During the 900-day siege of Leningrad in World War II, the Vavilov Institute, home to a vast collection of seeds and plant material, became a poignant symbol of resistance and sacrifice. Facing starvation, the scientists working there protected the invaluable collection, even choosing to die of hunger rather than consume the edible seeds and tubers under their care. This act of extraordinary dedication preserved crucial biodiversity for future generations, highlighting the enduring power of scientific commitment amidst unimaginable hardship. The article explores this story, emphasizing the difficult ethical decisions faced by the scientists and the lasting legacy of Nikolai Vavilov, the Institute's founder who perished in a Stalinist prison.
This paper chronicles the adoption and adaptation of APL in the Soviet Union up to 1991. Initially hampered by hardware limitations and the lack of official support, APL gained a foothold through enthusiastic individuals who saw its potential for scientific computing and education. The development of Soviet APL interpreters, notably on ES EVM mainframes and personal computers like the Iskra-226, fostered a growing user community. Despite challenges like Cyrillic character adaptation and limited access to Western resources, Soviet APL users formed active groups, organized conferences, and developed specialized applications in various fields, demonstrating a distinct and resilient APL subculture. The arrival of perestroika further facilitated collaboration and exchange with the international APL community.
HN commenters discuss the fascinating history of APL's adoption and adaptation within the Soviet Union, highlighting the ingenuity required to implement it on limited hardware. Several share personal anecdotes about using APL on Soviet computers, recalling its unique characteristics and the challenges of working with its specialized keyboard. Some commenters delve into the technical details of Soviet hardware limitations and the creative solutions employed to overcome them, including modifying character sets and developing custom input methods. The discussion also touches on the broader context of computing in the USSR, with mentions of other languages and the impact of restricted access to Western technology. A few commenters express interest in learning more about the specific dialects of APL developed in the Soviet Union and the influence of these adaptations on later versions of the language.
The Cold War-era PARCAE program, shrouded in secrecy, marked a significant advancement in signals intelligence (SIGINT). These satellites, deployed in the 1960s, intercepted Soviet radar emissions, providing crucial data about their capabilities and locations. Using innovative antenna designs and advanced signal processing techniques, PARCAE gathered intelligence far surpassing previous efforts, offering insights into Soviet air defense systems, missile guidance radars, and other critical military infrastructure. This intelligence proved invaluable for strategic planning and arms control negotiations, shaping U.S. understanding of the Soviet threat throughout the Cold War.
Hacker News commenters discuss the fascinating history and implications of the PARCAE program. Several express surprise at learning about this previously classified program and its innovative use of bent Cassegrain antennas for eavesdropping. Some debate the program's actual effectiveness and the extent of its impact on the Cold War, with one commenter suggesting it was less revolutionary and more evolutionary. Others highlight the technical challenges overcome by the engineers, particularly in antenna design and data processing. The ethical implications of such widespread surveillance are also touched upon, as is the difficulty in verifying the information presented given the program's secrecy. A few commenters offer additional resources and insights into Cold War espionage and the challenges of operating in space.
Summary of Comments ( 15 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42891754
HN commenters largely focused on the astounding dedication of Vavilov and his team of scientists. Several highlighted the irony of researchers starving to death amidst a seed bank containing the potential to alleviate global hunger. Some debated the practicality of seed saving in a besieged city, questioning if distributing the food would have been a better short-term solution. Others drew parallels to contemporary seed banks like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, emphasizing the importance of preserving biodiversity. A few comments offered additional historical context about Lysenko and his detrimental impact on Soviet agriculture, or about other sieges where similar acts of sacrifice occurred. Several commenters expressed gratitude for the article, finding it both informative and moving.
The Hacker News post titled "The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad: Science and Sacrifice in a City Under Siege" (linking to an article in the London Review of Books about scientists preserving a seed bank during the Siege of Leningrad) has several comments discussing various aspects of the story and its historical context.
Several commenters express admiration for the scientists' dedication and the incredible sacrifices they made to preserve the seeds, especially given the horrific conditions of the siege. One commenter highlights the poignant contrast between the scientists starving to death while surrounded by edible seeds, demonstrating their commitment to the future of agriculture. Another commenter points out the immense value of these seed banks, not just historically, but also for current and future research, particularly in the face of climate change and potential future disasters.
The discussion also delves into the historical context of the siege, with some commenters mentioning other instances of similar sacrifices made by scientists and researchers in times of war and conflict. One commenter recalls a story about scientists in Kyiv transporting liquid nitrogen across battle lines to preserve biological samples, further illustrating the lengths people will go to for scientific preservation. The conversation touches upon Lysenkoism, a pseudoscientific theory promoted by Trofim Lysenko in the Soviet Union, which suppressed legitimate genetics research and had devastating consequences for Soviet agriculture. Commenters discuss the potential impact of Lysenkoism on the seed bank and the scientists involved, speculating on the difficulties they might have faced navigating the political landscape of the time.
Some commenters provide additional information and resources, such as links to other articles and books about the siege, seed banks, and the history of Soviet science. One commenter shares a personal anecdote about their grandmother’s experiences during the siege, adding a personal touch to the historical discussion.
There's a short thread discussing the technical aspects of seed preservation, including the challenges of maintaining seed viability over long periods. This leads to a discussion about the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a modern seed bank designed to protect crop diversity for the future.
Overall, the comments on Hacker News demonstrate a deep appreciation for the scientists’ sacrifice and the importance of preserving biodiversity. They also provide valuable context and further avenues for learning about the Siege of Leningrad, the history of Soviet science, and the critical role of seed banks in safeguarding the future of agriculture.