Hello

[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.

 

[ThomasJE]

1) I've been cubing for 8 months; and it took me around a couple of hours to solve it using the instruction manual.
2) "Yay, I solved it." It wasn't really that memorable.
3) Practice. That's really all it takes.
4) Probably my first sub-20. It felt pretty good.
5) It's good amazing people, and being a part of a great worldwide community. There's always something new to solve or do, and you can get help or help others.

 

[Vipervenom9]

I've been cubing for about a year, but only seriously practicing for about a month. It took me about 3-4 hours to solve my first cube, being taught by a friend.
2) It was pretty neat seeing that I solved something most of the world thinks is unsolvable.
3) Doing 100-200 solves daily and trying to keep from getting bored doing that. Always learning how to improve on the method I use.
4) My latest personal best made me incredibly happy. 20.32 seconds takes a lot of practice to work up to getting that fast, and to see that it actually got me somewhere was very satisfying.
5) It's hard to say, I would say the community is the best part. Though it is competitive, there in no rivalry and everyone is so incredibly kind and helpful to each other, even those you are trying to be faster than. It's the least competitive competition ever. That's how it should be.