[marthaurion]

I'm just curious...are there going to be any other speedcubers at the convention? If you don't know what that word means, you probably aren't one.
Just for reference,
3x3 Single PB: 12.94 seconds
3x3 Average of 5 PB: 17.4 seconds
4x4 Single PB: 1:38.91

[wrexness]

When I read the title, two things came to mind: performing math operations quickly, or racing office cubicles.

[SongstressLenne]

I knew exactly what this is!

I'd really like to see this in person

[this_chick25]

I'm impressed by it, but only because you guys can remember the algorithms and perform them so darn fast.

If I tried it I'd totally get pwned, so I just I lump it together with other amazing stuff I can't do... like parkour, any kind of skating, and cup stacking: fun to watch the pro's go at it.

[wrexness]

*one wiki search later* Oh yes, we had a brief lecture on that topic in my AI class a couple years ago. They've got a robot out now that can solve cube's at a rate similar to that of expert solvers. Pretty sure there are videos out on Youtube, but I can't access them at work.

[marthaurion]

Yeah, there's robots that can solve a cube, but what's more impressive? A computer that can calculate complex algorithm, or a person that can do the same thing? Just saying...
Anyways, I will definitely be cubing while I'm there...It's like a profession to me. Granted, I'm not at the level of the expert solvers, I'd like to think I'm upper tier competitive level.

[wrexness]

marthaurion, on Feb 22 2010, 11:54 AM, said:

Yeah, there's robots that can solve a cube, but what's more impressive? A computer that can calculate complex algorithm, or a person that can do the same thing? Just saying...

You obviously haven't attempted to create an AI program or get a robot to do anything requiring the dexterity of human fingers. The calculation of the algorithm is easy, but actually converting a conceptual algorithm into something that's executable by a computer is not as easy as you'd think. You can't just say, "Okay, if you see something like <this>, you attack it like <this>." You as a person do a lot of stuff by feel and by pattern recognition using intuition, but a computer has none of that on its own. And that's just on the software side in terms of solving the puzzle, that doesn't even get into the hardware required for a computer to be able to look at a cube, determine what it would have to do to solve it, and translate that into hand motions to turn and rotate the cube. There's a reason we still don't have Luke Skywalker-like robo-hands yet; those fine motor skills are a PAIN to replicate. Humans really are more incredible than they're given credit for. It gets immensely complex very quickly when you try to map human interactions onto an artificial lifeform. *takes off computer science hat*

ANYWHO! Much credit for being able to solve those blasted cubes reliably and with speed. I solved one ever, and that took me I think around 20 minutes. I was probably around 11 or 12 at the time and did it pretty much by chance.

This post has been edited by wrexness: 22 February 2010 - 12:13 PM

[marthaurion]

I've seen many programs that can calculate fewest moves for any situation, but I do concede on the hardware aspect. The one I saw had like 4 clamps that just twisted the cube from different sides.

[wrexness]

Oh I'm sure there are, and in fact it makes my head spin just thinking about how much work would've had to have gone into them. @_@ I just have to insert my own semi-unique perspective as someone who went to school for computer science and worked with AI and robotics.

[marthaurion]

Anyway, this is a video of me solving...
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=mf0ElxFB4Eo
It's not a great solve, but meh...Basically, I do that on a regular basis, including when I'm just walking around.
I've been at it for about 3 or 4 years...Although, I took a break from it for like a year. I've taught 3 people how to solve successfully, out of maybe 5 or 6 attempts.

[Lina]

My mom's friend's son took off the stickers and put them back on where they should be when he was little. His mom thought she gave birth to a genius until she found out that he took the stickers off and put them back on. lol

This makes me want to watch that Rubiks Cube cartoon. lol

[this_chick25]

Lina, on Feb 22 2010, 01:54 PM, said:

This makes me want to watch that Rubiks Cube cartoon. lol[/color]

::grabs a rolled-up newspaper::

No!

Nothing would ever want to make me do that (again). I remember it when it was fairly new. It was always terrible and ill-conceived. It comes shy of the whole "it's so bad, it's good" concept without ever making it to the "it's good" part.

[Lina]

-covers head- Meep! ><

I've seen bits and pieces of it, but not a full episode and I wanna find out for myself just how bad it is. XDDD

[Kii]

Speed....cubing?

[wrexness]

Kii, on Feb 22 2010, 02:09 PM, said:

Speed....cubing?

Admit it, you thought of people racing cubicles too. XD

[Kii]

wrexness, on Feb 22 2010, 03:11 PM, said:

Admit it, you thought of people racing cubicles too. XD

I actually thought of sugar cubes upon first glance.
Then I thought it must be cubing numbers speedily.

Sounds nerdy.
-vomits in boot-

[wrexness]

Kii, on Feb 22 2010, 02:14 PM, said:

I actually thought of sugar cubes upon first glance.
Then I thought it must be cubing numbers speedily.

Sounds nerdy.
-vomits in boot-

*points to first comment I made* XD We had the same math thoughts.

[marthaurion]

Don't knock it until you try it...I know it seems boring and nerdy, but when your average drops below 30 seconds, you get hooked. Even under a minute sometimes is enough to hook you forever.

[Kii]

wrexness said:

We had the same math thoughts.

Our idea is better.

I've never solved a rubix cube.

EVER.

/tear

This post has been edited by Kii: 22 February 2010 - 04:00 PM

[Alkaren Hyralt]

I read the topic as 'speed clubbing' somehow.

[Kii]

Alkaren Hyralt, on Feb 22 2010, 07:48 PM, said:

I read the topic as 'speed clubbing' somehow.

I hope you mean the blunt object and not the dance hovels.

[wrexness]

marthaurion, on Feb 22 2010, 03:24 PM, said:

Don't knock it until you try it...I know it seems boring and nerdy, but when your average drops below 30 seconds, you get hooked. Even under a minute sometimes is enough to hook you forever.

No need to get defensive. There's nothing wrong with being a nerd. In fact, it increases your hotness to Lenne by 812414 points.

[Alkaren Hyralt]

Kii, on Feb 22 2010, 06:52 PM, said:

I hope you mean the blunt object and not the dance hovels.

Meant the blunt object indeed.

I had to reread the title because the post itself made no sense to me.

[Suigetsu]

^
Same here...and the next thing I thought about was baby seals...why does my mind go to such dark places? ^^;

This post has been edited by Suigetsu: 22 February 2010 - 09:32 PM

[Kii]

Suigetsu, on Feb 22 2010, 10:31 PM, said:

^
Same here...and the next thing I thought about was baby seals...why does my mind go to such dark places? ^^;

Q_Q

This post has been edited by Kii: 22 February 2010 - 10:39 PM

[marthaurion]

Well, this topic went in a strange direction...sigh...
I really wish I knew more cubers in the area

[Suigetsu]

The next thing I thought was people who take a number^3=a, a^3=b, b^3 and so on.

But the old Rubiks...very classy. I tried my hand at in various times and could never solve the thing. Good job and be proud.