When a domino falls, it releases a great deal of potential energy into motion. This energy is transferred to the next domino in line, providing the push it needs to fall as well. The process continues until all of the dominoes have fallen, creating an amazing chain reaction. It is this phenomenon that gave rise to the term “domino effect,” a phrase used to describe a small event that leads to larger and more significant consequences.
Domino is a game that consists of rectangular tiles that can be stacked on one another in long lines. The tops of each tile are marked with an arrangement of spots, called pips. The pips on a domino are arranged in suits, each representing a number from six through zero (although some sets include two-sided tiles that have no pips). Each domino is also distinguished by a line that divides it visually into two squares, each capable of receiving a neighboring domino.
Many people enjoy playing domino as a leisure activity and can create intricate designs using the tiles. In addition, some players may choose to play domino games that involve blocking or scoring. In a scoring game, players compete to place dominoes so that the sum of the pips on each of their opponent’s pieces equals or exceeds a predetermined amount. A player who scores the most points over a number of rounds wins the game.
Unlike most toys, dominoes can be used to build an impressive array of complex designs. For example, some players like to set up dominoes in a straight or curved line and flick them over to watch the entire chain collapse. These setups can be very satisfying to watch, especially if the chain is quite long and has reached its end.
When Lily Hevesh first started playing with her grandparents’ 28-piece set, she was fascinated by the way that dominoes could be arranged in a line and then tipped over to reveal a design beneath. She soon learned that she could use her imagination to make even more elaborate configurations. As she became more proficient with the game, she began to incorporate different shapes and colors in her designs to create more visually interesting effects.
In addition to playing dominoes, people use the word as a metaphor for events that have a large impact on others. For example, when a country falls to Communism, other smaller countries are more likely to follow suit. This is known as the Domino Effect, a concept that has also been applied to social issues such as the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Jennifer Dukes Lee’s experience with the Domino Effect is a good illustration of how this concept can apply to personal and professional development. When she decided to make her bed each day, this small change led to a chain reaction that changed the way she approached other tasks around her house. She gradually began believing that she was the type of person who made her home tidy and clean, a new self-image that she has now carried into other areas of her life.