A domino is a small rectangular block used as a game piece. Its face is divided into two halves, with each half containing dots resembling those on dice. A set of these blocks is used for a variety of games, including those in which one tile causes another to fall over. A domino is also sometimes called a bone, a mensch, or a stone. The word has come to refer to a country expected to react politically in a predictable way in response to events, as predicted by the domino theory.
A business that embraces the concept of domino is a company that is committed to listening to its employees and its customers. In turn, it acts quickly on the feedback that is provided. For example, when a Domino’s customer provides feedback that a store needs to be more efficient, the company listens and responds. The result is a positive experience for the customer and an improved business for the Domino’s franchise.
When a child is diagnosed with a learning disability, it can have a domino effect on the rest of the family. Some parents may try to compensate for the learning disability, but this can backfire. The effort to “make up for it” can cause the student to become overloaded with information and thus less able to absorb it. The end result can be a decline in performance and an increased likelihood of dropping out of high school.
Many people enjoy playing the game of domino, in which a player places tiles on a table until they form a line that matches the value of a tile at either end of the line. There are several variations of the game, but the most popular uses involve blocking or scoring games. A domino set usually includes 28 tiles, though larger sets are available for players who want to play longer games.
In a novel, a domino can be a scene that is necessary for the plot to advance. Unlike the domino effect in the physical world, which requires many pieces to fall, in the literary sense, only a few scenes can have a dramatic impact. For example, if a writer begins with a scene that does not have a clear connection to the character’s overall goal or problem, it can create a disjointed feel.
The best domino games are designed to be fun and exciting, and they can be educational. For example, a physics class could use a domino rally to teach concepts such as gravity and momentum. Students can also develop problem-solving skills by working together to find the best solutions for a difficult scenario. For example, the team that reaches a solution first could be awarded a prize. Then, the group can apply this lesson to other problems they encounter in their lives. The more they practice this skill, the better they will be at solving problems in the future. For example, Admiral William H. McRaven said he makes his bed every morning, an act that has a domino effect on the rest of his day.