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TIL that after being made aware of their racial biases in referee calls through widespread media exposure, individual National Basketball Association referees became unbiased, suggesting that raising awareness of even subtle forms of racism can bring about meaningful change.

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oG7o TIL there is an island in the Scottish Hebrides that is owned entirely by its people. With a population of 83, the Isle of Eigg has been owned by its community since being bought in 1997, after decades of issues with absentee landlords, and generates 100% of its electricity using renewable energy
7rGJM TIL that child auctions were commonplace in Finland and Sweden up until the mid 1930's. The children involved were orphans or from extremely poor backgrounds and were sold to the lowest bidder. The children were provided with a home and education but were also expected to work in return.
KYAdG TIL that the record for longest time without sleep was set in 1963 when 17 year-old Randy Gardner stayed awake on purpose for 11 straight days.
GAow4 TIL American TV show Bait Car unintentionally helped a car thief dismiss his charges. Cameras caught the arresting officer say "You watch TV. You know your rights and all that?” instead of properly reading the thief's Miranda rights, leading to evidence becoming unusable.
vPjjL TIL a mentally unstable man in Canada cut down a rare golden spruce tree, sacred to Indigenous people, to protest the logging industry. His trial was on the island where he cut down the tree. Fearing for his safety, he opted to kayak there solo rather than take a plane. He hasn't been seen since.