve can fall into when they think about the skills required to be a speedcuber. You don't have to be good at maths - a relatively sharp mind and decent memory can take you far! In the method I use, solving the first two layers are very much about anticipation, to get good times you have to be able to look ahead when you're solving, so you're doing one thing whilst planning the next. The last layer is where you have to be really sharp, as you need to be able to recognise cases quickly, and having dexterous hands will help you to execute algorithms with the speed and fluency that you need to get good times. You also need to have a strong sense of motivation - it can take you quite a while to improve, and it can get a little frustrating when you don't seem to be improving much, so you need to just be able to knuckle down and practise. If you've got the willpower to set goals and stick to them, chances are you'll probably succeed!

Hope this helps ^^

[arcio1]

Artur Kristof, 16, Rybnik, Poland

I started cubing many years ago, maybe about 2006, it didn't take me a lot of time to solve the cube, I googled "Jak ułożyć kostkę rubika" (how to solve the rubik's cube in Polish ) and about an hour ago it was solved.

I was very excited and happy, I was jumping around the house and I hugged my mom

I do not really know, I think I don't and this might be a problem. But every day I just try to solve it faster and faster.

Two moments: first solve and first blindfold solve.

And this question is hard, I think that it means to be interested in solving cubes, in famous people who solves cubes, to watch official WCA competitions and what is most important - to enjoy solving puzzles

[Kirjava]

How long have you been cubing and how long did it take to solve your first cube?

Since late 2004. Probably took an hour or so.

Can you describe the setting, emotions, and thoughts at the moment you solved your first cube?

No.

How do you challenge yourself to become a better solver?

Practise and development.

Most memorable cube solving experience?

Any competition.

Can you attempt to sum up what it means to be a solver?

A solver is an entity that solves the rubiks cube.

[cubersmith]

Euan Smith, 14, United Kingdom

How long have you been cubing and how long did it take to solve your first cube?
I have been solving for three years, but speedsolving for a year and a half. It took me about 4 hours total to learn to solve the cube (I just used an internet video.) I would estimate my first solve to be around 10 minutes, using layer by layer method.

Can you describe the setting, emotions, and thoughts at the moment you solved your first cube?
There was a stage in learning to solve the cube, that I considered giving up because I thought it was very difficult and only an elite few could solve it. I guess this made it more of a triumph when I did solve it. When I solved it, I ran around my house because I didn't know that really anyone can solve the cube

How do you challenge yourself to become a better solver?
Whenever I practise, which is pretty much every day, I solve between 50-100 times usually. This number works for me, but it by no means works for everyone. Everyone works at their own pace, and requires their own amount of practice. It's all personal, you should just cube, whenever you're enjoying it or if you're on a hot streak. The important thing is not to force yourself to cube. Practice is most effective if you are enjoying yourself.

Most memorable cube solving experience?
My first competition was probably my most memorable experience. It was Guildford Summer Open 2011 I didn't do too well, considering what I average at home, but I still had a great time, I think everyone's first competition is a great memory.