Editing Domino effect (section)

{{Short description|Cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a chain of other events}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Distinguish|Domino theory}}
[[File:Dominoes falling.jpg|thumb|A falling line of dominoes, each knocking the next over]]
A '''domino effect''' is the cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a series of similar<ref>{{cite web|title=domino effect|url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/domino+effect|website=The Free Dictionary|publisher=Farlex, Inc.|access-date=29 September 2014}}</ref> or related events, a form of [[chain reaction]]. The term is an analogy to a [[Domino toppling|falling row of dominoes]]. It typically refers to a linked sequence of events where the time between successive events is relatively short. The term can be used literally (about a series of actual collisions) or metaphorically (about causal linkages within systems such as global finance or politics). 

The literal, mechanical domino effect is exploited in [[Rube Goldberg machine]]s. In chemistry, the principle applies to a [[domino reaction]], in which one chemical reaction sets up the conditions necessary for a subsequent one that soon follows. In the realm of [[process safety]], a [[Domino effect accident|domino-effect accident]] is an initial undesirable event triggering additional ones in related equipment or facilities, leading to a total incident effect more severe than the primary accident alone.

The metaphorical usage implies that an outcome is inevitable or highly likely (as it has already started to happen) – a form of [[slippery slope]] argument. When this outcome is actually unlikely (the argument is [[Fallacy|fallacious]]), it has also been called the ''[[domino fallacy]]''.<ref name="Damer 1995">{{cite book |last=Damer |first=T. Edward |title=Attacking faulty reasoning: A practical guide to fallacy-free arguments |publisher=[[Wadsworth Publishing]] |location=Belmont, California |date=1995 |isbn=978-0-534-21750-1 |page=135}}</ref>