Does solving a Rubik's Cube in record time make you a genius?

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   Chriswillman90posted 9 years ago

   Does solving a Rubik's Cube in record time make you a genius?
   
   Image Credit source: By Duncan Hull, CC-BY, via flickr
   
   
   
   

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   BruceDPriceposted 9 years ago

   There are many kinds of genius. This certainly makes you a genius at solving Rubik's Cube, and probably other activities that are math/engineering/spatial related.
   
   Similarly, I've written many good  literary works, possibly great literary works,  but I can't do Rubik's Cube or remember pi, nor can I hear a melody on the radio and play it on the piano.
   
   Actually, I think this is a dumb question because it does not recognize the multiplicity and complexity of everything. A guy who gets to the top of Mount Everest in bad weather is definitely a genius mountain climber, but we wouldn't know for sure that he could do anything else in his life.

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      Chriswillman90posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that it's a dumb question. I was just curious at what some people believed to be true. There are too many layers of genius to uncover to make any generalities as you stated. Also a fitting example with the Mt. Everest climber.

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   aharrisposted 9 years ago

   This is such a great question!  I like it because I suspect it is intended to be provocative, and it has had the desired result already.
   
   Rubic's cube is a genius thing.  So clever.  So portable.  So affordable.  So low tech.  Cool in its day, and in a wonky way, still cool today.  Evidence has shown that puzzle solving is a form of exercise, and if you ever think you might have a concussion, attempting to solve a puzzle you routinely do will diagnose it for you. (I took a fall at home, tried to do a Sudoku in that morning's paper, and could not.  Off to the doctor and glad I went.  Rubic's cubers could do the same thing their way.)
   
   As a middle school teacher, I know a lot of kids (all boys) who can solve Rubic's Cube magically fast. They share many attributes: competitive, determined, do their homework, play an instrument, have strict parents who limit TV, and more.  I think that anyone with time on their hands and an audience in the wings can learn to solve Rubic's cube and get super fast at it given enough free time.  This claim to fame has got to be your currency, though.  It is not a skill I wish to add to my portfolio.  I'd much rather learn how to juggle or speak Spanish, and aim to do both.  Some day.
   
   So being a speed-record Rubic's Cube solver does not certify you as a genius.  But it compliments you in other ways, like demonstrating a willingness to tolerate failure on your way to mastery, sustained effort, and a sense of pride. Productive citizens - the ones you want to live near, the ones you want to hire, the ones you want to work for - usually have these qualities, among others.

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      Chriswillman90posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I wasn't sure this was a great question but your response is quite intriguing. I think it can compliment other true genius attributes although it may also not mean anything. People can learn most things with practice but it doesn't make you a genius.

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   kj forceposted 9 years ago

   It is a known fact that there are so many different levels of genius...The Rubik cube is a mind challenging focus game, and most people who are capable of the task are detail oriented. Concentrating on one thing at a time, yet not necessarily focused, so genius...no..
   Years ago I knew a guy who could do the puzzle in record time, but couldn't hold a job, marriage,
   or his life together...lived with his sister, slept all day.. then won the lottery , was broke in less than a year...

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      Chriswillman90posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Good point, I like to divide it into the classic book versus street smarts where you may be an expert on a spatial or overall academic level but you lack social skills and communication to hold down relationships or jobs. It's all in your attitude.

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   Lady Guinevereposted 9 years ago

   My daughter solved the Rubik's Cube in five minutes and that was 30 years ago.  Does that make her a genius....not really.  She was "GIFTED" until she went to college where she was challenged fully.

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      Chriswillman90posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Granted even though they may not be a genius per se, I'm still amazed at people who could solve something so challenging. I can't deny they have certain special skills that I wish I had.

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