Rules: Paths Across Mountains of Data

This morning, I started thinking about Rules as Patterns of High Probability, like tributaries that stretch out across a vast landscape of information, as well-trodden paths across mountains of data.

How is a Rule formed? And how does one Rule become the rule of "best practice"?

In the beginning, there are no rules, just an information landscape to traverse. Over time, a path forms, based on trial and error. A Rule acts as an averaging principle that only evolves after repeatedly confronting similar situations, dynamics and consequences. A well-tested Rule could evolve into a Law, to embody a pattern with an extremely high level of persistent probability, within a broad range of contexts.