Ep 9. 11/19/2017

On the November 19, 2017 episode of the long-running and award-winning news program 60 Minutes, viewers were treated to a series of in-depth and varied stories that covered topics ranging from politics to business to science. The first segment of the episode was titled "The Libertarian Candidate," and it delved into the world of third-party politics with a look at Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico who ran for president in 2016 as the Libertarian Party candidate. Correspondent Erin Moriarty interviewed Johnson about his political philosophy, his views on drug legalization, and his controversial campaign gaffes. Moriarty also spoke with Libertarian Party insiders about Johnson's candidacy and the state of third-party politics in America.

The second segment of the episode was titled "The Alzheimer's Laboratory," and it focused on the work being done at an innovative lab in southern California to research and treat Alzheimer's disease. Correspondent Bill Whitaker spoke with leading scientists and researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, who explained their cutting-edge research on amyloid plaques and protein aggregation, two hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. The segment also touched on the personal toll of the disease, featuring the story of a family struggling to cope with their loved one's diagnosis.

The third segment of the episode was titled "Smart Guns," and it examined the ongoing debate over gun control and the potential for technology to make firearms safer. Correspondent Lesley Stahl visited the headquarters of the German gun manufacturer Armatix, which has developed a "smart gun" that can only be fired when the user is wearing a special watch that sends a signal to the gun. Stahl spoke with gun advocates and gun control activists about the potential of smart guns to reduce gun violence, and also examined the political and legal hurdles facing the technology.

The final segment of the episode was titled "The Giving Pledge," and it explored the philanthropic efforts of some of the world's wealthiest people through the Giving Pledge, a campaign launched by Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates to encourage billionaires to give away at least half of their wealth to charitable causes. Correspondent Charlie Rose spoke with Buffet and several billionaires who have taken the pledge, including Salesforce founder Marc Benioff and businessman David Rubenstein, about their motivations for giving and the impact they hope to have on the world.

Overall, the November 19, 2017 episode of 60 Minutes showcased the program's signature blend of investigative reporting and storytelling, tackling complex and timely issues with depth, nuance, and empathy. From politics to science to philanthropy, the show's segments offered a diverse and engaging look at some of the most pressing issues facing our society today.