Domino, also known as a domino block or simply a domino, is a small, flat rectangular piece of rigid material such as wood, bone, or plastic used as a gaming object. The surface of the domino is marked with an arrangement of dots, or pips, similar to those on a die or playing card. The pips are typically grouped into one or more lines of equal numbers of spots, which may intersect each other to form shapes. These blocks are used to play a number of different games.
The term “domino” was coined by Englishman Charles Denis Walsh, who published a book in 1837 on a game called domino. The word derives from the Latin word domino, meaning “flip.” Essentially, each player places his or her domino edge-to-edge against an opponent’s domino. The first domino to fall is declared the winner, and the others are then knocked over one by one.
Lily Hevesh started collecting dominoes as a child, and she loved the simple act of setting them up in straight or curved lines and flicking them to watch the entire line topple. Now she is a professional domino artist with more than 2 million YouTube subscribers who creates mind-blowing domino setups for movies, TV shows, and events. Hevesh follows a version of the engineering-design process when creating her masterpieces, and she says it helps to keep her focused on the end goal and not just the individual pieces.
Dominoes have been in use for over a century, and the Domino Effect is an ancient principle of physics that describes how a change in one activity can trigger a chain reaction and cause a shift in related behavior. For example, a study found that when people decreased their sedentary leisure time, they also ate less fat. Similarly, when Jennifer Dukes Lee began making her bed each morning, she found herself cleaning the living room and reorganizing drawers. This is a great example of the Domino Effect in action, where a single small step can lead to many other changes.
The Domino Effect is an important concept for anyone who wants to make positive changes in his or her life. For example, if you want to exercise more, try starting by committing to a daily walk. Once you’ve made this commitment, your brain will begin to associate your new habit with feeling good and will motivate you to continue. This is why the power of momentum is so strong, and it’s why it’s easier to stick with a healthy diet or exercise routine once you’ve established a solid foundation.
The Domino Effect is an important concept for writers, too. Whether you’re writing off the cuff or following an outline, using this principle can help you develop a compelling plot that keeps readers engaged. For example, if a character’s actions prompt a series of reactions that affect the story in surprising ways, you can use the Domino Effect to create a story full of suspense and surprise.