It is the following question of my last order Essay

It is the following question of my last order - Essay Example I can tell this was the best decision we could made in that situation because we had no choice. Moreover, the decision to quickly replace the interviewee confirmed how pragmatic the group was in using contingency decision making approaches. As part of this contingency plan, we did not give up the essential clips we planned to obtain as we found someone to help. Furthermore, for mine, the problem I faced was with the selection during editing. As I have mentioned before, our group took a lot of materials and the interview session was longer than we aimed for. So I needed to re-order the flow and cut out almost half of our interview clips. Honestly, it is a tough work for me since our director could not make a firm decision on which questions should be taken out when I was cooperating with her during the editing. To solve this problem, I decided to use an open-ended decision making approach where I did a short questionnaire to our module classmates to see what kind of things they were most interested in about a chef. After received their opinions, I had a brief concept for the film concerning what should be included and what should be ignored. I used that method to select the materials because I think a good documentary should be audiences based so as to attract audience. I cannot say our documentary was subjective or objective. Because half of our documentary was talking about the characteristics of Chinese cuisine and the rest are mainly on the chef’s experiences and his personal feeling. The first aspect was therefore objective whiles the second aspect was subjective. We used a mild and natural way to present the documentary. The focus on Chinese chef may be quite stereotypical of the documentary as we already assumed he might encounter more problems in cooking than other chefs (local or European chefs). The reason we had this thought was because of the geographical issue and the language

Management of change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Management of change - Essay Example ctively utilize the employees as well as suggesting suitable human resource management strategy that can be used to manage and empower the employees within the organisation. Implementing a new order in an organisation is concerned with change of the current operational system and in most cases change is met with resistance by many employees as a result of many factors. For the initiative to be successful, there is need for re-orientation of the workers through provision of basic training and development which would be closely monitored upon implementation as going to be illustrated using the lessons learned from the case study of Image Makers. The Image Makers advertising agency was founded in Switzerland in 1990 by two graduates who studied together at University. Over the years, the agency has grown and has received recognition within the industry for its innovation and creativity, particularly in the use of information technology which continued to develop tremendously. Inspired by the positive growth of the organisation, the two directors recently embarked on an initiative to establish Image Makers as an international company with offices across the globe. This was also necessitated by the organisation’s good reputation for being an innovative as well as a renowned company for attracting and retaining talented workers. However, this initiative redefined its performance history as well as its operations. This meant that some of the skilled workers were to be relocated to other countries where the organisation intended to open up offices. This led to the resignation of two managers, loss of two accounts personnel as well as some form of resistance from other employees which has led to poor performance among other things. Thus, the major aim of this essay is to suggest strategies that can be adopted and give a critical analysis of the best structure, culture, and systems that are necessary to make the change initiative work. A reflection about the action plan

Harmony in Color Essay Example for Free

Harmony in Color Essay Colors seen together to produce a pleasing affective response are said to be in harmony (Burchett 28). Burchett spearheaded an analysis of color theory in order to clarify and define the mystery of color and what draws man to colorful paintings, like a butterfly to a multicolored flower.   The systems of color that need to be rediscovered are found through several color systems, formulas, and principles forwarded by expert scientists who have probed into man’s tendency to be touched by color and his appreciation for it. Harmony is crucial in every sphere in this case art and color interpretation. Color harmony is important to industry, art, fashion, natural science, animation, psychology etc. where man and animals project certain reactions toward color. Researchers have come with many propositions to find out what exactly appeals to the mind, making it receptive to colors that are in sync. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Color interpretation is often individualistic and also conforms according to culture. First of all the eyes construct color in light. The spectral balance explains this peculiarity. The lens refracts rays and focuses them on the retina which predicts and enhances the optic image. Electromagnetic waves help to relay different shades, hues, and patterns of color. It is the unfortunate lot of a few to be color blind. The determination of culture bears a heavy weight in the color harmony since each culture has a different set of values that govern beauty, synchronization, sentiment, and symbolism. â€Å"Different colors differ in the quality and intensity of their affective tone †¦ the differences become even more pronounced when people from different cultures are considered† (Shachtel 168). Therefore colors project various feelings often standing in association with an already familiar element of nature. The modern guide to shades is the color wheel which generates a kaleidoscope of color which gives the color range of color where the tints move from black, dark color, lighter color, to white; hence the segments of color provide primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of color. Nonetheless â€Å"the major shortcoming has been the failure to deal with the three basic perceptual dimensions to color: hue, brightness, and saturation† (Wright 232). These three subdivisions of color make chromatic harmony what it is. Like the refracted rays of light through a prism, looking at light and color unearths several dimensions. Color harmony is not isolated since it can only be appreciated as far as it evokes and transmits certain feelings (called the affective response). For example, warmth and passion are represented by red, coldness equates to blue-grey and bliss is chromatically evinced as a rosy pink etc. Other instances abound from which the artist can draw such as the earthy brown, the green vegetable, the sky-blue, the grey clouds, black night, yellow sun and the list continues. The darkness of the night or the dullness of an overcast sky transfer morbid, melancholy sentiments while the light of day conveys buoyancy, cheerfulness, and optimism. These affective connections define the chroma in which â€Å"color may be considered to be the most universal notion, permitting to assume the unity of both a man and an environment† (Serov). Consequently man’s relation with his environment is conditioned by color which provokes an emotive response from him when observing color or nature. According to Burchett, the eight attributes of color are order, configuration, area, association, similarity, attitude, and tone (Burchett 20). The order of color is crucial to the uniformity, synthesis, juxtaposition, and harmony of color. Also in the naming of colors, blue-green as opposed to green-blue makes a marked difference with respect to color codification. The Munsell Color Order system dictates that the hue, value, and chroma have to be diagrammed in tandem with specific shapes (e.g. circle, square) which ushers in a mathematical aspect of color. This rigidified structure places colors on an equal distance from one another, using primary colors such as yellow, purple, blue, red, and green. A colored tone signifies the depth of the color (which determines whether it is a lighter or darker variation of the same color). There are an infinite range of tone values. One expert on color, Henri Matisse says of tone: â€Å"The relationship of all the tones the result must be a living harmony of all the tones, a harmony not unlike that of a musical composition† (Chipp 134). The attitude of a color has to do with personality and what message the color gives or invokes, namely the character distinctions in a loud color versus a faded color. The Coloroid and the Munsell Color systems attempt at harmonizing color by chromatic spectrum, through a carefully structured, graduated color conversions. The Coloroid Color system, masterminded by Professor Antal Nemcsics, provides a structure whereby people can easily identify harmonious color, setting up a chromatic balance and the color ranks. In the Coloroid system, the most important features are the color hue, brightness, and saturation. One of the main principles of the Coloroid system which promotes melodious color is its â€Å"aesthetically uniform color-space† (Neuman). Here, the observer sees the progressive change from one color into another on the spectrum. â€Å"The fluctuations range from minute gradients fragile enough to be quenched by artificial illumination to abrupt, linear, and sometimes almost crystalline transitions both of hue, and up to a point of value† (Fried). The synchronized transitioning from one hue and another, one tone to another, is the main objective. Just as scales are represented in music in movement from one octave to the next, color must stick to this gradual succession. The Munsell color system seeks to strikes equilibrium among colors through a lightness-contrast mathematical equation. In this harmony formula, the variables are the Euclidean distances or the color intervals where â€Å"the degree of harmony is a cubic function of the color interval† (Chuang). Another element of color harmony is the hue effect. The color harmonies respond in accordance with the lightness/ brightness, saturation contrasts. As a result, we have a chromatic concord through these color and light values. The hue effect or the Abney effect essentially explains the color’s alteration under white light. The harmonic formula to the hue effect is as follows: H’=-0.23 – 0.35 sin (h s (ab) + 0.83) – 0.18sin (2h s(ab + 1.55) Chromatic Difference is a product of the equal-chroma and equal-hue effects principles. Through this equation, the color harmony score is calculated by computing the differences between hue and chroma where the smaller the difference between the two reveals the level of chromatic harmony.The Chromatic Difference Equation is as follows: H  Ã‚  Ã‚   =1.3 0.07 C 0.0005(C) Meta†harmony value is acquired by the defined hue effect function at the meta-harmony value. The Meta-harmony equation is as follows: ΔM = (ΔLM 2 + ΔTM2)1/2 Through this equation, one finds ΔM the meta†harmony value is defined by the Euclidean distance on the transformed hue planes. The final harmony value is defined by an H(Δ) function at the ΔM meta†harmony value. Results have been proven by experimental  observations, too. In conclusion, the harmony of color is a concept which embraces the hue, saturation, and brightness of color. In addition, the unity of color is promoted by the smooth transition to the next just like the scales in a musical manuscript. The coloroid and the munsell systems help incorporate harmonious chromatic values into the kaleidoscopic spectrum of color. All of these characteristics contribute in making the life experience more enjoyable where the senses are very much attuned to engage with the world. The colorful, colored world lies open for scrutiny where we as humans of every hue are touched not only through vision, but also through the very innate color coded system wiring which connects color to feelings and heart.

Factors Affecting Organogenesis in Plant Tissue Culture

Factors Affecting Organogenesis in Plant Tissue Culture Organogenesis is the process of forming a specific organ from non-specific mass of meristem or parenchyma cell known as callus. In this experiment, auxin and cytokinin are used to determine the effect of PGR, auxin and cytokinin on the organogenesis in carrots and petunia leaves, in which auxin hormones responsible for growth of roots, phototropism and gravitropism, while, cytokinin helps in inducing the growth of shoots and regulates auxin action. Theoretically, the presence of high cytokinin and low auxin in the media, the shoots will form, meanwhile, in low level of cytokinin and high level of auxin in the media, roots will form. Meanwhile, in the presence of high concentration of both cytokinin and auxin, callus formation will be induced. However, in this experiment, production of the shoots and roots are not compatible with the theory due to improper ratio of auxin and cytokinin and the high toxicity of synthetic cytokinin, kinetin. Introduction Plant tissue culture (PTC) is the techniques used to grow plant from any of the plant segment, tissues or cell in a contaminated free environment media such as MS media (Singh Kumar, 2009). PTC techniques is important plant biotechnology aspect in which it facilitates the production of genetically modified plants and induced rapid multiplication of difficult-to-propagate plant species. Besides that, the ability to produce totipotent plant cell using PTC techniques has significant impact on crop improvement via genetic engineering (Radzan, 2003). There are two different processes, which involve explant differentiation and growth in PTC, which are organogenesis growth and adventititous roots or shoots growth directly from the explants. Organogenesis is the process of forming a specific organ from non-specific mass of meristem or parenchyma cell known as callus. Meanwhile, for formation of adventitious roots or shoots means the roots or shoots structure arise from the explants that have been excised (Pernisova et al., 2009). This situation does not usually happen if the plant sample are cultured in a medium with the same ratio of auxin and cytokinin. The presence of plant growth regulators (PGR) such as auxin, cytokinin, gibberellins, abscisic acid and ethylene has significant impact in the process of plant growth and differentiation. Gibberellins responsible for growth, seed germination and promote fruits growth. As for ethylene helps in controlling of fruit ripening as well as controlling cell division and cell elongation. Meanwhile, abscisic acid act on seed maturation and give the ability to the seeds to response during stress in undergoing dormancy period (Davies, 2010). However, in this experiment only, auxin and cytokinin are involve, in which auxin hormones responsible for growth of roots, phototropism and gravitropism, while, cytokinin helps in inducing the growth of shoots and regulates auxin action (Davies, 2010). In this experiment, NAA will be used as synthetic auxin and kinetin and BAP as synthetic cytokinin. This experiment was conducted in order to determine the effect of PGR, auxin and cytokinin on the organogenesis in carrots and petunia leaves. Materials and methods Plant materials For petunia leaves samples, the leaves were provided by lab technician in Monash University Sunway Campus. Firstly, 18 petunia leaves were collected from the petunia leaves petri dish. Then, the petunia leaves were soaked using 10% (v/v) of sodium hypochlorite for not more than 5 minutes. The leaves were then rinsed using sterile water in a laminar flow cabinet. Then, 2 petunia leaves were added in each petri dish with different ratios of NAA:BAP and NAA:Kinetin. The same methods were implied to the carrot. However, the carrot sample was cut into 27 pieces about 0.5cm thick on the surface of sterile ceramic tile. After soaking the carrot samples in sodium hypochlorite and rinsed for three times, 3 carrot pieces was transferred into petri dish with different ratios of NAA:BAP and NAA:Kinetin. The result recorded based on table 1 and table 2. Tissue culture media MS media supplemented with combination of high cytokinin to low auxin were prepared by the lab technician as follows: NAA:Kinetin ratios (2:0, 0.5:1, 1:0.5, and 0:2) and NAA:BAP ratios (2:0, 0.5:1, 1:0.5, and 0:2). Additional of two control plate with MS media that supplemented with same ratio of auxin and cytokinin were also prepared by the lab technician. Culture condition The transferred petunia leaves and carrot pieces in the 18 petri dishes were incubated for 28days in 25ÂÂÂ ±2ÂÂÂ °C temperature, and photoperiod of 16hours in light 8hours in dark as provided in plant culturing room in Monash University Sunway Campus. In addition, for every 4 days, the tissue cultured was checked to whether there are presents of contamination and to transfer the samples into new MS plates. Results and discussion Effect on carrot slices Based on the result obtained in table 1, it shows that for carrot samples, the formation of callus can be seen all of petri dish with various ratios of either BAP:NAA or Kinetin:NAA. Theoretically, the formation of callus is due to the high concentration of both the cytokinin and auxin in a growth media (Duncan et al., 1985). Since all the plates are containing callus, it can be deduced that the growth of callus can be formed by excision of the plant cell. Meanwhile, for formation of roots, only carrot samples from MS media supplemented with BAP:NAA with ratio of 0.0:2.0 which also shows formation of roots. This is because, according to the theory, in the presence of high cytokinin and low auxin in the media, the shoots will form, meanwhile, in low level of cytokinin and high level of auxin in the media, roots will form. However, in the presence of high concentration of both cytokinin and auxin, callus formation will be induced (Chawla, 2002). However, it can be seen that there is no production of shoots in other plates except in MS media containing 0.0BAP:2.0NAA. This may occur due to unsuitable ratios of cytokinin and auxin in MS media that may not favorable for carrot species to induce formation of shoots. Effect on petunia leaves By referring to table 2, it shows that petunia leaves sample that shows formation of callus, roots and shoots is the MS media supplemented with BAP:NAA with ratio of 0.5:1.0 and the control plate. This occur due to suitable ratio of cytokinin and auxin suplemeted in the MS media. Furthermore, only MS media supplemented with BAP:NAA with ratio of 0.0:2.0 shows the growth of shoots excluding the MS media supplemented with BAP:NAA with ratio of 0.5:1.0 and the control plate. Theoretically, the productions of shoots are triggered by high concentration of cytokinin and low concentration of auxin. However, in the ratio of 0.0BAP:2.0NAA, it is predicted that formation of roots will be induced, instead, shoots are forming. This occur due to presence of zeatin in petunia leaves. Zeatin is a natural cytokinin presence in the most green leaves that undergoing senescence (Singh et al., 1992). The presence of cytokinin in the media may mask the reaction of auxin hormone on the explants presence i n the media (Nakagawa et al., 2006). Therefore, the production shoots are triggered instead of roots. Based on the result in table 2, the production of roots and shoots are low due to due to the excessive amount of alcohol used during the sterilization process. Besides that, shoots and roots only produce in MS media supplemented with BAP:NAA and not in MS plate with Kinetin:NAA. This may occur due to the toxicity of the synthetic kinetin, that are not suitable for the growth of either shoots or roots on petunia leaves. There were also presence of contamination in the cultured plate of carrot sample, which involve MS media supplemented with BAP:NAA with ratio of 2.0:0.0 and MS media supplemented with Kinetin:NAA with ratio of 2.0:0.0. Meanwhile, for petunia leaves sample, the cultured plate that have been contaminated by fungal infection are MS media supplemented with BAP:NAA with ratio of 0.0:2.0 and ratio of 2.0:0.0 as well as MS media supplemented with Kinetin:NAA with ratio of 0.0:2.0 and ratio of 0.5:1.0. This may occur due to experimental error, in which contamination may occur due to improper techniques while doing PTC such as lack of using aseptic techniques to make sure sterile condition during transferring the samples into the MS plate. Conclusion In conclusion, suitable medium supplemented with correct ratio of cytokinin and auxin are the most important key in order to get successful induction of organogenesis in vitro. Besides that, sterile environment is also one of the important factors in determining the successfulness of PTC and in order to obtain expected

Ulysses S. Grant Essay -- essays research papers

Ulysses S. Grant   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  American General and 18th President of the United States of America, Ulysses S. Grant, was a master war strategist who won the first major Union victories during the Civil War; however, political leadership proved to be far different from military leadership for Grant. While in office from 1869-1877 Grant scarcely attempted to control events, made injudicious appointments to public office, and had official corruption taint his administration, although Grant himself was never said to be actually have been involved in this corruption.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  'The military life had no charms for me,'; Grant said later. After graduating from the Untied States military academy Grant was commissioned as Brevet 2nd Lieutenant, assigned to the 4th U.S. Infantry, and sent to Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, MO. While stationed at Jefferson Barracks Grant met his future wife, Julia Dent, who was the sister of one of Grant's West Point classmates. This romance was temporarily interrupted however, when orders were given that sent Grant's regiment to the Southwest frontier in May of 1844.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When the south seceded from the Union Grant had no troubles making up his mind to fight for the Union cause. Grant organized the first group of Union volunteers in Galena and accompanied the men to Springfield. Grant longed for active duty and, on May 24, 1861, offered his services to the U.S. government, suggesting th... Ulysses S. Grant Essay -- essays research papers Ulysses S. Grant   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  American General and 18th President of the United States of America, Ulysses S. Grant, was a master war strategist who won the first major Union victories during the Civil War; however, political leadership proved to be far different from military leadership for Grant. While in office from 1869-1877 Grant scarcely attempted to control events, made injudicious appointments to public office, and had official corruption taint his administration, although Grant himself was never said to be actually have been involved in this corruption.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  'The military life had no charms for me,'; Grant said later. After graduating from the Untied States military academy Grant was commissioned as Brevet 2nd Lieutenant, assigned to the 4th U.S. Infantry, and sent to Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, MO. While stationed at Jefferson Barracks Grant met his future wife, Julia Dent, who was the sister of one of Grant's West Point classmates. This romance was temporarily interrupted however, when orders were given that sent Grant's regiment to the Southwest frontier in May of 1844.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When the south seceded from the Union Grant had no troubles making up his mind to fight for the Union cause. Grant organized the first group of Union volunteers in Galena and accompanied the men to Springfield. Grant longed for active duty and, on May 24, 1861, offered his services to the U.S. government, suggesting th...

Subtle Feminist Assertions in The Yellow Wallpaper -- Feminism Feminis

Subtle Feminist Assertions in The Yellow Wallpaper Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper " was originally shunned by the American patriarchal literary powers present before the turn of the century. Despite editors' hesitation, Gilman's determination eventually led to the story's publication in New England Magazine in 1892. It was not until the early 1970's, however, that the story was adopted by the feminist literary movement and viewed as the author undoubtedly intended. A popularly held opinion among critics is that this delayed acceptance was "a case of misinterpretation by audiences used to 'traditional' literature. " Before the modern feminist movement in literature, readers would not have expected or looked for the kind of message found in "The Yellow Wallpaper." Were the story written a century later, the feminist message would likely be stronger. To get it published and portray the realities of her narrator, however, Gilman recognized the need for ambiguity in the story's feminist message. Gilman left the story ope n to patriarchal interpretations, but included enough commentary within and beyond the narration to convince the feminist reader of her true intentions. The submissive unnamed protagonist and narrator acts as an enabler to her patriarchal surroundings. Gilman clarifies on the first page the narrator's feminist disinclination, "John laughs at me, of course, but one expects that in marriage." This defines the woman's attitude towards her position in her marriage and society. The woman's defeatism also works to 'put her in her place' in the patriarchal society. After briefly explaining that her husband does not believe s... ...not discounting, does somewhat deflate, or mask, the argument that Gilman is offering a truism about the difference between males and females. Some of the greatest writers, artists, and musicians have been patently misread or ignored by their contemporaries, only to be discovered as visionaries decades or centuries later. By creating a submissive female narrator, Gilman makes a powerful statement to the modern reader about the realities of women before the 20th century. The narrator's acquiescent quality is simultaneously a common trait for women of the time and the catalyst of her insanity. Considering the state of women when the story was written, the narrator had to be as she was to be believable. Thus, the story's recent rise to popularity must be attributed to Gilman's subtle feminist assertions, almost a century ahead of their time.

Essay --

Lisette Galvan Outlining - Position Paper Title: Should the Level of Immigration Be Heightened and Border Security Tightened? Thesis statement : I truly believe that the level of immigration should be increased but only with the exception that border security should be better utilized. If people from other countries want to better their lives here and agree to â€Å"play by the rules† then it should be allowed and put into law. Immigration seems to a big issue these days in America.The main concern that many Americans have is that immigrants will swipe the available jobs that are offered here and will consequently leave the natural born citizens with nothing. The idea that drug dealers and terrorists are more prevalent to enter the country is also a strong fear. There are obviously many in the U.S. who are here illegally that should not be but there should be a way that they can earn citizenship. Essay Map If someone is not of Native American descent, their ancestors are immigrants. The economy will improve Border Security needs to be stronger. Immigration reform should be put in...

Impact of Party Drugs on the Youth Culture Essay

Adolescence refers to the age group from 14 to 26 years. Ten percent of this age group use party drugs (Bennett, 2003). According to Arnett (2004) , this period of development is distinguished by five characteristics: identity exploration, instability, self-focus, a feeling of in-between and possibilities (Arnett, 2004, pg. 14). It is against these five characteristics that the impact of party drugs on the youth culture will be assessed. This essay will explore how the characteristics of adolescence place teenagers at risk from drug experimentation and how the perception of policy makers will influence the community’s response to the problem. The exploration of identity involves having a range of experiences that provides the adolescent with the means to assess the possibilities for the purpose of formulating a distinctive self-image. To do this requires that the teenager have a range of experiences that seem distinct from those experienced through their parents. This journey of exploration results in an introverted focus on self and a sense of becoming, of being caught in the middle. In the individualised cultures of western societies, this transition involves a separation from parents and the construction of an independent self-sufficient identity (Arnett, 2004). The instability can often manifest in ‘risky behaviours’. Although adolescence is a time for the construction of a unique self identity, it is also a time when a sense of belonging is engendered through common cultural construction. One subset of this cultural construction is the rave party scene that is a global phenomenon of the youth subculture (Shapiro, 1999). A rave party is often a large gathering of young people in an atmosphere where there is music and laser lights. This sub-culture is linked to the drug culture through party drugs such as ecstasy and ketamine. The effect of these drugs is to create a sense of wellbeing and a feeling of lightness. The choice to take drugs is an individual one and is part of the desire to escape from the pressures of adolescence. The rave party by its very nature is essentially a form of escape. What then are adolescences escaping from? The very nature of adolescence: the sense of being without identity, the lack of a mental framework to manage the adult world and the pressures of identity construction, create tensions in the person. This escapism is not confined to adolescences as many adults abuse alcohol and amphetamines as a means of escaping the pressures of the adult world. For many users, taking the drug is part of the risk behaviour of adolescence that has the pay-off of feelings of well-being. They do not se themselves as drug users as they do not view their use of party drugs as being a problem. This normalises drug use and makes it difficult for agencies to intervene (Duff, 2003). It is wrong however to assume that all users are escaping from something. One of the features of adolescence is the search for identity and self meaning. This search behaviour creates a heightened sense of curiosity in adolescents as they seek to make sense of self. This curiosity can evolve unconsciously to drug abuse through prolonged use as a result of the uplifting effects of the first experience. The need to fund the regular purchase of the drug can lead into dealing. Bad experiences often will not cause a rejection of the drug as these pale against the many pleasures that the individual has experienced. The chain of events can have dire consequences for the individual as a health problem becomes a criminal problem. The long term destruction that criminalisation of drugs causes to young people is good reason to see drug abuse as a health problem. Within party drug users there are the same segments that are feature of any drug user cross section. Some users abuse the drug and are at risk from overdose and dehydration. Others are more controlled and cautious in their use. This group is at risk from being unable to identify the ingredients of the drug that they are purchasing. One of the key problems with party drugs is the inability for the buyer to know the ingredients contained in the drug that they are purchasing (VAAD, 2003). Users of party drugs will tend to repeat their use on a regular basis. According to Baxter (2003) users are concerned that there is no means of determining the purity and reducing the level of risk. Males tend to use party drugs more frequently than females. This tends to indicate that there is greater gender difference where males are less risk averse. This trend is declining as more and more females are using party drugs. This trend reflects the emancipation of women and a stronger sense of independence amongst adolescent women. The traditional delineation of the rite of passage for the male and the female have become blurred in modern society. Women will often use drugs to challenge the traditional perceptions of their role in society. Within the community, there are people that see drug abuse as being criminal while others see it as a social and health problem. The criminal perspective adopts a punishment solution with rehabilitation. Such a position can have a long term effect on the individual due to problems faced with travel and employment. Community response is to increase policing and to use strategies such as sniffer dogs in public and undercover police at venues to catch the suppliers and users. Police raids will be conducted on rave parties. Such an approach marginalises the rave culture and runs the risk of impairing the social development of the individual. The perspective that sees the issue as a health issue seeks to develop preventative programmes that educate people. Greater understanding is sought for the motivation of young people for taking drugs through social research. Strategies for assisting at risk people are developed that provides for free, readily available access to health care and treatment. The health professional will often argue for the decriminalisation of the drug so that it can be obtained in a controlled manner and the purity of the product guaranteed. When considered against the characteristics of adolescence as provided by Arnett (2004), this approach appears to be the least detrimental to the social and personal development of the adolescent. Government programs, such as Ravesafe, adopt this approach. One of the prime reasons that this approach should prevail is that party drugs are seen by the user as being catalysts for self reflection and construction of identity. Their sense of self and social relationships results in a positive self-image which may be in contradiction to how they feel when in the adult world. The party drug tends to alleviate insecurity and doubt. Research has shown that there might be some overflow from the atmosphere of the rave party to real life. The need for early intervention arises from the research findings that drug abuse is often a precursor for youth suicide, crime and metal illness (VAAD, 2003). Interventionist strategies will view drug use as a problem which immediately places the interventionist in opposition to the youth culture. The clash between the pleasures of the drug and the potential harm of the drug creates a generational clash (Duff, 2003). To deal with the issue it is necessary to accept the reality of use and work on fostering environments that support safe use. If this is provided then it will reduce the ‘trial and error’ approach that is a feature of the risk behaviour of adolescents. VAAD (2003) found that the problem can be best solved through drug education that must resist seeing the youth culture as a homogeneous group. Adolescents involved in the rave scene come from a wide variety of backgrounds (Shapiro, 1999). Because there is little understanding of the attitudes of youth subgroups within the rave scene it is necessary for more research to be done (Baxter, 2003). In this way the content and approach of the drug education programme can directly appeal to the target segment. This will help in a more receptive response from the target group. In conclusion, the developmental characteristics of adolescence creates a natural disposition towards drug experimentation amongst some segments of teenagers. Party drugs are often seen as being part of the scene that assist in the integration of the individual with both self and the group that they belong to. Drug use can be used by the female gender to reconstruct identity. Given these features, the perspective that drug use should be a criminal offence resulting in punishment and long term consequences for the individual seems self defeating. The view that drug abuse has the potential to be a health problem will result in a community response that is more supportive to the individual. The safety of the drug can be established and the social stigma placed on adolescents can be removed. Social policy needs to consider the developmental characteristics of adolescence in its construction.

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 13-17

CHAPTER 13 For several seconds, Langdon stared in wonder at the photograph of Sauniere's postscript. P. S. Find Robert Langdon.He felt as if the floor were tilting beneath his feet. Sauniere left a postscript with my name on it? In his wildest dreams, Langdon could not fathom why. â€Å"Now do you understand,† Sophie said, her eyes urgent,† why Fache ordered you here tonight, and why you are his primary suspect?† The only thing Langdon understood at the moment was why Fache had looked so smug when Langdon suggested Sauniere would have accused his killer by name. Find Robert Langdon. â€Å"Why would Sauniere write this?† Langdon demanded, his confusion now giving way to anger. â€Å"Why would I want to kill Jacques Sauniere?† â€Å"Fache has yet to uncover a motive, but he has been recording his entire conversation with you tonight in hopes you might reveal one.† Langdon opened his mouth, but still no words came. â€Å"He's fitted with a miniature microphone,† Sophie explained. â€Å"It's connected to a transmitter in his pocket that radios the signal back to the command post.† â€Å"This is impossible,† Langdon stammered. â€Å"I have an alibi. I went directly back to my hotel after my lecture. You can ask the hotel desk.† â€Å"Fache already did. His report shows you retrieving your room key from the concierge at about ten- thirty. Unfortunately, the time of the murder was closer to eleven. You easily could have left your hotel room unseen.† â€Å"This is insanity! Fache has no evidence!† Sophie's eyes widened as if to say: No evidence?† Mr. Langdon, your name is written on the floor beside the body, and Sauniere's date book says you were with him at approximately the time of the murder.† She paused. â€Å"Fache has more than enough evidence to take you into custody for questioning.† Langdon suddenly sensed that he needed a lawyer. â€Å"I didn't do this.† Sophie sighed. â€Å"This is not American television, Mr. Langdon. In France, the laws protect the police, not criminals. Unfortunately, in this case, there is also the media consideration. Jacques Sauniere was a very prominent and well-loved figure in Paris, and his murder will be news in the morning. Fache will be under immediate pressure to make a statement, and he looks a lot better having a suspect in custody already. Whether or not you are guilty, you most certainly will be held by DCPJ until they can figure out what really happened.† Langdon felt like a caged animal. â€Å"Why are you telling me all this?† â€Å"Because, Mr. Langdon, I believe you are innocent.† Sophie looked away for a moment and then back into his eyes. â€Å"And also because it is partially my fault that you're in trouble.† â€Å"I'm sorry? It's your fault Sauniere is trying to frame me?† â€Å"Sauniere wasn't trying to frame you. It was a mistake. That message on the floor was meant for me.† Langdon needed a minute to process that one. â€Å"I beg your pardon?† â€Å"That message wasn't for the police. He wrote it for me.I think he was forced to do everything in such a hurry that he just didn't realize how it would look to the police.† She paused. â€Å"The numbered code is meaningless. Sauniere wrote it to make sure the investigation included cryptographers, ensuring that I would know as soon as possible what had happened to him.† Langdon felt himself losing touch fast. Whether or not Sophie Neveu had lost her mind was at this point up for grabs, but at least Langdon now understood why she was trying to help him. P. S.Find Robert Langdon.She apparently believed the curator had left her a cryptic postscript telling her to find Langdon. â€Å"But why do you think his message was for you?† â€Å"The Vitruvian Man,†she said flatly. â€Å"That particular sketch has always been my favorite Da Vinci work. Tonight he used it to catch my attention.† â€Å"Hold on. You're saying the curator knew your favorite piece of art?† She nodded. â€Å"I'm sorry. This is all coming out of order. Jacques Sauniere and I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Sophie's voice caught, and Langdon heard a sudden melancholy there, a painful past, simmering just below the surface. Sophie and Jacques Sauniere apparently had some kind of special relationship. Langdon studied the beautiful young woman before him, well aware that aging men in France often took young mistresses. Even so, Sophie Neveu as a† kept woman† somehow didn't seem to fit. â€Å"We had a falling-out ten years ago,† Sophie said, her voice a whisper now. â€Å"We've barely spoken since. Tonight, when Crypto got the call that he had been murdered, and I saw the images of his body and text on the floor, I realized he was trying to send me a message.† â€Å"Because of The Vitruvian Man?† â€Å"Yes. And the letters P. S.† â€Å"Post Script?† She shook her head. â€Å"P. S. are my initials.† â€Å"But your name is Sophie Neveu.† She looked away. â€Å"P. S. is the nickname he called me when I lived with him.† She blushed. â€Å"It stood for Princesse Sophie† Langdon had no response. â€Å"Silly, I know,† she said. â€Å"But it was years ago. When I was a little girl.† â€Å"You knew him when you were a little girl?† â€Å"Quite well,† she said, her eyes welling now with emotion. â€Å"Jacques Sauniere was my grandfather.† CHAPTER 14 â€Å"Where's Langdon?† Fache demanded, exhaling the last of a cigarette as he paced back into the command post. â€Å"Still in the men's room, sir.† Lieutenant Collet had been expecting the question. Fache grumbled,† Taking his time, I see.† The captain eyed the GPS dot over Collet's shoulder, and Collet could almost hear the wheels turning. Fache was fighting the urge to go check on Langdon. Ideally, the subject of an observation was allowed the most time and freedom possible, lulling him into a false sense of security. Langdon needed to return of his own volition. Still, it had been almost ten minutes. Too long. â€Å"Any chance Langdon is onto us?† Fache asked. Collet shook his head. â€Å"We're still seeing small movements inside the men's room, so the GPS dot is obviously still on him. Perhaps he feels ill? If he had found the dot, he would have removed it and tried to run.† Fache checked his watch. â€Å"Fine.† Still Fache seemed preoccupied. All evening, Collet had sensed an atypical intensity in his captain. Usually detached and cool under pressure, Fache tonight seemed emotionally engaged, as if this were somehow a personal matter for him. Not surprising, Collet thought. Fache needs this arrest desperately.Recently the Board of Ministers and the media had become more openly critical of Fache's aggressive tactics, his clashes with powerful foreign embassies, and his gross over budgeting on new technologies. Tonight, a high-tech, high-profile arrest of an American would go a long way to silence Fache's critics, helping him secure the job a few more years until he could retire with the lucrative pension. God knows he needs the pension, Collet thought. Fache's zeal for technology had hurt him both professionally and personally. Fache was rumored to have invested his entire savings in the technology craze a few years back and lost his shirt. And Fache is a man who wears only the finest shirts. Tonight, there was still plenty of time. Sophie Neveu's odd interruption, though unfortunate, had been only a minor wrinkle. She was gone now, and Fache still had cards to play. He had yet to inform Langdon that his name had been scrawled on the floor by the victim. P. S.Find Robert Langdon.The American's reaction to that little bit of evidence would be telling indeed. â€Å"Captain?† one of the DCPJ agents now called from across the office. â€Å"I think you better take this call.† He was holding out a telephone receiver, looking concerned. â€Å"Who is it?† Fache said. The agent frowned. â€Å"It's the director of our Cryptology Department.† â€Å"And?† â€Å"It's about Sophie Neveu, sir. Something is not quite right.† CHAPTER 15 It was time. Silas felt strong as he stepped from the black Audi, the nighttime breeze rustling his loose-fitting robe. The winds of change are in the air.He knew the task before him would require more finesse than force, and he left his handgun in the car. The thirteen-round Heckler Koch USP 40 had been provided by the Teacher. A weapon of death has no place in a house of God. The plaza before the great church was deserted at this hour, the only visible souls on the far side of Place Saint-Sulpice a couple of teenage hookers showing their wares to the late night tourist traffic. Their nubile bodies sent a familiar longing to Silas's loins. His thigh flexed instinctively, causing the barbed cilice belt to cut painfully into his flesh. The lust evaporated instantly. For ten years now, Silas had faithfully denied himself all sexual indulgence, even self-administered. It was The Way.He knew he had sacrificed much to follow Opus Dei, but he had received much more in return. A vow of celibacy and the relinquishment of all personal assets hardly seemed a sacrifice. Considering the poverty from which he had come and the sexual horrors he had endured in prison, celibacy was a welcome change. Now, having returned to France for the first time since being arrested and shipped to prison in Andorra, Silas could feel his homeland testing him, dragging violent memories from his redeemed soul. You have been reborn, he reminded himself. His service to God today had required the sin of murder, and it was a sacrifice Silas knew he would have to hold silently in his heart for all eternity. The measure of your faith is the measure of the pain you can endure, the Teacher had told him. Silas was no stranger to pain and felt eager to prove himself to the Teacher, the one who had assured him his actions were ordained by a higher power. â€Å"Hago la obra de Dios,†Silas whispered, moving now toward the church entrance. Pausing in the shadow of the massive doorway, he took a deep breath. It was not until this instant that he truly realized what he was about to do, and what awaited him inside. The keystone. It will lead us to our final goal. He raised his ghost-white fist and banged three times on the door. Moments later, the bolts of the enormous wooden portal began to move. CHAPTER 16 Sophie wondered how long it would take Fache to figure out she had not left the building. Seeing that Langdon was clearly overwhelmed, Sophie questioned whether she had done the right thing by cornering him here in the men's room. What else was I supposed to do? She pictured her grandfather's body, naked and spread-eagle on the floor. There was a time when he had meant the world to her, yet tonight, Sophie was surprised to feel almost no sadness for the man. Jacques Sauniere was a stranger to her now. Their relationship had evaporated in a single instant one March night when she was twenty-two. Ten years ago.Sophie had come home a few days early from graduate university in England and mistakenly witnessed her grandfather engaged in something Sophie was obviously not supposed to see. It was an image she barely could believe to this day. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes†¦ Too ashamed and stunned to endure her grandfather's pained attempts to explain, Sophie immediately moved out on her own, taking money she had saved, and getting a small flat with some roommates. She vowed never to speak to anyone about what she had seen. Her grandfather tried desperately to reach her, sending cards and letters, begging Sophie to meet him so he could explain. Explain how!? Sophie never responded except once – to forbid him ever to call her or try to meet her in public. She was afraid his explanation would be more terrifying than the incident itself. Incredibly, Sauniere had never given up on her, and Sophie now possessed a decade's worth of correspondence unopened in a dresser drawer. To her grandfather's credit, he had never once disobeyed her request and phoned her. Until this afternoon. â€Å"Sophie?† His voice had sounded startlingly old on her answering machine. â€Å"I have abided by your wishes for so long†¦ and it pains me to call, but I must speak to you. Something terrible has happened.† Standing in the kitchen of her Paris flat, Sophie felt a chill to hear him again after all these years. His gentle voice brought back a flood of fond childhood memories. â€Å"Sophie, please listen.† He was speaking English to her, as he always did when she was a little girl. Practice French at school.Practice English at home. â€Å"You cannot be mad forever. Have you not read the letters that I've sent all these years? Do you not yet understand?† He paused. â€Å"We must speak at once. Please grant your grandfather this one wish. Call me at the Louvre. Right away. I believe you and I are in grave danger.† Sophie stared at the answering machine. Danger? What was he talking about? â€Å"Princess†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her grandfather's voice cracked with an emotion Sophie could not place. â€Å"I know I've kept things from you, and I know it has cost me your love. But it was for your own safety. Now you must know the truth. Please, I must tell you the truth about your family.† Sophie suddenly could hear her own heart. My family? Sophie's parents had died when she was only four. Their car went off a bridge into fast-moving water. Her grandmother and younger brother had also been in the car, and Sophie's entire family had been erased in an instant. She had a box of newspaper clippings to confirm it. His words had sent an unexpected surge of longing through her bones. My family! In that fleeting instant, Sophie saw images from the dream that had awoken her countless times when she was a little girl: My family is alive! They are coming home! But, as in her dream, the pictures evaporated into oblivion. Your family is dead, Sophie. They are not coming home. â€Å"Sophie†¦Ã¢â‚¬  her grandfather said on the machine. â€Å"I have been waiting for years to tell you. Waiting for the right moment, but now time has run out. Call me at the Louvre. As soon as you get this. I'll wait here all night. I fear we both may be in danger. There's so much you need to know.† The message ended. In the silence, Sophie stood trembling for what felt like minutes. As she considered her grandfather's message, only one possibility made sense, and his true intent dawned. It was bait. Obviously, her grandfather wanted desperately to see her. He was trying anything. Her disgust for the man deepened. Sophie wondered if maybe he had fallen terminally ill and had decided to attempt any ploy he could think of to get Sophie to visit him one last time. If so, he had chosen wisely. My family. Now, standing in the darkness of the Louvre men's room, Sophie could hear the echoes of this afternoon's phone message. Sophie, we both may be in danger.Call me. She had not called him. Nor had she planned to. Now, however, her skepticism had been deeply challenged. Her grandfather lay murdered inside his own museum. And he had written a code on the floor. A code for her.Of this, she was certain. Despite not understanding the meaning of his message, Sophie was certain its cryptic nature was additional proof that the words were intended for her. Sophie's passion and aptitude for cryptography were a product of growing up with Jacques Sauniere – a fanatic himself for codes, word games, and puzzles. How many Sundays did we spend doing the cryptograms and crosswords in the newspaper? At the age of twelve, Sophie could finish the Le Monde crossword without any help, and her grandfather graduated her to crosswords in English, mathematical puzzles, and substitution ciphers. Sophie devoured them all. Eventually she turned her passion into a profession by becoming a code breaker for the Judicial Police. Tonight, the cryptographer in Sophie was forced to respect the efficiency with which her grandfather had used a simple code to unite two total strangers – Sophie Neveu and Robert Langdon. The question was why? Unfortunately, from the bewildered look in Langdon's eyes, Sophie sensed the American had no more idea than she did why her grandfather had thrown them together. She pressed again. â€Å"You and my grandfather had planned to meet tonight. What about?† Langdon looked truly perplexed. â€Å"His secretary set the meeting and didn't offer any specific reason, and I didn't ask. I assumed he'd heard I would be lecturing on the pagan iconography of French cathedrals, was interested in the topic, and thought it would be fun to meet for drinks after the talk.† Sophie didn't buy it. The connection was flimsy. Her grandfather knew more about pagan iconography than anyone else on earth. Moreover, he an exceptionally private man, not someone prone to chatting with random American professors unless there were an important reason. Sophie took a deep breath and probed further. â€Å"My grandfather called me this afternoon and told me he and I were in grave danger. Does that mean anything to you?† Langdon's blue eyes now clouded with concern. â€Å"No, but considering what just happened†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Sophie nodded. Considering tonight's events, she would be a fool not to be frightened. Feeling drained, she walked to the small plate-glass window at the far end of the bathroom and gazed out in silence through the mesh of alarm tape embedded in the glass. They were high up – forty feet at least. Sighing, she raised her eyes and gazed out at Paris's dazzling landscape. On her left, across the Seine, the illuminated Eiffel Tower. Straight ahead, the Arc de Triomphe. And to the right, high atop the sloping rise of Montmartre, the graceful arabesque dome of Sacre-Coeur, its polished stone glowing white like a resplendent sanctuary. Here at the westernmost tip of the Denon Wing, the north-south thoroughfare of Place du Carrousel ran almost flush with the building with only a narrow sidewalk separating it from the Louvre's outer wall. Far below, the usual caravan of the city's nighttime delivery trucks sat idling, waiting for the signals to change, their running lights seeming to twinkle mockingly up at Sophie. â€Å"I don't know what to say,† Langdon said, coming up behind her. â€Å"Your grandfather is obviously trying to tell us something. I'm sorry I'm so little help.† Sophie turned from the window, sensing a sincere regret in Langdon's deep voice. Even with all the trouble around him, he obviously wanted to help her. The teacher in him, she thought, having read DCPJ's workup on their suspect. This was an academic who clearly despised not understanding. We have that in common, she thought. As a code breaker, Sophie made her living extracting meaning from seemingly senseless data. Tonight, her best guess was that Robert Langdon, whether he knew it or not, possessed information that she desperately needed. Princesse Sophie, Find Robert Langdon.How much clearer could her grandfather's message be? Sophie needed more time with Langdon. Time to think. Time to sort out this mystery together. Unfortunately, time was running out. Gazing up at Langdon, Sophie made the only play she could think of. â€Å"Bezu Fache will be taking you into custody at any minute. I can get you out of this museum. But we need to act now.† Langdon's eyes went wide. â€Å"You want me to run?† â€Å"It's the smartest thing you could do. If you let Fache take you into custody now, you'll spend weeks in a French jail while DCPJ and the U. S. Embassy fight over which courts try your case. But if we get you out of here, and make it to your embassy, then your government will protect your rights while you and I prove you had nothing to do with this murder.† Langdon looked not even vaguely convinced. â€Å"Forget it! Fache has armed guards on every single exit! Even if we escape without being shot, running away only makes me look guilty. You need to tell Fache that the message on the floor was for you, and that my name is not there as an accusation.† â€Å"I will do that,† Sophie said, speaking hurriedly,† but after you're safely inside the U. S. Embassy. It's only about a mile from here, and my car is parked just outside the museum. Dealing with Fache from here is too much of a gamble. Don't you see? Fache has made it his mission tonight to prove you are guilty. The only reason he postponed your arrest was to run this observance in hopes you did something that made his case stronger.† â€Å"Exactly. Like running!† The cell phone in Sophie's sweater pocket suddenly began ringing. Fache probably.She reached in her sweater and turned off the phone. â€Å"Mr. Langdon,† she said hurriedly,† I need to ask you one last question.† And your entire future may depend on it. â€Å"The writing on the floor is obviously not proof of your guilt, and yet Fache told our team he is certain you are his man. Can you think of any other reason he might be convinced you're guilty?† Langdon was silent for several seconds. â€Å"None whatsoever.† Sophie sighed. Which means Fache is lying.Why, Sophie could not begin to imagine, but that was hardly the issue at this point. The fact remained that Bezu Fache was determined to put Robert Langdon behind bars tonight, at any cost. Sophie needed Langdon for herself, and it was this dilemma that left Sophie only one logical conclusion. I need to get Langdon to the U. S. Embassy. Turning toward the window, Sophie gazed through the alarm mesh embedded in the plate glass, down the dizzying forty feet to the pavement below. A leap from this height would leave Langdon with a couple of broken legs. At best. Nonetheless, Sophie made her decision. Robert Langdon was about to escape the Louvre, whether he wanted to or not. CHAPTER 17 â€Å"What do you mean she's not answering?† Fache looked incredulous. â€Å"You're calling her cell phone, right? I know she's carrying it.† Collet had been trying to reach Sophie now for several minutes. â€Å"Maybe her batteries are dead. Or her ringer's off.† Fache had looked distressed ever since talking to the director of Cryptology on the phone. After hanging up, he had marched over to Collet and demanded he get Agent Neveu on the line. Now Collet had failed, and Fache was pacing like a caged lion. â€Å"Why did Crypto call?† Collet now ventured. Fache turned. â€Å"To tell us they found no references to Draconian devils and lame saints.† â€Å"That's all?† â€Å"No, also to tell us that they had just identified the numerics as Fibonacci numbers, but they suspected the series was meaningless.† Collet was confused. â€Å"But they already sent Agent Neveu to tell us that.† Fache shook his head. â€Å"They didn't send Neveu.† â€Å"What?† â€Å"According to the director, at my orders he paged his entire team to look at the images I'd wired him. When Agent Neveu arrived, she took one look at the photos of Sauniere and the code and left the office without a word. The director said he didn't question her behavior because she was understandably upset by the photos.† â€Å"Upset? She's never seen a picture of a dead body?† Fache was silent a moment. â€Å"I was not aware of this, and it seems neither was the director until a coworker informed him, but apparently Sophie Neveu is Jacques Sauniere's granddaughter.† Collet was speechless. â€Å"The director said she never once mentioned Sauniere to him, and he assumed it was because she probably didn't want preferential treatment for having a famous grandfather.† No wonder she was upset by the pictures.Collet could barely conceive of the unfortunate coincidence that called in a young woman to decipher a code written by a dead family member. Still, her actions made no sense. â€Å"But she obviously recognized the numbers as Fibonacci numbers because she came here and told us. I don't understand why she would leave the office without telling anyone she had figured it out.† Collet could think of only one scenario to explain the troubling developments: Sauniere had written a numeric code on the floor in hopes Fache would involve cryptographers in the investigation, and therefore involve his own granddaughter. As for the rest of the message, was Saunie recommunicating in some way with his granddaughter? If so, what did the message tell her? And how did Langdon fit in? Before Collet could ponder it any further, the silence of the deserted museum was shattered by an alarm. The bell sounded like it was coming from inside the Grand Gallery. â€Å"Alarme!† one of the agents yelled, eyeing his feed from the Louvre security center. â€Å"GrandeGalerie! Toilettes Messieurs!† Fache wheeled to Collet. â€Å"Where's Langdon?† â€Å"Still in the men's room!† Collet pointed to the blinking red dot on his laptop schematic. â€Å"He must have broken the window!† Collet knew Langdon wouldn't get far. Although Paris fire codes required windows above fifteen meters in public buildings be breakable in case of fire, exiting a Louvre second-story window without the help of a hook and ladder would be suicide. Furthermore, there were no trees or grass on the western end of the Denon Wing to cushion a fall. Directly beneath that rest room window, the two-lane Place du Carrousel ran within a few feet of the outer wall. â€Å"My God,† Collet exclaimed, eyeing the screen. â€Å"Langdon's moving to the window ledge!† But Fache was already in motion. Yanking his Manurhin MR-93 revolver from his shoulder holster, the captain dashed out of the office. Collet watched the screen in bewilderment as the blinking dot arrived at the window ledge and then did something utterly unexpected. The dot moved outside the perimeter of the building. What's going on? he wondered. Is Langdon out on a ledge or – â€Å"Jesu!† Collet jumped to his feet as the dot shot farther outside the wall. The signal seemed to shudder for a moment, and then the blinking dot came to an abrupt stop about ten yards outside the perimeter of the building. Fumbling with the controls, Collet called up a Paris street map and recalibrated the GPS. Zooming in, he could now see the exact location of the signal. It was no longer moving. It lay at a dead stop in the middle of Place du Carrousel. Langdon had jumped.

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Everyone else got to decide what would become of their lives, while she was now going to have everything decided for her. While Kim tells her story, she makes several statements that key on the readers’ emotions and get us to take her side. Kim uses good imagery when she tells about her village being burned down and her clothes scorched off. She says â€Å"I saw an airplane getting lower and then four bombs falling down. I saw fire everywhere around me. Then I saw fire over my body, especially on my left arm. My clothes had been burned off by the fire.Anyone who could imagine this happening to a nine year old wouldn’t be able to help feeling sorry for this person. To make matters for the little girl worse, she was then forced to become a poster child for the Vietnamese government to show the rest of the world. Kim’s freedom to become what she wanted was taken from her. While telling her story, she does a very good job using these rhetorical pathos to make the re ader feel sorry for her and take her side. In the story, â€Å"Untold Stories of Kindness†, an American soldier tells about the brutal reality of war. He explains that even though you may not agree with the reason for the fight or even know the truth behind the war, if you are a soldier, you have to do your job and continue fighting. He hits on the point that people want to help each other even in times of war and despair. He says that if everyone will just accept people who are different, the world will be a more peaceful place. His idea that people always want to help each other is supported by an example of a time he remembers people helping each other during his campaign in the Iraq war. After one particular fire fight that lasted nearly eight hours, Iraqi civilians helped the American soldiers clear the streets of wounded men and try to aid their injuries. People would also care for children, rebuild hospitals and schools, and feed the poor. The author of this essay uses strong imagery to make the reader have emotion towards his story. He tells about the time when insurgents detonated several car bombs killing over a hundred people. The number of people killed in this incident helps to emphasize the reality of all the people who dying in this war. He says â€Å"Cars were covered in blood as if they’d been hit with a paint sprayer. † This makes the reader try to imagine what he had to see and tries to make the reader feel the same emotions he has toward the situation. The rhetorical pathos used here are very similar to the pathos used by Kim in her story. Both of these essays made good points support the logic behind the statements and opinions in their stories. They also used good details and imagery so the audience could picture some of the things they had to see. The imagery in these stories tried to make the readers feel emotional and take the authors’ sides.

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Greggs plc Essay Essay Example Greggs plc Essay Paper Greggs plc Essay Paper 1. 0 Executive Summary Greggs plc intend to spread out their operations into international markets in order to fulfill their overruling aim: ‘to be Europe’s No. 1 Bakery’ . Germany has been selected as the host state and justification for this determination has been discussed. : Furthermore. Greggs will come in the German Bakery market through the employment of a ‘Foreign Direct Investment’ method. more specifically a ‘Sales and Production Subsidiary’ . This study outlines the blend of marketing mix constituents used to place the offering ; the execution method adopted to guarantee effectual merchandise and service bringing ; and the control mechanisms utilized to do certain that aims are achieved. 2. 0 Introduction Greggs is the presently the taking UK retail merchant in the bakeshop market holding experienced high degrees of growing in 2002. The company achieved grosss of ?422. 6 million. an addition of 11. 9 % on the old financial. Its operating net income besides witnessed an addition of 11. 8 % to ?35. 3 million in 2002. Their popularity has quickly increased as consumers are seeking quick. convenient and indulgent nutrients to complement their fast-paced life styles. Greggs is actively spread outing their operations and have over 1. 200 retail mercantile establishments under the Greggs and Bakers Oven trade names. They entered into the international sphere in 2003 with the gap of two mercantile establishments in Belgium. This scheme was pursued in order to carry through the company’s long-run aim of going a leader in the European market topographic point. Further international enlargement will therefore fulfill their current aims and heighten their presence in the European bakeshop market. 2. 1 Report Aims To warrant market pick To set about internal and environmental analysis for the place and host state To place the most appropriate foreign entry scheme To orient a services selling mix to demands of the host market To propose methods of execution to let successful market incursion To supervise the advancement of this venture through the employment of control mechanisms 3. 0 Mission statement â€Å"We intend to be Europe’s finest bakery-related retail merchant. accomplishing our ambitious growing marks by achieving world-class criterions in everything we do. Our intent is the growing and development of a thriving concern for the benefit and enjoyment of employees. clients and stockholders likewise. 3. 1 Valuess Greggs is a customer-focused concern. seeking to supply first-class merchandises and services that deliver enjoyment and value-for-money. We are committed to people development. within a considerate civilization that combines liberty and answerability and maintains a strong focal point on profitableness. In all our activities. we aim to accomplish excellence through uninterrupted improvement† . 4. 0 – Market Choice Cannon and Willis propose a method of â€Å"simple riddance † to place a possible host market. This method of market pick ensures that the staying state satisfies all chief standards highlighted by the administration. The diagram below shows a systematic attack to happening a suited market for Gregg’s enlargement. Industrial. economic and cultural factors will be integrated into the choice procedure as these are cardinal to Greggs’ operations in add-on to their chief purpose: ‘To be the no. 1 bakeshop retail merchant in Europe. ’ Parallel to their aims. all non-EU states will be excluded from the choice procedure. Greggs’ 2nd precedence is to enter markets which display fast growing in bakeshop markets. The states with the highest degrees of class growing are shown below: Figure A Country Cakes and Pastries Market – % Category Growth 1995 – 1999 Portugal 4. 60 % Germany 3. 70 % France 3. 60 % Spain 1. 80 % Denmark 1. 80 % Using this tabular array. Greggs may extinguish Denmark and Spain from their market pick choice procedure. Psychological distance between the place and host state can besides find the success of international activities and therefore have been incorporated into the procedure. The Gallic have a broad choice of elaborate. exquisite and epicure dishes. This contradicts the typical merchandise proposition offered by Greggs. Although Greggs could see a focussed distinction scheme aiming niche markets. the copiousness of specialist bakeshop retail merchants would suggestively do the Gallic bakeshop market hard to perforate efficaciously and hence exclude it from farther examination. Lusitanian market tendencies highlight an increasing demand for â€Å"wholesome. household merchandises â€Å" . In contrast to the latter. Greggs offer an ‘on the move’ nutrient proposition which is typically consumed separately instead than in a household environment. Suggestively the Portuguese are loath to encompass new nutrient offerings as research illustrates a strong penchant for traditional culinary art served in traditional eating house scenes. Furthermore the market is dominated by both high street retail merchants such as Podaria Popular and industrial makers therefore connoting high barriers to entry are high. Having adopted this procedure of riddance. Germany appears to be the predominating market pick. Despite the high labor costs. long holiday clip and decelerate economic growing. Germany’s overall economic public presentation is the 3rd largest in Europe and accordingly presents itself as an attractive market pick for Greggs. â€Å"Products with a convenience character are go oning to turn out popular in the German bakeshop market. runing from ready to eat and impulse merchandises to in shop bakeshop merchandises â€Å" . Furthermore. â€Å"across the bakeshop market. international bakeshop fortes such as crescent rolls. ciabattas and baguettes are lifting in popularity. a contemplation of higher consumer demand for more non-traditional or fresh merchandises â€Å" . This market therefore presents itself as an ideal location for Greggs to spread out their international operations. Greggs will prosecute a ‘concentration’ technique with respect to state and client mark group. â€Å"A company may concentrate its attempts by come ining states that are extremely similar in footings of market features and substructure to the domestic market â€Å" . This will enable Greggs to understate hazard and benefit from cultural tantrum. Furthermore. as in the UK they will concentrate attempts on a foc ussed mark audience. 5. 0 – Internal and Environmental Analysis 5. 1 – Internal Analysis 5. 1. 1 Strengths Internal strengths need to be assessed to place assets. capablenesss and nucleus competences that are movable to the host state. Greggs is a good recognized bakeshop retailing trade name in the UK which aims to â€Å"create a individual and cohesive Greggs trade name countrywide â€Å" . This is being executed utilizing a coherent and consistent publicity of the company’s proposition and trade name across the state. Greggs have sustained a strong hard currency flow which allows them to put money in keeping in their retail mercantile establishments. bakeshops and trade name. Key investings include important financess spent on production installations to back up the growing of retail operations. Greggs actively seek to place their shops in outstanding locations relative to distribution channels and client entree. Greggs shops are typically located in busy and to a great extent populated towns where their fast and convenient proposition is ideal. In response to the 6. 4 % addition in demand for takeaway nutrients. Greggs is accommodating their servicescape to provide for these turning demands. 5. 1. 2 Corporate Culture Greggs operates in a hazard taking corporate civilization which allows them to be advanced and antiphonal to market alterations. They believe in supplying high client service taking to retain clients by bring oning trueness and trust. They place great accent on motivation and authorising employees as they believe that continued growing of the concern is a contemplation of the work force. These competences are movable and of equal value to the German market place. Greggs are actively spread outing their operations internationally in order to distribute hazard. increase international trade name consciousness of their merchandise portfolio and exploit fast turning new markets. 5. 1. 3 Value Chain Greggs UK have produced a ‘Value Chain Analysis’ which is â€Å"an analytical tool that describes all activities that make up the economic public presentation and capablenesss of the house. † This can be used by Greggs to exhibit nucleus competencies that can be exploited in the host market. 5. 2 – Environmental Analysis The environmental analysis purposes to place the current state of affairs of the German bakeshop market utilizing relevant tools of analysis and international research methods. A Plague analysis has been used to place influential factors for Greggs in Germany as discussed. 5. 2. 1 International Marketing Research â€Å"Marketing research refers to garnering. analyzing and showing information â€Å" . It is the deficiency of cognition on foreign markets that is one of the major barriers an international selling director must get the better of. It is hence imperative that Greggs formulate an effectual market research scheme as the first measure in get the better ofing this barrier. In this instance. international selling research was carried out for the intent of cut downing possible hazard and supplying us with a concluding systematic and nonsubjective attack for our proposition. Primary research has non been undertaken due to the restrictions of this study. However. if Greggs were to implement this internationalization proposal. primary research would be an imperative tool when sing market pick. These could include qualitative methods such as interviews and observation. Secondary signifiers of research carried out have included Government studies. Internet beginnings and text edition literature. and farther strengthened by journal articles. This assortment of informations aggregation methods helps to supply a rich analysis from legion beginnings as a foundation for decision-making. From this research the undermentioned factors have been taken into consideration when sing Germany. 5. 2. 2 Social A ; Economic Environment Social factors. as outlined in the PEST analysis outline the increasing tendency towards ‘on the go’ ingestion. This reflects the busy life style of the working population in Berlin hence the pick of location. The economic factor of high disposable income besides provides an attractive ground for Germany as consumer disbursement is high. 5. 2. 3 Prospective Country Culture Greggs may utilize the Hofstede theoretical account to â€Å"identify persuasive cardinal differences of national civilizations † and thereby measure their cultural tantrum. â€Å"According to Hofstede. the manner people in different states perceive and interpret their universe varies along four dimensions: power distance. uncertainness turning away. individuality and maleness. † The German civilization is a low context and explicit. possibly of all time more so than the British. Furthermore. â€Å"the German national outlook is of a comparatively high degree of uncertainness turning away. The Germans do non like a sense of insecurity which makes them experience uneasy in concern. ( Germans work with ) difficult facts. and sound statements â€Å" . There are hence little cultural differences that the UK direction squad will hold to see upon come ining the German market. 5. 2. 4 Market Competition Competition in the German market is a cardinal variable of Greggs’ success. Figure B- Competitor Analysis Germany bars and pastries market portion ( % value ) by company Manufacturer 2000 2001 Bahlsen 11. 2 9. 1 Lady Cake-Feine Kuchen 8. 0 6. 9 Dahli Kuchen 7. 4 7. 2 Grossbackerei Wendeln 7. 0 7. 0 Dan Cake 3. 2 3. 4 Kuchenmeister 7. 8 11. 3 ABK 9. 0 8. 6 Private Label 15. 1 16. 5 Other 31. 3 30. 0 Entire 100 100 It is hence of import to place. analyse and proctor competitory motion. Figure B illustrates the possible competition in the German bakeshop market in conformity to market portion 5. 2. 5 Geographic Climate Greggs’ gross revenues are affected merely by climatic extremes – really hot conditions can deject demand for bakeshop merchandises. and drawn-out rain or snow can do people reluctant to travel out and do their usual day-to-day purchases. This form is mirrored in Germany and hence fluctuations in gross revenues must be accounted for. 5. 2. 6 The German Market The usage of the Porters 5 Forces theoretical account has recognized the attraction of the German bakeshop market through the designation of barriers to entry and possible replacements. 6. 0 – International Marketing Aims In visible radiation of the administrations resources and competences. the following aims have been established: 6. 1 Short Term Aims Utilise promotional mechanisms to promote test and to animate client trueness to the trade name By carry throughing this aim. Greggs will be working toward procuring a loyal client base thereby supporting themselves. to a big extent. from rivals. Conduct quarterly pricing reappraisals to guarantee that monetary values remain competitory with challengers By guaranting competitory monetary values. Greggs’ reinforce their committedness to offering ‘value for money’ as highlighted in their mission statement. To guarantee all employees receive high criterions of preparation that is reflected in high quality service to the consumer Greggs corporate scheme highlights the importance of a merriment and supportive working environment. They promote themselves as being a â€Å"great topographic point to work † and promote personal development. This in bend reflects on their high quality service offered to the terminal consumer. 6. 2 Long Term Aims To continually supervise. anticipate and challenge rival motions in the bakeshop market. This will let Greggs to stay advanced and develop new and altered formulas in response to market alterations and consumer demands. To beef up and construct upon our topographic point market to accomplish 4 % place by 2010. This will be achieved through â€Å"core growing and debut of new mercantile establishments â€Å" . It will enable Greggs to be a adept participant in the German Bakery market ( see Figure B ) To broaden the Greggs merchandise portfolio by 5 % twelvemonth on twelvemonth. This will allow Greggs to spread out their operations. in line with their growing ideals. and to boot offer a larger merchandise scope to ever-evolving consumer demands. To establish a farther 6 shops in Germany by 2010 therefore spread outing range and influence. This will ease Greggs strive towards accomplishing their chief purpose: ‘To be Europe’s finest bakery-related retail merchant. ’ Increase consciousness of the Greggs trade name in the German bakeshop market By achieving trade name consciousness. Greggs will able to insulate themselves. to an extent. from the wrath of competition. The German bakeshop market is mostly disconnected therefore doing it an attractive market for possible new entrants. 7. 0 Foreign Market Entry Strategy â€Å"Firms make up ones minding to come in a foreign market face a critical determination in taking the best market entry manner to serve the market. This determination is important because it can hold an on-going impact on a firm’s international concern public presentation. † Root ( 1994 ) suggests three different regulations ‘Naive rules’ . ‘Pragmatic rules’ and ‘Strategy rules’ . However as a consequence of the progressively heterogenous nature of the international market. it is of import that Greggs do non generalize their attack. but adapt each entry manner harmonizing to the host market. The manner selected in Belgium hence. may non be wholly applicable to Germany. Based on this principle. Greggs will be using ‘Strategy rules’ which is when all entry manners are compared and evaluated before a pick is made. Furthermore. harmonizing to Hollensen ( 2001 ) â€Å"some houses have discovered that an ailment judged market entry choice in the initial phases in the houses internationalization can endanger the houses future market entry and enlargement activities â€Å" . hence exemplifying its importance to Greggs plc. Greggs will necessitate to see the chief groups of entry manner influencers prior to pick in order to place the most appropriate and profitable manner. 1 ) Internal Factors Harmonizing to the Company’s Act ( 1985 ) . houses with over ?5. 75 million in turnover and over 250 employee are classified as big. Greggs more than qualifies this with a turnover of ?422. 6 million and employment of 17600 people in 2003. This provides them with an equal resource capableness to open up a gross revenues and production subordinate in Germany. Furthermore. in developing their theory of internationalisation. Johanson and Vahlne 1977 assert that â€Å"uncertainty in international markets is reduced through existent operations in foreign markets ( experiential cognition ) instead than through the acquisition of nonsubjective cognition. † Greggs have already ventured into Antwerp and Leuven in Belgium hence increasing their experiential cognition and expertness. Greggs green goods is fresh and adust goods. In order to keep this stance. the lone executable option would be to bring forth. every bit good as sell in the host state. Additionally. because Greggs will advance themselves as a British company. they will be pass oning a clear derived function and competitory advantage. 2 ) External Factors Both the UK and Germany are members of the European community thereby cut downing their Socio-Cultural distance. This propinquity between states will therefore favour hierarchal manners of entry. Due to the propinquity between states perceived hazard is reduced. Companies are hence less loath to prosecute more affecting manners of entry. It has been stated that â€Å"the size of the host state is an of import attractive force to foreign direct investing † as big and turning markets will do direction more likely to perpetrate resources to the development of a entirely owned subordinate. With a population in surplus of 825 Million people in 2002 Germany is obviously a big and turning market doing it an ideally suited to a FDI manner of entry. Furthermore. the German bakeshop market is extremely disconnected which reduces barriers to entry in the signifier of dominant rivals. All other variables being equal. the higher the strength of competition. the more likely a house is to choose an export manner of entry. The German bars and pastries market is made up of several little participants each of which occupy little proportions of the market place. This presents itself as an ideal proposition to Greggs who will be able to set up themselves without dominant resistance. 3 ) Desired Mode Features The pick of manner of entry will besides depend on the attitudes of the determination shaper. Although it is hard to find how pro-risk or hazard averse Greggs Managing Director Sir Mike Darrington is. one may presume from their hierarchal entryway into Belgium that a high hazard. expansionist scheme has been adopted and will be pursued. The grade of control that direction desire over operations will assist set up which manner of entry to use. Hierarchical manners allow high degrees of control over operations guaranting that the latter are carried out to Greggs specification. All else being equal. the greater the resource investing. the lower the flexibleness of the concern. Consequently. if Greggs pursue a hierarchal manner of entry. they will hold to see their potency limited flexibleness. The above suggests that Greggs’ would profit from a hierarchal manner of entry as it satisfies all standards for the latter. This is where the house wholly owns and controls the foreign entry manner. However. regardless of the evident control over operations specified by this manner. the grade of control that caput office can exercise over the subordinate depends on how many and which value concatenation maps can be transferred to the market. Having reviewed all options. its was decided that a Gross saless and Production subordinate will be introduced in Germany go forthing the Research and Development and Marketing activities to be conducted at place in the UK. Harmonizing to Hollensen ( 2001 ) . holding selected this manner of entry. Greggs will profit from holding full control over the whole operation. Furthermore. Greggs has long term market potency in Germany and hence the ownership of a gross revenues and production subordinate will enable Greggs to construct a strong international presence over a long period of clip. This method besides eliminates the possibility that a national spouse gets a ‘free ride’ and allows Greggs to derive market cognition straight. A gross revenues and production subordinate will ease rapid entry to the German market leting speedy entree to its distribution channels. Plus. no transit costs will be incurred as natural stuffs will be purchased in the host state. In add-on to those proposed by Hollensen. Greggs may profit from being able to accommodate the ingredients used to German gustatory sensations. They can to boot orient the servicescape to German penchants. Greggs green goods is non-durable and therefore it would be inappropriate to demands to be produced and sold rapidly as it is preponderantly sell fresh nutrient. Retaining R A ; D and Marketing operations at place will cut down costs and hazard. Having established themselves in the German market. Greggs may see reassigning these operations over in the hereafter. Furthermore. using a hierarchal manner will enable Greggs to work new market chances every bit shortly as they arrive with minimum hold. In line with the latter. Abell ( 1978 ) construct of a strategic window provinces that there are merely limited periods during which the tantrum between the demands of the market and capablenesss of the house are at an optimum. Investing should hence be timed consequently. Although. this method will necessitate a great trade of investing in footings of clip. money and committedness. research has shown that â€Å"the net income returns generated by foreign direct investing manners are normally greater than those generated by exporting â€Å" . Harmonizing to the Uppsala Internationalisation Model. companies begin their internationalization process a ) by traveling into comparatively close markets foremost so more distant 1s and B ) companies entered new markets through exporting. Although at face value it appears that Greggs’ scheme contradicts the premises of theoretical account. it does nevertheless highlight the undermentioned exclusion: Firms that have larger resources can take larger stairss with fewer effects. Arguably Greggs autumn under this class. This theoretical account besides suggests that houses start by come ining markets which are nearer in footings of psychic distance hence cut downing uncertainness. Germany is considered comparatively near and despite linguistic communication barriers. the German civilization is similar to that of the UK as highlighted in the ‘Environmental Analysis’ subdivision of this study.

John Muir Biography

John Muir Biography John Muir is a significant figure of the 19th century as he stood opposed to the exploitation of natural resources at a time when many believed the resources of the earth were infinite. Muirs writings were influential, and as co-founder and first president of the Sierra Club, he was an icon and inspiration to the conservation movement. He is widely remembered as the father of the National Parks. As a young man, Muir demonstrated an unusual talent for building and maintaining mechanical devices. And his skill as a machinist might have made a very good living in a rapidly industrializing society. Yet his love of nature drew him away from workshops and factories. And he would joke about how he gave up pursuing the life of a millionaire to live like a tramp. Early Life John Muir was born at Dunbar, Scotland on April 21, 1838. As a small boy, he enjoyed the outdoors, climbing hills and rocks in the rough Scottish countryside. His family sailed to America in 1849 with no apparent destination in mind but wound up settling on a farm in Wisconsin. Muir’s father was tyrannical and ill-suited to farm life, and young Muir, his brothers and sisters, and his mother did much of the work on the farm. After receiving some infrequent schooling and educating himself by reading what he could, Muir was able to attend the University of Wisconsin to study science. He gave up college to pursue various jobs which relied on his unusual mechanical aptitude. As a young man, he received recognition for being able to make working clocks out of carved wooden pieces and also inventing various useful gadgets. Travels to the American South and West During the Civil War, Muir moved across the border to Canada to avoid being conscripted. His action was not viewed as a terribly controversial maneuver at a time when others could legally buy their way out of the draft. After the war, Muir moved to Indiana, where he used his mechanical skills in factory work until an accident nearly blinded him. With his sight mostly restored, he fixated on his love of nature and decided to see more of the United States. In 1867 he embarked on an epic hike from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico. His ultimate goal was to visit South America. After reaching Florida, Muir became ill in the tropical climate. He abandoned his plan to go to South America, and eventually caught a boat to New York, where he then caught another boat that would take him â€Å"around the horn† to California. John Muir arrived in San Francisco in late March 1868. That spring he walked to the place that would become his spiritual home, Californias spectacular Yosemite Valley. The valley, with its dramatic granite cliffs and majestic waterfalls, touched Muir deeply and he found it difficult to leave. At that time, parts of Yosemite were already protected from development, thanks to the Yosemite Valley Grant Act signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864. Early tourists were already coming to view the astonishing scenery, and Muir took a job working in a sawmill owned by one of the early innkeepers in the valley. Muir stayed in the vicinity of Yosemite, exploring the area, for most of the next decade. Settling Down, for a Time After returning from a trip to Alaska to study glaciers in 1880, Muir married Louie Wanda Strentzel, whose family owned a fruit ranch not far from San Francisco. Muir began working the ranch, and became reasonably prosperous in the fruit business, thanks to the attention to detail and enormous energy he typically poured into his pursuits. Yet the life of a farmer and businessman didn’t satisfy him. Muir and his wife had a somewhat unconventional marriage for the time. As she recognized that he was most happy in his travels and explorations, she encouraged him to travel while she remained at home on their ranch with their two daughters. Muir often returned to Yosemite, and also made several more trips to Alaska. Yosemite National Park Yellowstone was named the first National Park in the United States in 1872, and Muir and others began to campaign in the 1880s for the same distinction for Yosemite. Muir published a series of magazine articles making his case for further protection of Yosemite. Congress passed legislation declaring Yosemite a National Park in 1890, thanks in large part to Muir’s advocacy. The Founding of the Sierra Club A magazine editor with whom Muir had worked, Robert Underwood Johnson, suggested that some organization should be formed to continue to advocate for Yosemite’s protection. In 1892, Muir and Johnson founded the Sierra Club, and Muir served as its first president. As Muir put it, the Sierra Club was formed to â€Å"do something for wildness and make the mountains glad.† The organization continues at the forefront of the environmental movement today, and Muir, of course, is a powerful symbol of the club’s vision. Friendships When the writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson visited Yosemite in 1871, Muir was virtually unknown and still working in a sawmill. The men met and became good friends, and continued corresponding after Emerson returned to Massachusetts. John Muir gained considerable fame in his life through his writings, and when notable people visited California and specifically Yosemite they often sought his insights. In 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt visited Yosemite and was guided about by Muir. The two men camped under the stars in the Mariposa Grove of giant Sequoia trees, and their campfire conversation helped form Roosevelts own plans for conserving Americas wilderness. The men also posed for an iconic photograph atop Glacier Point. When Muir died in 1914, his obituary in the New York Times noted his friendships with Thomas Edison and President Woodrow Wilson. Legacy In the 19th century, many Americans believed natural resources should be consumed with no limits. Muir was utterly opposed to this concept, and his writings presented an eloquent counterpoint to the exploitation of the wilderness. Its difficult to imagine the modern conservation movement without the influence of Muir. And to this day he casts an enormous shadow over how people live, and conserve, in the modern world.