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Spurious correlation #1,748 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Silas and the second variable is Solar power generated in Bulgaria.  The chart goes from 2009 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

Because every time someone named Silas waved, it looked like they were signaling for solar power, and the strong Bulgarian sun took it as a cue to shine even brighter.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image where a vibrant crowd gathers in Bulgaria around a solar panel installation. The people are taking selfies and chatting animatedly as they celebrate the clean energy being generated. A large, bold banner with the name "Silas" hangs prominently overhead, symbolizing the name's recent surge in popularity in the country. The scene exudes an atmosphere of excitement and positivity, capturing the growing reliance on solar power in Bulgaria. The image should embody a scalar art style, utilizing simple yet impactful visual elements to convey the energetic and celebratory atmosphere. 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: Popularity of the first name Silas and Solar power generated in Bulgaria. 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: High-tech Photorealism inspired by bauhaus Scalar art Scalar art
ChatGPT: Scalar art

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 Popularity of the first name Silas and Solar power generated in Bulgaria together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: A group of people in Bulgaria gather around a solar panel installation, taking selfies and chatting excitedly. The name "Silas" is written in big, bold letters on a banner hanging above the crowd, indicating that the name has recently become popular in the country. Meanwhile, the solar panels behind them are generating clean energy, symbolizing the country's increasing reliance on solar power.

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: [ Scalar art ] and depicting this scene: A group of people in Bulgaria gather around a solar panel installation, taking selfies and chatting excitedly. The name "Silas" is written in big, bold letters on a banner hanging above the crowd, indicating that the name has recently become popular in the country. Meanwhile, the solar panels behind them are generating clean energy, symbolizing the country's increasing reliance on solar power. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image where a vibrant crowd gathers in Bulgaria around a solar panel installation. The people are taking selfies and chatting animatedly as they celebrate the clean energy being generated. A large, bold banner with the name "Silas" hangs prominently overhead, symbolizing the name's recent surge in popularity in the country. The scene exudes an atmosphere of excitement and positivity, capturing the growing reliance on solar power in Bulgaria. The image should embody a scalar art style, utilizing simple yet impactful visual elements to convey the energetic and celebratory atmosphere.

*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 Popularity of the first name Silas caused Solar power generated in Bulgaria to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria

The Journal of Celestial Names and Sustainable Energy

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 silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 Popularity of the first name Silas and Solar power generated in Bulgaria. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Include a pun in the title.

Your research team used data from US Social Security Administration and Energy Information Administration to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 and p < 0.01 for 2009 to 2021.

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]]
Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing yet understudied relationship between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration spanning from 2009 to 2021, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a seemingly inexplicable connection. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 with a significance level of p < 0.01, suggesting a compelling association that defies conventional logic. This discovery not only sheds light on the energy landscape but also offers a whimsical reflection of the omnipresent influence of names in this complex, interconnected world. As Silas rises in popularity, it appears that solar power in Bulgaria experiences a similar surge, prompting a playful consideration of cosmic forces at play. While our results may raise eyebrows, they warrant further investigation into the enigmatic dynamics at the intersection of nomenclature and renewable energy.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 Popularity of the first name Silas and Solar power generated in Bulgaria. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing yet understudied relationship between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration spanning from 2009 to 2021, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a seemingly inexplicable connection. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 with a significance level of p < 0.01, suggesting a compelling association that defies conventional logic. This discovery not only sheds light on the energy landscape but also offers a whimsical reflection of the omnipresent influence of names in this complex, interconnected world. As Silas rises in popularity, it appears that solar power in Bulgaria experiences a similar surge, prompting a playful consideration of cosmic forces at play. While our results may raise eyebrows, they warrant further investigation into the enigmatic dynamics at the intersection of nomenclature and renewable energy.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
Ah, the whimsical world of research, where the profound and the peculiar collide. In this paper, we embark on an odyssey of statistical sleuthing to unravel the enigmatic connections between the name Silas and solar power generation in Bulgaria. While seemingly disparate at first glance, our investigation uncovers a correlation that defies logic and invites a dash of humor into the realm of rigorous inquiry.

As renowned wordsmith, William Shakespeare, once wrote, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." However, our exploration into the popularity of the name Silas proposes that there might, in fact, be more to a name than meets the eye. This project emerged from a serendipitous observation that the ascent of the name Silas in the United States appears to coincide with a surge in solar power generation in the distant land of Bulgaria. With a twinkle in our eyes and a good measure of skepticism, we delved into the data to ascertain whether this correlation was mere happenstance or a more profound phenomenon at play.

The choice to focus on Bulgaria in our investigation might prompt some to raise an eyebrow. However, as the saying goes, "The sun shines equally on all continents," and Bulgaria's embrace of solar energy provides a fitting backdrop for our inquiry. Furthermore, the idea of a Transatlantic connection between the popularity of a name in the United States and solar power in Eastern Europe adds a delightful layer of intrigue to our research.

Our quest was bolstered by robust datasets from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration, spanning a considerable timeframe from 2009 to 2021. This allowed us to unleash the full might of statistical analysis and unearth the surprising correlation coefficient of 0.9653932, dazzling us with its near-perfect alignment. The significance level of p < 0.01 further underlined the compelling nature of our findings, stirring a hum of curiosity in the halls of academia.

As we untangled this captivating correlation, we couldn't help but ponder the whimsical implications of our discovery. Could there be cosmic forces at play, aligning the popularity of a name with the generation of sustainable energy? The notion certainly adds a sprinkle of magic to our otherwise rigorous exercise in data analysis.

In this paper, we present our findings with a mix of bemusement and scholarly gravitas, inviting fellow researchers to join us in pondering the curious interplay of nomenclature and renewable energy. While the initial revelation might seem as improbable as a unicorn in a statistics textbook, we hope that our foray into this lighthearted yet thought-provoking realm will inspire further investigations and perhaps a few chuckles along the way.

So, dear reader, buckle up for a journey through the twists and turns of statistical whimsy, as we shed light on the unexpected link between the name Silas and the glimmering world of solar power in Bulgaria.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 Popularity of the first name Silas and Solar power generated in Bulgaria. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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 the backs of shampoo bottles.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing yet understudied relationship between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration spanning from 2009 to 2021, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a seemingly inexplicable connection. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 with a significance level of p < 0.01, suggesting a compelling association that defies conventional logic. This discovery not only sheds light on the energy landscape but also offers a whimsical reflection of the omnipresent influence of names in this complex, interconnected world. As Silas rises in popularity, it appears that solar power in Bulgaria experiences a similar surge, prompting a playful consideration of cosmic forces at play. While our results may raise eyebrows, they warrant further investigation into the enigmatic dynamics at the intersection of nomenclature and renewable energy.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Ah, the whimsical world of research, where the profound and the peculiar collide. In this paper, we embark on an odyssey of statistical sleuthing to unravel the enigmatic connections between the name Silas and solar power generation in Bulgaria. While seemingly disparate at first glance, our investigation uncovers a correlation that defies logic and invites a dash of humor into the realm of rigorous inquiry.
As renowned wordsmith, William Shakespeare, once wrote, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." However, our exploration into the popularity of the name Silas proposes that there might, in fact, be more to a name than meets the eye. This project emerged from a serendipitous observation that the ascent of the name Silas in the United States appears to coincide with a surge in solar power generation in the distant land of Bulgaria. With a twinkle in our eyes and a good measure of skepticism, we delved into the data to ascertain whether this correlation was mere happenstance or a more profound phenomenon at play.
The choice to focus on Bulgaria in our investigation might prompt some to raise an eyebrow. However, as the saying goes, "The sun shines equally on all continents," and Bulgaria's embrace of solar energy provides a fitting backdrop for our inquiry. Furthermore, the idea of a Transatlantic connection between the popularity of a name in the United States and solar power in Eastern Europe adds a delightful layer of intrigue to our research.
Our quest was bolstered by robust datasets from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration, spanning a considerable timeframe from 2009 to 2021. This allowed us to unleash the full might of statistical analysis and unearth the surprising correlation coefficient of 0.9653932, dazzling us with its near-perfect alignment. The significance level of p < 0.01 further underlined the compelling nature of our findings, stirring a hum of curiosity in the halls of academia.
As we untangled this captivating correlation, we couldn't help but ponder the whimsical implications of our discovery. Could there be cosmic forces at play, aligning the popularity of a name with the generation of sustainable energy? The notion certainly adds a sprinkle of magic to our otherwise rigorous exercise in data analysis.
In this paper, we present our findings with a mix of bemusement and scholarly gravitas, inviting fellow researchers to join us in pondering the curious interplay of nomenclature and renewable energy. While the initial revelation might seem as improbable as a unicorn in a statistics textbook, we hope that our foray into this lighthearted yet thought-provoking realm will inspire further investigations and perhaps a few chuckles along the way.
So, dear reader, buckle up for a journey through the twists and turns of statistical whimsy, as we shed light on the unexpected link between the name Silas and the glimmering world of solar power in Bulgaria.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The exploration of the correlation between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria is an undertaking that, at first glance, may seem unusual. However, as we delve into the existing literature, we find several studies that have delved into seemingly unrelated subjects and unearthed surprising connections. Smith (2015) examines the associations between solar energy and cultural phenomena, offering intriguing insights into the potential influence of popular nomenclature on environmental factors. Similarly, Doe (2018) investigates the impact of renewable energy trends on social naming patterns, providing a thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between seemingly disparate realms.

Moving beyond the domains of renewable energy and nomenclature, several non-fiction works offer pertinent reflections on seemingly unrelated phenomena. In "The Power of Names" by Jones (2017), the author examines the psychological significance of names in society, shedding light on their potential to shape individual perceptions and societal constructs. Furthermore, in "The Solar Odyssey: Exploring Energy Landscapes" by Brown (2019), the intricate relationship between solar power and global energy dynamics is meticulously dissected, hinting at the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate elements.

On a more whimsical note, fiction literature contributes to our understanding of the subtle, often unexpected connections that underpin seemingly unrelated subjects. In "Sunshine and Silas: A Cosmic Convergence" by Wilde (2015), the interweaving of celestial forces and the human experience adds a layer of mystique to the exploration of solar phenomena and nomenclature. Similarly, in "Names in the Stars" by Harper (2014), the author playfully imagines a universe where names hold sway over natural phenomena, blurring the boundaries between reality and whimsy.

In the pursuit of uncovering unorthodox correlations, one must also consider unconventional sources of insight. It would be remiss not to mention the overlooked treasure trove of knowledge inscribed on everyday items, such as the backs of shampoo bottles and cereal boxes. While unexpected, these snippets of wisdom and humor may harbor a nugget of truth or spark a moment of lighthearted inspiration, reminding researchers of the serendipitous nature of discovery.

As we wade through the currents of literature in search of parallels to our own research, it becomes evident that the unexpected and whimsical often hide in the most unassuming of places. Building upon these scholarly foundations, we embark on our own inquiry into the amusing and thought-provoking correlation between the name Silas and the radiant world of solar power generation in Bulgaria.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 Popularity of the first name Silas and Solar power generated in Bulgaria. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from US Social Security Administration and Energy Information Administration . You used data from 2009 to 2021

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]]
Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing yet understudied relationship between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration spanning from 2009 to 2021, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a seemingly inexplicable connection. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 with a significance level of p < 0.01, suggesting a compelling association that defies conventional logic. This discovery not only sheds light on the energy landscape but also offers a whimsical reflection of the omnipresent influence of names in this complex, interconnected world. As Silas rises in popularity, it appears that solar power in Bulgaria experiences a similar surge, prompting a playful consideration of cosmic forces at play. While our results may raise eyebrows, they warrant further investigation into the enigmatic dynamics at the intersection of nomenclature and renewable energy.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Ah, the whimsical world of research, where the profound and the peculiar collide. In this paper, we embark on an odyssey of statistical sleuthing to unravel the enigmatic connections between the name Silas and solar power generation in Bulgaria. While seemingly disparate at first glance, our investigation uncovers a correlation that defies logic and invites a dash of humor into the realm of rigorous inquiry.
As renowned wordsmith, William Shakespeare, once wrote, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." However, our exploration into the popularity of the name Silas proposes that there might, in fact, be more to a name than meets the eye. This project emerged from a serendipitous observation that the ascent of the name Silas in the United States appears to coincide with a surge in solar power generation in the distant land of Bulgaria. With a twinkle in our eyes and a good measure of skepticism, we delved into the data to ascertain whether this correlation was mere happenstance or a more profound phenomenon at play.
The choice to focus on Bulgaria in our investigation might prompt some to raise an eyebrow. However, as the saying goes, "The sun shines equally on all continents," and Bulgaria's embrace of solar energy provides a fitting backdrop for our inquiry. Furthermore, the idea of a Transatlantic connection between the popularity of a name in the United States and solar power in Eastern Europe adds a delightful layer of intrigue to our research.
Our quest was bolstered by robust datasets from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration, spanning a considerable timeframe from 2009 to 2021. This allowed us to unleash the full might of statistical analysis and unearth the surprising correlation coefficient of 0.9653932, dazzling us with its near-perfect alignment. The significance level of p < 0.01 further underlined the compelling nature of our findings, stirring a hum of curiosity in the halls of academia.
As we untangled this captivating correlation, we couldn't help but ponder the whimsical implications of our discovery. Could there be cosmic forces at play, aligning the popularity of a name with the generation of sustainable energy? The notion certainly adds a sprinkle of magic to our otherwise rigorous exercise in data analysis.
In this paper, we present our findings with a mix of bemusement and scholarly gravitas, inviting fellow researchers to join us in pondering the curious interplay of nomenclature and renewable energy. While the initial revelation might seem as improbable as a unicorn in a statistics textbook, we hope that our foray into this lighthearted yet thought-provoking realm will inspire further investigations and perhaps a few chuckles along the way.
So, dear reader, buckle up for a journey through the twists and turns of statistical whimsy, as we shed light on the unexpected link between the name Silas and the glimmering world of solar power in Bulgaria.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To embark on our whimsical odyssey of deciphering the perplexing connection between the popularity of the name Silas and the generation of solar power in Bulgaria, our research team employed a mix of rigorous statistical analysis and a pinch of playful curiosity. Our dataset was sourced primarily from the US Social Security Administration, which provided an abundance of information on the prevalence of the name Silas in the United States from 2009 to 2021. We complemented this data with insights from the Energy Information Administration, delving into the solar power generation landscape in Bulgaria during the same period.

Our methodology involved a series of elaborate dances with statistical software, in which we summoned formidable tools such as correlation analysis, time series modeling, and regression techniques to unravel the enigma at hand. We meticulously aligned the timelines of Silas' ascent in popularity with the ebbs and flows of solar power generation in Bulgaria, carefully sidestepping any statistical missteps along the way.

A key aspect of our approach was the incorporation of robust measures to account for potential confounding variables, ensuring that our analysis remained firmly anchored in the realm of empirical rigor. The inclusion of control variables such as global solar trends, demographic shifts, and the occasional cosmic disturbance allowed us to untangle the web of influences shaping our findings and safeguard against the lure of statistical mirages.

Furthermore, our research team indulged in the art of storytelling through data visualization, crafting visually captivating displays that painted a whimsical narrative of Silas' rise and the luminous dance of solar power across the Bulgarian landscape. Amidst the sea of bar charts and scatter plots, the occasional whimsical animation might have made an appearance, adding a delightful touch of levity to the otherwise serious business of statistical inquiry.

In the spirit of scholarly inquiry, our approach was not without its challenges. The treacherous terrain of data cleaning and validation presented its share of hurdles, and the occasional bout of lighthearted banter about the absurdity of our pursuit filled the halls of our research headquarters. Yet, with the steadfast determination of intrepid explorers navigating uncharted statistical waters, we persisted in our quest to illuminate the unexpected ties between nomenclature and renewable energy.

In sum, our methodology embraced the duality of meticulous precision and lighthearted exploration, stirring a concoction of analytical prowess and whimsical wonderment. As we venture into the next section, we invite the reader to join us in unraveling the statistical tapestry that intertwines the name Silas with the radiant allure of solar power in Bulgaria.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 Popularity of the first name Silas and Solar power generated in Bulgaria. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from US Social Security Administration and Energy Information Administration .

For the time period 2009 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.9653932, r-squared of 0.9319840, 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]]
Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing yet understudied relationship between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration spanning from 2009 to 2021, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a seemingly inexplicable connection. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 with a significance level of p < 0.01, suggesting a compelling association that defies conventional logic. This discovery not only sheds light on the energy landscape but also offers a whimsical reflection of the omnipresent influence of names in this complex, interconnected world. As Silas rises in popularity, it appears that solar power in Bulgaria experiences a similar surge, prompting a playful consideration of cosmic forces at play. While our results may raise eyebrows, they warrant further investigation into the enigmatic dynamics at the intersection of nomenclature and renewable energy.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
Ah, the whimsical world of research, where the profound and the peculiar collide. In this paper, we embark on an odyssey of statistical sleuthing to unravel the enigmatic connections between the name Silas and solar power generation in Bulgaria. While seemingly disparate at first glance, our investigation uncovers a correlation that defies logic and invites a dash of humor into the realm of rigorous inquiry.
As renowned wordsmith, William Shakespeare, once wrote, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." However, our exploration into the popularity of the name Silas proposes that there might, in fact, be more to a name than meets the eye. This project emerged from a serendipitous observation that the ascent of the name Silas in the United States appears to coincide with a surge in solar power generation in the distant land of Bulgaria. With a twinkle in our eyes and a good measure of skepticism, we delved into the data to ascertain whether this correlation was mere happenstance or a more profound phenomenon at play.
The choice to focus on Bulgaria in our investigation might prompt some to raise an eyebrow. However, as the saying goes, "The sun shines equally on all continents," and Bulgaria's embrace of solar energy provides a fitting backdrop for our inquiry. Furthermore, the idea of a Transatlantic connection between the popularity of a name in the United States and solar power in Eastern Europe adds a delightful layer of intrigue to our research.
Our quest was bolstered by robust datasets from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration, spanning a considerable timeframe from 2009 to 2021. This allowed us to unleash the full might of statistical analysis and unearth the surprising correlation coefficient of 0.9653932, dazzling us with its near-perfect alignment. The significance level of p < 0.01 further underlined the compelling nature of our findings, stirring a hum of curiosity in the halls of academia.
As we untangled this captivating correlation, we couldn't help but ponder the whimsical implications of our discovery. Could there be cosmic forces at play, aligning the popularity of a name with the generation of sustainable energy? The notion certainly adds a sprinkle of magic to our otherwise rigorous exercise in data analysis.
In this paper, we present our findings with a mix of bemusement and scholarly gravitas, inviting fellow researchers to join us in pondering the curious interplay of nomenclature and renewable energy. While the initial revelation might seem as improbable as a unicorn in a statistics textbook, we hope that our foray into this lighthearted yet thought-provoking realm will inspire further investigations and perhaps a few chuckles along the way.
So, dear reader, buckle up for a journey through the twists and turns of statistical whimsy, as we shed light on the unexpected link between the name Silas and the glimmering world of solar power in Bulgaria.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

In analyzing the data, our research team uncovered a remarkable correlation between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. The correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 and an r-squared value of 0.9319840 disclosed a strong, nearly linear relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. The p-value of less than 0.01 reinforced the robustness of this remarkable association, eliciting both astonishment and amusement among our team.

Furthermore, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually portrays the pronounced alignment between the prevalence of the name Silas and the solar power output in Bulgaria, offering a compelling testament to the inexplicable interplay between nomenclature and renewable energy. This unexpected connection invites a whimsical reflection on the cosmic forces that may underpin seemingly unrelated phenomena, adding a touch of levity to the otherwise serious realm of scientific inquiry.

Intriguingly, the strength of the correlation prompts contemplation of the potential global ramifications of personal nomenclature on renewable energy trends. While this revelation may initially appear as improbable as finding a quark in a haystack, it urges further investigation into the mysterious dance between names and energy dynamics, as well as the potential role of serendipity in shaping our understanding of the world around us. This unlikely connection, albeit unexpected, challenges traditional notions and provides a refreshing perspective on the intricate web of interconnected variables that govern our universe.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 Popularity of the first name Silas and Solar power generated in Bulgaria. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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]]
Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing yet understudied relationship between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration spanning from 2009 to 2021, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a seemingly inexplicable connection. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 with a significance level of p < 0.01, suggesting a compelling association that defies conventional logic. This discovery not only sheds light on the energy landscape but also offers a whimsical reflection of the omnipresent influence of names in this complex, interconnected world. As Silas rises in popularity, it appears that solar power in Bulgaria experiences a similar surge, prompting a playful consideration of cosmic forces at play. While our results may raise eyebrows, they warrant further investigation into the enigmatic dynamics at the intersection of nomenclature and renewable energy.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The exploration of the correlation between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria is an undertaking that, at first glance, may seem unusual. However, as we delve into the existing literature, we find several studies that have delved into seemingly unrelated subjects and unearthed surprising connections. Smith (2015) examines the associations between solar energy and cultural phenomena, offering intriguing insights into the potential influence of popular nomenclature on environmental factors. Similarly, Doe (2018) investigates the impact of renewable energy trends on social naming patterns, providing a thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between seemingly disparate realms.
Moving beyond the domains of renewable energy and nomenclature, several non-fiction works offer pertinent reflections on seemingly unrelated phenomena. In "The Power of Names" by Jones (2017), the author examines the psychological significance of names in society, shedding light on their potential to shape individual perceptions and societal constructs. Furthermore, in "The Solar Odyssey: Exploring Energy Landscapes" by Brown (2019), the intricate relationship between solar power and global energy dynamics is meticulously dissected, hinting at the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate elements.
On a more whimsical note, fiction literature contributes to our understanding of the subtle, often unexpected connections that underpin seemingly unrelated subjects. In "Sunshine and Silas: A Cosmic Convergence" by Wilde (2015), the interweaving of celestial forces and the human experience adds a layer of mystique to the exploration of solar phenomena and nomenclature. Similarly, in "Names in the Stars" by Harper (2014), the author playfully imagines a universe where names hold sway over natural phenomena, blurring the boundaries between reality and whimsy.
In the pursuit of uncovering unorthodox correlations, one must also consider unconventional sources of insight. It would be remiss not to mention the overlooked treasure trove of knowledge inscribed on everyday items, such as the backs of shampoo bottles and cereal boxes. While unexpected, these snippets of wisdom and humor may harbor a nugget of truth or spark a moment of lighthearted inspiration, reminding researchers of the serendipitous nature of discovery.
As we wade through the currents of literature in search of parallels to our own research, it becomes evident that the unexpected and whimsical often hide in the most unassuming of places. Building upon these scholarly foundations, we embark on our own inquiry into the amusing and thought-provoking correlation between the name Silas and the radiant world of solar power generation in Bulgaria.

[[RESULTS]]
In analyzing the data, our research team uncovered a remarkable correlation between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. The correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 and an r-squared value of 0.9319840 disclosed a strong, nearly linear relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. The p-value of less than 0.01 reinforced the robustness of this remarkable association, eliciting both astonishment and amusement among our team.
Furthermore, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually portrays the pronounced alignment between the prevalence of the name Silas and the solar power output in Bulgaria, offering a compelling testament to the inexplicable interplay between nomenclature and renewable energy. This unexpected connection invites a whimsical reflection on the cosmic forces that may underpin seemingly unrelated phenomena, adding a touch of levity to the otherwise serious realm of scientific inquiry.
Intriguingly, the strength of the correlation prompts contemplation of the potential global ramifications of personal nomenclature on renewable energy trends. While this revelation may initially appear as improbable as finding a quark in a haystack, it urges further investigation into the mysterious dance between names and energy dynamics, as well as the potential role of serendipity in shaping our understanding of the world around us. This unlikely connection, albeit unexpected, challenges traditional notions and provides a refreshing perspective on the intricate web of interconnected variables that govern our universe.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The magnitude of the correlation between the popularity of the name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria has left us both astounded and amused. Our results not only support previous research that delved into seemingly unrelated subjects but also offer a lighthearted yet compelling reflection of the intriguing interplay between nomenclature and renewable energy dynamics. We simply cannot resist the temptation to draw parallels with the unexpected connections found in the literature, some of which may have initially seemed trivial but have subsequently proven to be of great significance, much like stumbling upon a hidden punchline in a serious discussion.

The notion of cosmic convergence, as playfully explored in works of fiction such as "Sunshine and Silas: A Cosmic Convergence" and "Names in the Stars," takes on a newfound dimension as we contemplate the possibility that the name Silas and solar power generation in Bulgaria are entwined by forces beyond conventional comprehension. While it may initially sound like the setup for a scientific joke, our findings lend credence to the idea that the seemingly whimsical realm of nomenclature may indeed exert a palpable influence on the energy landscape, prompting an unexpected yet thought-provoking consideration of the cosmic connections at work.

In a world often characterized by scholarly solemnity, our results invite a touch of levity as we contemplate the notion of personal nomenclature exerting an unsuspected pull on renewable energy trends. It almost feels like uncovering a pun in a data set or stumbling upon a statistical anomaly that defies conventional reasoning. However, our results robustly support the existence of this correlation, prompting a whimsical nod to the unanticipated influences that underpin the interconnected variables that govern our universe.

As we navigate the whimsical and enigmatic landscape unveiled by our findings, it becomes evident that in the realm of science, as in life, unexpected connections and playful reflections often yield insights that transcend the ordinary. Our research not only upholds prior scholarly investigations but also injects a sense of amusement into the rigorous pursuit of knowledge, serving as a reminder of the delightful surprises that can accompany the investigation of even the most eccentric hypotheses.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 Popularity of the first name Silas and Solar power generated in Bulgaria. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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]]
Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing yet understudied relationship between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration spanning from 2009 to 2021, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a seemingly inexplicable connection. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 with a significance level of p < 0.01, suggesting a compelling association that defies conventional logic. This discovery not only sheds light on the energy landscape but also offers a whimsical reflection of the omnipresent influence of names in this complex, interconnected world. As Silas rises in popularity, it appears that solar power in Bulgaria experiences a similar surge, prompting a playful consideration of cosmic forces at play. While our results may raise eyebrows, they warrant further investigation into the enigmatic dynamics at the intersection of nomenclature and renewable energy.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Ah, the whimsical world of research, where the profound and the peculiar collide. In this paper, we embark on an odyssey of statistical sleuthing to unravel the enigmatic connections between the name Silas and solar power generation in Bulgaria. While seemingly disparate at first glance, our investigation uncovers a correlation that defies logic and invites a dash of humor into the realm of rigorous inquiry.
As renowned wordsmith, William Shakespeare, once wrote, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." However, our exploration into the popularity of the name Silas proposes that there might, in fact, be more to a name than meets the eye. This project emerged from a serendipitous observation that the ascent of the name Silas in the United States appears to coincide with a surge in solar power generation in the distant land of Bulgaria. With a twinkle in our eyes and a good measure of skepticism, we delved into the data to ascertain whether this correlation was mere happenstance or a more profound phenomenon at play.
The choice to focus on Bulgaria in our investigation might prompt some to raise an eyebrow. However, as the saying goes, "The sun shines equally on all continents," and Bulgaria's embrace of solar energy provides a fitting backdrop for our inquiry. Furthermore, the idea of a Transatlantic connection between the popularity of a name in the United States and solar power in Eastern Europe adds a delightful layer of intrigue to our research.
Our quest was bolstered by robust datasets from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration, spanning a considerable timeframe from 2009 to 2021. This allowed us to unleash the full might of statistical analysis and unearth the surprising correlation coefficient of 0.9653932, dazzling us with its near-perfect alignment. The significance level of p < 0.01 further underlined the compelling nature of our findings, stirring a hum of curiosity in the halls of academia.
As we untangled this captivating correlation, we couldn't help but ponder the whimsical implications of our discovery. Could there be cosmic forces at play, aligning the popularity of a name with the generation of sustainable energy? The notion certainly adds a sprinkle of magic to our otherwise rigorous exercise in data analysis.
In this paper, we present our findings with a mix of bemusement and scholarly gravitas, inviting fellow researchers to join us in pondering the curious interplay of nomenclature and renewable energy. While the initial revelation might seem as improbable as a unicorn in a statistics textbook, we hope that our foray into this lighthearted yet thought-provoking realm will inspire further investigations and perhaps a few chuckles along the way.
So, dear reader, buckle up for a journey through the twists and turns of statistical whimsy, as we shed light on the unexpected link between the name Silas and the glimmering world of solar power in Bulgaria.

[[RESULTS]]
In analyzing the data, our research team uncovered a remarkable correlation between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. The correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 and an r-squared value of 0.9319840 disclosed a strong, nearly linear relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. The p-value of less than 0.01 reinforced the robustness of this remarkable association, eliciting both astonishment and amusement among our team.
Furthermore, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually portrays the pronounced alignment between the prevalence of the name Silas and the solar power output in Bulgaria, offering a compelling testament to the inexplicable interplay between nomenclature and renewable energy. This unexpected connection invites a whimsical reflection on the cosmic forces that may underpin seemingly unrelated phenomena, adding a touch of levity to the otherwise serious realm of scientific inquiry.
Intriguingly, the strength of the correlation prompts contemplation of the potential global ramifications of personal nomenclature on renewable energy trends. While this revelation may initially appear as improbable as finding a quark in a haystack, it urges further investigation into the mysterious dance between names and energy dynamics, as well as the potential role of serendipity in shaping our understanding of the world around us. This unlikely connection, albeit unexpected, challenges traditional notions and provides a refreshing perspective on the intricate web of interconnected variables that govern our universe.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study transcends the ordinary boundaries of statistical inquiry to illuminate an improbable yet amusing correlation between the popularity of the first name Silas and solar power generation in Bulgaria. The near-perfect alignment we've unraveled between these seemingly unrelated variables prompts a delightful dance of speculation and statistical scrutiny. Our findings not only challenge conventional wisdom but also kindle a whimsical contemplation of the cosmic harmony that might underpin this seemingly inexplicable connection. As we navigate through the labyrinth of correlations, we can't help but marvel at the playful interplay of nomenclature and renewable energy, adding a sprinkle of enchantment to the often austere domain of scientific investigation. The robustness of our results, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 and a significance level of p < 0.01, hints at the irresistible allure of statistical serendipity, inviting a cheeky nod to the capricious nature of our universe.

This investigation, while undoubtedly lighthearted in its demeanor, offers a profound reflection on the interwoven tapestry of seemingly disparate phenomena. It invites researchers to embrace the unexpected, to find joy in the curious, and to perhaps crack a smile at the whimsy of statistical correlations. As we bid adieu to this captivating exploration, we contend that no further investigation in this domain is warranted, for sometimes, delighting in the enigmatic magic of statistical surprises might just be the most illuminating pursuit of all.


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 Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Celestial Names and Sustainable Energy


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 Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Spectral Solar Studies Society


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 Shining Silas: Illuminating the Correlation between the Name Popularity of Silas and Solar Power Generation in Bulgaria with an abstract of This paper investigates the intriguing yet understudied relationship between the popularity of the first name Silas in the United States and the solar power generated in Bulgaria. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Energy Information Administration spanning from 2009 to 2021, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a seemingly inexplicable connection. Our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9653932 with a significance level of p < 0.01, suggesting a compelling association that defies conventional logic. This discovery not only sheds light on the energy landscape but also offers a whimsical reflection of the omnipresent influence of names in this complex, interconnected world. As Silas rises in popularity, it appears that solar power in Bulgaria experiences a similar surge, prompting a playful consideration of cosmic forces at play. While our results may raise eyebrows, they warrant further investigation into the enigmatic dynamics at the intersection of nomenclature and renewable energy.

ChatGPT:

Silas name popularity, solar power generation, Silas United States, Bulgaria solar power, name correlation, United States Social Security Administration data, Energy Information Administration data, Silas popularity rise, solar power surge, correlation coefficient, whimsical reflection, cosmic forces, renewable energy dynamics

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



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Data details

Popularity of the first name Silas
Detailed data title: Babies of all sexes born in the US named Silas
Source: US Social Security Administration
See what else correlates with Popularity of the first name Silas

Solar power generated in Bulgaria
Detailed data title: Total solar power generated in Bulgaria in billion kWh
Source: Energy Information Administration
See what else correlates with Solar power generated in Bulgaria

Correlation r = 0.9653932 (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 = 0.9319840 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 93.2% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Solar power generated in Bulgaria) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Popularity of the first name Silas) over the 13 years from 2009 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 9.2E-8. 0.0000000919672523711219700000
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 0.97 in 9.2E-6% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 10,873,436 random variables You don't actually need 10 million 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 12 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 12 because we have two variables measured over a period of 13 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.

[ 0.89, 0.99 ] 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.
2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Popularity of the first name Silas (Babies born)1387163221172502341729373197342333493527356536473907
Solar power generated in Bulgaria (Billion kWh)0.0030.0150.10.8141.3611.2521.3831.3861.402771.342771.442471.480861.49698




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. Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.




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([1387,1632,2117,2502,3417,2937,3197,3423,3349,3527,3565,3647,3907,])
array_2 = np.array([0.003,0.015,0.1,0.814,1.361,1.252,1.383,1.386,1.40277,1.34277,1.44247,1.48086,1.49698,])
array_1_name = "Popularity of the first name Silas"
array_2_name = "Solar power generated in Bulgaria"

# 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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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: 1748 · Black Variable ID: 3625 · Red Variable ID: 23553
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