Inspirational Report #05

Each idea presents a simple, self-contained concept. Click ▶ Variations to expand alternative executions, ordered loosely by feasibility:

1. Easy → quick to produce, minimal setup
2. Medium → requires materials, environment, or minor collaboration
3. Advanced → complex narrative, special access, or multi-day effort

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1. I Tried Competing in EVERY Category at a Rubik’s Cube Competition

Instead of focusing on a single category, challenge yourself to compete in as many as possible at a real competition—testing your versatility across different puzzles and formats.

Variations

1. Attempt several different categories in one day and document your experience switching between puzzles.
2. Train briefly for events you normally don’t practice before the competition.
3. Track your ranking or improvement across all categories to see where you perform best.
4. Turn it into a full competition vlog documenting preparation, nerves, results, and lessons learned from competing in multiple disciplines.

2. Name As Many Cubes As You Can in 10 Seconds!

Inspired by this video concept and one of your previous videos, go to a competition and ask competitors to name as many types of cubes they can in less than 10 seconds.

Variations

1. Ask a few competitors casually between solves.
2. Create a leaderboard ranking who names the most cubes.
3. Like shown in this video, add visual prompts (showing pictures of puzzles) to increase the challenge.
4. Turn it into a rapid-fire interview segment across the entire competition to crown the “Cube Knowledge Champion.”

3. The Wheel of Time Puzzle

Try solving the MoYu Wheel of Time, a puzzle that turns similar to an ordinary 3x3 but has a wheel on each side.

Variations

1. Attempt to solve it without instructions and document first impressions.
2. Compare the solving process to a traditional 3x3 cube.
3. Race a friend solving a normal cube while you solve the Wheel of Time.
4. Analyze its unique mechanics and explain how the circular wheels change solving strategy.

4. The Man Who Solves Cubes While Juggling

Tell the story of Li Zhihao, the speedcuber who holds the world record for fastest time to solve three rotating puzzle cubes whilst juggling. Here are some links with information, such as his official newest record, his 2023 and 2022 records, and some articles from Hindustan Times and speedcubing.org that amplify the data.

Variations

1. Narrate the story of his records and achievements using clips and photos. In the articles provided you can find some other records he holds.
2. Attempt a simplified juggling challenge with cubes to demonstrate the difficulty.
3. Break down the coordination and memorization skills required for the record.
4. Produce a mini-documentary exploring how extreme cubing challenges push the limits of speedcubing creativity. You can even try to get in touch with him to explore his experience first hand.

5. Rubik’s Cube Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge

Following the idea N° 5 of last week’s report (#04), which read “Transform a cube into a word search puzzle by placing letters or words on each square and challenging a friend to uncover a hidden message”, now follow the same concept but with the game 3 in line: transform a cube into a strategic game by placing symbols on the squares (or by only using the colors) and playing three-in-a-row against a friend using cube rotations.

Variations

1. Play a simple game on one cube face using markers or stickers.
2. Allow players to rotate the cube between turns to change the board layout.
3. Use multiple faces as interconnected boards to increase complexity.
4. Design a full tournament where players must adapt strategy as the cube constantly rotates.

6. Can I Solve One of the Largest Rubik’s Cubes Ever Made?

Interact with or solve a massive 33×33×33 cube, an engineering monster with thousands of moving pieces and a weight far beyond a standard cube (it has 6.153 parts and weights 6,59 lb).

Variations

1. Demonstrate the cube’s scale and compare it to a normal 3×3.
2. Attempt partial solves (like completing one face or layer).
3. Analyze how the mechanics and turning feel differ from regular cubes.
4. Document the engineering behind giant cubes and what it takes to build or solve one.

7. Cubes You Probably Didn’t Know Existed (Part 2)

Inspired by this video, explore unusual, rare, or surprising twisty puzzles that many cubers—and casual viewers—have never seen before. It would be a new version of your video, which you can do with cubes with optical illusions, a Cubix Cube, a Ball Cube, and of course also naming pieces of your collection that you haven’t shown yet.

Variations

1. Showcase several unusual cubes from your collection and explain what makes them unique.
2. Attempt quick solves or demonstrations for each puzzle.
3. Rank the puzzles from easiest to most confusing.
4. Turn it into an educational showcase exploring how puzzle design evolved into these strange shapes.

8. Can You Solve the Two Sliding Squares Puzzle?

Step outside traditional cubing and attempt the Two Sliding Squares puzzle, a sequential movement puzzle (like a Rubik-s Cube) where pieces must be repositioned through precise sliding moves.

Variations

1. Attempt to solve the puzzle with no preparation.
2. Time your attempts and track improvement.
3. Race a friend solving the same puzzle simultaneously.
4. Analyze the puzzle’s movement constraints and compare its logic to twisty puzzles like the Rubik’s Cube.