You could simply launch the gui part, and catch the exception it raises when X (or any other platform dependent graphics system is not available.
I'd check to see if DISPLAY is set ( this is what C API X11 applications do after all ).
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.