Neil deGrasse Tyson responds to backlash over his response to mass shootings: 'I got this one wrong'

The astrophysicist was called 'tone-deaf and cold' after he used data to downplay the death tolls in El Paso and Dayton.

Neil deGrasse Tyson is speaking out after a tweet he posted in response to the mass shootings in El Paso, Tex. and Dayton, Ohio sparked outrage with its suggestion that those mourning were letting their “emotions respond more to spectacle than to data.” To support his argument, the astrophysicist compared the death toll from last weekend’s shootings to those caused by the flu, suicide, car accidents and the like.

“I then noted that we tend to react emotionally to spectacular incidences of death, with the implication that more common causes of death trigger milder responses within us. While some accepted his apology — “don't ever apologize for being the smartest person in the room,” one fan responded — many found it insufficient.— Nicole, Great Looking and Smart True Stable Genius August 5, 2019 I hope you know that your constantly trying to show everyone how smart and cool you are only shows how much you're insecure about yourself.

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