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Wednesday, December 13, 2006
The Shot: Rubik's Cube solved ... blindfolded
Posted By Alyssa Caplan, "360" Production Assistant: 11:50 AM ET
  22 Comments
Hi Alyssa~
This "guy" has amazing ability to solve Rubik's cube. Too bad we don't know his name. He deserves credit! I admire anyone who has that part of the brain working. Personally, I despise the "cube". Years ago I believe I remember tossing one in the fireplace from frustration. Burn baby burn~ Anyway, I guess it is great if that's how you want to spend your time. Me? I'd rather listen to music, draw a picture, read a book, blog, or take out the garbage, boil water, watch paint dry, clean up after the dogs, chew cardboard, go to the dentist, anything but play with that darn cube! Thanks Alyssa, cool shot!
Posted By Anonymous Betty Ann, Nacogdoches TX : 12:15 PM ET
impossible!!!!!!
Posted By Anonymous Rupa , Boston ,MA : 1:04 PM ET
Hi Alyssa,
Too bad all of life's problems can't be solved that fast. And blindfolded as well! Dexterity, has never been a word associated with me. I still have trouble walking, talking, and chewing gum at the same time..Add blindfolded, forget about it..But I admire those that can and this young man has my admiration. Take Care
Posted By Anonymous Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif : 1:07 PM ET
Alyssa,
That is very impressive that someone can solve a Rubik's cube in such a short amount of time and blindfolded.

Back in the 1980s, when this toy first came out, I had a second cousin who was also good at the Rubik's cube. He could do it in 12 seconds.
Posted By Anonymous Kerry Ann, Palm Springs, CA : 1:30 PM ET
I can't solve the rubik's cube with my eyes open, much less blindfolded! How is that possible? How does he know where the colors are?
Posted By Anonymous Jess, Paris, KY : 1:55 PM ET
I think he was peeking, don't you?

Linda
Boulder, Colorado
Posted By Anonymous Linda, Boulder, Colorado : 1:58 PM ET
That's old news, you can see competitions of this on You Tube. They memorize the algorithm.
Posted By Anonymous Jason, Hartford, CT : 2:12 PM ET
I think his name is Ty and he was recently on Beauty and the Geek. Don't even ask how I knew that.
Posted By Anonymous Sheila, Denver, Co : 2:23 PM ET
your all idiots its just a patern they do the same thing over and over and after so many times they have it. you all need to get a life
Posted By Anonymous good, gilbert az : 3:34 PM ET
Hey Alissa,

I used to do it under 2 minutes when I was a teenager,not blindolded. I bought one for my son last year and I got the "look"!! He never touched it and I can't believe I used to play with that! AH! times change!!!


Joanne Ranzell
Laval Quebec
Posted By Anonymous Joanne Ranzell Laval Quebec : 3:35 PM ET
I'm a long time 360 viewer and have noticed that features like this Rubik's cube guy always seem to bring out Anderson's skepticism, which for me, is amusing to watch!
Posted By Anonymous Fay, Vacaville, CA : 3:39 PM ET
WHen Rubik's Cubes first came out my younger brother who has dyslexia used to do it in his room at night in the absolute dark. NBFD The only difference is that this got video taped.
Posted By Anonymous Adam, Waltham, MA : 3:54 PM ET
Do you think the guys from Jack*#% can do it in less time? Still, it's nice to see a stunt where no one ends up dead or 'drain bamaged.
Posted By Anonymous Carol B., Frederick, MD : 4:22 PM ET
It's in remembering the sequencing of turns. I figured it out when I was a teen when it was the '80's rage (I even had one from McDonald's with their advertising all over the cube). After a couple of times, it all got boring. Who knows? Maybe the guy was peeking through the blindfold.
Posted By Anonymous TA Cheramie, Berwick, LA : 6:45 PM ET
His name is Tyson Mao; a caltech graduate. He used to hold the world record for blindfold rubik's cube solve. He also tutor Will Smith to play Rubik's cube in the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness".
Posted By Anonymous gina, ca : 10:15 PM ET
How is this news? Why is CNN wasting space with this video? There is not iota of news-worthiness in this minute of schlock.

Please, maintain a higher standard.
Posted By Anonymous B.L. Ratcliff, Hartford, CT : 10:16 PM ET
Scary! Mel Gibson speaks, or doesn't, for himsself. He says his film is a lesson in the decline of a civilization and cites symptoms of declne in ours without mentino of his own prejudice and behavior. There is always a place for forgiveness, yet he asks for and leaves room for none. He says that it is his own business, but this is not so. That he is talented and produces movies is fightening.
Posted By Anonymous whitney, Pasadena, CA : 11:10 PM ET
B.L.Ratcliff,
At least we know that there is one sane person in CT.
Posted By Anonymous Brant, Madison, WI : 11:48 PM ET
Ok, I admit it...I've watched this video at least 15 times in an effort to figure out the trick. Dug out the old Rubik cube and within 15 minutes put it right back on the shelf to continue and collect dust. Back to the Sudoku puzzles for me!
Posted By Anonymous Jolene, St. Joseph, MI : 11:51 PM ET
He deserves an oscar for acting like he cared what the starting state was. Because (as the guy above correctly stated) The stating point doesn't matter at all. Applying a memorized series of moves will solve the puzzle every time regardless. So the kid deserves an Oscar! Or the next best thing - national props on AC/360! :^)
Posted By Anonymous L. Miller, Bucyrus Ohio : 12:15 AM ET
I remember taking the Rubik's cube apart and putting it back together. Much easier!

If that's the same guy from Beauty and the Geek on the show I saw him do behind his back without a blindfold.

I believe it. We all know Anderson Cooper is a smart man but you can't be good in everything. Sorry!
Posted By Anonymous Kathy, Glen Burnie MD : 1:39 AM ET
Well, with a alot of repitition practicing the same movements forward and backward from scrambled to solved... it's not impossible to finally do it without looking. Good old muscle memory like any dancer or musician would use.
Posted By Anonymous Quentin, Redondo Beach, CA : 2:16 AM ET
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