Domino is a game of skill and strategy, as well as an intriguing way to learn how the brain functions. The word domino has several meanings, but the most common refers to a set of playing pieces arranged in a line with one end open and the other facing up. This configuration, called a line of play, can be matched with another open end to form a chain that leads to the next piece.
A player begins a domino game by drawing his or her hand of tiles. Each tile bears a pattern of identifying marks, or pips, on one side and is blank or identically patterned on the other. Depending on the rules of the particular domino game being played, some or all sides may be used. The player draws as many tiles for his or her hand as possible, excluding doubles. The number of tiles remaining is called the stock.
When a single domino falls over, it triggers a series of events that can have dramatic effects on the whole system. In the same way, a small event can affect a large group of people or organizations in unexpected ways. For example, a person who cuts in front of a line of customers at a bank may cause a domino effect that results in a long wait and frustrated customers.
The Domino Effect is also seen in the business world, where a change in one part of an organization can have unforeseen consequences in other parts. For example, if a company implements a new leadership training program that includes listening to employees, it could have an impact on the culture throughout the entire organization. This can lead to a domino effect, where other changes are made that result in more positive outcomes.
When it comes to writing, the domino image can be an effective metaphor for a writer’s plotting. If a writer writes scenes that don’t add up or make sense, it can be like a series of dominoes that topple off one by one without ever connecting to the previous scene in the chain. For this reason, it is important for writers to use tools such as outlines and Scrivener to ensure their scenes are connected properly.
When Hevesh Morris is creating her stunning domino art displays, she spends a lot of time planning out what she wants to create and how she will arrange the dominoes. The final installation can be as simple or elaborate as the artist chooses, from straight lines to grids that form pictures when they fall, stacked walls, or 3-D structures such as towers and pyramids. She starts each project by considering the theme or purpose, brainstorming images or words, and then drawing out how she will arrange the dominoes. This includes determining whether there will be any “spiner” (doubles that can be played on all four sides) in the design and calculating how many dominoes she’ll need to achieve her desired effect.