Thursday, July 23, 2020

Book Riots Deals of the Day for August 27th, 2019

Book Riot’s Deals of the Day for August 27th, 2019 Sponsored by  Best Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham with First Second Books. These deals were active as of this writing, but may expire soon, so get them while they’re hot! Todays  Featured Deals The Best American Mystery Stories 2018 edited by Louise Penny for $2.99. Get it here,  or just click on the cover image below. The Best American Travel Writing 2018 edited by Cheryl Strayed for $2.99. Get it here,  or just click on the cover image below. The Best American Short Stories 2018 edited by Roxane Gay for $2.99. Get it here,  or just click on the cover image below. In Case You Missed Yesterdays Most Popular Deals The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2018  edited by N.K. Jemisin for $2.99. Get it here,  or just click on the cover image below. The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie R. King for $3.99. Get it here, or just click on the image below. Previous Daily Deals That Are Still Active As Of This Writing (Get em While Theyre hot!): Instant Mom by Nia Vardalos for $1.99. Let it Shine by Alyssa Cole for $2.99. The Nectar of Pain by Najwa Zebian for $1.99. I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong for $2.99. Get it here,  or just click on the cover image below. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid for $1.99 The Affairs of the Falcóns by Melissa Rivero for $1.99 How to Be Black by Baratunde Thurston for $2.99 The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman for $1.99 The Idiot by Elif Batuman for $1.99 Sabriel by Garth Nix for $1.99 Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan for $2.99 The Tigers Wife by Téa Obreht for $4.99 I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll for $1.99 The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths for $1.99 Column of Fire by Ken Follett for $1.99 On Beauty  by Zadie Smith for $1.99 Down the Darkest Street by Alex Segura for $0.99. The Banished of Muirwood for $3.99. 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Friday, May 22, 2020

Is Violence the Answer the Black Panther Party - 1760 Words

Is Violence the Answer?: The Black Panther Party Organized in the 1960s at the height of the American Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panther Party emerged as a revolutionist group pioneering a strategy of militancy. The Partys aims were to eliminate the discrimination challenging African-Americans in America since the time of slavery, and to protect their communities from police brutality. Inspired by contemporary radical leaders such as Malcolm X, the party recognized that in order to restructure American society so that civil equality was obtainable by all people, a much stronger opposition was necessary. Party members felt the passive resistance adopted by their predecessors fighting for equality proved futile, and therefore the†¦show more content†¦Williams asserted that because non-violent demands for civil equality were met with seemingly unnecessary violence by police and government forces or ignored altogether, blacks must be prepared to engage in a full scale wa r against oppressors. Williams avowed, it is precisely this unchallenged violence that allows a racist social system to perpetuate itself (6). Drawing on Williams and other Black Power activists arguments as encouragement for taking up arms, the Black Panther Party sought to reform society through violent means. Although armed and fully clad in black leather jackets and berets, the partys militant guise, the party sought not to retaliate for past violent actions against blacks. The Black Panther Party instead encouraged blacks to defend themselves only when faced with hostility. Adopting the black panther as their emblem, the party hoped to communicate that like the animal, it never attacked another animal but was prepared to defend itself ferociously when challenged (Coombs 10). Black Panther members worked as surveyors of their community police forces, ensuring that the police were not being unnecessarily hostile during routine operations. Panthers would trail police cruiser s and when one stopped an African-American, they too would stop and make certain the person pulled over was receiving proper legal treatment. Not only did the Black Panther Party offer protectionShow MoreRelated Is violence the answer? the black panther party Essay1712 Words   |  7 Pages Is Violence the Answer?: The Black Panther Party nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Organized in the 1960s at the height of the American Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panther Party emerged as a revolutionist group pioneering a strategy of militancy. The Party’s aims were to eliminate the discrimination challenging African-Americans in America since the time of slavery, and to protect their communities from police brutality. Inspired by contemporary radical leaders such as Malcolm X, the party recognizedRead MoreThe Black Panther Party : A Decade Like The Sixties1708 Words   |  7 PagesThe Black Panther Party Out of all the decades, there has never been a decade like the sixties. The sixties was filled with diversity, hope, problems, anger and even solutions. A lot of different life changing events and organizations were taken place in the sixties. One major organization that took place in the sixties was The Black Panther Party. The major goal for this organization was to protect the African Americans and provide them with equal rights and opportunities. The Black Panthers usedRead MoreBlack Panther Party Pros And Cons1270 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction The Black Panther Party had a great deal of negative outlooks portrayed on them by not everyone, but more than half of the society. Without a doubt, the Black Panther Party addressed multiple situations with violent acts that implemented negativity towards them. The late Martin Luther King believed that he could obtain equality without having to use violence as a lament, instead the Black Panther’s believed that King’s non-violence movement had failed, and that violence was necessary toRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King919 Words   |  4 Pagestactics used, like non-violence. Martin Luther King Junior and Gandhi both functions as charismatic leaders and influenced others with their fascinatingly positive attitudes. It was hard for them to get there message s and world view s across but they remained strong and preserved through their struggles, no matter how tough things got. Gandhi transmitted his message without resorting to violence and Martian Luther King Junior learn ed from Gandhi and shows why non-violence is key. Charisma is theRead MoreThe Black Panther Party And The Civil Rights Movement1732 Words   |  7 Pagesof people living in poor urban areas were Black. The Black Panther Party was a socialist and Black nationalist organization that was founded 51 years ago to address these issues among others. The organization, which had a far-left political position, lasted for merely 16 years and its influence continues to impact the world up till this day. It was the largest Black revolutionary organization to ever exist. Founded by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, the party began in October 1966 in Oakland, CaliforniaRead More1.Give A Brief Synopsis Of The Documentary. That Does Not1027 Words   |  5 Pagesreview in the media would. What is the documentary about? Make sure you address this question: What is the filmmaker’s point of view? Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution is a documentary made by Stanley Nelson in 2015 about the African American revolutionary party known as the Black Panther Party. The documentary focuses on explaining the purpose of the party during the civil rights movement era. The film discusses famous civil rights movement leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr, Huey NewtonRead MoreAnalysis Of Angela Davis s The Black Liberation Movement 1472 Words   |  6 PagesMalia Villani World Issues November 30, 2015 Angela Davis: An Autobiography Angela Davis offers a new perspective of activism during the Black Liberation Movement through her autobiography. Using personal stories, she sheds light on the obstacles that she had to face whilst growing up in a predominantly white community while simultaneously trying to balance school, being active in creating a change, constant hiding, jail time, and wondering when the view against colored people would changeRead MoreViolent vs. Nonviolent Protests in America1626 Words   |  7 Pageswhite: men, women and children. In Donn C. Worgs â€Å"â€Å"Beware of the Frustrated†: The Fantasy and Reality of African American Revolt†, the author examines African Americans’ need to use violence when it comes to revolting against their oppressors. On an opposite note, in â€Å"Civil Rights Success and the Politics of Racial Violence†, Joseph E. Luders emphasizes on the positive effects on nonviolent protests. Both authors justify these opposing strategies while ma king some valid points. This research paper willRead MoreBlack Power Movement : African Americans901 Words   |  4 PagesAmericans have found numerous ways to cope with the inequalities that society has dealt to them. One example of this is the Black Power movement. The Black Power movement was a political movement that helped African Americans achieve their civil rights. This movement was ran by the Black Panther Party and they justified the use of violence in the â€Å"accomplishment of black justice† (â€Å"Black Power Movement†). Today, African Americans are still dealing with the same inequalities that they dealt with in the 1960sRead MoreComparison on Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.: Who Had More Influence over the Civil Rights Movement1233 Words   |  5 PagesMalcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., the latter had a more positive influence in the progress of the movement. Each of these two leaders had different views on how to go about gaining freedom. While King believed a peaceful means would allow the blacks to achieve equality with the white Americans, Malcolm X took a more pessimistic approach. He believed achieving equality was nearly impossible and preached a more separatist doctrine. The mens later beliefs were formed in their youth. King was

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Netflix Entering a Brave New World - 646 Words

Chapter 4: Netflix: Entering a Brave New World Q 1. Some of Netflix’s capabilities and core competencies are mentioned in the case. Go to the firm’s Web site (http://www.netflix.com) and use other information sources as well to see if you can identify additional capabilities and core competencies. Do you think the core competencies mentioned in the case and/or the ones you found are valuable, rare, difficult to imitate, and nonsubstitutable and as such, are also competitive advantages? Why or why not? Answer The core competencies of Netflix lie in primarily its model customer-care and customer-service, which entails the fact that Netflix is well aware and knowledgeable of its customer and his preferences. Another core†¦show more content†¦This is primarily because there is no product differentiation in the market. Additionally, Netflix would then lose its flagship brand essence the supportive roles played by these two integral competencies of the company. The well-developed IT management allowed Netflix to move from DVD only to DVD and streaming, allowing the tap into the streaming market and a chance for the company to expand business. Q2: What do you believe are the primary competitive challenges facing Netflix today? What capabilities and core competencies does the firm require to successfully deal with those challenges? Answer 2 Netflix finds its competition and strategic challenges against big names in the market –Google, Apple and Amazon to name a few (Roberts Zahay, 2012). The challenge for Netflix lies in maintaining the innovative streak, which will add creativity and youth to its brand image and the brand itself. This innovative streak has to be continual and has to match the demands and preferences of the customers in their taste and liking. The brand and the company cannot afford to remain stagnant and rigid in the ever changing and demanding market place. The core competency that Netflix will have to focus on to meet this challenge is to develop and train its human resource. Effective and efficient human resource management will allow the company to tap into present and potential customers, as well as, allow the company to serve them appropriately.Show MoreRelatedRandomly Select Films From Netflix Popular Movie Section1354 Words   |  6 PagesRandomly select films from Netflix pop ular movie section between the years 2007 to 2017. This experiment will be coding for differences in male and female lead roles in movies, also compare the frequency of male and female lead roles. Introduction From the day we are born, whether you are male or female, we are constantly influenced by the word around us. Our environments feed us information that we conceptualize and store, ultimately aiding in the development of one’s ego, which is obtained by whatRead MoreBest Buy Case Analysis4374 Words   |  18 Pagesfree shopping, which draws consumers into their store to window shop. For many industries this may not be strength, but for Best Buy it is. By having the best price, Best Buy can afford to have window shoppers. They will be able to see all of the new merchandise and if they do comparison shop, the will return to Best Buy. 3.Strong Customer Service - the staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable. Blue shirts and the Geek Squad provide Best Buy with better technical customer service thenRead MoreInnovators Dna84615 Words   |  339 PagesMarriott School, Brigham Young University. He is widely published in strategy and business journals and was the fourth most cited management scholar from 1996–2006. is a professor of leadership at INSEAD. He consults to organizations around the world on innovation, globalization, and transformation and has published extensively in leading academic and business journals. is the Robert and Jane Cizik Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and the architect of andRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pages Organizational Behavior This page intentionally left blank Organizational Behavior EDITION 15 Stephen P. Robbins —San Diego State University Timothy A. Judge —University of Notre Dame i3iEi35Bj! Boston Columbus Indianapolis New York San Francisco Upper Saddle River Amsterdam Cape Town Dubai London Madrid Milan Munich Paris Montreal Toronto Delhi Mexico City Sao Paulo Sydney Hong Kong Seoul Singapore Taipei Tokyo Editorial Director: Sally Yagan Director of Editorial Services:

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Cypress Alignment and Hr Strategy Free Essays

Cypress Semiconductor Qn: Is the Cypress strategy aligned with its HR strategy? Why or why not? Cypress Semiconductor’s strategy mainly focuses on: †¢Winning: Provide the best and does not tolerate losing. oHiring the best people oReward based on meritocracy oMaximizing revenue †¢Innovation oLeading the innovation: best product, lowest pricing. oConstantly improving. We will write a custom essay sample on Cypress: Alignment and Hr Strategy or any similar topic only for you Order Now Alignment to HR strategy Areas that the Cypress strategy aligns with its HR strategy: 1. Ownership Threats employees like entrepreneurs. Allowing employees to run the business like their own actually gave them empowerment and vested interest to do their personal best for their job. Positive results are treated with high return and recognition. This also in turn ensured maximum revenue and profits for their projects. 2. Career Opportunities Cypress Semiconductor is extremely aggressive to hire the best fit of people for their business. They will go to lengths of hiring the best people and pay them adequate compensation to retain them in the company. 3. Compensation Meritocracy in nature, the compensation scheme maintains that outstanding performers are rewarded, non-performers are eliminated. Stock options were given to performers to instill a sense of ownership in the company and the last 3% are deemed as non-performing and are unacceptable. 4. Hiring The almost military clock-work style in their hiring actions quick and precise. Offering at onset of the interview is an aggressive style in hiring and would probably a unique and effective way to get the people they want. Basically, Cypress is hiring people with the winning mentality, they are more likely to be looking for leaders in the hiring process. They will hire the people who can make quick and tough decisions and the candidates they hire are already pre-selected. The whole process of hiring I feel is indeed indigenous as it is self-eliminating. Survival of the toughest ensured that the best in the industry joined. Areas that the Cypress strategy that does not align with its HR strategy: 1. ‘Killer’ software This system was in placed to help track and improve performance without the development of a bureaucracy in place. Eventually, the system caused the company to focus its attention to bad performance and eliminates the lower tail distribution, the non performing people. This in itself is bureaucratic and military as it does not have a single tolerance to failure. The increased monitoring under the ‘killer’ software became micro-managing in the whole process of performance measure. 2. Goals system This system was set to allow project driven process, that has speed and agility. And was supposed to help teams solve problems and dissolve conflicts. However the feedbacks were negative rather than constructive and highlights failures more than successes. This may not be useful for their annual staff review. 3. No failure tolerance The tough and intensive work environment created by Cypress was not for everyone. The stress faced by employees who do not fit is high. There are no other ways to help and retain these people. This tough and competitive environment contributed to the lack of sensitivity towards employees and customers. How to cite Cypress: Alignment and Hr Strategy, Essay examples

Monday, April 27, 2020

Quality and Equality free essay sample

This is a review of a 1999 article by G. Shapiro called Quality and Equality: Building a Virtuous Circle, that appeared in the Human Resource Management Journal. This paper discusses the different theories put forward in Shapiros 1999 article about Quality and Equality. Some of the topics discussed in this paper include how companies have failed to move women into positions of management from middle-management and gives details of a study done of the subject. This study was conducted by the Center for Research in Innovation Management at Brighton University and includes research conducted at 14 different companies, that included interviews with all levels of employees. The study illustrates the limitations of the current research approaches and suggestions some ways to improve upon the methods currently in use. This research was undertaken by the Center for Research in Innovation Management (CENTRIM), based at the University of Brighton. The author notes that many of the approaches undertaken by organizations with these goals in mind could be labeled liberal approaches to gender equality. We will write a custom essay sample on Quality and Equality or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The organizations also vary in terms of how independent or autonomous they are regarded as being from the wider environment. the author cites a number of criticisms of the liberal approach, primarily in terms of how it has failed to move women out of middle management and into a higher role and how women continue to be concentrated in public service and distribution roles and in hotel and catering positions.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

The Lend-Lease Act in World War II

The Lend-Lease Act in World War II The Lend-Lease Act, formally known as the An Act to Promote the Defense of the United States, was passed March 11, 1941. Championed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the legislation allowed military aid and supplies to be offered other nations. Passed before the United States entered World War II, the Lend-Lease Program effectively ended American neutrality and offered a means for directly supporting Britains war against Germany and Chinas conflict with Japan. Following the American entry into World War II, Lend-Lease was expanded to include the Soviet Union. During the course of the conflict, around $50.1 billion worth of materials were supplied on the premise that it would be paid for or returned. Background With the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, the United States assumed a neutral stance. As Nazi Germany began winning a long string of victories in Europe, the administration of President Franklin Roosevelt began seeking ways to aid Great Britain while remaining free of the conflict. Initially constrained by the Neutrality Acts which limited arms sales to cash and carry purchases by belligerents, Roosevelt declared large amounts of American weapons and ammunition surplus and authorized their shipment to Britain in mid-1940. He also entered into negotiations with Prime Minister Winston Churchill to secure leases for naval bases and airfields in British possessions across the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic coast of Canada. These talks ultimately produced the Destroyers for Bases Agreement in September 1940. This agreement saw 50 surplus American destroyers transferred to the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for rent-free, 99-year leases on various military installations. Though they succeeded in repelling the Germans during the Battle of Britain, the British remained hard-pressed by the enemy on multiple fronts. Royal Navy and U.S. Navy sailors inspect depth charges aboard Wickes-class destroyers, in 1940 before their transfer to the Royal Navy. Library of Congress The Lend-Lease Act of 1941 Seeking to move the nation towards a more active role in the conflict, Roosevelt wished to provide Britain with all possible aid short of war. As such, British warships were permitted to make repairs in American ports and training facilities for British servicemen were constructed in the U.S. To ease Britains shortage of war materials, Roosevelt pushed for the creation of the Lend-Lease Program. Officially titled An Act Further to Promote the Defense of the United States, the Lend-Lease Act was signed into law on March 11, 1941. This act empowered the president to sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such government [whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the United States] any defense article. In effect, it allowed Roosevelt to authorize the transfer of military materials to Britain with the understanding that they would ultimately be paid for or returned if they were not destroyed. To administer the program, Roosevelt created the Office of Lend-Lease Administration under the leadership of former steel industry executive Edward R. Stettinius. In selling the program to a skeptical and still somewhat isolationist American public, Roosevelt compared it to loaning a hose to a neighbor whose house was on fire. What do I do in such a crisis? the president asked the press. I dont say... Neighbor, my garden hose cost me $15; you have to pay me $15 for it - I dont want $15 - I want my garden hose back after the fire is over. In April, he expanded the program by offering lend-lease aid to China for their war against the Japanese. Taking swift advantage of the program, the British received over $1 billion in aid through October 1941. An American light tank is unloaded at a central ordnance depot in England, part of a lend-lease shipment from the United States. Library of Congress Effects of Lend-Lease Lend-Lease continued after the American entry into the war following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. As the American military mobilized for war, Lend-Lease materials in the form of vehicles, aircraft, weapons, etc. were shipped to other Allied nations who were actively fighting the Axis Powers. With the alliance of the United States and the Soviet Union in 1942, the program was expanded to allow their participation with large amounts of supplies passing through the Arctic Convoys, Persian Corridor, and the Alaska-Siberia Air Route. As the war progressed, most of the Allied nations proved capable of manufacturing sufficient frontline weapons for their troops, however, this led to a drastic reduction in the production other needed items. Materials from Lend-Lease filled this void in the form of munitions, food, transport aircraft, trucks, and rolling stock. The Red Army, in particular, took advantage of the program and by wars end, approximately two-thirds of its trucks were American-built Dodges and Studebakers. Also, the Soviets received around 2,000 locomotives for supplying its forces at the front. Reverse Lend-Lease While Lend-Lease generally saw goods being provided to the Allies, a Reverse Lend-Lease scheme also existed where goods and services were given to the United States. As American forces began arriving in Europe, Britain provided material assistance such as the use of Supermarine Spitfire fighters. Additionally, Commonwealth nations often provided food, bases, and other logistical support. Other Lead-Lease items included patrol boats and De Havilland Mosquito aircraft. Through the course of the war, the United States received around $7.8 billion in Reverse Lend-Lease aid with $6.8 of it coming from Britain and the Commonwealth nations. End of Lend-Lease A critical program for winning the war, Lend-Lease came to an abrupt end with its conclusion. As Britain needed to retain much of the Lend-Lease equipment for postwar use, the Anglo-American Loan was signed through which the British agreed to purchase the items for approximately ten cents on the dollar. The total value of the loan was around  £1,075 million. The final payment on the loan was made in 2006. All told, Lend-Lease provided $50.1 billion worth of supplies to the Allies during the conflict, with $31.4 billion to Britain, $11.3 billion to the Soviet Union, $3.2 billion to France and $1.6 billion to China.

Monday, March 2, 2020

Ski Resorts and Their Impact on the Environment

Ski Resorts and Their Impact on the Environment Alpine skiing and snowboarding are great ways to spend time in the mountains relatively safely during the most unforgiving season of the year. In order to be able to offer this, ski resorts rely on a complex and energy-demanding infrastructure, with scores of employees and heavy use of water. The environmental costs associated with resort skiing come in multiple dimensions, and so do the solutions. Disturbance to Wildlife Alpine habitats above the tree line are already threatened by global climate change, and disturbance from skiers is one more stressor. These disturbances can come from scaring wildlife or harming their habitat by damaging vegetation and compacting soils. Ptarmigan (a type of grouse adapted to snowy habitats) in Scottish ski areas declined over several decades from collisions with lift cables and other wires, and from losing nests to crows, which had become common at the resorts. Deforestation, Land Use Change In North American ski resorts, most of the skiable terrain is located in forested areas, requiring a large amount of clear-cutting to create ski trails. The resulting fragmented landscape negatively impacts habitat quality for many bird and mammal species. One study revealed that in the forest remnants left between slopes, bird diversity is reduced due to a negative edge effect. There, wind, light, and disturbance levels increase near the open slopes, reducing habitat quality. A recent expansion of a ski resort in Breckenridge, Colorado, prompted concerns that it would damage Canada lynx habitat. A deal with a local conservation group was achieved when the developer invested in lynx habitat protection elsewhere in the region. Water Use As a result of global climate change, most ski areas experience winters of increasingly shorter duration, with more frequent thawing periods. To maintain services to their clients, ski areas must make artificial snow to have good coverage on the slopes as well as around the lift bases and lodges. Artificial snow is made by mixing large volumes of water and high-pressure air. The demands for water can be very high, requiring pumping from surrounding lakes, rivers, or purpose-built artificial ponds. Modern snowmaking equipment can easily require 100 gallons of water per minute for each snow gun, and resorts can have dozens or even hundreds in operation. At Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, a modest-size resort in Massachusetts, snowmaking can pull as much as 4,200 gallons of water a minute. Fossil Fuel Energy Resort skiing is an energy-intensive operation, relying on fossil fuels, producing greenhouse gases, and contributing to global warming. Ski lifts usually run on electricity, and operating a single ski lift for a month requires about the same energy needed to power 3.8 households for a year. To maintain the surface of the snow on the ski runs, a resort deploys nightly a fleet of trail groomers each operating on about 5 gallons of diesel per hour and producing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate emissions. A complete estimate of the greenhouse gases emitted in association with resort skiing would need to include those produced by skiers driving or flying to the mountains. Ironically, climate change is affecting most ski regions. As global atmospheric temperatures go up, snowpacks are thinning, and the ski seasons are getting shorter. Solutions and Alternatives? Many ski resorts have made substantial efforts to minimize their environmental impacts. Solar panels, wind turbines, and small hydro turbines have been deployed to supply renewable energy. Improved waste management and composting programs have been implemented, and green building technologies have been employed. Forest management efforts have been planned to improve wildlife habitat. It is now possible for skiers to gather information about a resort’s sustainability efforts and make informed consumer decisions. Where to start? The National Ski Area Association gives out yearly awards to the resorts with outstanding environmental performances. Alternatively, Nordic (or cross-country) skiing provides opportunities to enjoy the snow with a much lighter impact on land and water resources. Some Nordic skiing resorts do, however, make use of snowmaking technology and fossil-fueled powered trail grooming equipment. An increasing number of outdoor enthusiasts seek snowy slopes by practicing lower-impact forms of skiing. These backcountry skiers and snowboarders use specialized equipment that allows them to make their way up the mountain on their own power, and then to ski down natural terrain that has not been logged or groomed. These skiers have to be self-sufficient and able to mitigate a multitude of mountain-related safety risks. The learning curve is steep, but backcountry skiing has a lighter environmental impact than resort skiing. Alpine areas are very sensitive, though, and no activity there is impact free: a study in the Alps found that black grouse showed elevated stress levels when frequently disturbed by backcountry skiers and snowboarders, with direct consequences on reproduction and survival. Sources Alettaz et al. 2007. Spreading Free-riding Snow Sports Represent a Novel Serious Threat for Wildlife.Laiolo and Rolando. 2005. Forest Bird Diversity and Ski Runs: A Case of Negative Edge Effect.MNN. 2014. Snowmakers Are Saving Ski Resorts†¦For Now.Wipf et al. 2005. Effects of Ski Piste Preparation on Alpine Vegetation.