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Spurious correlation #1,396 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is UFO sightings in Virginia and the second variable is Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs.  The chart goes from 1975 to 2011, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

The influx of UFOs in Virginia has inadvertently upgraded the state's residents with advanced alien technology, giving them an otherworldly advantage in scaling Mount Everest. This has led to a surprising surge in successful summit attempts, as Virginians harness the power of extraterrestrial mountaineering expertise. Who knew that the key to conquering Earth's tallest peak was written in the stars above Virginia?

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Create a whimsical, cute cartoon scene that features a group of delightful hikers gazing in wonder at a shimmering UFO floating in the serene night sky above the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Meanwhile, in the distant background, towering peaks of Mount Everest are occupied by triumphant climbers joyously raising their arms in celebration of their successful ascent. The illustration blends the serene beauty of the mountains with an element of unexpected adventure and triumph, all portrayed through an adorable and charming cartoon style. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: UFO sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. Given these, which of the following image style descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: Woodblock painting Vaporwave Magic realism Cute cartoon Cubism
ChatGPT: Cute cartoon

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both UFO sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In the serene Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, a group of hikers observe a shimmering UFO hovering in the night sky, while on the distant, towering peaks of Mount Everest, triumphant climbers raise their arms in celebration of a successful ascent.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ Cute cartoon ] and depicting this scene: In the serene Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, a group of hikers observe a shimmering UFO hovering in the night sky, while on the distant, towering peaks of Mount Everest, triumphant climbers raise their arms in celebration of a successful ascent. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Create a whimsical, cute cartoon scene that features a group of delightful hikers gazing in wonder at a shimmering UFO floating in the serene night sky above the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Meanwhile, in the distant background, towering peaks of Mount Everest are occupied by triumphant climbers joyously raising their arms in celebration of their successful ascent. The illustration blends the serene beauty of the mountains with an element of unexpected adventure and triumph, all portrayed through an adorable and charming cartoon style.

*Variations in the User Prompts from chart to chart are just the result of random number generation in Python. I wrote a few arrays of various styles and methods to ask questions to change up the results. Every time this site writes an explanation or generates an image, the script picks from each at random.

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in UFO sightings in Virginia caused Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs to increase. Make it feel plausible.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Expeditions and Extreme Altitude Advancements

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!
Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.




Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You write titles and abstracts of goofy academic research papers.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, and add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title seem clever.

Your research team used data from National UFO Reporting Center and CBC to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and p < 0.01 for 1975 to 2011.

Please respond in this format (replace "Lorem ipsum dolor sit" with your title and abstract)

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
"Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delved into the intriguing and, until now, entirely unexplored relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, we set out to uncover whether there is any statistical connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Remarkably, we discovered a correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1975 to 2011.

Our analysis revealed a fascinating pattern, suggesting a substantial link between the sightings of unidentified flying objects in the skies of Virginia and the successful ascents of the world's highest peak. While these findings may seem like they're straight out of a sci-fi movie, the data is solid and the correlation is significant.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room... or should I say, the UFO in the room! It seems that when UFO sightings in Virginia go up, so do the number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Perhaps those extraterrestrial beings are fueling hikers with out-of-this-world motivation to conquer the mighty mountain.

Further research is undoubtedly warranted to explore the mechanisms behind this eyebrow-raising correlation and to determine whether it's merely coincidental or if there's a truly cosmic connection at play. But for now, let's take a moment to appreciate the unexpected hilarity of UFOs potentially being the ultimate inspirational force behind mountaineering achievements. It appears that even E.T. wants to phone home... from the top of Mount Everest!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the introduction section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delved into the intriguing and, until now, entirely unexplored relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, we set out to uncover whether there is any statistical connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Remarkably, we discovered a correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1975 to 2011.

Our analysis revealed a fascinating pattern, suggesting a substantial link between the sightings of unidentified flying objects in the skies of Virginia and the successful ascents of the world's highest peak. While these findings may seem like they're straight out of a sci-fi movie, the data is solid and the correlation is significant.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room... or should I say, the UFO in the room! It seems that when UFO sightings in Virginia go up, so do the number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Perhaps those extraterrestrial beings are fueling hikers with out-of-this-world motivation to conquer the mighty mountain.

Further research is undoubtedly warranted to explore the mechanisms behind this eyebrow-raising correlation and to determine whether it's merely coincidental or if there's a truly cosmic connection at play. But for now, let's take a moment to appreciate the unexpected hilarity of UFOs potentially being the ultimate inspirational force behind mountaineering achievements. It appears that even E.T. wants to phone home... from the top of Mount Everest!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The concept of cosmic connections is not an alien one in the realm of scientific inquiry. While some may dismiss it as mere stargazing, researchers are constantly probing the universe for unexpected relationships and correlations. When it comes to the intersection of UFO sightings and successful mountain climbs, the question arises: Could there be a celestial hand guiding climbers to the summit? It may sound far-fetched, but as we dig into the data, the evidence points toward a cosmic correlation that is, quite literally, out of this world.

Now, brace yourself for a pun that is truly out of this world—these findings are truly "out of this world," both figuratively and quite possibly literally if those UFOs turn out to be spaceships! This research may not solve the eternal mystery of whether we are alone in the universe, but it certainly adds an unexpected twist to the age-old question: "What's up there?"

The aim of this paper is to present our analysis of the relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the successful ascent of Mount Everest, and to unpack the implications of this inexplicable correlation. Handlebars at the ready, because we're about to take a wild ride through the cosmos of statistical analysis and peculiar phenomena.

Before we embark on this scholarly adventure, let's address the UFO in the room once again. It's not every day that researchers can boldly claim that "the truth is out there," but the statistics speak for themselves. As we venture further into this uncharted territory, it becomes clear that an otherworldly force may be at play in the unexpected harmony between extraterrestrial sightings and human mountaineering feats. And yes, we promise to throw in a few more alien puns along the way—it's just too "Martian" to pass up!

So, fasten your seatbelts (or should we say, your UFO restraints?), as we dive into a study that may just be the perfect blend of science and science fiction. After all, what could be more exhilarating than uncovering a cosmic connection that is truly "out of this world"?


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft a literature review section of an academic research paper, that starts out dry for the first few sentences but then becomes hilarious and goofy.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Speak in the present tense for this section (the authors find...), as is common in academic research paper literature reviews. Name the sources in a format similar to this: In "Book," the authors find lorem and ipsum.

Make up the lorem and ipsum part, but make it sound related to the topic at hand.

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then devolve ever further, and mention something completely ridiculous, like you conducted literature review by reading CVS receipts.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delved into the intriguing and, until now, entirely unexplored relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, we set out to uncover whether there is any statistical connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Remarkably, we discovered a correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1975 to 2011.

Our analysis revealed a fascinating pattern, suggesting a substantial link between the sightings of unidentified flying objects in the skies of Virginia and the successful ascents of the world's highest peak. While these findings may seem like they're straight out of a sci-fi movie, the data is solid and the correlation is significant.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room... or should I say, the UFO in the room! It seems that when UFO sightings in Virginia go up, so do the number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Perhaps those extraterrestrial beings are fueling hikers with out-of-this-world motivation to conquer the mighty mountain.

Further research is undoubtedly warranted to explore the mechanisms behind this eyebrow-raising correlation and to determine whether it's merely coincidental or if there's a truly cosmic connection at play. But for now, let's take a moment to appreciate the unexpected hilarity of UFOs potentially being the ultimate inspirational force behind mountaineering achievements. It appears that even E.T. wants to phone home... from the top of Mount Everest!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The concept of cosmic connections is not an alien one in the realm of scientific inquiry. While some may dismiss it as mere stargazing, researchers are constantly probing the universe for unexpected relationships and correlations. When it comes to the intersection of UFO sightings and successful mountain climbs, the question arises: Could there be a celestial hand guiding climbers to the summit? It may sound far-fetched, but as we dig into the data, the evidence points toward a cosmic correlation that is, quite literally, out of this world.
Now, brace yourself for a pun that is truly out of this world—these findings are truly "out of this world," both figuratively and quite possibly literally if those UFOs turn out to be spaceships! This research may not solve the eternal mystery of whether we are alone in the universe, but it certainly adds an unexpected twist to the age-old question: "What's up there?"
The aim of this paper is to present our analysis of the relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the successful ascent of Mount Everest, and to unpack the implications of this inexplicable correlation. Handlebars at the ready, because we're about to take a wild ride through the cosmos of statistical analysis and peculiar phenomena.
Before we embark on this scholarly adventure, let's address the UFO in the room once again. It's not every day that researchers can boldly claim that "the truth is out there," but the statistics speak for themselves. As we venture further into this uncharted territory, it becomes clear that an otherworldly force may be at play in the unexpected harmony between extraterrestrial sightings and human mountaineering feats. And yes, we promise to throw in a few more alien puns along the way—it's just too "Martian" to pass up!
So, fasten your seatbelts (or should we say, your UFO restraints?), as we dive into a study that may just be the perfect blend of science and science fiction. After all, what could be more exhilarating than uncovering a cosmic connection that is truly "out of this world"?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The examination of the correlation between UFO sightings and various earthly activities has captivated the minds of researchers and enthusiasts alike. In "Unveiling the Unexplained: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Reports," Smith et al. (2015) delve into the statistical patterns of UFO sightings, shedding light on the temporal and geographical distribution of these mysterious events. Similarly, Doe and Jones (2018) explore the psychological and societal impacts of UFO encounters in "Beyond the Stars: Understanding the Human Response to Unidentified Flying Objects," offering insights into the potential influence of such sightings on human behavior.

Now, let's take a detour from mainstream academic research and peruse some non-fiction books that might shed light on this cosmic connection. First, let's not forget "UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record" by Leslie Kean, which provides firsthand accounts from military personnel and aviators about their encounters with unidentified aerial phenomena. Moving on to "The Men Who Stare at Goats" by Jon Ronson, we veer into the realm of military experiments and psychic phenomena, but who's to say there isn't a dash of extraterrestrial involvement hidden in there?

And now, for a twist of fiction—perhaps literature that playfully dances on the line between imagination and reality. Consider "Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clarke, a classic exploration of humanity's encounter with a highly advanced alien race. It may not directly relate to the correlation we're investigating, but hey, exploring cosmic mysteries is always a good read.

As we descend into the depths of unconventional literature, let's not forget the essential sources that inform our understanding of the cosmic unknown. In the spirit of embracing the unexpected, we turn to the ever-reliable CVS receipts. Yes, you read that correctly. As we scanned through endless lists of purchases and coupons, we discovered an uncanny resemblance between the lengths of these receipts and the fluctuations in UFO sightings. While this might not be the conventional approach to literature review, we can assure you that the correlation coefficient between receipt length and UFO sightings is truly... astronomical.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the methodology section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and CBC . You used data from 1975 to 2011

Make up the research methods you don't know. Make them a bit goofy and convoluted.

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delved into the intriguing and, until now, entirely unexplored relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, we set out to uncover whether there is any statistical connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Remarkably, we discovered a correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1975 to 2011.

Our analysis revealed a fascinating pattern, suggesting a substantial link between the sightings of unidentified flying objects in the skies of Virginia and the successful ascents of the world's highest peak. While these findings may seem like they're straight out of a sci-fi movie, the data is solid and the correlation is significant.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room... or should I say, the UFO in the room! It seems that when UFO sightings in Virginia go up, so do the number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Perhaps those extraterrestrial beings are fueling hikers with out-of-this-world motivation to conquer the mighty mountain.

Further research is undoubtedly warranted to explore the mechanisms behind this eyebrow-raising correlation and to determine whether it's merely coincidental or if there's a truly cosmic connection at play. But for now, let's take a moment to appreciate the unexpected hilarity of UFOs potentially being the ultimate inspirational force behind mountaineering achievements. It appears that even E.T. wants to phone home... from the top of Mount Everest!

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The concept of cosmic connections is not an alien one in the realm of scientific inquiry. While some may dismiss it as mere stargazing, researchers are constantly probing the universe for unexpected relationships and correlations. When it comes to the intersection of UFO sightings and successful mountain climbs, the question arises: Could there be a celestial hand guiding climbers to the summit? It may sound far-fetched, but as we dig into the data, the evidence points toward a cosmic correlation that is, quite literally, out of this world.
Now, brace yourself for a pun that is truly out of this world—these findings are truly "out of this world," both figuratively and quite possibly literally if those UFOs turn out to be spaceships! This research may not solve the eternal mystery of whether we are alone in the universe, but it certainly adds an unexpected twist to the age-old question: "What's up there?"
The aim of this paper is to present our analysis of the relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the successful ascent of Mount Everest, and to unpack the implications of this inexplicable correlation. Handlebars at the ready, because we're about to take a wild ride through the cosmos of statistical analysis and peculiar phenomena.
Before we embark on this scholarly adventure, let's address the UFO in the room once again. It's not every day that researchers can boldly claim that "the truth is out there," but the statistics speak for themselves. As we venture further into this uncharted territory, it becomes clear that an otherworldly force may be at play in the unexpected harmony between extraterrestrial sightings and human mountaineering feats. And yes, we promise to throw in a few more alien puns along the way—it's just too "Martian" to pass up!
So, fasten your seatbelts (or should we say, your UFO restraints?), as we dive into a study that may just be the perfect blend of science and science fiction. After all, what could be more exhilarating than uncovering a cosmic connection that is truly "out of this world"?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To uncover the potential cosmic correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs, our research team employed a multifaceted approach that was more twisted than a UFO's flight path. Our methodology involved an eclectic mix of data collection, statistical analysis, and a touch of tongue-in-cheek humor (because, let's face it, pondering UFOs and mountain climbing without a few laughs would be a missed opportunity).

Firstly, we scoured the archives of the National UFO Reporting Center, not to find E.T.'s lost phone number, but to extract comprehensive data on reported UFO sightings in the skies above Virginia. Our team was astutely aware that alien civilizations might be tracking our activities, so we made sure to handle the data with care and a healthy dose of skepticism.

Once we had our UFO sightings data in tow, we turned our sights to the seemingly unrelated realm of mountain climbing. The adventure into this domain led us to the hallowed grounds of Mount Everest's climbing statistics, where we meticulously tallied the total number of successful ascents. Some may call it counting, but we prefer to think of it as the Everest of data compilation efforts.

Now, for the statistical acrobatics. We subjected the collected UFO sightings and Mount Everest climb data to a rigorous analysis using advanced statistical methods. We opted for a correlation analysis, specifically Pearson's correlation coefficient, to determine the degree and direction of the potential relationship between these otherworldly sightings and the conquest of the formidable mountain. We also conducted a time series analysis to investigate any temporal patterns in the data, because, after all, time and space go hand in hand when UFOs are involved.

To ensure the robustness of our findings, we applied a meticulous data validation process, scrutinizing each data point with the scrutiny of an alien abduction conspiracy theorist. Any outliers or spurious data points were promptly ejected from our analysis faster than a flying saucer in a sci-fi thriller.

Additionally, we incorporated a control group of other states' UFO sightings and their respective climbing statistics to further verify the specificity of the observed correlation. This control group analysis was akin to creating a UFO sighting lineup, but instead of identifying suspects, we were pitting Virginia's sightings against those of its interstellar neighbors.

Finally, we employed a thoughtful dose of skepticism and a pinch of cosmic contemplation when interpreting our results. While we were bracing ourselves for the potential disclosure of an intergalactic prank, we also recognized the importance of maintaining scientific rigor throughout our investigation.

Oh, and if you're wondering, "How does one identify an extroverted UFO? It's the one that's always looking down at your shoes!" Now, back to business—our methodology may have been a journey of cosmic proportions, but our commitment to sound research practices was as solid as the ground beneath Mount Everest.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the results section of an academic research paper. You speak in the past tense (you found...).
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and CBC .

For the time period 1975 to 2011, you found a correlation 0.9077864, r-squared of 0.8240762, and p < 0.01.

One figure will be included. The figure (Fig. 1) is a scatterplot showing the strong correlation between the two variables. You don't need to specify where; I will add the figure.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delved into the intriguing and, until now, entirely unexplored relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, we set out to uncover whether there is any statistical connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Remarkably, we discovered a correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1975 to 2011.

Our analysis revealed a fascinating pattern, suggesting a substantial link between the sightings of unidentified flying objects in the skies of Virginia and the successful ascents of the world's highest peak. While these findings may seem like they're straight out of a sci-fi movie, the data is solid and the correlation is significant.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room... or should I say, the UFO in the room! It seems that when UFO sightings in Virginia go up, so do the number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Perhaps those extraterrestrial beings are fueling hikers with out-of-this-world motivation to conquer the mighty mountain.

Further research is undoubtedly warranted to explore the mechanisms behind this eyebrow-raising correlation and to determine whether it's merely coincidental or if there's a truly cosmic connection at play. But for now, let's take a moment to appreciate the unexpected hilarity of UFOs potentially being the ultimate inspirational force behind mountaineering achievements. It appears that even E.T. wants to phone home... from the top of Mount Everest!

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The concept of cosmic connections is not an alien one in the realm of scientific inquiry. While some may dismiss it as mere stargazing, researchers are constantly probing the universe for unexpected relationships and correlations. When it comes to the intersection of UFO sightings and successful mountain climbs, the question arises: Could there be a celestial hand guiding climbers to the summit? It may sound far-fetched, but as we dig into the data, the evidence points toward a cosmic correlation that is, quite literally, out of this world.
Now, brace yourself for a pun that is truly out of this world—these findings are truly "out of this world," both figuratively and quite possibly literally if those UFOs turn out to be spaceships! This research may not solve the eternal mystery of whether we are alone in the universe, but it certainly adds an unexpected twist to the age-old question: "What's up there?"
The aim of this paper is to present our analysis of the relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the successful ascent of Mount Everest, and to unpack the implications of this inexplicable correlation. Handlebars at the ready, because we're about to take a wild ride through the cosmos of statistical analysis and peculiar phenomena.
Before we embark on this scholarly adventure, let's address the UFO in the room once again. It's not every day that researchers can boldly claim that "the truth is out there," but the statistics speak for themselves. As we venture further into this uncharted territory, it becomes clear that an otherworldly force may be at play in the unexpected harmony between extraterrestrial sightings and human mountaineering feats. And yes, we promise to throw in a few more alien puns along the way—it's just too "Martian" to pass up!
So, fasten your seatbelts (or should we say, your UFO restraints?), as we dive into a study that may just be the perfect blend of science and science fiction. After all, what could be more exhilarating than uncovering a cosmic connection that is truly "out of this world"?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The analysis of the data collected from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation revealed a striking correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs for the period of 1975 to 2011. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9077864, with an r-squared value of 0.8240762, and a p-value of less than 0.01. This indicates a statistically significant relationship between the two variables.

Fig. 1 presents a scatterplot illustrating the robust correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. It's almost as if the UFOs were giving climbers a cosmic push, isn't it? Maybe the real summit was in the stars all along!

Now, for a dad joke that's truly out of this world: Why don't aliens ever eat clowns? Because they taste funny! It seems these findings are bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase "laughing in the face of the unknown."

The results of this study not only provide empirical evidence of the correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the successful ascent of Mount Everest, but also spark intriguing questions about the potential influence of extraterrestrial sightings on human achievements. So, the next time you're embarking on a mountain climb and gaze up at the night sky, you might just wonder if there's more to those UFO sightings than meets the eye.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the discussion section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

Here are the title, abstract, literature review, and results sections. Please harken back to 1-2 of the goofy items in the literature review, but pretend to take them completely seriously. Discuss how your results supported the prior research.

Do not write a conclusion. I will add a conclusion after this.

[[TITLE]]
"Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delved into the intriguing and, until now, entirely unexplored relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, we set out to uncover whether there is any statistical connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Remarkably, we discovered a correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1975 to 2011.

Our analysis revealed a fascinating pattern, suggesting a substantial link between the sightings of unidentified flying objects in the skies of Virginia and the successful ascents of the world's highest peak. While these findings may seem like they're straight out of a sci-fi movie, the data is solid and the correlation is significant.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room... or should I say, the UFO in the room! It seems that when UFO sightings in Virginia go up, so do the number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Perhaps those extraterrestrial beings are fueling hikers with out-of-this-world motivation to conquer the mighty mountain.

Further research is undoubtedly warranted to explore the mechanisms behind this eyebrow-raising correlation and to determine whether it's merely coincidental or if there's a truly cosmic connection at play. But for now, let's take a moment to appreciate the unexpected hilarity of UFOs potentially being the ultimate inspirational force behind mountaineering achievements. It appears that even E.T. wants to phone home... from the top of Mount Everest!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The examination of the correlation between UFO sightings and various earthly activities has captivated the minds of researchers and enthusiasts alike. In "Unveiling the Unexplained: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Reports," Smith et al. (2015) delve into the statistical patterns of UFO sightings, shedding light on the temporal and geographical distribution of these mysterious events. Similarly, Doe and Jones (2018) explore the psychological and societal impacts of UFO encounters in "Beyond the Stars: Understanding the Human Response to Unidentified Flying Objects," offering insights into the potential influence of such sightings on human behavior.
Now, let's take a detour from mainstream academic research and peruse some non-fiction books that might shed light on this cosmic connection. First, let's not forget "UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record" by Leslie Kean, which provides firsthand accounts from military personnel and aviators about their encounters with unidentified aerial phenomena. Moving on to "The Men Who Stare at Goats" by Jon Ronson, we veer into the realm of military experiments and psychic phenomena, but who's to say there isn't a dash of extraterrestrial involvement hidden in there?
And now, for a twist of fiction—perhaps literature that playfully dances on the line between imagination and reality. Consider "Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clarke, a classic exploration of humanity's encounter with a highly advanced alien race. It may not directly relate to the correlation we're investigating, but hey, exploring cosmic mysteries is always a good read.
As we descend into the depths of unconventional literature, let's not forget the essential sources that inform our understanding of the cosmic unknown. In the spirit of embracing the unexpected, we turn to the ever-reliable CVS receipts. Yes, you read that correctly. As we scanned through endless lists of purchases and coupons, we discovered an uncanny resemblance between the lengths of these receipts and the fluctuations in UFO sightings. While this might not be the conventional approach to literature review, we can assure you that the correlation coefficient between receipt length and UFO sightings is truly... astronomical.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data collected from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation revealed a striking correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs for the period of 1975 to 2011. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9077864, with an r-squared value of 0.8240762, and a p-value of less than 0.01. This indicates a statistically significant relationship between the two variables.
Fig. 1 presents a scatterplot illustrating the robust correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. It's almost as if the UFOs were giving climbers a cosmic push, isn't it? Maybe the real summit was in the stars all along!
Now, for a dad joke that's truly out of this world: Why don't aliens ever eat clowns? Because they taste funny! It seems these findings are bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase "laughing in the face of the unknown."
The results of this study not only provide empirical evidence of the correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the successful ascent of Mount Everest, but also spark intriguing questions about the potential influence of extraterrestrial sightings on human achievements. So, the next time you're embarking on a mountain climb and gaze up at the night sky, you might just wonder if there's more to those UFO sightings than meets the eye.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The findings of this study offer compelling evidence of a substantial correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. These results resonate with prior research that has sought to unravel the enigmatic relationship between extraterrestrial sightings and earthly phenomena. Our study not only aligns with the statistical analyses of UFO reports by Smith et al. (2015) and the investigations into the psychological impacts of UFO encounters by Doe and Jones (2018), but it also sheds light on a previously unexplored connection that raises eyebrows as high as the peaks of Mount Everest.

Taking a moment to revisit our foray into unconventional literature, we mustn't overlook the peculiar correlation we stumbled upon between the lengths of CVS receipts and UFO sightings. Surprisingly, this off-kilter examination of cosmic phenomena may hold more weight than initially presumed. It appears that the unexpected data source was not only entertaining but also bore a semblance of verifiable connection, adding a whimsical yet thought-provoking layer to our understanding of the cosmic unknown.

Now, for a cosmic dad joke to lighten the atmospheric tension: What did the astronaut say to the bartender on the moon? I'll have a cosmo, please! In the spirit of intergalactic camaraderie, we certainly hope this study has brought a touch of levity to the intricacies of cosmic exploration.

Returning to the serious terrain of statistical analysis, our study reflects a robust correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a statistically significant association between UFO sightings in Virginia and the successful conquest of Mount Everest. The captivating visual representation of this correlation in Fig. 1 not only underscores the strength of the relationship but also adds a touch of cosmic whimsy to the otherwise staid world of statistical analyses.

It's clear that the implications of these findings extend beyond mere statistical relationships, giving rise to questions about the potential influence of extraterrestrial phenomena on human accomplishments. As we contemplate the remarkable co-occurrence of UFO sightings and mountain climbing triumphs, we're left with a glimmer of wonder and perhaps a newfound appreciation for the role of the mysterious and unexplained in shaping human endeavors.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the discussion section of goofy academic research papers that sounds like it belongs based on the title and abstract provided.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Limit your response to 300 tokens. At the very end, assert that no more research is needed in this area.

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
"Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delved into the intriguing and, until now, entirely unexplored relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, we set out to uncover whether there is any statistical connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Remarkably, we discovered a correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1975 to 2011.

Our analysis revealed a fascinating pattern, suggesting a substantial link between the sightings of unidentified flying objects in the skies of Virginia and the successful ascents of the world's highest peak. While these findings may seem like they're straight out of a sci-fi movie, the data is solid and the correlation is significant.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room... or should I say, the UFO in the room! It seems that when UFO sightings in Virginia go up, so do the number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Perhaps those extraterrestrial beings are fueling hikers with out-of-this-world motivation to conquer the mighty mountain.

Further research is undoubtedly warranted to explore the mechanisms behind this eyebrow-raising correlation and to determine whether it's merely coincidental or if there's a truly cosmic connection at play. But for now, let's take a moment to appreciate the unexpected hilarity of UFOs potentially being the ultimate inspirational force behind mountaineering achievements. It appears that even E.T. wants to phone home... from the top of Mount Everest!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The concept of cosmic connections is not an alien one in the realm of scientific inquiry. While some may dismiss it as mere stargazing, researchers are constantly probing the universe for unexpected relationships and correlations. When it comes to the intersection of UFO sightings and successful mountain climbs, the question arises: Could there be a celestial hand guiding climbers to the summit? It may sound far-fetched, but as we dig into the data, the evidence points toward a cosmic correlation that is, quite literally, out of this world.
Now, brace yourself for a pun that is truly out of this world—these findings are truly "out of this world," both figuratively and quite possibly literally if those UFOs turn out to be spaceships! This research may not solve the eternal mystery of whether we are alone in the universe, but it certainly adds an unexpected twist to the age-old question: "What's up there?"
The aim of this paper is to present our analysis of the relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the successful ascent of Mount Everest, and to unpack the implications of this inexplicable correlation. Handlebars at the ready, because we're about to take a wild ride through the cosmos of statistical analysis and peculiar phenomena.
Before we embark on this scholarly adventure, let's address the UFO in the room once again. It's not every day that researchers can boldly claim that "the truth is out there," but the statistics speak for themselves. As we venture further into this uncharted territory, it becomes clear that an otherworldly force may be at play in the unexpected harmony between extraterrestrial sightings and human mountaineering feats. And yes, we promise to throw in a few more alien puns along the way—it's just too "Martian" to pass up!
So, fasten your seatbelts (or should we say, your UFO restraints?), as we dive into a study that may just be the perfect blend of science and science fiction. After all, what could be more exhilarating than uncovering a cosmic connection that is truly "out of this world"?

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data collected from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation revealed a striking correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs for the period of 1975 to 2011. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9077864, with an r-squared value of 0.8240762, and a p-value of less than 0.01. This indicates a statistically significant relationship between the two variables.
Fig. 1 presents a scatterplot illustrating the robust correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. It's almost as if the UFOs were giving climbers a cosmic push, isn't it? Maybe the real summit was in the stars all along!
Now, for a dad joke that's truly out of this world: Why don't aliens ever eat clowns? Because they taste funny! It seems these findings are bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase "laughing in the face of the unknown."
The results of this study not only provide empirical evidence of the correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the successful ascent of Mount Everest, but also spark intriguing questions about the potential influence of extraterrestrial sightings on human achievements. So, the next time you're embarking on a mountain climb and gaze up at the night sky, you might just wonder if there's more to those UFO sightings than meets the eye.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has unearthed a statistically significant correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs from 1975 to 2011. The correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and a p-value of less than 0.01 provide compelling evidence for a connection that seems to defy earthly logic. It's as if the aliens are placing bets on who will make it to the summit next!

Now, for a dad joke that's astronomically cheesy: Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere! Just like the surreal connection we've discovered between UFO observations and mountain triumphs, this joke is truly out of this world.

These findings raise countless questions about the potential role of extraterrestrial phenomena in human endeavors, prompting us to consider whether the aliens are secretly cheering on thrill-seeking mountaineers. Perhaps they're placing wagers on how quickly humans can conquer Everest, or maybe they're just impressed by our determination. Either way, it's clear that the cosmic dance between UFOs and mountain climbers is a spectacle worth pondering.

With that said, it appears that no more research is needed in this area. The results speak for themselves, and it seems that aliens and mountaineers have a truly stellar relationship that defies all odds. It's a match made in the cosmos!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of academic journals. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding research, scientific, or academic journal that would publish a paper entited Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Expeditions and Extreme Altitude Advancements


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Galactic Research Institute


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled Out of This World Connections: Exploring the Correlation between UFO Sightings in Virginia and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs with an abstract of In this study, we delved into the intriguing and, until now, entirely unexplored relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, we set out to uncover whether there is any statistical connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Remarkably, we discovered a correlation coefficient of 0.9077864 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1975 to 2011.
Our analysis revealed a fascinating pattern, suggesting a substantial link between the sightings of unidentified flying objects in the skies of Virginia and the successful ascents of the world's highest peak. While these findings may seem like they're straight out of a sci-fi movie, the data is solid and the correlation is significant.
Now, let's address the elephant in the room... or should I say, the UFO in the room! It seems that when UFO sightings in Virginia go up, so do the number of successful Mount Everest climbs. Perhaps those extraterrestrial beings are fueling hikers with out-of-this-world motivation to conquer the mighty mountain.
Further research is undoubtedly warranted to explore the mechanisms behind this eyebrow-raising correlation and to determine whether it's merely coincidental or if there's a truly cosmic connection at play. But for now, let's take a moment to appreciate the unexpected hilarity of UFOs potentially being the ultimate inspirational force behind mountaineering achievements. It appears that even E.T. wants to phone home... from the top of Mount Everest!

ChatGPT:

UFO sightings Virginia, Mount Everest successful climbs, correlation study, unidentified flying objects, unexplored relationships, statistical connection, National UFO Reporting Center, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, correlation coefficient, extraterrestrial influence, sci-fi phenomena, out-of-this-world motivation, cosmic connection, eyebrow-raising correlation, mountaineering achievements.

*There is a bunch of Python happening behind the scenes to turn this prompt sequence into a PDF.



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Data details

UFO sightings in Virginia
Detailed data title: UFO sightings reported in Virginia
Source: National UFO Reporting Center
See what else correlates with UFO sightings in Virginia

Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs
Source: CBC
See what else correlates with Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs

Correlation r = 0.9077864 (Pearson correlation coefficient)
Correlation is a measure of how much the variables move together. If it is 0.99, when one goes up the other goes up. If it is 0.02, the connection is very weak or non-existent. If it is -0.99, then when one goes up the other goes down. If it is 1.00, you probably messed up your correlation function.

r2 = 0.8240762 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 82.4% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., UFO sightings in Virginia) over the 37 years from 1975 through 2011.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 9.1E-15. 0.0000000000000091102487470837
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

But I am a p-villain. I absolutely did not test only one pair of variables one time. I correlated hundreds of millions of pairs of variables. I threw boatloads of data into an industrial-sized blender to find this correlation.

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.91 in 9.1E-13% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 109,766,486,927,167 random variables You don't actually need 109 trillion variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

p-value calculations are useful for understanding the probability of a result happening by chance. They are most useful when used to highlight the risk of a fluke outcome. For example, if you calculate a p-value of 0.30, the risk that the result is a fluke is high. It is good to know that! But there are lots of ways to get a p-value of less than 0.01, as evidenced by this project.

In this particular case, the values are so extreme as to be meaningless. That's why no one reports p-values with specificity after they drop below 0.01.

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 36 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 36 because we have two variables measured over a period of 37 years. It's just the number of years minus ( the number of variables minus one ), which in this case simplifies to the number of years minus one.
you would randomly expect to find a correlation as strong as this one.

[ 0.83, 0.95 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

This one is a bit more complciated than the other calculations, but I include it because many people have been pushing for confidence intervals instead of p-value calculations (for example: NEJM. However, if you are dredging data, you can reliably find yourself in the 5%. That's my goal!


All values for the years included above: If I were being very sneaky, I could trim years from the beginning or end of the datasets to increase the correlation on some pairs of variables. I don't do that because there are already plenty of correlations in my database without monkeying with the years.

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
1975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011
UFO sightings in Virginia (UFO sightings)972357258555257528759112027382461576251715969968075100
Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs (Climbers)154025181051823163040502572309012951839585121118145182159267337307493633423457543542




Why this works

  1. Data dredging: I have 25,153 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 632,673,409 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
  2. Lack of causal connection: There is probably Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
    no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
  3. Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
    p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.
  4. Outlandish outliers: There are "outliers" in this data. In concept, "outlier" just means "way different than the rest of your dataset." When calculating a correlation like this, they are particularly impactful because a single outlier can substantially increase your correlation.

    For the purposes of this project, I counted a point as an outlier if it the residual was two standard deviations from the mean.

    (This bullet point only shows up in the details page on charts that do, in fact, have outliers.)
    They stand out on the scatterplot above: notice the dots that are far away from any other dots. I intentionally mishandeled outliers, which makes the correlation look extra strong.




Try it yourself

You can calculate the values on this page on your own! Try running the Python code to see the calculation results. Step 1: Download and install Python on your computer.

Step 2: Open a plaintext editor like Notepad and paste the code below into it.

Step 3: Save the file as "calculate_correlation.py" in a place you will remember, like your desktop. Copy the file location to your clipboard. On Windows, you can right-click the file and click "Properties," and then copy what comes after "Location:" As an example, on my computer the location is "C:\Users\tyler\Desktop"

Step 4: Open a command line window. For example, by pressing start and typing "cmd" and them pressing enter.

Step 5: Install the required modules by typing "pip install numpy", then pressing enter, then typing "pip install scipy", then pressing enter.

Step 6: Navigate to the location where you saved the Python file by using the "cd" command. For example, I would type "cd C:\Users\tyler\Desktop" and push enter.

Step 7: Run the Python script by typing "python calculate_correlation.py"

If you run into any issues, I suggest asking ChatGPT to walk you through installing Python and running the code below on your system. Try this question:

"Walk me through installing Python on my computer to run a script that uses scipy and numpy. Go step-by-step and ask me to confirm before moving on. Start by asking me questions about my operating system so that you know how to proceed. Assume I want the simplest installation with the latest version of Python and that I do not currently have any of the necessary elements installed. Remember to only give me one step per response and confirm I have done it before proceeding."


# These modules make it easier to perform the calculation
import numpy as np
from scipy import stats

# We'll define a function that we can call to return the correlation calculations
def calculate_correlation(array1, array2):

    # Calculate Pearson correlation coefficient and p-value
    correlation, p_value = stats.pearsonr(array1, array2)

    # Calculate R-squared as the square of the correlation coefficient
    r_squared = correlation**2

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([9,7,2,3,5,7,2,5,8,5,5,5,2,5,7,5,2,8,7,5,9,11,20,27,38,24,61,57,62,51,71,59,69,96,80,75,100,])
array_2 = np.array([15,4,0,25,18,10,5,18,23,16,30,4,0,50,25,72,30,90,129,51,83,95,85,121,118,145,182,159,267,337,307,493,633,423,457,543,542,])
array_1_name = "UFO sightings in Virginia"
array_2_name = "Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

# Perform the calculation
print(f"Calculating the correlation between {array_1_name} and {array_2_name}...")
correlation, r_squared, p_value = calculate_correlation(array_1, array_2)

# Print the results
print("Correlation Coefficient:", correlation)
print("R-squared:", r_squared)
print("P-value:", p_value)



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You do not need to attribute "the spurious correlations website," and you don't even need to link here if you don't want to. I don't gain anything from pageviews. There are no ads on this site, there is nothing for sale, and I am not for hire.

For the record, I am just one person. Tyler Vigen, he/him/his. I do have degrees, but they should not go after my name unless you want to annoy my wife. If that is your goal, then go ahead and cite me as "Tyler Vigen, A.A. A.A.S. B.A. J.D." Otherwise it is just "Tyler Vigen."

When spoken, my last name is pronounced "vegan," like I don't eat meat.

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Correlation ID: 1396 · Black Variable ID: 1164 · Red Variable ID: 498
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