Whether you use them to play the classic game of domino or build a stunning artistic arrangement, these little blocks have an incredible power. It is easy to dismiss their tiny size, but a domino has the ability to knock over anything it comes in contact with, even objects much larger than itself. In fact, a single domino can set off a chain reaction that is so complex that it can’t be fully understood by humans.
Dominoes are a fun way to pass the time, but their real value lies in how they teach us about physics and mathematical patterns. They are also great for helping children develop their motor skills. But they can also be used to inspire a creative mindset. Using dominoes to illustrate the process of brainstorming ideas or writing a story can help writers see how they can build their plots in the same manner as a set of dominoes.
The word domino derives from the Latin “dominus,” which means a large or chief thing. The word appeared in English around 1750 and was soon adopted by the French. It replaced an earlier sense of the word, which denoted a hooded cloak worn over a mask at carnival season or at a masquerade. The earliest dominoes were made of ebony blacks and ivory whites, which may have inspired the word, because it evoked the image of a priest’s cape contrasting with his surplice.
Although there are many different ways to play domino, most of them involve positioning one domino edge to edge against another in such a way that the adjacent faces match each other or form some specified total. A single player can take turns placing dominoes in this way, or two or more players can compete in games of skill.
One of the most popular types of domino games is blocking, where players attempt to prevent their opponents from advancing their pieces into certain positions on the board. Other games include scoring, such as bergen and muggins, which count the number of pips on a domino to determine victory or defeat. There are also a number of educational domino games that teach counting, color recognition and basic math skills.
When Lily Hevesh creates her mind-blowing domino setups, she relies on a few simple laws of physics to ensure the dominoes fall correctly. According to University of Toronto physicist Stephen Morris, gravity is the most important force at work. Hevesh’s largest installations require several nail-biting minutes to complete, but once they begin to fall, the results are impressive.
Similarly, when you’re working on your novel, if you don’t have a detailed outline or plot to follow, the scenes you write may end up in the wrong places. They might not create the right level of tension, or they may be at the wrong angle. By examining your manuscript like a set of dominoes, you can weed out scenes that don’t advance your plot in any meaningful way and find those that are just as impactful when they are moved to a different place in the story.