1vregel

1vregel is a label used in online discussion and some scholarly writing to describe a single-rule approach to governance, decision making, or design. The term combines the numeral one with regel, a cognate of the word rule in several Germanic languages, and it lacks a single, authoritative definition. In practice, 1vregel denotes a principle intended to cover a wide range of situations with one overarching guideline rather than a suite of specialized rules.

Origins and usage: The etymology is uncertain; the phrase has appeared sporadically in forums, design notes, and theoretical pieces across Dutch- and Norwegian-speaking communities, among others. It is not widely standardized and is used with varying nuances depending on context.

Applications: In game design and policy debates, proponents describe 1vregel as a way to reduce complexity, improve predictability, and streamline enforcement. Critics argue that a single rule risks ambiguity, over- or under-reaction to particular cases, and can suppress legitimate exceptions.

Examples: A moderation policy that applies one universal rule for all violations illustrates the concept, as does a game mechanic where a single governing rule dictates most interactions with few explicit exceptions.

Variants and reception: Some discussions distinguish 1vregel from tiered or context-specific rules, noting that while it can clarify intent, it may degrade fairness if not carefully scoped. There is no widely accepted standard for what constitutes a valid 1vregel, and discussions emphasize practical testing and contextual relevance.

See also: Rule-based systems; Heuristics; Policy simplification.