60 Minutes Season 39 Episode 35 Deepwater, Dumped on Skid Row, One Laptop Per Child
- May 20, 2007
Deepwater, Dumped on Skid Row, One Laptop Per Child - 60 Minutes season 39 episode 35 features three important segments that delve deep into pressing issues from different parts of the world.
In the first segment, 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reports on the ongoing environmental tragedy caused by the explosion of Deepwater Horizon, one of the worst oil spills in history. Alfonsi takes viewers on a journey to the Gulf of Mexico, where she examines the environmental, human, and economic impact of the spill. She talks to local fishermen, residents, and activists who have been fighting against the oil companies for years. Alfonsi also interviews BP executives and lawyers to get their perspective on the spill and the litigation that has followed. The segment gives viewers a glimpse into the environmental disaster that continues to impact the Gulf region even a decade after the explosion.
The second segment of the show focuses on Skid Row, a section of downtown Los Angeles that is home to thousands of homeless people. 60 Minutes correspondent Bill Whitaker explores the growing crisis of homelessness in the United States by examining the situation in Skid Row. Whitaker talks to experts, advocates, and residents to understand the reasons behind the crisis and the efforts being made to address it. He also explores the challenges faced by the homeless people themselves, revealing the daily struggle they face to survive on the streets. The segment gives viewers a heartbreaking glimpse into the lives of the people who have fallen through the cracks of the American social safety net.
The final segment of the show takes us to a small village in Ethiopia where a group of children are receiving laptops from the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) initiative. 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl covers the nonprofit organization's efforts to provide one laptop to every child in the world, with the aim to help bridge the digital divide. In the segment, Stahl examines the effectiveness of the program and discusses the challenges that come with providing technology to remote and underserved communities. She also interviews the founder of the initiative, Nicholas Negroponte, to understand the philosophy behind OLPC and its vision for a more equitable world.
Overall, 60 Minutes season 39 episode 35 offers a compelling mix of investigative journalism, storytelling, and insightful analysis. The show continues its legacy of providing thought-provoking content that sparks important conversations about the most pressing issues of our time.