How Domino Effects Writers
Domino, a word that may seem mundane but is actually quite powerful, is a reminder to be mindful of the impact of your actions on those around you. It also encourages careful planning and thoughtful decision making. And for writers, domino can be a symbol of the way scenes — and characters — influence one another, creating an effect like a row of falling dominoes.
A domino is a small rectangular block used in the game of dominoes that has anywhere from 0 to 6 dots. When a player places a domino, it must be placed so that the ends of the two matching sides are touching. This creates a chain that, once started, inevitably results in the fall of hundreds and even thousands of others. The idea of such a chain is what inspired the concept of domino theory, which states that an event or act in one country may cause a series of events in other countries.
The game of dominoes can be played with many different rules and configurations, and players use the aforementioned physics to create intricate designs that are both beautiful and impressive. One of the most popular is a line of dominoes set up in a carefully controlled sequence, all waiting for just the right nudge to topple and launch an elaborate chain reaction. This is often done for the entertainment of an audience or in a competition where builders attempt to set up the most complex and imaginative domino effect or reaction before an audience of fans.
Hevesh, who has built chains of up to 300,000 dominoes, says that one of the most important factors in creating her creations is understanding how physics works. A domino has inertia, which means it will remain stationary unless a force is applied to it. Hevesh explains that once she has placed her dominoes and made sure everything is lined up properly, all she needs to do is nudge one of them slightly to get it to start the chain reaction.
Dominoes can be made out of a variety of materials, but the most traditional and elegant sets are constructed from natural, high-quality materials such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or a dark hardwood such as ebony, with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on. More recently, dominoes have been made from other kinds of stone such as marble, soapstone or granite; metals including brass or pewter; and ceramic clay.
In addition to their beauty, these traditional dominoes have a certain weight and feel that modern plastic dominoes simply cannot match. Many people prefer to enjoy the gratifying sound of their smooth, solid thud as they fall. While the game of dominoes can be played by children and adults alike, it is usually more fun when played with friends or family. A large selection of dominoes are available at most toy stores, and they can also be purchased online.
