Neil deGrasse Tyson Downplays Mass Shootings with Callous Tweet

News

Got A Tip? Email Or Call (888) 847-9869

Got a tip?

News Sports Videos Photos Tour Podcasts

Shows TMZ TMZ Live TMZ Sports

TV Listings Contact Policy Terms Ad Choices

© 2019 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Give Us
a Call Shoot Us
an Email Send Us
a Text

abb9263b23ff409d800700ec06569eaf_md.jpgTMZ Neil deGrasse Tyson Downplays Horror of Mass Shootings W/ Data & Callous Tweet

8/4/2019 12:23 PM PT 423

Neil deGrasse Tyson wants you to know as sad as it is that we lost upwards of 30 people to mass shootings this weekend ... it's nothing compared to other causes of death.

The astrophysicist tweeted out some bizarre information Sunday after the back-to-back mass shootings in Ohio and Texas -- which has claimed 29 lives thus far, and injured dozens more -- basically saying ... mass shootings are a blip on the death spectrum.

He wrote, "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."

f400ef774c9e49b096a9dc97e4305757_md.jpg

Neil followed up by saying, "Often our emotions respond more to spectacle than to data."

In essence, it seems like Neil is downplaying the significance of mass shootings ... suggesting that while it's horrible they happen, they're not nearly as much an epidemic as some of these other categories. Safe to say, dude's getting torn to shreds online for this.

Many people are calling his tweet callous, cruel and out of touch, especially since the Dayton shooting just happened less than 24 hours ago ... not to mention El Paso.

Others also pointed out that while these freak incidents are regular risks in any country, dying at the hands of a gun is becoming more and more uniquely American, and is not considered to fall within the realm of possibility day-to-day under regular circumstances.

That might be changing in today's America, but for now ... Neil seems to think folks are overreacting.

Spoiler alert ... they're not.

423 COMMENTS

Waiting for your permission to load the comments.

More from TMZ eeaa62b640f146988ec7ec53c6fc4cc6_md.jpg

Bam Margera Publicly Asks Dr. Phil for Help Amid Struggles 8/4/2019 abb9263b23ff409d800700ec06569eaf_md.jpg

Neil deGrasse Tyson Downplays Mass Shootings with Callous Tweet 8/4/2019 1d2791ce3363423f9490e76fc877c6bd_md.jpg

250th Mass Shooting in 2019 Leaves 9 Dead in Dayton 8/4/2019 f81f223d09b548aeaea08a6e3f5b9bbc_md.jpg

Diddy Hangs Out With Rumored Girlfriend Lori Harvey's Family in Italy 8/4/2019 dcdd7d917c2242628f26ef74c6a7a30a_md.jpg

Heidi Klum & Tom Kaulitz Relax, Enjoy Each Other Day After Second Wedding 8/4/2019 d68a5903632d43d5b5dd7bae006d82ca_md.jpg

Kylie Jenner Will Celebrate 22nd Birthday on Baller 300-Foot Yacht 8/4/2019 91956683b6674728a508ca6111c33a02_md.jpg

French Inventor First to Cross English Channel on Flyboard 8/4/2019 0b6b152c5f9f441a90a289bca47f7237_md.jpg

'Selling Sunset' Star Christine Quinn Hit for $120k in Home Heist 8/4/2019 919fc47cd24f4aba9219b0329221bbc9_md.jpg

MLB's Tyrell Jenkins Throws Punches in Crazy Softball Game Brawl in Texas 8/4/2019 415b1f3eab874e6f802d272ea3afe827_md.jpg

Dwayne Johnson -- Good Genes or Good Docs?! 8/4/2019 Load More Stories

Articles You May Like

President Trump, Weatherman: Dorian Updates and at Least 122 Tweets
Derek's Had a Tough Go at Bachelor in Paradise, but These Thirsty People Are Ready to Date Him
I HIRED A CELEBRITY STYLIST FOR A MONTH (the tea....)
Sasha Obama a Sorority 'Rush Crush' at University of Michigan
'Them That Follow' Star Breaks Down When Bird Dies in Her Hands on Set