{"id":22891,"date":"2021-12-15T15:14:21","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T20:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/ci\/?p=22891"},"modified":"2024-02-05T13:57:52","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T18:57:52","slug":"a-morning-with-erno-rubik-revisited","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/ci\/2021\/a-morning-with-erno-rubik-revisited\/","title":{"rendered":"A Morning with Ern\u0151 Rubik Revisited"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Group<\/a><\/div>
Dr. Rafik Goubran, Her Excellency M\u00e1ria Vass-Salazar, Professor Ern\u0151 Rubik, Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, and Dr. Karen Schwartz <\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Her Excellency M\u00e1ria Vass-Salazar, Ambassador of Hungary to Canada<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Dr. Rafik Goubran, Vice-President (Research and International) at Carleton University<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Antoine Cantin, 5-time Rubik’s Cube world record holder<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Antoine Cantin solving the Rubik’s Cube blindfolded<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Andrea Chan, student competitor<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Joshua Boston, student competitor<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Jenn Baubie, student competitor<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Dr. Karen Schwartz and Professor Ern\u0151 Rubik during the Q&A <\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Professor Ern\u0151 Rubik<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Photo<\/a><\/div>
Professor Ern\u0151 Rubik and student competitor James Hebert<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

by Nathaniel Whelan<\/h4>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cLife is full of inspiration. It depends on you which one you recognize and which one is strong enough to move you on and [start] with something. Usually the directions are not so clear at the beginning\u2026 The value is what we are [searching] for, to achieve some different level of something, or you see the richness of the potential of such a thing. It takes time to achieve that, but regularly it is growing, with success partly and failures, and so on. Depends on the task if it\u2019s longer or shorter, but it takes time all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

These wise words should resonate with anyone of any vocation. They act as a reminder of the power of creativity and patience. If you\u2019ve played with a Rubik\u2019s Cube, then you will agree that it takes both just to solve it. It stands to reason then that the person qualified enough to provide such sage advice is the inventor of the cube himself, Hungarian architect and professor Ern\u0151 Rubik.<\/p>\n

Since its initial release in 1980, the cube\u2019s impact on pop culture has been monumental. Today, it is one of the world\u2019s bestselling toys at over 450 million units.<\/p>\n

On November 10, 2021, Carleton International<\/a> was pleased to host a Rubik\u2019s Cube student competition and moderated Q&A with Professor Rubik. Fifty people had the privilege to attend in-person, while a live stream went out to an audience watching elsewhere, including elementary school classrooms. Jointly organized with the Embassy of Hungary to Canada<\/a>, this event was both fun and educational. While a number of meaningful topics were discussed, the main takeaway was the cube\u2019s ability to create community and forge relationships.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Toronto-based toy company Spin Master Corp.<\/a> completed its purchase of the Rubik\u2019s Cube brand for US$50-million, and has since promised to honour the cube\u2019s legacy through further innovation. Interested in a joint collaboration, this acquisition sparked talks between Carleton University and the Embassy of Hungary back in March 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy primary goal is to build bridges and strengthen cooperation between Canada and Hungary,\u201d remarked Her Excellency M\u00e1ria Vass-Salazar, Ambassador of Hungary. \u201cA personal priority for me is to focus on identifying connections in the area of science, technology, and innovation. Therefore, when I learned that an innovative Canadian company Spin Master acquired the Rubik\u2019s brand, I immediately thought that this merger of Hungarian ingenuity and Canadian entrepreneurship provides a great opportunity for building strong partnerships\u2026 I\u2019m particularly pleased that we could organize this visit to the prestigious Carleton University to talk about what the Rubik\u2019s Cube means to young Canadians.\u201d<\/p>\n

President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon echoed the Ambassador\u2019s words, focusing on how Covid-19 has effected university activities. \u201cThe past year has been hard with the pandemic, but I\u2019m proud with how we\u2019ve persevered through these difficulties,\u201d he said. \u201cFor me, it highlighted the importance of maintaining community, maintaining our connections\u2026 and I\u2019m really pleased that we\u2019re further strengthening our links with the Embassy of Hungary.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued by saying: \u201cThis is truly a unique event. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve had the opportunity to be involved in something quite like this before that really stands out, and I think we\u2019ll all remember this for a very long, long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

During this time of isolation, Carleton International was excited to present such a distinctive experience that hopefully provided a bit of a respite for those impacted by the pandemic. Part of what made the event so special was the Rubik\u2019s Cube competition in which student representatives from five different faculties competed in several 1-on-1 elimination rounds. All eight participants gave impressive performances, with one round coming down to less than a second difference!<\/p>\n

\u201cCompeting in my first-ever cubing contest and doing so in front of the inventor of the puzzle is something I never would have envisioned when I first picked up the Rubik\u2019s Cube as a kid,\u201d said James Hebert, a student from the Sprott School of Business<\/a>. \u201cI had the opportunity to ask Professor Rubik some questions, talk to the best speedcubers in Canada, and go home with a signed cube! This event is a story I will tell for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

A professional speedcubing demonstration followed the competition. What most people don\u2019t know is that Ottawa is home to the most former Rubik\u2019s Cube World Record holders out of anywhere in Canada. Antoine Cantin is one such person, having broken five records. Ethnically half-Hungarian, he was very happy to share a few words with everyone, but only after solving the cube blindfolded first. Cantin opened his talk by posing the question: why was the Rubik\u2019s Cube originally known as the Magic Cube?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe true magic of the cube, for me, comes from its ability to create friendships, create communities, and experiences. Through the Rubik\u2019s Cube, I\u2019ve made some of my best and most special friends. It has also allowed me to become part of the amazing Rubik\u2019s Cube community all around the world,\u201d he explained, gently pacing across the stage. \u201cI\u2019ve been involved in a lot of events, bringing people together through the cube\u2026 In those competitions, I could really see the magic of the cube at work, whether it was through new friendships being created, or long-parted friends being reunited again.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are currently over 1,000 competitions organized worldwide every year, paving the way for the types of connections that Cantin referred to, many of which cross international borders.<\/p>\n

During a moderated Q&A session, Professor Rubik touched on how the cube has managed to have such a global impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that is the most magical part of the cube, how human beings in general reacted on this, and how universal it is,\u201d he said. \u201cThe cube doesn\u2019t need any kind of instruction, no wording. That means anybody can understand it in any kind of language. Visual coding is very universal coding\u2026 and it\u2019s much stronger than words.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the Rubik\u2019s Cube is a wonderful toy and a means for friendly competition, Dr. Rafik Goubran, Vice-President (Research and International) at Carleton, reminded everyone that it is so much more than that. It is a tool that has the potential to serve us throughout our entire lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt improves memory. It improves patience. It improves concentration. It also requires perseverance\u2026 but most importantly, it improves problem solving skills,\u201d he commented, discussing ways in which the Rubik\u2019s Cube helps stimulate the mind. \u201c[It] allows us to break a problem down into smaller parts and to address each issue one-by-one, while also thinking about how each small part effects the whole thing. And isn\u2019t this as a student, teacher, and researcher what we strive to do every day?\u201d<\/p>\n

But Dr. Goubran also made sure to highlight the importance of making connections at an institutional level. He continued by saying: \u201cAt Carleton, we want to inspire our students to make discoveries like the Rubik\u2019s Cube. We want to combine creativity and the love of learning with engaged scholarship and research\u2026 One of the ways we can do this is by fostering relationships with international universities and building connections between students and faculty members. In doing so, we can collaborate on shared issues, create stronger opportunities for students and researchers, and bring our communities together for the greater good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regardless of the topic of conversation, discussion around the Rubik\u2019s Cube tended to come back around to that same notion of community. Coming out of the morning, it was clear that the cube\u2019s defining quality is its ability to forge many different kinds of relationships. Whether it\u2019s between countries, friends, or universities, Professor Rubik\u2019s invention\u2014a seemingly simply, multi-coloured toy\u2014has the power to shape the lives of those who interact with it.<\/p>\n

His journey began over 40 years ago when he developed the first Rubik\u2019s Cube, an elegant cube-shaped puzzle made of wood. When you find inspiration, if you keep with it, there\u2019s no telling the impact your own imagination can have on the world.<\/p>\n

Watch the entire recording here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Photo credits: Spencer Colby (The Charlatan), Nathaniel Whelan, and \u00dclle Baum<\/p>\n

For information on this and other Carleton International events, please contact:
\nNathaniel Whelan<\/a>, Outreach Officer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Nathaniel Whelan \u201cLife is full of inspiration. It depends on you which one you recognize and which one is strong enough to move you on and [start] with something. Usually the directions are not so clear at the beginning\u2026 The value is what we are [searching] for, to achieve some different level of something, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Morning with Ern\u0151 Rubik Revisited - Carleton International<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"  by Nathaniel Whelan   \u201cLife is full of inspiration. 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