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LurpCrawn Since: Feb, 2014
Mar 3rd 2014 at 11:55:43 AM •••

Is this an appropriate example, or is this a different trope?

  • Subverted in the Phineas and Ferb episode, "I, Brobot". After Phineas explains his plans to build robot versions of himself and Ferb, you see a ridculous contraption, which includes a tuba, a plunger, and a banana peel. When Phineas and Ferb activate the robot building device, they turn away from the ridiculous contraption towards a simple box which the robots walk out of.
    Phineas: I'm so glad we used our new android building device instead of that old dinosaur.

MikeRosoft Since: Jan, 2001
Feb 29th 2012 at 12:33:47 PM •••

Removed:

  • Timepieces that rely on complex clockwork mechanics are a Double Subversion. They're needlessly complex given what they're built for, sure, but that doesn't stop them from being a practical solution. On the other hand, does time really need to be told with complicated machines if one can just walk outside and observe his own shadow, or turn over an hourglass?
A Rube Goldberg device is something needlessly complex to perform the task. If the complex clockwork is what it takes for the watch to run as advertised, it's not an example.

Long live Marxism-Lennonism! Hide / Show Replies
MikeRosoft Since: Jan, 2001
Feb 29th 2012 at 10:28:59 PM •••

Likewise removed:

  • Biological processes on a molecular level. Although...

Long live Marxism-Lennonism!
165.124.112.63 Since: Dec, 1969
Aug 4th 2010 at 5:50:16 PM •••

I've never heard this called anything but a Rube Goldberg contraption. Why the obscure name?? Is the grandchild of Mr Robinson a troper?

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memetics Since: Feb, 2010
Dec 10th 2010 at 9:23:57 AM •••

I agree; would like more info. on main section about why "Robinson"; otherwise, I'd suggest renaming to "Rube".

What the hell is an aluminum falcon?
Camacan MOD Since: Jan, 2001
Jul 26th 2011 at 7:58:30 PM •••

It got renamed to Rube Goldberg Device.

griffinmills Since: Oct, 2009
May 8th 2010 at 8:10:05 PM •••

...would someone take something that HAS A COMMON NAME ALREADY and rename it to something nobody will know wtf they are talking about, kudos.

Camacan MOD Since: Jan, 2001
Jul 26th 2011 at 7:58:16 PM •••

It got renamed to Rube Goldberg Device.

memetics Skulls are Awesome Since: Feb, 2010
Skulls are Awesome
Dec 10th 2010 at 9:24:58 AM •••

Advertising: "This commercial for the Honda Accord: Apart from merging footage from two shots, there's no CGI involved. Three Accords were cannibalized for the commercial." Looking at the way the tires move uphill against gravity, and a couple of other physics-failing but subtle bits in the ad, I'd question the "no CGI" assertion. Can anyone confirm this, or can the point please be edited to remove the questionable assertion?

What the hell is an aluminum falcon?
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