› added 8 years ago

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TIL early Antarctic explorers used a novel treatment for snow blindness- cocaine.

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xVX4k TIL that plastic fibers have been found in tap water around the world, with the US at the worst rate (94%), and both the exact sources and the health consequences are yet unknown.
Lk7ev TIL that a park ranger on Rinca Island was attacked by a Komodo dragon in his own office after a cleaner had left the door open the night before. The dragon was hiding under his desk when he sat down. The smell of blood attracted more outside. The ranger was taken to the hospital and recovered.
epjAg TIL Under pressure from catholic circles, laws against the exploitation of Native Americans in the colonies were in place as early as 1512, and eventually the Pope entirely outlawed their enslavement, which produced an even more pro-native set of laws. They were largely ignored/opposed by settlers
J1vpV Til that the bible takes 75+ hours to listen to in its entirety as an audiobook
ANbkg TIL that a black hole could fit in your pocket