Looks like a bug in Ruby itself. My bet it that GC kicks in and sweeps something it should not have swept. Try to do GC.
Disable somewhere in the beginning. Now, Ruby 1.9.2p204 had some GC fixes, which might be related, so if it's indeed GC to blame, then update your Ruby to (at least) p204, and see if the problem persists.
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.