Maybe he out grew them They can grow back. Just like his tail.
I think it was due to a problem with shedding... This happened to my Bearded Dragon. He didn't shed his skin around his toe properly, it tightened and cut off the blood supply and he needed his toe amputating because it was basically dead. I have a feeling that the same has happened to your gecko.
Always make sure you provide the correct humidity when your gecko is shedding. If it always has trouble shedding properly see a vet. I would recommend seeing a vet anyway in case he needs antibiotics.
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.