The Promise; Aussiewood; Bhutan | 60 Minutes Full Episodes

Identifying Remains of 9/11 Victims

• The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner made a promise to identify the remains of the lost souls of 9/11, a task that has never stopped, with over 1,000 families still waiting for word on their missing loved ones (15s).
• The identification process is part of the largest forensic investigation in US history, with some remains being tested 10 to 15 times without a result, but the goal is to find DNA and generate a profile, no matter how long it takes (44s).
• Ellen Borinstein-Nien received news about her husband, John Nien, who had been missing for 22 years, when police officers came to her door with the information that his DNA had been found (10s).
• John Nien was a 44-year-old insurance executive who was bound for his office on the 105th floor of the South Tower during the 9/11 terrorist attack (4m36s).
• John Nien had called his wife, Ellen, during the attack, telling her not to worry and that he was okay, but he did not survive (5m5s).
• The identification of John Nien's remains is a fulfillment of the promise made by the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to the families of the 9/11 victims (3m49s).

The Aftermath of 9/11 and the Search for Andrea Haberman

• Andrea L. Hberman, a 25-year-old, had just received a visitor pass on her first trip to her company's headquarters on the 92nd floor, where a family tragedy was unfolding (5m16s).
• Back home in Chicago, Andrea's family, including her mother Kathy and fiancé, were unaware of her location in the tower and were watching the news as the second plane hit (6m1s).
• Dr. Charles Hirsch, the city's chief medical examiner, and his team, including a young scientist named Mark Desire, rushed to the base of the burning towers to set up a temporary morgue and preserve evidence (6m24s).
• Mark Desire described the scene as both towers were standing and on fire, and he was given orders by Dr. Hirsch before the South Tower collapsed (6m47s).
• Desire was running away from the collapsing South Tower when he was blasted off his feet and knocked out of his shoes, but managed to make it partially through a window, which saved his life (7m16s).
• Andrea's family, including her parents and fiancé, drove 16 hours to Manhattan and visited 32 different medical centers, but received no news about her whereabouts (7m57s).
• The medical examiner's team collected 177,000 reference samples, including toothbrushes, razors, and hairbrushes, to help identify the missing, and families lined up to give DNA samples (9m1s).
• Andrea's family provided a DNA sample from her young nephew, Jack, who was 18 months old at the time, in the hopes of finding her remains (9m22s).

Recovery and Identification Efforts at Ground Zero

• Nearly 2 million tons of debris were searched by hand for human remains, and after a year, they thought they had found everything, but in 2006, bone fragments were discovered on the roof of a building across the street from Ground Zero (9m48s).
• Anthropologist Bradley Adams was sent to investigate and found over 700 small bone fragments on the rooftop, leading to a search of every floor of the building (10m12s).
• The remains found on the Deutsche Bank building were from American Airlines flight 11, prompting a new search for clues at Ground Zero, including computer floppy discs, golf balls, and office furniture that could be buried with human remains (10m38s).
• Brad Adams collected 18,000 tons of excavation material over a year, which was washed through screens by 75 anthropologists, resulting in the discovery of over 1,000 human remains (11m5s).
• The total World Trade Center remains came to 2,995, with the recovery efforts being monumental and unprecedented, as it is the greatest mass murder in the history of the United States (11m33s).
• Dr. Jason Graham, New York City's chief medical examiner, continues the promise made by his late predecessor, Charles Hirsch, to identify the remains of the 9/11 victims as long as families are seeking answers (11m51s).

Ongoing DNA Identification and New Technologies

• There were 2,753 victims, with 60% identified and 40% left to be identified, which translates to 1,103 victims with no identified remains (12m12s).
• Mark Desire, assistant director of forensic biology, is responsible for putting a name to the remains, which have been through various destructive elements such as jet fuel, diesel fuel, mold, bacteria, sunlight, and chemicals (12m39s).
• Some remains have been tested 10 to 15 times without a result, but new technologies, including a cryogenic grinder and chemical amplification, make breakthroughs possible (13m11s).
• The new technologies have allowed for the extraction of DNA from bone fragments, including those as small as the size of a Tic Tac, and have led to successful identifications, such as the case of John Nens, whose bone fragments were matched to the DNA of his infant son 22 years later (14m20s).

Families of 9/11 Victims and the Emotional Impact of Identification

• The first notifications of successful identifications are made in person, and the news can be a shock to the families, who may have thought that the door to identification had long been closed (14m53s).
• Many families of 9/11 victims do not want to know if their loved ones' remains are identified, while others, like Andrea Haberman's family, are eager for any new information, with about half of the 9/11 families telling the medical examiner they do not want to know if their loved one is identified today (15m59s).
• Dr. Jennifer O'Dian, the medical examiner's World Trade Center Anthropologist, understands the mix of emotions families experience when receiving news about identified remains, with shock often being the initial response, followed by emotional grief as memories resurface (16m31s).
• Dr. O'Dian is in touch with hundreds of families and has heard various memories, including last phone calls, birthdays, and vacations, with many memories centered around the last contact with their loved ones before they went to work or were in the towers (17m0s).
• A vital part of Dr. O'Dian's job is to listen to families, with some phone calls lasting up to an hour, as they share their memories, ask questions, and seek someone to talk to (17m20s).
• Ellen Nen spoke to Dr. O'Dian after her husband John's remains were identified for the first time in 22 years, and she shared her experience of receiving the news, including the emotional impact on her and her son Jack (17m48s).
• Jack, who was 18 months old when his father died, found the identification of his father's remains uplifting, as it showed that people had been working to find any piece of his dad, and it brought to life many descriptions of his father that he could now appreciate (18m34s).

The Medical Examiner's Office and the Documentation of Remains

• As remains are identified, the folders containing information about the victims grow, with Dr. O'Dian adding new identifications to the DM files, which are organized by victim, with each folder containing an inventory of the remains found (19m32s).
• The medical examiner's office uses the term "Disaster Manhattan" to refer to the 9/11 attacks, and they have created a folder for each of the 2,753 murder victims, containing information about the remains found, including bones and other body parts (19m49s).
• The folders provide a rough estimate of the percentage of the body recovered, with some victims having around 50% of their remains found over months and years (20m15s).
• Families of 9/11 victims have the option to ask a funeral home to pick up the remains of their loved ones, vacuum-packed and labeled with an American flag, or leave them in the custody of the medical examiner, with the ability to make a decision at a later time (20m33s).
• The medical examiner's office keeps track of the remains, assigning a unique number to each one, allowing them to know the location of every single remain (21m1s).

Andrea Haberman's Remains and Her Family's Grief

• Andrea Hberman's remains were identified, and her family was notified; they had asked to be informed of all new identifications, with each reminder being a stepping stone through the void of their loss (21m23s).
• Gordon Hberman, Andrea's father, describes the feeling of "missing" as deep and constant, with every day bringing thoughts of his daughter (21m47s).
• Having Andrea's remains identified means a lot to Gordon, as he wants to know what happened to her and face the reality of her death (22m1s).
• Gordon has a long-standing relationship with the medical examiner, spanning 11 notifications and the discovery of Andrea's relics (22m18s).

Andrea Haberman's Artifacts and the 9/11 Memorial Museum

• Gordon visited the National September 11th Memorial Museum, where he saw artifacts from Andrea's purse, which are archived and handled like antiquities (22m55s).
• The artifacts include a flip phone, pager, driver's license, and the last photo of Andrea's life, which capture her spirit and personality (23m46s).
• Gordon believes that some of Andrea's remains are still unidentified and are in the museum's repository, behind a wall with a verse by the poet Virgil (24m31s).
• The medical examiner's repository for 9/11 remains is located behind the museum, and the family reflection room is a private space where families can visit and pay their respects (24m51s).
• Dr. Jennifer Odan often escorts families to the repository and reflection room, providing support and a listening ear during these emotional visits (25m23s).
• A person leaves a room to give families space to themselves, and although it can be emotionally tough, they find it worthwhile when families express gratitude for their help in answering questions about their loved ones (25m39s).
• Gordon Hberman invited guests into a small sitting room with a window into a repository for human remains, which holds about 10,000 remains, both known and unknown, and is a private national shrine (26m3s).
• A family member visits the repository to feel close to their loved one, who was not meant to be there, and finds comfort in the space (27m8s).

The 9/11 Families' Search for Closure and the Repository

• Ellen Nien visits the reflecting pools to run her fingertips over her lost husband's tribute and is surprised by the endless effort to find him, which allows her to feel the nation's devotion (27m24s).
• The 9/11 family's quarter-century search for closure has hope, and they never give up, with the repository's efforts making it all worthwhile (28m22s).

Australian Actors in Hollywood

• Australia has a high number of successful actors, including Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, and Kate Blanchett, with many Oscar-winning directors, designers, and crew members (28m45s).
• Sarah Snook, an Emmy-winning actress, is set to play all 26 roles in a multimedia staging of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, a theatrical sensation coming soon to Broadway (29m23s).
• Snook finds the opportunity to play many different roles and characters in the play incredible, and it's a chance to work with some of the best writing (30m10s).
• Australian actors are making a significant impact in the entertainment industry, with many A-list stars hailing from the country, including Sarah Snook, Naomi Watts, and Hugh Jackman (30m18s).

Sarah Snook and Her Acting Career

• Sarah Snook, an Australian actress, has spoken about her experience performing with complex marks, rolls, and lines, stating that she enters a state of meditative flow to focus on the performance (30m35s).
• Snook has revealed that she is Australian, and her accent is a giveaway, despite some people not being aware of her nationality (31m7s).
• The country has a high number of successful actors, with odds suggesting that many A-list stars come from Australia, which has a smaller population than Texas (31m22s).
• Australians are filling up IMDb pages and call sheets, with many earning top billings and awards in the industry (31m42s).

The Success of Australian Actors and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)

• Baz Luhrmann, a renowned Australian filmmaker, has spoken about the prevalence of Australian performers and actors in Hollywood, stating that they are "really everywhere" (32m43s).
• The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) has played a significant role in the success of Australian actors, with a low acceptance rate of barely 2% (33m28s).
• Sarah Snook, a NIDA graduate, received training in the classics, experimental theater, and picked up some acting hacks, including using Tiger Balm to produce tears on cue (33m44s).
• Snook has spoken about her experience at NIDA, where she was one of only 24 admitted students in her year, and has revealed some of the techniques she used to prepare for performances (33m49s).

NIDA's Training and Influence on Australian Actors

• An Australian actress learned to mask her accent at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) to reduce the risk to her health and was frequently asked if she was Australian due to her accent work in various accents, including British and American (34m34s).
• The actress's training at NIDA involved not just learning lines, but also thinking in different accents, which she found tricky, especially when improvising in an American accent (35m0s).
• NIDA's approach to acting emphasizes devising and creating, rather than waiting for permission, which is an Australian attitude that encourages taking risks and making things happen (35m21s).
• A play devised by Baz Luhrmann and friends at NIDA, called "Strictly Ballroom," was later turned into a worldwide film and cult hit in 1992 (35m52s).
• At the time, Australia's contribution to the film industry was limited, but the emergence of talent like Errol Flynn, Mel Gibson, and Kate Blanchett helped change this (36m9s).
• NIDA graduates, including Catherine Martin, a four-time Oscar-winning costume and production designer, have made significant contributions to the entertainment industry (36m37s).
• NIDA's approach to acting emphasizes a "don't wait for permission" attitude, which has influenced the broader entertainment industry in Australia (36m53s).

John Clark and the Development of Australian Acting

• John Clark, NIDA's director for 35 years, aimed to develop a distinct Aussie mode of acting that combined the best of American and British styles with Australian characteristics (37m28s).
• Clark believed that Australian acting should be characterized by skill, confidence, courage, and enjoyment of the body, without self-indulgence or showy acting (38m8s).
• Australian actors who have succeeded in Hollywood, such as those who have graduated from NIDA, are known for their conviction, truth, and lack of "decoration" or pretension in their performances (38m25s).

The Australian Acting Landscape and Its Impact on Actors

• In addition to running NIDA, John Clark co-founded the Sydney Theatre Company, which provides a platform for NIDA students to launch their careers and for established stars to return home (38m55s).
• Australia has institutions such as the Sydney Theater Company and soap operas that provide a good training ground for actors, enabling them to sharpen their skills and test themselves before moving on to international work (39m23s).
• The Australian upbringing, with its emphasis on independent play and self-reliance, helps build character and prepares individuals to play different roles (39m56s).
• Australian actors are known for being down-to-earth and not bringing drama to work, with a understanding that the profession is a game and can be silly at times (40m22s).
• The remoteness of Australia is seen as a blessing, allowing actors to stretch their talents and horizons beyond the gaze of Hollywood taste makers (41m11s).
• The idea of working in the entertainment industry is still a romantic notion, and being part of a movie, play, or television show is considered a privilege rather than a job (41m31s).

Bhutan's Pursuit of Gross National Happiness and the Exodus of Young People

• The tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is a place of stunning beauty, with a government that prioritizes happiness and a unique Buddhist culture (42m10s).
• Bhutan's young people are leaving the country, causing an existential crisis, and raising questions about whether ancient tradition can meet the modern world and live happily ever after (42m35s).

Bhutan's Culture and Tradition

• Bhutan is a remote land with an enlightened King, tall mountains, lush forests, flowing rivers, and clean air, where happiness is valued above all else (43m1s).
• The country has a fiercely protective culture and was sealed off from tourists for a long time, only admitting them recently (43m29s).
• Bhutan introduced television in 1999 and chartered its own path to development, with its king coining the phrase "Gross National Happiness" and making maximizing it the nation's top priority (43m39s).
• The country has a strong Buddhist culture, with many citizens, especially older men and women, spending hours spinning prayer wheels and displaying prayer flags in nature (44m22s).
• Bhutan's capital city, Thimphu, still has no traffic lights, and the old and new coexist peacefully, with the nation's roads also reflecting this harmony (44m41s).
• Bhutan's story is one of survival, with the country being nervous about its population and location between India and China, and its strength being its unique identity and culture (44m57s).
• Dasho Kinle Dorji, a former government minister, notes that Bhutan's identity is its strength, with the country wearing different clothes, constructing traditional buildings, and maintaining its cultural heritage (45m1s).
• Thousands of Bhutanese gather for seasonal religious festivals, featuring traditional songs, dances, and costumes, which is not a tourist-focused spectacle but a celebration of the country's culture (45m45s).
• The traditional dress for men in Bhutan is called the "go," which is colorful, woven with natural dye, and old-fashioned, and also serves as athletic wear for the national sport of archery (46m18s).
• Archery is a significant part of Bhutanese culture, with traditional bows and arrows made of bamboo being used to shoot at targets, and teams dancing and singing after hitting their targets (46m41s).

Bhutan's Modernization and the Introduction of Gross National Happiness

• Robell Dorji, who once worked at the UN, recalls the rapid change that has come to Bhutan since television was introduced 25 years ago, with the country transforming from having no roads to becoming a largely subsistence agricultural society (47m11s).
• Bhutan was unified by its first king in 1907, and his sons and grandsons have reigned since, with the fourth king setting the country on its unique path to modernity in the 1970s (47m56s).
• The fourth king was asked about Bhutan's gross national product by Indian journalists, and his response led to the country focusing on Gross National Happiness instead (48m42s).
• In Bhutan, gross national happiness is considered more important than gross national product, and the country is putting forward a framework for a new economic paradigm that prioritizes happiness and well-being (48m47s).
• The concept of gross national happiness acknowledges the importance of economic growth but emphasizes that it must be sustainable and balanced with the preservation of the country's unique culture (49m38s).

Measuring Gross National Happiness and Bhutan's Environmental Policies

• The government of Bhutan, led by Prime Minister Sering Togay, measures the nation's happiness every five years by surveying the population on factors such as education level, salary, material possessions, and time spent working, praying, and sleeping (49m53s).
• The results of the survey are analyzed and factored into public policy, but gross national happiness does not directly equate to happiness in the moment, instead focusing on contentment and being happy with life (50m30s).
• Bhutan has a law requiring at least 60% of the country to remain under forest cover, and it is one of the only countries in the world to be carbon negative, earning foreign revenue from selling excess hydroelectric power to India and from tourism (50m49s).
• The country has limits on tourism and does not allow mountain climbing due to the sacred nature of the mountains, which are considered the home of deities (51m16s).

Bhutan's Achievements and the Introduction of Democracy

• Education and healthcare are free in Bhutan, and the country has made major accomplishments despite being considered a developing country (51m49s).
• The king who introduced gross national happiness 25 years ago also introduced democracy to the country, despite the people not wanting it, and it is the only country where democracy was introduced in a time of peace and stability (52m0s).
• The king's decision to introduce democracy was not driven by popular demand, but rather by his own desire to ensure the country's future, and he defied the people's wishes to impose democracy (53m14s).
• In Bhutan, the fourth King abdicated at 51, passing the crown to his 26-year-old son, the current King, who works together with the prime minister as partners in a unique democratic system (53m30s).

The Exodus of Young Bhutanese and the King's Plan

• Despite the country's prioritization of its people's happiness, many young Bhutanese are leaving the country in record numbers, with 9% of the population having left, mostly for higher-paying jobs in Australia (55m0s).
• The exodus of young Bhutanese began with the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the country's economy hard, shutting down tourism and leading to slow recovery (54m39s).
• The King has launched a bold plan to create a place where development and wealth can coexist with sacred values, aiming to attract more businesses and tourists to Bhutan (55m10s).
• Namgay, a journalist, notes that many of his friends and colleagues in the media industry have left the country, leaving only a few behind (55m35s).
• The departure of young Bhutanese has become a common occurrence, with families often gathering at the airport to bid farewell to their loved ones (55m50s).

Bhutan's Efforts to Retain its Young People and Attract Businesses

• Despite the brain drain, the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) has succeeded in transforming Bhutan from a medieval society to a modern one with free education, healthcare, and growing economy (56m35s).
• The success of GNH has ironically made Bhutanese young people sought after abroad, and the government is trying to lure them back with good wellbeing jobs and by attracting more businesses and tourists (57m27s).
• The King is highlighting Bhutan's landmarks, such as the centuries-old suspension bridge, to attract trekking tourists and promote the country's unique culture (57m48s).
• The King granted a royal audience to share his vision for Bhutan's future, acknowledging that tourism can only do so much to address the brain drain and economic challenges (58m21s).

Galu Mindfulness City: A Vision for Bhutan's Future

• The King of Bhutan has decided to create a new city in southern Bhutan, called Galu Mindfulness City, with different rules from the rest of the country, aiming to achieve robust economic development while staying true to Bhutan's values (58m27s).
• Danish architect Bjarke Ingels was chosen to design the city, which will feature neighborhoods nested between rivers, connected by a series of unusual bridges that serve as public buildings, including a Buddhist center, healthcare facilities, and a university (58m50s).
• The city will be built in phases over the next two decades, with no polluting industries allowed, and will feature wildlife corridors to protect the local wildlife, including elephants and tigers (1h0m21s).
• The city will have its own legal framework, modeled on Singapore's, and will offer plentiful clean hydroelectric power, which is expected to draw technology companies, especially those focused on AI (1h1m42s).
• The city's design includes a colorful dam that doubles as a walkable staircase, with a temple on its face, overlooking the river and valley (1h2m4s).
• The King has stated that the future of Bhutan hangs on this project, and that the country needs to find a new way to balance economic development with its values of Gross National Happiness (1h0m56s).
• The project team is collaborating with experts around the world and seeking investors for the multi-billion dollar project (1h1m34s).
• The city's design aims to create a space for economic activity and innovation while preserving Bhutan's cultural and environmental riches (59m6s).
• The project's success is seen as crucial for Bhutan's future, and the King has emphasized that the country wants to be rich and technologically advanced, while still following the principles of Gross National Happiness (1h1m24s).

The King's Appeal and Namgay's Decision

• The King of Bhutan spoke to his people about the Galu mindfulness City and his hopes for the opportunities it would create to keep young people in Bhutan, while Namgay had different plans involving Australia (1h2m53s).
• Namgay had considered leaving Bhutan but changed her mind after the King asked the people for help, breaking the silence with a resounding yes from the crowd, including herself (1h3m16s).
• The King's request was seen as a social contract, with Namgay feeling obligated to stay and contribute to the country's development (1h3m43s).

The King's Visit to Australia and the Vision for Galu Mindfulness City

• Instead of Namgay leaving, the King and his family visited Australia to bring his vision to the 20,000 Bhutanese people living there, with the goal of one day luring them back home (1h4m3s).
• The King's vision for the Galu mindfulness City is to create a place that does not displace nature, is rooted in local heritage and culture, and allows for prosperity and growth (1h4m14s).
• The challenge of balancing culture, tradition, and modernity is one that many places in the world are struggling with, and Bhutan's success in this area could offer valuable lessons to others (1h4m32s).