rubeosity

/ruː-bɑː-sɪ-ti/

noun

Describes the magnitude of unnecessary excess complexity or “Rube Goldberg-ness” of a device or system. Measured in the logarithmic (base-2) unit of Goldbergs symbolized by the Greek letter gamma (Ɣ).

the most efficient solution possible
2 times unnecessary complexity
4 times
8 times
16 times

The most direct and simple solution that effectively solves a problem, by definition, has a rubeosity of 0Ɣ. A system that has twice the necessary complexity to perform a task, by definition, has a rubosity of 1Ɣ. Each doubling of complexity increases rubosity by 1Ɣ.

Example: “The code has an estimated rubeosity of 2 Goldbergs.”

rubose

adjective

The condition of having significantly high level of rubeosity.