The domino effect is the phenomenon of a single event triggering multiple events, sometimes causing them to occur in a rapid sequence. The term may also be used to describe a chain reaction in general. It is the basis of many popular games including the classic game of dominoes, as well as the more complex systems of chess and backgammon, where each move can have a significant impact on the overall strategy. The same principle can be applied to business, especially when it comes to the effects of leadership. When a company experiences leadership change, it can have a profound impact on the organization and its future.
Dominoes are a type of tile-based board game with a layout that is either flat or 3-D. They are distinguished by an arrangement of spots on each face that is reminiscent of a die. These identifying marks, known as pips, are located on both sides of the domino. There are many ways to play dominoes, but most games fall into one of two categories: block games and layout games. A common domino set contains 28 tiles and is called double six, although larger sets exist with more or fewer pieces. Alternatively, the domino set can be “extended” by adding additional ends with a greater number of pips; these are often referred to as double-nine or even double-18 sets.
Each player begins with a set of dominoes, and the first player to place a domino on the table initiates the chain. As each domino is played, the chain grows longer. The players continue playing dominoes until the chain reaches a conclusion or it is impossible to play any more, and then they pass the turn to their opponent.
When a domino is placed so that both the left and right sides of the tile match, it is said to be “stitched up.” This allows a player to use the domino for the purpose of blocking other players or making them play extra tiles.
Most domino games are played in pairs, with each player taking turns laying their tiles. The winning pair is the ones who can make the most complete and impressive arrangement of dominoes, usually referred to as a ‘domino effect’, or a ‘domino train’. These arrangements can include straight lines, curved lines, grids that form pictures when they fall, stacked walls, and 3D structures like towers or pyramids.
Aside from domino effects, the game can be a fun way to learn basic counting and addition skills. Some dominoes are designed with a specific theme, such as Christmas or dinosaurs, and there is a corresponding set of rules for the game.
Hevesh explains that when she creates her mind-blowing domino installations, she follows a version of the engineering design process. She tests each individual section of the layout before putting them all together. This enables her to make precise corrections, particularly when the sections are made up of big 3-D arrangements. She also makes test versions of the whole installation before filming it in slow motion so she can identify exactly when something isn’t working properly.