Neil deGrasse Tyson Apologizes for Viral Tweet About Mass Shootings
Following the terrible mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton over the weekend, Neil deGrasse Tyson tweeted this:
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
Often our emotions respond more to spectacle than to data.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) August 4, 2019
Following the backlash, he has posted an apology on his Facebook.
Part of his "apology":
“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. What I 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. 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.”
This is @neiltyson doubling-down on the “truth” of his initial tweet without acknowledging the hundreds of incisive responses that eviscerated his lame-ass logic and smarmy, self-important faux wisdom. Never apologize for what other people feel, apologize for being fucking wrong. https://t.co/KPMhy7YI91
- N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) August 5, 2019
Sources: 1, 2,3, 4
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
Often our emotions respond more to spectacle than to data.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) August 4, 2019
Following the backlash, he has posted an apology on his Facebook.
Part of his "apology":
“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. What I 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. 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.”
This is @neiltyson doubling-down on the “truth” of his initial tweet without acknowledging the hundreds of incisive responses that eviscerated his lame-ass logic and smarmy, self-important faux wisdom. Never apologize for what other people feel, apologize for being fucking wrong. https://t.co/KPMhy7YI91
- N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) August 5, 2019
Sources: 1, 2,3, 4