Dominoes are small oblong pieces marked with a pattern of spots, like those on a die, that are used to play games. The most basic domino game requires a double-six set. A player lays down a domino by placing it on top of one that has a value equal to the number of dots on the domino being placed. Players must then empty their hands while blocking opponents’ play by setting up a line of dominoes with values that match those of the previous dominoes. There are many different games that can be played with dominoes, including scoring and blocking games. Blocking games include matador, chicken foot, Mexican train and domino muggins. Scoring games include bergen and muggins, which determine points by counting the pips (spots) in the losing players’ hands. Dominoes are also useful for teaching math skills.
The word “domino” is derived from the Latin dominus, meaning “lord” or “master.” In the early 19th century, it was a nickname for a loose, embroidered cloak that was often worn with a mask at masquerades. Dominoes were also a popular name for street vendors who sold food from pushcarts. The term was also used for a variety of small, handheld toys that were often chained together to form a long row or loop.
In the 1980s, a professor of physics named Lorne Whitehead published an article titled “Domino ‘Chain Reaction’” in the American Journal of Physics. His research demonstrated that a series of dominoes could grow to be as large as buildings.
To demonstrate the exponential growth of this sequence, Whitehead used a stack of dominoes that were each 50% larger than the last. By a simple process of adding on one domino after another, the size of the stack quickly became immense. The power of the domino effect is astounding, and it’s a great way to illustrate how complex a chain reaction can be.
In story-writing, the domino effect can help us understand how to construct a narrative that keeps readers engaged. The key to constructing a domino effect is to space the scenes in your story correctly. Your scene should have enough action to keep readers interested, but not so much that it becomes too hectic or distracting. It is important to give the reader time to process what happens in each scene and think about its implications.
In addition to a fast pace, the domino effect requires a well-defined goal and clear progression. This means that each scene in your story should either move the hero closer to or farther from the end of his journey. In addition, each scene should be logical and believable. If your hero does something that contradicts what most readers believe is logical, the scene will not be as impactful. For example, if your hero shoots someone in the back or has an affair, you must provide readers with the motivation and logic to allow them to buy into his actions.