Domino, a cousin to playing cards, are used for many games of chance and skill. They feature a line down the center, which divides them visually into two equal square ends. One of the ends has a number of dots, called pips, that determine its value. The other end is blank or has no pips. A domino that has more pips is said to be “heavier,” meaning it will fall faster than a lighter domino.
The most common domino sets are the double six set (28 tiles) and the double nine set (55 tiles). Larger domino sets exist, but few new games use them because of the amount of time it takes to set up and play a game using them. Dominoes are often used in shows where players attempt to create a complex and entertaining chain reaction by setting up hundreds or thousands of individual dominoes, all of which must be knocked over with a single nudge. These shows are popular with spectators because they demonstrate how the smallest touch can initiate a chain reaction that grows out of control.
In fiction, writers can use this idea of domino as a way to plot scenes. Think of each scene in your book as a domino, and then consider how it will impact the next scene or the overall narrative. This will help you to develop a stronger narrative structure that supports your story goals.
A physics professor at the University of Toronto, Stephen Morris, has made a video showing how dominoes can actually be much larger than their original size. The key is in how the dominoes are positioned. When you stand a domino upright, it stores energy in the form of potential energy. But when you place another domino on top of it, the force of gravity causes the first domino to fall. This converts the potential energy to kinetic energy and creates the chain reaction that can make the dominoes topple about one-and-a-half times their original size.
This type of chain reaction is called the domino effect. Dominoes are the perfect example of this because they are relatively small in terms of volume and mass, yet they can still generate tremendous force when they collide with other objects. For this reason, many people are surprised to learn that dominoes can be made much larger than their original size.
Another example of the domino effect is when a person or company makes a minor change that suddenly has a ripple effect on a much wider scale. This was the case with Domino’s Pizza in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where they were experiencing rapid growth but also high turnover among employees. The previous CEO, David Brandon, decided to listen to the concerns of employees and implemented several changes, including a relaxed dress code and new leadership training programs, which sparked Domino’s turnaround. After these changes were in place, the company experienced even more rapid growth. Domino’s remains committed to listening to customers and following through on its commitments.
