Dominoes are small oblong pieces that are used in various games. Each domino has a number of identifying marks, called pips, on one face and is blank or identically patterned on the other. These markings, which are similar to those on dice, determine the value of each domino in a game. In some domino games, the value of each piece is determined by counting its pips and matching it to that of a previous domino in the line. In other games, the pips indicate how many spaces a player must cover to build up a particular total.
The most common use of domino is in the popular game of dominoes. In this game, each player tries to place their dominoes so that they form a line of values or numbers. The first domino to touch another domino of the same type is said to “fall.” A person who successfully completes a chain of falling dominoes wins the game.
In addition to being a popular game, dominoes are also used as a tool for teaching basic math and problem solving skills. For example, a teacher can ask students to arrange their dominoes so that all of the numbers in a certain set are touching. This exercise can be a great way to help students learn how to add and subtract large numbers without using calculators or computers.
A figurative use of the term domino is in the concept of the “domino effect.” This theory states that if a country experiences a rise or fall in communist influence, it will have a knock-on effect on other countries in the region. This theory was used by the United States in its support of anti-communist forces in the Vietnam War.
When Hevesh creates her mind-blowing domino setups, she follows a version of the engineering-design process. She considers the theme and purpose of the installation before she begins arranging the dominoes. Then she brainstorms images or words that might be appropriate to the theme and uses them as the basis for her design.
After taking over as CEO of Domino’s, Steve Doyle decided that the company’s domino-like image needed a revamping. To this end, the company hired crowd-sourced auto designers to create a pizza-delivery car, which an article described as a “cheese lover’s Batmobile.” While there is substance to these initiatives, it is clear that they are meant to make Domino’s appear more modern and hip.
While the idea of a domino effect is certainly an attractive one, it can also be dangerous to a story. For example, if a writer writes a scene that is not related to the one before it or does not advance the plot in any way, the reader might tune out. For this reason, some writers who are not big fans of outlines or writing software such as Scrivener will often write scenes that, like dominoes, are either at the wrong angle or do not have enough logical impact to raise tension in the story.