My Sad Social Story in Speedcubing

[Deleted member 27249]

In the past, at school, I was never good at anything—I struggled to learn.
I can manage a bit with computer science, but I don’t really feel like an actual programmer.


When I figured out how to solve the Rubik’s Cube and developed some skills—something I was actually good at—that’s when my identity started to form. So I don’t know what my life would be like without the Rubik’s Cube.


I was also decent at video games. As a teenager, I played a lot of Fallout 3 and New Vegas, as well as the Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank series.


I had a dream: to become a video game programmer, and later an inventor of time machines and teleportation. I can say that even though I passed the entrance test for the Polytechnic University of Turin, in the end I didn’t go. I have to admit that learning new things is still difficult for me.


With that said, when I invented my method, I wasn’t initially looking for fame. But when the Italian community was amazed, I started to desire it.


Things went badly online because of my personal issues, and my life became a mental hell.


Still, I kept solving the Rubik’s Cube, and after competing from 2014 to 2023, I realized that, somehow, I didn’t feel like I belonged in the speedcubing world.


As for puzzles, I only solve the 3x3. Even though I figured out other puzzles without tutorials, they bore me, so I keep the 3x3 as a hobby. In the past, I wanted to achieve a world record in 3x3 to prove that my method works—but I was wrong.


Now I’ve realized that I would simply be happy if someone else independently invented the same method as me, or if other cubers used it.


In a way, my method had become an obsession, especially after experiencing what it felt like to be noticed at my first competition.


People who knew me in the past and saw my behavior online, influenced by my struggles, ended up distancing themselves from me—almost like I was exiled as a friend.


Because of that, potential friendships never developed, and I remained a solitary cuber. I don’t have anyone in real life to share this passion with, and the idea of going to competitions—given the negative reputation I feel I have in Italy—makes me feel lost.


This is the sad part of my story. Still, I’m happy that I achieved something with the Rubik’s Cube. But if things had gone differently for me… would that have been better?


I can say that my career as a speedcuber is probably over. I don’t think I’ll compete anymore, because socially I feel compromised within the Italian community. Competing abroad isn’t really an option either—I’m afraid of traveling, I don’t know how to navigate, and there are also financial concerns.


Right now, I’m making YouTube videos about my method. But in the end, I ask myself: what do I really want?
To be recognized? To have friends? To be part of a community?


What do I truly desire?
I don’t know.

 

[Michael Wimberly]

In the past, at school, I was never good at anything—I struggled to learn.
I can manage a bit with computer science, but I don’t really feel like an actual programmer.


When I figured out how to solve the Rubik’s Cube and developed some skills—something I was actually good at—that’s when my identity started to form. So I don’t know what my life would be like without the Rubik’s Cube.


I was also decent at video games. As a teenager, I played a lot of Fallout 3 and New Vegas, as well as the Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank series.


I had a dream: to become a video game programmer, and later an inventor of time machines and teleportation. I can say that even though I passed the entrance test for the Polytechnic University of Turin, in the end I didn’t go. I have to admit that learning new things is still difficult for me.


With that said, when I invented my method, I wasn’t initially looking for fame. But when the Italian community was amazed, I started to desire it.


Things went badly online because of my personal issues, and my life became a mental hell.


Still, I kept solving the Rubik’s Cube, and after competing from 2014 to 2023, I realized that, somehow, I didn’t feel like I belonged in the speedcubing world.


As for puzzles, I only solve the 3x3. Even though I figured out other puzzles without tutorials, they bore me, so I keep the 3x3 as a hobby. In the past, I wanted to achieve a world record in 3x3 to prove that my method works—but I was wrong.


Now I’ve realized that I would simply be happy if someone else independently invented the same method as me, or if other cubers used it.


In a way, my method had become an obsession, especially after experiencing what it felt like to be noticed at my first competition.


People who knew me in the past and saw my behavior online, influenced by my struggles, ended up distancing themselves from me—almost like I was exiled as a friend.


Because of that, potential friendships never developed, and I remained a solitary cuber. I don’t have anyone in real life to share this passion with, and the idea of going to competitions—given the negative reputation I feel I have in Italy—makes me feel lost.


This is the sad part of my story. Still, I’m happy that I achieved something with the Rubik’s Cube. But if things had gone differently for me… would that have been better?


I can say that my career as a speedcuber is probably over. I don’t think I’ll compete anymore, because socially I feel compromised within the Italian community. Competing abroad isn’t really an option either—I’m afraid of traveling, I don’t know how to navigate, and there are also financial concerns.


Right now, I’m making YouTube videos about my method. But in the end, I ask myself: what do I really want?
To be recognized? To have friends? To be part of a community?


What do I truly desire?
I don’t know.

I can tell you something about myself. I've been bullied a lot in the past, especially in my elementary school years, which led to me being very introverted and often excluded. But that's taught me something, that you don't have to do something for recognition, friends, or community. Often the best things that you do are done for just for yourself. Doing things for other people can make what you're doing become a liability. Just keep speedcubing because it makes you happy, and don't pay too much attention to people who don't care about you or hate you because they're clearly not worth your attention.

 

[Deleted member 27249]

I can tell you something about myself. I've been bullied a lot in the past, especially in my elementary school years, which led to me being very introverted and often excluded. But that's taught me something, that you don't have to do something for recognition, friends, or community. Often the best things that you do are done for just for yourself. Doing things for other people can make what you're doing become a liability. Just keep speedcubing because it makes you happy, and don't pay too much attention to people who don't care about you or hate you because they're clearly not worth your attention.

Thanks You are right this for me Is important this think. Yes I continue but if in real like know another Person make Speedcubing maybe Amazing I think. I mean in real Life.

 

[abunickabhi]

In the past, at school, I was never good at anything—I struggled to learn.
I can manage a bit with computer science, but I don’t really feel like an actual programmer.


When I figured out how to solve the Rubik’s Cube and developed some skills—something I was actually good at—that’s when my identity started to form. So I don’t know what my life would be like without the Rubik’s Cube.


I was also decent at video games. As a teenager, I played a lot of Fallout 3 and New Vegas, as well as the Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank series.


I had a dream: to become a video game programmer, and later an inventor of time machines and teleportation. I can say that even though I passed the entrance test for the Polytechnic University of Turin, in the end I didn’t go. I have to admit that learning new things is still difficult for me.


With that said, when I invented my method, I wasn’t initially looking for fame. But when the Italian community was amazed, I started to desire it.


Things went badly online because of my personal issues, and my life became a mental hell.


Still, I kept solving the Rubik’s Cube, and after competing from 2014 to 2023, I realized that, somehow, I didn’t feel like I belonged in the speedcubing world.


As for puzzles, I only solve the 3x3. Even though I figured out other puzzles without tutorials, they bore me, so I keep the 3x3 as a hobby. In the past, I wanted to achieve a world record in 3x3 to prove that my method works—but I was wrong.


Now I’ve realized that I would simply be happy if someone else independently invented the same method as me, or if other cubers used it.


In a way, my method had become an obsession, especially after experiencing what it felt like to be noticed at my first competition.


People who knew me in the past and saw my behavior online, influenced by my struggles, ended up distancing themselves from me—almost like I was exiled as a friend.


Because of that, potential friendships never developed, and I remained a solitary cuber. I don’t have anyone in real life to share this passion with, and the idea of going to competitions—given the negative reputation I feel I have in Italy—makes me feel lost.


This is the sad part of my story. Still, I’m happy that I achieved something with the Rubik’s Cube. But if things had gone differently for me… would that have been better?


I can say that my career as a speedcuber is probably over. I don’t think I’ll compete anymore, because socially I feel compromised within the Italian community. Competing abroad isn’t really an option either—I’m afraid of traveling, I don’t know how to navigate, and there are also financial concerns.


Right now, I’m making YouTube videos about my method. But in the end, I ask myself: what do I really want?
To be recognized? To have friends? To be part of a community?


What do I truly desire?
I don’t know.

Interesting story yo

Just keep cubing

 

[Jared Burkhart]

Bro...I do not have the right words...but you will not always be rejected. There is always someone there, but it may take a while to find the right one. I miss someone very much, because she was kinda special to me...but even though it was hard, I keep cubing. Cubes are the only things in life that we can control, so I am trying to take my little bit of skill to the next level. DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!!

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

it sucks being excluded; my oldest friends never include me in their plans anymore and have pretty much forgotten i exist.

but one thing it's taught me is to keep being the best i can possibly be and do the best in anything i decide to do (for instance, cubing!) it may seem a bit tough right now but just keep at it! do what makes you happy and pay no heed to those who wish to bring you down. there'll always be people who make your life a bit tougher than it should be, but all you need to do is to never give up.