A theory about new cubes.

[ConnorCuber]

Okay, today I was thinking about my Meffert's 4x4, and how much my times dropped using it. So that got me thinking about the fact that when I got it, my times were about the same, but they dropped pretty quickly. This must only be the cube, right?

Wrong. It was then that I realized that when people say "Oh, buy this cube, my times dropped 10 seconds!" or "Defiantly that cube, before that, I was so much slower." It is in a way the cube, but not directly. I believe that this is a placebo effect.

What I mean, is that when you buy a new cube, you are very interested in this new cube. You want to practice with it a lot, and with that much practice, comes better times.

So in a way, it is the cube. Because you enjoy using it so much, you get lots of practice. But it also isn't because it was just the practice you needed. (Unless your cube prior to the new one was absolutely horrid)

 

[byu]

That's a really neat idea. You're probably right.

 

[Ethan Rosen]

I think that while there is a connection, the cube does have a lot to do with it.

 

[qqwref]

The cube itself has a lot to do with it. It's true you're expecting it to be good, and that may have a small effect, but when you actually receive the cube and realize that it doesn't lock up as much and/or turns easier than the other cubes you have, that's what makes you get better times. I don't think my Mefferts 4x4 is better than my other 4x4s just because it's a Mefferts; I think it's better because it's easier to fingertrick and turn than any of the other ones I have.

For me it's not really about practice, because I already practice with the cube I have. So if I get a new cube and by the time I've warmed up with it my times are a few seconds better, I know it's the cube.

 

[IamWEB]

I say:

33% - The Cube IS better
33% - The new supposedly better cube leads to more practice!
33% - You're getting a confidence boost with this new piece of equipment, you're more energetic and hopeful to start the better experience.

 

[byu]

I say:

33% - The Cube IS better
33% - The new supposedly better cube leads to more practice!
33% - You're getting a confidence boost with this new piece of equipment, you're more energetic and hopeful to start the better experience.

And the extra 1% goes to.... what? Or did you mean 1/3, instead of 33%?

 

[Unknown.soul]

And the extra 1% goes to.... what?

Luck? sssss

 

[IamWEB]

I say:

33% - The Cube IS better
33% - The new supposedly better cube leads to more practice!
33% - You're getting a confidence boost with this new piece of equipment, you're more energetic and hopeful to start the better experience.

And the extra 1% goes to.... what? Or did you mean 1/3, instead of 33%?

I meant to say something about the 1%, but submitted the post on accident.

The 1% can go to 'Random' I guess... anything other factor really.

 

[dinki1968]

I think it's just the mind over matter thing. Let's say for example, you heard, or someone or let's just say Erik Akkersdijk told you that, this cube is a very good cube, when someone like him told you that, that thing he said will be imprinted to your brain, and thing you'll only know is that this cube is really good, and the effect of that, is of course you'll get better. LOL, I hope I made sense. anyway, I still think that it is onto the cuber, not the cube. Because no matter how your cube sucks, from time to time, you'll get used to it, and eventually you'll get better. weeee Happy Cubing. ^_^

 

[Chuberchuckee]

I think it's just the mind over matter thing. Let's say for example, you heard, or someone or let's just say Erik Akkersdijk told you that, this cube is a very good cube, when someone like him told you that, that thing he said will be imprinted to your brain, and thing you'll only know is that this cube is really good, and the effect of that, is of course you'll get better.[...]

Yep, you basically summed up the placebo effect.

 

[Ton]

I think you are wrong in my case

If I look at my V cube 5 , my times are not possible when I use Rubik 5x5
If you use my eastsheen 4x4 I can not get my times as I do my new mefferts

Hence, my cubing style is more suitable for the 4x4 meffert, this is not the case with for every one e.g styles like Michael Fung , who pushes a eastsheen and uses a very used eastheen- would pop if I would use it-

So the cube you need must also match your cubing style

 

[ChromisElda]

I think you're right for the most of it, but new cubes can influence times.

I'll give an example of myself (although you may not consider it worthy because of the slow times I was getting)

Using a rubik's brand 3x3 store bought cube. Average time was around 50 seconds, I'd been in the 50s for a week.

Bought a Rubik's 3x3 DIY, within a few days my average time had dropped down to below 45 seconds.

To be fair I had learnt a few PLLs in those few days, but even they wouldn't make my average time drop by 5 seconds.

My Rubik's 3x3 wasn't horrible, I had lubed it a bit but the DIY turned far more smoothly than the store-bought (as expected!)

 

[AvGalen]

New cubes always make my times become worse. I guess that just means I already have good cubes.

The placebo effect doesn't work for me because I don't have/make time to practise with a new cube

 

[qinbomaster]

i've always believed that it's the cuber, not the cube.
but i guess you need a good relationship with your cube, so it's both of us, really.

 

[rachmaninovian]

since i barely sub 1:30 on an eastsheen 4x4 eastsheens ftl.
thus the cube matters =D

 

[mazei]

Then what do you use rach?

 

[rachmaninovian]

mefferts black? lol...

 

[AvGalen]

Give Erik a good Mefferts, Rubiks or EastSheen 4x4x4 and he can sub-45 on all of them.

Good cubes help, but new cubes aren't always good.

In the end, a good cuber with an average cube will beat an average cuber with a good cube.

rachmaninovian: I guess you REALLY rely on cutting corners or use a lot of slicemoves that are harder to perform an a "small" EastSheen. But still, 50% slower seems ridiculous

 

[rachmaninovian]

well i get times ranging from 1:15 to 1:40 on an eastsheen; depends on how bad the centres are anyway. maybe my average with an eastsheen is 1:25ish? thats the max I would put it until I find time to do an average on an eastsheen. =P all my eastsheens died so I have to wait till sunday to murder my cousin's...

 

[qqwref]

rachmaninovian: I guess you REALLY rely on cutting corners or use a lot of slicemoves that are harder to perform an a "small" EastSheen. But still, 50% slower seems ridiculous

He uses cage method, so I can totally see where he is coming from. Eastsheens typically aren't very good with slice moves (although my ES supercube 4x4 is better than most, it's still worse than my Mefferts).