The Domino Effect
by The domino effect is a term used to describe a chain reaction where one event causes another similar event. These events may occur in real life, as with a domino set falling over or they may happen metaphorically, such as the fall of a series of political leaders, as in a coup d’état. The domino effect is also sometimes used to refer to a particular system such as the global financial markets or the world’s climate.
Dominoes are a familiar sight in arcades and living rooms, but they’re also the building blocks of complex games. These games can be simple, requiring only the flip of one tile to complete a sequence, or they can be extremely complex and involve many other players. In either case, a single action can cause a cascade of events that continue to build and unfold until the desired outcome is achieved.
In the simplest form, a domino is simply a rectangular piece of wood or plastic that features dots on both sides. These dots, known as pips or spots, are normally colored in various shades of white and black to make them easier to distinguish from each other. Most sets contain twenty-eight tiles, although a smaller number can be purchased for special purposes or games. Dominoes are typically twice as long as they are wide, making them easy to stack and re-stack after use.
While the original purpose of dominoes was to represent the results of throwing two dice, the marks on a domino have since been expanded to include additional symbols and allow for different types of play. For example, some games involve scoring points and determining the order of play by counting the numbers on the domino’s pips. Others are blocking games, such as bergen and muggins, where the player must block an opponent’s play to win.
The name “domino” is derived from the Latin word for mountain, and the word is also related to the Latin term for a priest’s cape, which was traditionally worn over a surplice. Early in its history, the word was also applied to a large hooded garment worn by carnival workers during a festival or masquerade.
When people think of domino, they usually picture the game pieces that are set up so that a slight tip of one piece causes all the others to fall over in a dramatic and rhythmic cascade. In fact, these domino constructions demonstrate a much greater power than most people realize. A 1983 study by University of British Columbia physicist Lorne Whitehead found that dominoes can actually knock over objects about one-and-a-half times their size.
When Hevesh creates one of her mind-blowing domino setups, she follows a sort of engineering-design process. First, she considers the theme or purpose of the installation. Then, she brainstorms images or words that might be associated with that theme. She then sketches out a general plan for the design, which she refers to when creating a specific arrangement.