Talk:Domino effect/Archive 1

Definition
I think the definition provided:
 * the idea that one change causes another change, until an a final effect occurs that is not immediately obvious happens

is more applicable to the Butterfly effect. Wouldn't Domino Effect be more focused on the *obvious*? As in, if "Vietnam falls, Cambodia is next, and Laos, and Thailand"? Domino effect describes an analogy to ADJACENT collapses, doesn't it? Oh - and is the plural of 'domino', 'dominoes'? I feel like Dan Quayle! --MichaelTinkler

I think it's better now, and I'll fill in Butterfly effect so the contrast is more obvious. --LDC


 * Have changed the definition to the more succinct and precise one offered by The Free Dictionary. The definition was: "a chain reaction that occurs when a small change causes a similar change nearby, which then causes another similar change, and so on in linear sequence". Definitively, reactions aren't involved, no event need be either small or nearby and the sequence needn't be linear. Pololei (talk) 20:07, 29 September 2014 (UTC)

Domino theory
I think this should be merged with the domino theory page. Tuftsmo 00:21, 30 March 2007 (UTC)
 * Definitely should not; domino theory is an application of domino effect ideas, but they are not synonymous at all.

Analogy
The analogy needs a little work. "A falling row of dominoes standing on end"? If they are standing they are not falling.130.67.88.77 03:15, 22 May 2007 (UTC)
 * The description in the lead has been improved, and links to an article on the topic.  — SMcCandlish ☏ ¢ 😼  15:06, 17 December 2023 (UTC)

Best known as
In the 2nd sentence "best known as a mechanical effect…" is unsourced & debatable (I'd say the analogous use is better known). I'll try to recast it to refer to the literal meaning as a mechanical process, which I think is what the original editor intended. --D Anthony Patriarche, BSc (talk) 15:03, 14 October 2020 (UTC)

Diet Coke and Mentos
Sorry whoever deleted this reference, I was serious but got the link wrong. What I've now added is the fairly well-known film on YouTube, where a chain of eruptions is demonstrated - explicitly aiming to demonstrate the domino effect. I feel pretty sure this is logically correct. ProfDEH (talk) 19:09, 4 March 2008 (UTC)


 * This page does not relate to its primary subject matter. (Unsigned edit)


 * Nothing wrong with interesting examples of the effect, but yes, it would be good to have more on the use of the analogy, and the physics of the classic example, published examples of the use of the analogy etc.. ProfDEH (talk) 18:20, 27 April 2008 (UTC)

Its ok — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.177.114.194 (talk) 21:48, 23 January 2014 (UTC)
 * It wasn't, and someone removed it a long time ago. A straight-forward chemical reaction isn't a good illustration of the concept that is the subject of this article. The related idea in chemistry has its own article, which this aritcle links to. 15:04, 17 December 2023 (UTC)

chain reaction?
If the term "chain reaction" has same meaning, then why is there a separate article "chain reaction"? 85.193.251.29 (talk) 14:27, 10 February 2015 (UTC)
 * Agree. I'm tempted to take it out of the lead, as it's in the See also, or qualify it. I think "chain reaction" is mostly used for multiplying cascades such as the proverbial nuclear fission process, although it certainly is used for a linear chain of events. Just to muddy the waters further, dominoes can be set up to generate multiple changes too! Perhaps it would be most accurate to say the domino effect is specific type of chain reaction. Oh well, does it really matter? --D Anthony Patriarche, BSc (talk)
 * It doesn't have the same meaning, but a relationship, which is now explained in the text, so the "See also" item removed as now-redundant.  — SMcCandlish ☏ ¢ 😼  15:01, 17 December 2023 (UTC)

Compiling a list of compelling analogies
It may be useful to create a new entry that lists several compelling (but often misleading) analogies. These might include A rising tide lifts all boats, the Domino effect, Broken windows theory, the Gateway drug theory, and others. Thanks!--Lbeaumont (talk) 19:34, 30 October 2020 (UTC)