why is it when 30 to 100 people die it a great tragedy,but when 1or 2 die it only a statistic.?

Answer 1

178 died today in Iraq in 4 separate bombings, and no one seems interested enough to mention it, so I guess it's "only a statistic" too, eh?

Answer 2

I believe you need to place life in perspective...Every life has significance and is important - especially if loss before their "time" on this earth. That said...

It is a pure and utter tragedy when mass murder occurs - or a natural catastrophe (i.e., fire, flood) on a greater scale - because of the greater # of lost lives - each one impacting at least another, living human being, which can double, triple or quadruple the loss as it becomes greater really.

For most of humans, when we read of anyone dying before their time, unnecessarily, tragically - we are grieved. Often visibly, and often for many, rather "invisibly". It causes introspection with our own lives and the closest of lives around us that we love and cherish. I, personally, don't feel a life is diminished in loss because it is 1 or 2...I feel it is the NATURE of loss, their age and manner in which they've lost their life that can be a telling factor in how I'll take the loss.

Clearly, if you are a 16 year old boy or girl who dies in a car accident or because of cancer - the loss, TO ME, is greater than my 88 year old father who was sick a short time and died, after living a very full life.

Once again dear, everything in perspective...balance...is usually weighed in people's response to a life lost, or multiple.

Grace

Answer 3

I have asked the same question. When anyone dies due to violence or an accident is a tragedy but it seems that the media picks and chooses which incidents are more relevant. My heart goes out to all the victims and their families but their deaths are no more of a tragedy than anyone else's.

Answer 4

People do die everyday and not just in America. There are bombings in the middle east that are killing hundreds. The media sensationalize what they believe are the important stories. Every life is important. "When the bell tolls, it also tolls for me." Meaning when someone dies and the death bell sounds, a part of ourselves die also.

Answer 5

pretty simple actually...when 1 or 2 die its just the norm, happens every day accross the country numerous times. Nothing special about it. When 10+ die to one person or event its a big deal and a rarety, so they treat it as such.

Answer 6

Because people die everyday, it is just part of life. In America it is only real news when there is death in numbers and/or when there are children involved.

Answer 7

I think this is connected to the September 11, 2001 attack.

Answer 8

they are bot tragic but the fact that so many people died at once makes it seem more tragic to people.