Rubik's Graduation Speech?

G

gp1200r

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May 12, 2008
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Hi, I'm new to the forum so first a little about me:
I've been cubing for about a year and a half, and I've been to the last two events at Cornell in Ithaca, NY.
My best times are around 50 sec-1 minute, so I would still consider myself a beginning cuber, but it's something I really like to do.

So now, for my question.... I am in my Senior year of high school now, and I want to give a speech at graduation that involves the cube in some way. I've thought basically I could relate the cube to life or school, and talk a little bit at each step solving, and I'd finish it at the end. Now I have that idea, I can't think of anything really profound that people would want to hear in a speech.

I'd really like some help with speech ideas, since I need a final copy presented to an assistant principal at my school by May 23 for approval. This is something I want to have fun with, so creative ideas are welcome.

Thanks a lot!!
 
I wouldn't bother going through each step of solving it because it'd go over their heads and hence bore them.

Some key points:
- Don't take someones word on it when they say it's "impossible"
- Don't cheat (peel stickers off)
- Have persistence
- Practice, practice, and more practice
- Always try to improve

Some of the points may be analogous to life but I wouldn't bore them with the intricate details. :-P

Tim.
 
Well, when I show a person that I can solve a Rubik's Cube, EVERY person asks, "Whoa, how do you do that?". So they would probably be interested in how to solve it. I would just say the steps in solving the cube. Don't go into too much detail, or they'll get bored.

For example, if you're using the layer by layer method, say something likes.
First I solve a cross, and I make sure the other color of the edge piece is the same color of the center.
Then, I solve the entire first layer, by inserting the the corners.
Now, I solve the second layer, by inserting the edges.
Next, I make a cross on the top of the cube.
ect.

Obviously, that was a horrible explanation because it's hard to explain well in writing, but you can show what your cube looks like after each step, and explain it. I'm not sure if that'll work too well, because a cube is small, and a crowd of people won't easily see it. You might need a projector or something to show the cube REALLY big on a screen or something.

You also might want to say:
"Once you know how to solve a rubik's cube, it's easy. Getting fast isn't as easy. It takes several weeks of hard practice to get really fast. I'm not one of the fastest cubers, but people have gotten times of 8 seconds, and averages of 10 seconds. The official world record is 8.72 seconds by Yu Nakajima of Japan, and the official world record average is 11.28 seconds by Yu Nakajima of Japan. My best times of solving are about 50 second to a minute. There are many other categories of solving cubes like solving a 2x2, where you have 4 blocks on each side, 4x4s, 5x5s, computer 6x6s, up to 20x20 computer cubes. People can even solve it blindfolded, one handed, even with their feet! It's a really fun and addicting puzzle that you can solve it in so may ways with."

That gives you an idea of what you can say... I hope it helps :)
 
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thanks for your response, but i didn't just want to explain the cube (although I do want the WOW factor you mentioned when im done :) )

My idea was more like explain each step like you said(NOT in any detail, maybe just say, first i do the whites, then the middle then the top, at each appropriate point), and then relate it to like a step along leading a successful life or something. the problem ive come up with is how to end it actually, i don't want to go in the direction of death or anything like that

i also thought maybe the speech could be about learning the cube, with the brader them of the importance of determination or perseverence

thanks for the help guys
 
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Don't explain how to do it. Simply tell them to go out and buy one and mess around with it....and that it's not only good for you, it is addicting. Tell them if they can't get it, do some "research" online.
 
I did a 15 minute speech at a school a few weeks ago, and i involved Rubik's cubes there. Mine wasn't about life as such though, i was talking about Jesus, and i explained how we aren't solved cubes that are perfect, that's what JC is. We're more like scrambled cubes, and Jesus is the only one who can help us get solved.

That kind of thing. When it was finally solved they freaked out :P
 
DAE_JA_VOO said:
I did a 15 minute speech at a school a few weeks ago, and i involved Rubik's cubes there. Mine wasn't about life as such though, i was talking about Jesus, and i explained how we aren't solved cubes that are perfect, that's what JC is. We're more like scrambled cubes, and Jesus is the only one who can help us get solved.

That kind of thing. When it was finally solved they freaked out :P
Click to expand...

Wow nice one.... I will put it on my blog (I Think today) Is that okay?

Oh and Mr gp1200r, I think your newest post is already good enough for the speech. Just need a little bit of tone.....
 
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Harry said:
DAE_JA_VOO said:
I did a 15 minute speech at a school a few weeks ago, and i involved Rubik's cubes there. Mine wasn't about life as such though, i was talking about Jesus, and i explained how we aren't solved cubes that are perfect, that's what JC is. We're more like scrambled cubes, and Jesus is the only one who can help us get solved.

That kind of thing. When it was finally solved they freaked out :P
Click to expand...

Wow nice one.... I will put it on my blog (I Think today) Is that okay?
Click to expand...

Sure thing man, please just send me a link, i'd like to see that. There's a lot of great stuff i said, want me to PM it to you?
 
Get a square-1 or something and say how even though it's 'flawed', it's still equally interesting. Just if you need to make the speech last an extra few minutes. It's an idea.
 
Rubik's Cube Fan said:
Well, when I show a person that I can solve a Rubik's Cube, EVERY person asks, "Whoa, how do you do that?". So they would probably be interested in how to solve it. I would just say the steps in solving the cube. Don't go into too much detail, or they'll get bored.
Click to expand...

Evry person actually ask about that, and if you answer them with showing the method, they're getting bored. If they're asking me "How do you do that?", then I just say I turn. Also, if you're talking about the cube too much, then they'll think you're an idiot... It happened with me..
 
I've actually done that exact thing on dates before. I usually give the speech while solving (slowly), relating the scramble to life. I usually say (paraphrased) that the scramble is like the start of high school, everything appears to be a mess and you don't know where to start. As you get older, things begin to work themselves out and you learn more about yourself and your capabilities (this is where you near the end of f2l). Then, as you grow older and graduate, everything falls into place and you learn where to go and what to do, after having these life lessons. Try your best to end the solve on "lessons"


I'd recommend making that sound more eloquent, however.
 
go with the old, "life is like this cube. You start out all mixed up, but you solve it one layer at a time." Be sure to quote me when you do that. And ignore the fact that you most likely do not solve one layer at a time
 
DAE_JA_VOO said:
Harry said:
DAE_JA_VOO said:
I did a 15 minute speech at a school a few weeks ago, and i involved Rubik's cubes there. Mine wasn't about life as such though, i was talking about Jesus, and i explained how we aren't solved cubes that are perfect, that's what JC is. We're more like scrambled cubes, and Jesus is the only one who can help us get solved.

That kind of thing. When it was finally solved they freaked out :P
Click to expand...

Wow nice one.... I will put it on my blog (I Think today) Is that okay?
Click to expand...

Sure thing man, please just send me a link, i'd like to see that. There's a lot of great stuff i said, want me to PM it to you?
Click to expand...

Sure thing, waht is PM? The link is on my sig....

Thanks Mr!!!! (I haven't put it yesterday I was busy reading some online mangabut, your writing will be put in the blog this week)....
 
Thanks, I like all the responses.

I think I'll go with something like dae_ja and shaden said, it sounds like it would make a good speech that people would actually like to hear.

I'd like to hear more about the speech you gave, dae_ja, if you're willing to share.
 
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