I used to use Aspen, but my girls got irritated noses from it. Some gerbils can tolerate it, others can't - the only "wood" beddings you should NEVER use are Pine and Cedar (the fragrances used are toxic to gerbils). There are a ton of other types of bedding on the market.It doesn't hurt to play around and figure out which one (or which combination) works best for YOUR pets.
I've used just about everything out there, but I found that a mixture of Kaytee Soft Sorbent and Eco-Bedding works best for my girls. They also get a lot of cardboard, which when shredded ADDS to their bedding.
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.