The "Appeal" of cubing

[llamapuzzle]

I'm not sure if this should go here or in the speedcubing section, so I'll post it here.
What got people into cubing, and why does it appeal to you? I'm interested...
I think that just the concept of how many different solutions and algorithms there is to solve it is one reason. I also like how it's not something so wide-spread. If everyone could solve it, in my opinion it wouldn't be as much fun...even though anyone technically could solve it, with a few hours practice and work. My cousin(lot older cousin) bought me a cube when I visited him, and I played around with it for a while. Then, after a few weeks, I lost interest. about 5-6 months later, I picked it up again, figured out a side myself, got someone to teach me second layer, and I got the third layer from an online beginner solution.Well, list of questions...
What is the appeal to you in cubing?
If everyone could solve it, would you still be as interested in it as you are?
How did you got into cubing?
How did you first learn?

Whew.Kinda long.
Anyway, thanks for any answers!

 

[Dene]

I've always been a mathematical thinker, and I've always enjoyed a good challenge. I guess that got me into cubing.

 

[badmephisto]

I wouldn't mind if everyone could solve it.... I do it because it involves quick thinking, memorization, logical thinking, looking ahead, and agility among other things. It seems like a very nice package of all kinds of skills, all in one small simple package. Also what strikes me is it's simplicity. I really like it when some puzzle is very simple, but yet very complicated once you examine it closer.

I actually don't really enjoy when people see me solve the cube really fast. Maybe I'm a little weird..., but i get the impression that people think that I am just trying to show off. It's stupid, i know

 

[jeff081692]

I like cubing because I use to play alot of video games and after I beat it I am done with it but the cube is hard to beat (as in mastering it completely) and to me its like a game that never stops.

 

[Stax]

I like cubing because I use to play alot of video games and after I beat it I am done with it but the cube is hard to beat (as in mastering it completely) and to me its like a game that never stops.

That's also the reason i like the Rubik's Cube.
It is never the same game... Always trying to be better...
I'm totally new to cubing but i don't get tired of it.
I'm really quick bored of videogames... therefore i always try to play online... For the challenge.. but then again... it hasn't the same 'addictive' feeling like the cube

 

[K8]

I think it has the elements of a perfect game!It has the "time-is-running" adrenaline rush, it's competitive, it fits everywhere, you can always improve, it's colorful (you may not know it but this too is psychologically important!), it gives you the sense of accomplishment and of course...not anyone can do it!

 

[darkzelkova]

The first time I solved it, I felt like a genius. And so it began.

 

[slncuber21]

i just thought it would be awesome if i could solve it and i have always liked doing 'different' things (my friends think im weird) so i tried this and it spread like wildfire in my brain, i thought it was the best thing ever!
i also liked videogames so i would beat them and be done (as stated before) but this is never the same because of the 42 quintillion combinations (or whatever it is) oh, and i thought the colors were cool

 

[alltooamorous]

I dunno why I love the cube, but I do. When I first picked it up (after a friend introduced it to me) I just had to solve it. I couldn't go on in my life without solving that thing. So I looked up so tutorials and got started. I used an online cube and solved it. I went out to buy one the next day. Took another day to memorize the algorithms and I basically used it to pass time in my boring classes. I really didn't think I'd get so addicted to it, but I did.

I really hate solving the cube in public cause I don't like it when people just look at you like "Wtf?" Just bugs me. I feel much more comfortable solving at home.

And yeah I probably wouldn't want EVERYONE to know how to solve one, but I really want to have like.. a speedcubing club at my school. I don't know enough people that are too interested in the cube.

 

[pjk]

It was just a popular puzzle that I wanted to try. When the WR was broken at 11.13 seconds by Leyan Lo a couple years back (almost), I didn't believe it. I didn't think you could possibly do it that fast. So I spent a couple days learning to do it, and since I never looked back. My original goal was to avg sub-60 seconds, but never stopped after passing that time.

 

[icke]

i started because of a friend he did and i thought if he can do it i can do it. so i bought a cube and learned it over the internet. he was fast from the beginning. but i wonted to be better thats how everything started. now i m faster and can solve several puzzzles. i like it because it is always something new you can do it wherever you are and it makes me feel good when i accomplish a goal, a new PB or learn new algs.
pjk i got the same goal

 

[cmhardw]

For me it's definitely an addiction or passion or whatever you want to call it. I just find cubing fascinating in so many different ways. It's fun to solve fast, it's amazing to me that such a small puzzle has so many possible combinations. I find the math behind conjugates, commutators, cyclic shifts, pre-moves, inverse scramble solving, insertions, speedsolving strategies, maximizing the probability of skips and easy cases, and the group theory of the cube in general all fascinating.

I can't get over the fact that on a 4x4x4 supercube that the permutation of the wings is completely independent of the permutations of the rest of the pieces. That makes it literally two separate puzzles in one, yet still intertwined. It fascinates me that there are only 86 "super-superflips" on the 3x3x3 cube (every single piece is in its correct location but none have the correct orientation). Only 5 faces are needed to generate every possible position on the 3x3x3, etc. etc. etc.

There are just so many interesting things about cubing to me. Plus, no matter how long you've been cubing there is always more that can be learned. I think that is probably the greatest appeal for me.

Chris