The strain exerted on the mind by having to remember two similar concepts or performing multiple sequential actions to accomplish one task. Overcome by the construction of a synecdoche or inventions to remove the extra steps. The driving force of convenience, both good and bad for civilization.

Computer users will doubtlessly recognize this as the constant struggle to determine the proper branching depth and degree of their ever-growing Start menus (or equivalent.) Should everything be at one level, or deeper? How many related items need to be in a group before it gets forked off the root? If a menu is too deep, does that make things harder to find? How about more annoying?

A perfectly degenerate system is one that is maximally balanced for ease of use. Of course, it may be missing some other things along the way, but I think we should side with Engelbart on this one.