Sudoku - Enough Already
The guilty party.
Are you into Sudoku? C'mon, everybody's doing it. Seriously, it's really great exercise for your brain. Really, you've never done one? Yeah, I was skeptical too, but now I'm totally addicted. Well, I'm not.
I've had that conversation enough times now. And if you live in Sweden you probably have as well, although you may have been the one saying those things.
Sudoku, is not yet in the dictionary (that will change) so I can't offer a precise definition, but wikipedia offers this-
"Sudoku, sometimes spelled Su Doku, is a logic-based placement puzzle, also known as Number Place in the United States. The aim of the canonical puzzle is to enter a numerical digit from 1 through 9 in each cell of a 9×9 grid made up of 3×3 subgrids (called "regions"), starting with various digits given in some cells (the "givens"). Each row, column, and region must contain only one instance of each numeral. Completing the puzzle requires patience and logical ability. Its grid layout is reminiscent of other newspaper puzzles like crosswords and chess problems. Although first published in 1979, Sudoku initially caught on in Japan in 1986 and attained international popularity in 2005."
Make sure to take in that last line, "...attained international popularity in 2005."
Now, I'm used to things becoming outrageously overpopular. I grew up in America for one thing. I remember Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle Me Elmo, Beanie Babies, Titanic, and Seattle. But, a puzzle 'game' based on logic that requires patience? I don't know how it is for you and those in your country of residence, but the Swedes have gone gah-gah-oku over Sudoku. There are essentially two established camps now, those who Sudoku and those who don't Soduku. (Your guess is as good as mine as to which of these two waring factions will be the ultimate victor. I'm guessing those with logic and patience may have the upper hand here.) Seriously, it is freaking everywhere. Every single newspaper has one. And bookstores have sections devoted to them. And not a day goes by it seems that I don't have the conversation described above.
When will the Sudoku bubble burst? Hmm...well if the over saturation of the Sudoku related product market continues at the rate it is currently going, we can expect to see the crossword puzzle retake it's place as the most popular fill-in-the-empty-squares part of the newspaper shortly after Christmas. Because this Christmas is the Christmas of Sudoku. Why? Because, lets face it, when you can't come up with a good idea for a Christmas present you settle for whatever seems like a good idea (2 days before Christmas). And if you live in Stockholm, you will no doubt know someone who just loves a good romp in Sudoku land whilst on their coffee break, the bus, waiting in line, at the pub, or while trying to figure out that last tricky bit of another Sudoku. Such people would normally be difficult to shop for...not this year. This year you have a plethora of options. How about a subscription to a Sudoku magazine? Oodles of Sudoku magic delivered to your door step each month. Or, how about one, of what seems to be millions of Sudoku books available. containing hundreds of hours of patience. Not advanced enough? Get Sudoku in computer format by purchasing a Sudoku program that will create endless numbers of Sudoku puzzles for your loved one. I think I might have seen a Sudoku t-shirt and a cartoon at some point as well for the younger Sudoku obsessed minion. Maybe I should open up a store that only sells Sudoku stuff.
Simply put: I'm over Sudoku. Sudoku and I never really got together. We talked a little at a party once, but I realized that Sudoku was not going to lead to anything long term. I'm back on the prowl and until then I will be content to fondly revel in the memory of Mine Sweeper.
K Panda
They even have a mindre panda sudoku book.
