Neil deGrasse Tyson apologizes for his ‘true but unhelpful’ tweet that downplayed mass shootings

Neil deGrasse Tyson has apologized for his tweet that downplayed the impact of the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio that left 29 people dead.

On Sunday, Tyson tweeted: ‘In the past 48hrs, the USA horrifically lost 34 people to mass shootings. On average, across any 48hrs, we also lose… 500 to Medical errors … 300 to the Flu … 250 to Suicide … 200 to Car Accidents … 40 to Homicide via Handgun.’

The 60-year-old wrapped up in saying: ‘Often our emotions respond more to spectacle than to data.’ 

He immediately received backlash over the comments and on Monday the  astrophysicist issued an apology on Facebook. 

‘My intent was to offer objectively true information that might help shape conversations and reactions to preventable ways we die. Where I miscalculated was that I genuinely believed the Tweet would be helpful to anyone trying to save lives in America,’ Tyson wrote. 

He went on to say that what he ‘learned from the range of reactions is that for many people, some information – my Tweet in particular – can be true but unhelpful, especially at a time when many people are either still in shock, or trying to heal – or both’.

‘So if you are one of those people, I apologize for not knowing in advance what effect my Tweet could have on you. I am therefore thankful for the candor and depth of critical reactions shared in my Twitter feed. 

On Sunday, Tyson tweeted: ‘In the past 48hrs, the USA horrifically lost 34 people to mass shootings. On average, across any 48hrs, we also lose… 500 to Medical errors … 300 to the Flu … 250 to Suicide … 200 to Car Accidents … 40 to Homicide via Handgun’ 

He immediately received backlash over the comments and on Monday the astrophysicist quickly changed his tune in an apology shared on Facebook (pictured)

‘As an educator, I personally value knowing with precision and accuracy what reaction anything that I say (or write) will instill in my audience, and I got this one wrong,’ he concluded. 

The Manhattan native was taken to task by a number of Twitter users when he first shared the tweet, including the band Smashmouth, who wrote, ‘F*** OFF!!!! There’s your data!!!!’

Activist Shannon Watts took a more eloquent approach in a tweet illustrating the flaw in Tyson’s logic.

‘Cold take, Neil,’ Watts wrote. ‘200+ Americans died from gun violence in the past 48 hours. And you list causes of death that are researched, regulated and also happen in other high income countries. 

‘Our gun violence crisis is preventable and senseless and driven by a special interest.’ 

Echoing a similar sentiment, another user wrote: ‘We’re working to prevent medical errors. We’re working to prevent the flu. We’re working to prevent suicide. We’re working to prevent car accidents. We’re doing f**k all about mass shootings. Spot the difference, Neil.’

All-star response: The band Smash Mouth received a bonanza of likes after its short, direct message to Tyson

 

Another user pointed out to the astrophysicist the trickle-down effects of the mass shooting epidemic.

‘Can you also please quantify how fear affects our societies ability to function?’ the user wrote. 

‘Or the impact these deaths have on the family, friends, and communities of the victims? Or how it can inspire more acts?

‘Seriously, f*** off with this hot garbage comparison.’

On Saturday in El Paso, Texas, suspect Patrick Crusius, 21, shot into a crowd at a Walmart, leaving 20 people dead and more than 24 others injured. 

On Saturday in El Paso, Texas, suspect Patrick Crusius (left), 21, shot up a Walmart, leaving 20 people dead and more than 24 others injured. Later on in Dayton, Ohio, a suspect identified as Connor Betts, 24, opened fire on bar patrons, leaving nine people dead and 27 injured

Investigators are looking at Crusius’s rampage as a hate crime amid online writings that surfaced. A total of 20 crosses were placed at the scene of the horrific shooting in El Paso

Police identified one victim as Betts’ sister, Megan, 22, who was the youngest of the victims killed in the shooting. Betts was fatally shot by officers. Authorities are still trying to determine a motive in the Ohio attack. Heart wreaths are displayed in Ohio for the Dayton victims

Investigators are looking at Crusius’s rampage as a hate crime amid online writings that surfaced.

Later on in Dayton, Ohio, a suspect identified as Connor Betts, 24, opened fire at a bar in the city’s Oregon District, leaving nine people dead and an estimated 26 others injured. 

Police identified one of the victims as Betts’ sister, Megan, 22, who was the youngest of the victims killed in the shooting.  

Betts was fatally shot by officers within 30 seconds. 

Authorities are still trying to determine a motive in the Ohio attack.