A request
9 years ago in 2017 I created a square-1 blind solving method. I called it the Gnarls SquanBLD method. I spent over a month writing documentation for it. In it I documented a brand new technique I dubbed ‘single slice tracing’. The idea was that you could memorize a specific set of cube shape schemes; using a small amount of tracing, even if you got a cube shape you hadn’t memorized, there was guaranteed to be one you did memorize 1 slice away. I released my method to little fanfare; square-1 blindfolded is such a niche event that this wasn’t surprising. Due to separate matters I stopped participating in the cubing scene for many years.
Fast forward to today. It’s always eaten away at me that my documentation was flawed. I was 17 when I wrote it; I knew the methodology was sound but I was tasked with a lot of work, and towards the end I was rushing it. I got the idea, what if I go back and rewrite my documentation, test it thoroughly and make the documentation I always wanted? To truly put this to rest and let me feel at ease. I spent a couple days researching square-1 blindfolded, even in multiple languages; I was surprised to see it had laid largely dormant, and so I prepared to redo my docs. I found a square-1 discord server, and asked what people thought about the idea, to gauge interest.
It wasn’t long before a user there informed me that my idea had already been replicated, and taken to heights I never thought possible. I designed single slice tracing to be used with a blindfolded method. I never realized the potential it could have in sighted speed solves. Now known as ‘slice prediction’ It was actively being used by pro speedcubers. At first I thought this was awesome, but I’ll admit a sinking feeling as I realized I was an unknown entity. I discovered the methodology in 2017, even documented it; but it’s slipped through the cracks.
I guess what upsets me is I really busted my ass to write this documentation, about a brand new technique I couldn’t find anything else about online at the time. I was super proud of it. For years it has stood as the crowning achievement of my cubing career; the one true, unique contribution I made to the cubing community. The last several hours have completely crushed this delusion I’ve harbored and demoralized me. I don’t care that my idea was replicated, it was bound to happen. But I’m just not part of the history at all. In the end I made no difference. I’m not a blip on anyone’s radar at all.
I guess this is just a request to remember me. I’m just upset that I figured it out and never really got recognition. Call it stupid or whiny I don’t care. I’m still processing this
Edit: I’m more chill now. I can be dramatic sometimes. I do appreciate the kind words yall