The word domino evokes images of a line of hundreds or even thousands of pieces set up in careful sequence, each one awaiting the nudge that will bring it toppling over. But the phrase can also refer to a chain reaction of events, as in “the domino effect of global warming.”
Dominos are flat thumb-sized rectangular blocks with a unique marking on each face, each bearing from one to six dots or pips (see Dominoes). The markings on the faces are used to identify different kinds of pieces and to play games such as block and scoring ones. The term can also be applied to other forms of gaming using these blocks, including the use of dice and cards.
A domino is also a type of game in which players try to match values on their pieces by laying them down in lines and angular patterns, such as the well-known matching pairs game. This game, which can be played by two or more people, has many variations and is known by a variety of names, including boneyard, domino, dominoes, or bones.
In some games, a player has the option to add an additional piece to the line by playing it next to a previously placed one. This additional piece can either be a blank or identically patterned to the previous one, but it must have a value that matches that of another domino added to the same line.
Similarly, when a character in a story takes an action that is outside the norms of societal behavior, the writer must establish enough logic for readers to understand why the protagonist would do that. Otherwise, the scene is not clear and the story loses its impact.
As each domino falls, much of its potential energy converts to kinetic energy (the energy of motion). Some of this energy is transferred to the next domino and provides the push that causes it to fall. This transfer of energy continues, from domino to domino, until all the dominoes have fallen.
Dominos, which are made of wood or plastic, can also be used to build mind-blowing structures and are often featured in shows where skilled builders create the most spectacular domino setups for a live audience. In these shows, a builder sets up dozens or even hundreds of dominoes in carefully planned sequence, all toppling with the nudge of just one.
Dominos Pizza, the company that started this trend, is a good example of how an organization can benefit from embracing a domino attitude. After a series of failures in the late 2000s, Domino’s launched an ambitious campaign that emphasized its own mistakes and unflinching honesty. The result was a reversal of fortune that allowed Domino’s to make significant changes in the way it did business. The company streamlined its business model and began focusing on customer service, improving profitability. The results have been positive, with the company now reporting record profits after 30 consecutive quarters of growth.