Domino is a generic gaming device, similar to dice or playing cards, in that a wide variety of games can be played with it. It is often used in positional games, where one player places a domino edge-to-edge against another to block them from moving, or for score-taking purposes. Each domino features a line down its middle, visually separating it into two squares with a number of spots (known as pips) on each side. The values of the pips on a domino vary, but a typical double-six set includes one unique piece for each value from six down to none or blank.
Dominoes have a very long history and have been used in many countries for centuries. Their name comes from the Latin for “falling together,” referring to their use as a link between other pieces in a chain reaction. The term may also refer to the action of a falling piece pushing on the next, or to the process of a series of events leading up to a dramatic climax.
At the core of a story is a single, simple question: What happens next? The answer to this question drives every scene, from the beginning of your book all the way to the final climax. Whether you plot your novel off the cuff or with careful outline, it’s important to keep in mind how each scene is like a domino that contributes to the story. The best stories feature scenes that fall in a carefully controlled sequence, with no hiccups along the way.
Hevesh, a professional domino artist, creates elaborate domino installations for movies, TV shows, and even pop music stars. Her largest setups involve thousands of dominoes that can take several nail-biting minutes to fall, but when they do, they generate a stunning display of chain reactions and impressive mathematics. Hevesh uses a variation of the engineering-design process to create these mind-blowing domino sets.
When a domino has inertia, meaning that it resists motion when there is no force acting on it, a tiny nudge can be all that’s needed to trigger the domino effect. The potential energy stored in a domino converts to kinetic energy, giving it the push it needs to fall over the next domino. Energy continues to transfer from domino to domino until all the tiles are in motion.
A good example of a domino effect is Domino’s Pizza. The company’s leadership is very effective at implementing change and listening to their employees, as seen on the hit show Undercover Boss. In one episode, Domino’s CEO Don Meij goes undercover at a busy Domino’s restaurant to see how the employees work. He is impressed by the efficient service and the respect that employees give to their customers, which he puts into practice when he takes charge of the delivery services at one of Domino’s busiest restaurants.
This type of communication with employees has helped Domino’s develop a strong reputation for providing fast and affordable food that tastes great. The company’s commitment to this ideal has also helped it build a solid foundation for future growth.