New Rubik's Cube World Record Set 59

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on Monday January 16, 2006 @05:58PM from the i-still-hate-the-rubik's-cube dept.

LinuxCowboy writes "CNN is reporting that a 20 year old Cal Tech student set a new record by solving a 3x3 rubrics cube in 11.13 seconds. In addition, he was blindfolded while doing it." From the article: "Still, the world record alone didn't gain Lo the overall champion's title at the event, which was determined by averaging three of five solution times in the final round. For that title, Lo went up against the teenager widely considered the fastest Rubik's Cube solver on the planet -- Shotaro "Macky" Makisumi, a 15-year-old from Pasadena."

New Rubik's Cube World Record Set

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Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:5, Funny)

by TripMaster Monkey ( 862126 ) * writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @05:59PM (#14486283)

a 20 year old Cal Tech student set a new record by solving a 3x3 rubrics cube in 11.13 seconds.

<pedant>
Surely it was a 3x3x3 cube, since '3x3' doesn't describe a cube at all.
</pedant>

- Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)
  
  by benh57 ( 525452 ) writes:
  
  Well, the sentence does say '3x3 cube' - the word cube implies it is the same in all dimensions, so you can infer that it is 3x3x3. Hence the final x3 is not really needed.
  - Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2, Insightful)
    
    by Schickie ( 941317 ) writes:
    
    Neither is the second.
    - Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)
      
      by interiot ( 50685 ) writes:
      
      Not to be terribly pedantic, but doesn't it make the sentence look more like a typo, or at least make you do a double-take to make sure they're not talking about multiple rubrics cubes?
      
      a 20 year old Cal Tech student set a new record by solving a 3 rubrics cube in 11.13 seconds.
      - Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)
        
        by cortana ( 588495 ) writes:
        
        You could call it a 3-cybe, or a 3^3 cube.
        
        Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)
        
        by steveo777 ( 183629 ) writes:
        
        3^3 cube would be rudundent... in this case, or it would really mean 3^3^3, which would really be 3^9. But don't cube that again, it starts getting messy.
        I would wager that most people would understand that a rubiks cube is 3x3x3, as that is the 'normal' size.
- Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:1)
  
  by maxume ( 22995 ) writes:
  
  It gets worse, rubrics cube? Amazingly, it is fine in the headline.
- Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:1)
  
  by usrusr ( 654450 ) writes:
  
  good pedantery
  
  maybe it's a 9x9x9?
- Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:3, Funny)
  
  by nomadic ( 141991 ) writes:
  
  Well then it's a hypercube since we have a fourth dimension. So 3x3x3x11.13s.
  - - Re:The search is over. (Score:1)
      
      by KDR_11k ( 778916 ) writes:
      
      I can't even visualize what that would look like, let alone how to complete it.
      
      He did it blindfolded too?
      
      He had to be blindfolded, the mere sight of a six-dimensional Rubik's "Cube" is enough to make a man go insane.
- Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:5, Funny)
  
  by Kelson ( 129150 ) * writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @08:05PM (#14487189) Homepage Journal
  
  Yeah, for some reason the 3x3 Rubik's Square never caught on.
  
- Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)
  
  by Kanasta ( 70274 ) writes:
  
  I think rubrics cube alone kinda implies a 3x3x3 cube
- Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:1)
  
  by stupid_is ( 716292 ) writes:
  
  even more pedantic: go to Rubik's store [rubiks.com] and look at the listing for the cubes. You have:
  Rubik's mini Cube at 2x2
  Rubik's Cube at 3x3
  Rubik's Revenge at 4x4
  Rubik's Professor Cube at 5x5
  Nowhere do they mention the last dimension of the cubes
- Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)
  
  by argStyopa ( 232550 ) writes:
  
  3x3 rubrics cube
  
  It's not even a material OBJECT, just some 3x3 grid of 'rules'. /pedant
NOT blindfolded (Score:3, Informative)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @06:01PM (#14486301)

The record for a 3x3x3 blindfolded is just under 2 minutes. Lo was most definately looking at the cube while solving it.

- Re:NOT blindfolded (Score:1)
  
  by ecryder ( 851413 ) writes:
  
  100% correct. There are several competition categories, blindfolded is one of them.
  - Re:NOT blindfolded (Score:2)
    
    by Kelson ( 129150 ) * writes:
    
    What I can't figure out about the blindfolded competition is how they can tell they've succeeded. Do they memorize the configuration before they begin, then solve it "in their head" as it were, or is there some way to tell the different colored labels apart by touch?
    - Re:NOT blindfolded (Score:1)
      
      by tepples ( 727027 ) writes:
      
      or is there some way to tell the different colored labels apart by touch?
      
      Braille? But then you probably wouldn't know, as people who depend on a screen reader aren't allowed to post to Slashdot because of the CAPTCHA.
    - Re:NOT blindfolded (Score:5, Informative)
      
      by fprintf ( 82740 ) writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @10:08PM (#14487751) Journal
      
      Memorization. You get a certain amount of time to memorize the cube before beginning. Then you orient the cube with the centers in the direction you prefer, then you put the blindfold on and begin. You know when you are done when you have done all the moves you planned in your head. If you have done it correctly the cube is solved once you put it down. If not, well then it isn't really 100% blindfolded then is it?
      
      http://www.speedcubing.com/ [speedcubing.com] has a pretty decent FAQ as well as good links to other more robust blindfold or regular speedcubing tutorial sites.
      
      - Re:NOT blindfolded (Score:4, Funny)
        
        by ecryder ( 851413 ) writes: on Tuesday January 17, 2006 @10:02AM (#14490282) Homepage Journal
        
        I think the audience yells out "hotter" and "colder."
        
Tyson Mao (Score:2, Informative)

by reynols ( 82982 ) * writes:

One of the previous record holders, Tyson Mao, can be seen on WB's Beauty and the Geek 2 [warnerbros.com].
Hmmm (Score:3, Funny)

by Otter ( 3800 ) writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @06:11PM (#14486394) Journal

So is the guy on Beauty and the Geek 2 now more or less of a dork now that he's the ex-record holder?
My advice to Ashton Kutcher is to kick him off the show and replace him with Leyan Lo, in a stunning plot twist. Unless Leyan Lo has a girlfriend, but that seems implausible.

- Re:Hmmm (Score:1)
  
  by chibimagic ( 157104 ) writes:
  
  I go to school with both Tyson and Leyan, and Leyan tutors me in physics. Tyson's record referred to on the show was already broken by Leyan back in November, however, the show was filmed before then.
  
  And Leyan does have a girlfriend, and they're an adorable couple.
  - - Re:Hmmm (Score:1)
      
      by InsaneLampshade ( 890845 ) writes:
      
      Yeah... surely everyone knows you need pictures to prove anything on the internet!
      
      We demand pictures of this so called "girlfriend"!!!
randomness... (Score:4, Interesting)

by Lord Bitman ( 95493 ) writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @06:15PM (#14486417)

shouldnt records for solving something which starts in a random state be taken as an /average/ of solving times?

in other inqueries: do competative rubix-cubers use special rubix grease or something for smooth spinning?

- Re:randomness... (Score:5, Interesting)
  
  by dozer ( 30790 ) writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @06:44PM (#14486648)
  
  They do. They disassemble and reassemble their cubes and oil them to where there's almost no sliding friction at all. They don't twist a face, they flick a side with a fingertip and let momentum do the rest while they move their hands for the next move. It's amazing to watch.
  
  - Re:well that's just stupid... (Score:2)
    
    by Lord Bitman ( 95493 ) writes:
    
    Whenever I disassembled and reassembled a rubiks cube, I just put it back together "solved": no flicking required.
    
    Some people just lack common sense!
- Re:randomness... (Score:2)
  
  by Gorimek ( 61128 ) writes:
  
  You're right, there are records for that as well, and the average records [speedcubing.com] are taken far more seriously by the cubers themselves.
  
  But there is no way to make the media write about that concept.
Does it have anything to do with age (Score:4, Interesting)

by Rac3r5 ( 804639 ) writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @06:42PM (#14486635)

The reason I ask this is because when I was between gr 7- gr 9 I was quite good at solving puzzles.
When I was in gr.7 or 8, we had a rubix cube at home.. and I was able to solve it, not fast, but I was able to solve it none the less.
Then when I was in gr 9-10, I was really good at chess and chinese checkers. I was also good at solving tiled puzzles in under a minute. I don't remember what I did, but I had some sort of procedure for doing it and stuff just worked out all the time.

Now I'm 24 and my sister bought me a rubix cube for christmas and I still haven't been able to solve it. I have no idea what I did when I was a kid.
Maybe it had something to do with puberty?

- Re:Does it have anything to do with age (Score:5, Funny)
  
  by Stuart Gibson ( 544632 ) writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @06:53PM (#14486711) Homepage
  
  Probably
  
  next up...... the clitoris. nature's rubik's cube.....
  
  Stuart
  
  - Re:Does it have anything to do with age (Score:1)
    
    by shigelojoe ( 590080 ) writes:
    
    Even worse, you're expected to solve it with your tongue.
- Re:Does it have anything to do with age (Score:5, Funny)
  
  by ArsonSmith ( 13997 ) writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @08:05PM (#14487194) Journal
  
  Yea I think something happens at age 21 that suddely our brain power begins to drop off faster than usual. I don't know what it would be either. Guess I'll drink a beer and think about it.
  
- Re:Does it have anything to do with age (Score:1)
  
  by Neop2Lemus ( 683727 ) writes:
  
  The famous English author Rudyard Kipling wrote about a [paraphrase] "great collapse of the mind at the age of 25", I'ms sorry I don't remember which book. I used to listen to the radio and repeat it, can't do that anymore. Mathematicians note the same thing, much of their best work is done under the age of 25, after that it's elbow grease that succeeds, or so I've read.
  But at 21 you're probably just really out of practice, and I was never smart enough to be a mathematician.
- Re:Does it have anything to do with age (Score:1)
  
  by shane_rimmer ( 622400 ) writes:
  
  When I was young, I had all the time in the world to devote to solving puzzles and mastering tough moves in video games. Now that I am married, have two kids, a mortgage, and the stress of work, I find I am not so good at puzzles that require a lot of practice...
Stuff that Matters (Score:5, Funny)

by jazman_777 ( 44742 ) writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @06:46PM (#14486667) Homepage

Slashdot:
News for nerds, stuff that matters.
I see that that really means:
stuff that doesn't matter, stuff that matters.

- Re:Stuff that Matters (Score:1)
  
  by Sockatume ( 732728 ) writes:
  
  "News that only matters to stuffy nerds"?
Bah (Score:5, Informative)

by Enjoi ( 857482 ) writes: <<snkenjoi> <at> <gmail.com>> on Monday January 16, 2006 @06:49PM (#14486683) Homepage

Ignorance gets it wrong again. - He wasn't blindfolded, that was a different even. - It was a bit lucky, but not too much, as he is still quite fast. It was actually a PLL skip (permutating all the pieces of the top layer) Yes, the cubes are at random states, no, you can't peel the stickers off, yes, he has done times near this before that wern't lucky. I'm a speedcuber, I average about 23 seconds and I've solved it fastest in 17.78, non-lucky. You're gonna wanna visit speedcubing.com for more info.

- Re:Bah (Score:2)
  
  by superpulpsicle ( 533373 ) writes:
  
  Why don't we give the award to the people who came up with the twist pattern/algorithm to solve this at light speed. Really, doesn't everybody else just have fast hands.
Beauty and the Geek (Score:2, Insightful)

by starlabs ( 610056 ) writes:

If you go to the link and RTFA, you'll see a picture of Tyson Mao. Interestingly enough he's not mentioned in the article (nor was he the winner).

But he is a contestant on this season's Beauty and the Geek ;)
- Re:Beauty and the Geek (Score:1)
  
  by cadaeibfed ( 912758 ) writes:
  
  Well, Tyson did organize this competition, and he was a judge, so I think having a picture of him is valid.
- Re:Yes, there are other than 3x3 rubiks (Score:3, Informative)
  
  by stupid_is ( 716292 ) writes:
  
  Yup - go to Rubiks [rubiks.com] site and buy a 2x2x2, 3x3x3, 4x4x4 or even (The Professor) 5x5x5 (although they refer to them as nxn too!)
  - Re:Yes, there are other than 3x3 rubiks (Score:2)
    
    by Teddy Beartuzzi ( 727169 ) writes:
    
    So which is more fun, the 4x4 or the 5x5, for someone who long ago solved the 3x3?
    Well, I didn't really solve it myself, there was that hint book, but this time...
    - Re:Yes, there are other than 3x3 rubiks (Score:1)
      
      by br0ck ( 237309 ) writes:
      
      How about solving the 20x20 cube, like this guy [speedcubing.com]?
What the cube has taught me (Score:5, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Monday January 16, 2006 @09:21PM (#14487548)

I spent a lot of time in high school getting good at the cube. I was never in the range of these guys, but I could do it in about a minute and a half. What did I learn?

-- Rubix Cube skills transfer to absolutely nothing
-- In no manner whatsoever does it impress members of the opposite sex

- Re:What the cube has taught me (Score:1, Funny)
  
  by Anonymous Coward writes:
  
  Yes, but it builds up your right-hand finger muscles, which has certain additional self-recreational utility.

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Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2, Insightful)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:1)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:1)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:3, Funny)

Re:The search is over. (Score:1)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:1)

Re:Minor Correction to Article Summary... (Score:2)

NOT blindfolded (Score:3, Informative)

Re:NOT blindfolded (Score:1)

Re:NOT blindfolded (Score:2)

Re:NOT blindfolded (Score:1)

Re:NOT blindfolded (Score:5, Informative)

Re:NOT blindfolded (Score:4, Funny)

Tyson Mao (Score:2, Informative)

Hmmm (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Hmmm (Score:1)

Re:Hmmm (Score:1)

randomness... (Score:4, Interesting)

Re:randomness... (Score:5, Interesting)

Re:well that's just stupid... (Score:2)

Re:randomness... (Score:2)

Does it have anything to do with age (Score:4, Interesting)

Re:Does it have anything to do with age (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Does it have anything to do with age (Score:1)

Re:Does it have anything to do with age (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Does it have anything to do with age (Score:1)

Re:Does it have anything to do with age (Score:1)

Stuff that Matters (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Stuff that Matters (Score:1)

Bah (Score:5, Informative)

Re:Bah (Score:2)

Beauty and the Geek (Score:2, Insightful)

Re:Beauty and the Geek (Score:1)

Re:Yes, there are other than 3x3 rubiks (Score:3, Informative)

Re:Yes, there are other than 3x3 rubiks (Score:2)

Re:Yes, there are other than 3x3 rubiks (Score:1)

What the cube has taught me (Score:5, Funny)

Re:What the cube has taught me (Score:1, Funny)

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