Here's what a few of you had to say about some of our recent stories. To post a remark in our feedback forums, enter your comments in the text box at the end of any story (registration required). Additionally, you can jump in on the hottest discussions about our most popular blog posts through the links at the bottom of this page.
Re: This Day in Tech: Jan. 16, 1909: Just Missed
By Tony Long
From: Amundsen
Douglas Mawson and two others went out and found the south magnetic pole. But only Mawson made it back alive from that little jaunt. Among other challenges faced, the trio tried to eat the livers of their sled dogs and suffered severe vitamin A poisoning. Evan Connell, of Son of the Morning Star fame, wrote an essay on Mawson's adventure (a Kiwi, I think he's still venerated in New Zealand) that you'd probably love; look for the collection The White Lantern.
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Re: This Day in Tech: Jan. 20, 1942: High-Tech Killing
By Tony Long
From: Bill Raddatz
I just wanted to thank you for writing about the high-tech killing system that the Nazis perfected during World War II. As a baby boomer born in 1947 to an Army vet, I am well aware of that horrible history. But, I believe the story of the atrocities the Nazis committed on millions of Jews (and anyone else the Nazis deemed unnecessary) needs to be retold from time to time as a reminder, lest we forget. Well done.
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Re: This Day in Tech: Jan. 20, 1942: High-Tech Killing
By Tony Long
From: Tom Casey
You leave out IBM's Hollerith punch-card technology, which was the computer of the day. Each Nazi camp had a Hollerith code – for instance, "Dachau 002." In many cases the tattoos given prisoners were in fact punch-card numbers. The technology allowed killing on an unprecedented scale and supported Hitler's war machine long after it was deemed illegal. I am only scratching the surface. If you really want to be outraged, read Edwin Black's IBM and the Holocaust.
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Re: This Day in Tech: Jan. 29, 1964: Duck and Cover
By Tony Long
From: Jack Hernstrom
If memory serves me right, a somewhat historical edit in Dr. Strangelove is found in the scene where Slim Pickens goes through the contents of the B-52 survival kit: money, automatic pistol, condom, etc. He commented on the kit's contents with the words, "Just what you need for a night in Vegas." In the original shooting of the scene, Pickens had named Dallas as the city. Due to concerns after the assassination of JFK, the word "Vegas" was dubbed over "Dallas." If you listen carefully and watch his lips you will notice the dub.
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Re: This Day in Tech: Jan. 30, 1945: Torpedoed
By Tony Long
From: Andrew McDonald
I enjoyed your article on the Gustloff. I have done some research on this ship; its wreck is supposed to be the resting place of the Amber Room. Some reports suggest that the ship's departure from Gdinya was delayed so the cargo could be loaded. A great reference for the events leading up to and documenting the sinking of this ship is The Cruelest Night by Ronald Payne, Christopher Dobson and John Miller.
I visited Poland in 1993 to dive this wreck, along with the Gdansk Maritime Museum. Unfortunately some political problems got in the way. It was a surprise to see your story, a pleasant one. Thanks for bringing this incident to life once more. Attention to maritime disasters tends to focus on the Titanic and Lusitania, so it is good for people to understand that disasters happen on both sides of conflicts.
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