GodCubing
Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2020
- Messages
- 247
Before we decide how to improve the WCA, we need to define what our ideal WCA would look like. Some small details might look different from person to person. However, I believe we all want to a WCA that is spectator friendly (to advance the sport), has diverse events (so events that are very similar should be removed, and events that are unique should be added), and is easy to organize (some events are not mandatory).
Spectator friendly events should be quick, but not instant (so no 1x1). By quick I mean for final rounds most solvers are under 1 minute. Also, the spectator should be able to visually see the puzzle getting solved (so clock and 15 puzzle are probably not good for spectators). Diverse events should be different meaning being good at one does not make you good at the other; if you can improve at an event by practicing a different event then 1 of them should be removed. Events that have the same approach to solving it are not diverse. Also, unique and different events should be added, for instance, FTO is a very different puzzle to any currently in the WCA, Redi Cube is another great example. Adding all these events will make things stressful for organizers so that means less competitions which is something no one wants. Therefore, we need to make things easier for organizers by making some events not mandatory (the tiered events idea). Events that are difficult for organizers might be difficult to scramble or take a long time per round. These events that are difficult to organize should not be mandatory events. Each competition can chose for itself how many not mandatory events to have, however major competitions such as nationals and worlds, should include all mandatory events. This change to the WCA means that Cubing will gain popularity through spectators and be more enjoyable for competitors and organizers alike.
Just making a post on a speedsolving forum is not enough to bring this to fruition. What needs to happen is for organizers to a lot time for non-WCA events (we know the WCA already wants to remove the hard to organize events, and the not spectator friendly events). I would recommend making a poll before the competition of events you would be willing to organize. Organizers should probably consult the delegate for regulation ideas on the events proposed before they give the poll. So organizers are deciding what events are on the poll before the competion starts, and they have regulations in place for each of the events on the poll. At the beginning of the competition take a poll (google form). Let the competitors vote for 3 events (more or less than 3 depending on how long your list is) that they would like to be held, and also ask them which events they can compete in (e.g. which puzzles they have). Towards the end of the competition announce which events won the poll, and how many or which ones will be held. The data received from the poll should aid the organizer(s) in deciding what other events to hold, but it should not dictate it. If one event gets the most votes for people wanting it to be held, but there are not many people who can compete in it, probably don’t hold that event. It is up to the organizers discretion. In summary, Organizers should: set aside time for non-WCA events at the end of the competition, create a poll of events and their regulations with help from the delegate, take a poll of which events solvers would like to see and which they can compete in, decide which to hold, and hold them.
I understand that this makes a lot more work, but I don’t think lobbying the WCA is going to help. This solution should bring about change in the community and eventually improve the WCA for everyone.
Spectator friendly events should be quick, but not instant (so no 1x1). By quick I mean for final rounds most solvers are under 1 minute. Also, the spectator should be able to visually see the puzzle getting solved (so clock and 15 puzzle are probably not good for spectators). Diverse events should be different meaning being good at one does not make you good at the other; if you can improve at an event by practicing a different event then 1 of them should be removed. Events that have the same approach to solving it are not diverse. Also, unique and different events should be added, for instance, FTO is a very different puzzle to any currently in the WCA, Redi Cube is another great example. Adding all these events will make things stressful for organizers so that means less competitions which is something no one wants. Therefore, we need to make things easier for organizers by making some events not mandatory (the tiered events idea). Events that are difficult for organizers might be difficult to scramble or take a long time per round. These events that are difficult to organize should not be mandatory events. Each competition can chose for itself how many not mandatory events to have, however major competitions such as nationals and worlds, should include all mandatory events. This change to the WCA means that Cubing will gain popularity through spectators and be more enjoyable for competitors and organizers alike.
Just making a post on a speedsolving forum is not enough to bring this to fruition. What needs to happen is for organizers to a lot time for non-WCA events (we know the WCA already wants to remove the hard to organize events, and the not spectator friendly events). I would recommend making a poll before the competition of events you would be willing to organize. Organizers should probably consult the delegate for regulation ideas on the events proposed before they give the poll. So organizers are deciding what events are on the poll before the competion starts, and they have regulations in place for each of the events on the poll. At the beginning of the competition take a poll (google form). Let the competitors vote for 3 events (more or less than 3 depending on how long your list is) that they would like to be held, and also ask them which events they can compete in (e.g. which puzzles they have). Towards the end of the competition announce which events won the poll, and how many or which ones will be held. The data received from the poll should aid the organizer(s) in deciding what other events to hold, but it should not dictate it. If one event gets the most votes for people wanting it to be held, but there are not many people who can compete in it, probably don’t hold that event. It is up to the organizers discretion. In summary, Organizers should: set aside time for non-WCA events at the end of the competition, create a poll of events and their regulations with help from the delegate, take a poll of which events solvers would like to see and which they can compete in, decide which to hold, and hold them.
I understand that this makes a lot more work, but I don’t think lobbying the WCA is going to help. This solution should bring about change in the community and eventually improve the WCA for everyone.