I introduced the concept of user-data scripts in the community Ubuntu AMIs in 2009 (simplified version of some ideas from RightScale).
You can use the Userdata to pass a script to a new EC2 Instance although I don't know if you can start a pre existing instance and pass it data.
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.