User:Tony Snyder
As a puzzle obsessed individual I have found myself always drawn towards puzzles, and then unable to let one go until I could do it perfectly. For example, I have long ago let go the pyramid puzzle because I found that with very little effort I could do it in the fewest turns possible each time, no more challenge. However, I still do the Rubik's Cube because I have a long ways to go yet. I have two solves to date which I think may have been perfect, one was a 16 turn solve I did a few months ago, and the other a 19 turn solve I did 3 years ago. These achievements were nothing compared to a consistent direct-solve, which is my ultimate goal.
As I picked up my first cube in 1980, I have considerably more experience today than a lot of the newcomers (an estimated 1.7 million solves to date). That of course doesn't mean I'm better, as I have spent very little time coordinating my insights with those of others, to gain from the more collective approach people use today to get ahead on puzzle solving technique. I've always felt like help from others would just spoil the fun. I remember times when I was younger, if someone tried to show me some technique I'd get upset, because I wanted to figure it all out for myself.
Now, to get current with the times I have to put those tendencies aside and take a look at modern methods, integrating those with my own, and of course computer modeling. Over the years I've procrastinated on making this change for one reason or another, primarily due to a combination of work priorities and my belief that I can find the ultimate algorithm all by myself. Just the same, I may decide to get with the times after all, at least I'm thinking about it.
I've found that the cube makes a great conversation piece, as it seems to promote conversations with strangers at the coffee shop. And it also reveals who's minds are driven by stereotypes and who's aren't, as there are so many reactions to the cube that are based on stereotypes. I learned a lot about how the mind functions from these experiences, and put those ideas at my website: www.areyoulogical.com.
Here are some obvious ones...
1) I'm peeling stickers off and replacing them with new stickers - nearly everyone who comments on this asks, "isn't that cheating?" 2) I solve it, mix it, solve it, mix it, while people are watching. Then someone gets the nerve to ask me, "can you solve that thing?" 3) Oftentimes educated people will ask "now that you can solve it, why do you keep doing it over and over?" In response I try to explain that just solving it is nothing compared to an optimal solve. You'd think an educated person would understand the value in finding optimal algorithms. Sometimes when I don't feel like explaining I'll simply respond, "it's relaxing, much like playing tennis", which is also true. 4) And many times I've heard, "that's getting old, the solution's in a book" - a typical response from people who only follow instructions in life, never asking "what if". 5) Or, "that game is old school". Hmm, what about chess? 6) I'll sit down in some social setting to a coffee or a drink, then some random hot girl will sit next to me all spiffed up from head to toe, I'll solve the cube, mix it, solve it, mix it, then sip my drink, then solve the cube, mix it, and she grabs her purse and says "that's freaky", then stomps off. 7) And my grandmother says, "put that toy down and get a life!"
All stereotypes aside, my impression of a Rubik's Cube is that it is the very best puzzle, and alway will be, based on the simple fact that it optimally balances the most puzzle solving facets.
1) It holds together as one piece, not making a mess. 2) It is easy to turn, qualifying it for speed challenges. 3) The object is simple to understand. 4) It appears to be much simpler than it really is. 5) There are enough combinations to it that luck is only a small factor in solving it. 6) It only takes a few turns to fully mix it. 7) The tediousness-to-combinations ratio is very low. 8) It is just hard enough that most experts will agree that a human cannot do a perfect solve (though I disagree, but that's beside the point).
- 7 is the big one. There are many other puzzles that are just a bit harder to figure out, yet way more tedious.
