Hope that anyone reading is having a great day! Today, I wanted to talk about the world of competitive Rubik’s Cube solving, which I find to be utterly fascinating. People actually compete with one another to see who can solve a Rubik’s Cube the quickest.
You might be wondering why it would be so fascinating to watch others solve a puzzle that you probably played with as a child. But let me tell you, the level of expertise and commitment displayed by these competitors is absolutely astounding.
Think about it – the Rubik’s Cube has over 43 quintillion possible combinations. That is 43 with eighteen zeros after it. However, there are those who can figure it out in under five seconds. Despite this, every single combination can be solved within 20 moves. How is it even conceivable that humans can do this? Well, practice, passion, and planning are some of the key factors.
Competitors in cubing dedicate countless hours to honing their skills. They research the cube-solving algorithms and work tirelessly to increase their efficiency and precision. Additionally, there are various events and categories for various skill levels, from beginner to expert, just like in any other sport or competition.
The mindset of the competitors, however, intrigues me the most about the world of competitive Rubik’s Cube solving. These are people who are extremely motivated and enthusiastic about what they do. They set objectives for themselves and put forth a lot of effort to achieve them. They are aware that success requires perseverance and consistent effort rather than appearing overnight.
Additionally, even though attempting to solve a Rubik’s Cube might seem like a pointless endeavor, I believe there are some important lessons to be drawn from the world of competitive cubing. It teaches us that anything is possible with effort and practice, for starters. It also demonstrates the value of setting objectives and pursuing them, despite difficulties or impossibilities.
In many ways, the world of competitive Rubik’s Cube solving is a microcosm of life itself. Each of us have struggles to conquer and barriers to overcome. But there’s no telling what we can accomplish if we address these difficulties with the same amount of commitment and tenacity as a competitive cuber.
So the next time you’re solving a Rubik’s Cube, stop to consider the talent and commitment of those who compete at the highest levels. And keep in mind, what other seemingly insurmountable jobs can we complete with enough effort and perseverance if they can solve a cube in under five seconds?
Hi Josh, I like to watch a lot of speedrunning videos, and I have watched a decent amount of Rubik’s cube competitions. It really is fantastic that people have dedicated themselves to achieving such a high level of proficiency at this skill. I like your idea that it is a microcosm of life, and it is certainly true that effort and perseverance can accomplish a lot!
Josh, rubik’s cubes have always confused me. I have never been able to solve one, and certainly could not solve it in five seconds. My dad and brother both got into rubik’s cubes a few years ago and my dad started to work out equations and formulas to consistently solve the cube nearly every time he attempted. I’ve always been impressed by those with the brain to work through all the possibilities and ultimately reach a conclusion. Professional rubik’s cube solvers are truly a wonder!
Hi Josh,
Back in high school my friend got bored and decided to learn how to solve a Rubik’s cube. Ever since then I’ve wanted to try by hand but haven’t had the time. I do have to say, I’ve seen quite a few videos on the competitive scene and it shocks me every time.
Hey Josh,
I randomly developed an itch to learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube last semester, so I bought one and learned a pretty straightforward way of solving it. While my best time was nowhere near what these pros are boasting, I was able to get a glimpse of the challenge of solving it and certainly gained an appreciation for those who can do it in mere seconds.
If we’re shooting for more Rubik’s Cube symbolism, I also think that it could symbolize many of the challenges that we encounter in our lives: having the appearance of a complex, unique, mind-twisting, time-consuming problem that in reality is a symptom of a pretty basic need that we are failing to fulfill and could absolutely fulfill if we just give it a little time and TLC.
Hi Josh,
I have a friend who still plays with the cube– the only one I know who does and is majoring in architecture. I am curious what the code looks like to make a cube-solving algorithm and have it attached to a robot. The fact that the highest competitors can compete at the same level as the machines (or vice versa) is fascinating. I agree with you that things in life can be as difficult or easy as solving a cube, and the commitment and effort done to overcome these these challenges is an important skill to continously refine.