Our minds map. Though they tend to map the patterns, rather than the processes generating them.

Processes are bottom up, while patterns only become fully formulated as they peak, so it seems they are top down.

It's like a wave, or a stock market bubble, you don't really know how high it will get, before it crests.

The process goes toward the future, while the patterns build up and recede, going to the past.

Like lives go birth to death, while life moves onto the next generation, shedding the old.

Or products go start to finish, while the production line goes the other way, consuming material and expelling product. It only appears clear, with the finished product.