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Spurious correlation #1,116 · 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 Utah and the second variable is Patents granted in the US.  The chart goes from 1975 to 2020, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

The UFOs were actually advanced technology created by Utah residents, and as their inventions caught the attention of extraterrestrial beings, the aliens couldn't help but file patents for the incredible gadgets and gizmos they saw. It's a classic case of the universe recognizing true innovation, and Utah's UFO enthusiasts inadvertently becoming the ultimate source of inspiration for otherworldly inventors. Who knew that the key to unlocking groundbreaking ideas was simply to think beyond the stars?

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a mountainous Utah landscape under a clear night sky. In the distance, a bright, glowing UFO is seen hovering, captivating witnesses below. In contrast, inside a well-lit room, a group of innovators is working collaboratively, surrounded by sketches, plans, and innovative prototypes. The scene should convey a sense of awe and wonder as the UFO sightings drive the inventive spirit, leading to a surge in creativity and a sense of boundless innovation. The overall image should be in a 3D Pixar style, with vibrant colors and a touch of whimsical wonder. 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 situation described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here is a situation: Utah's UFO sightings have been skyrocketing, and it seems that the extraterrestrial visitors are bringing more than just curiosity with them. As the number of reported UFO sightings has gone up, so too has the number of patents granted in the US. Some experts speculate that the increased UFO activity has inspired Utahns to think outside the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a surge in innovative ideas and technological advancements. Could it be that these UFOs are not just probing our skies, but also probing our minds for groundbreaking inventions?. Given that situation, which of the following image descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand and the tone of the explanation. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: An image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie a Polaroid photo Low poly 3D Pixar Style Steampunk
ChatGPT: 3D Pixar Style

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated and the explanation described. Do not reference graphs or charts; describe physical objects.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that depicts the following situation. Keep the description simple. Utah's UFO sightings have been skyrocketing, and it seems that the extraterrestrial visitors are bringing more than just curiosity with them. As the number of reported UFO sightings has gone up, so too has the number of patents granted in the US. Some experts speculate that the increased UFO activity has inspired Utahns to think outside the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a surge in innovative ideas and technological advancements. Could it be that these UFOs are not just probing our skies, but also probing our minds for groundbreaking inventions?
ChatGPT: In Utah, picture a clear night sky with a bright, glowing UFO being spotted by witnesses. Alongside this, imagine a group of innovators collaborating and brainstorming in a room, surrounded by sketches and plans for new inventions. The increased sightings of UFOs seem to be sparking creativity and out-of-this-world thinking, leading to a surge in patents being granted. It's as though the UFOs are not just exploring the outer atmosphere, but also inspiring Utahns to reach for boundless innovation.

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: [ 3D Pixar Style ] and depicting this scene: In Utah, picture a clear night sky with a bright, glowing UFO being spotted by witnesses. Alongside this, imagine a group of innovators collaborating and brainstorming in a room, surrounded by sketches and plans for new inventions. The increased sightings of UFOs seem to be sparking creativity and out-of-this-world thinking, leading to a surge in patents being granted. It's as though the UFOs are not just exploring the outer atmosphere, but also inspiring Utahns to reach for boundless innovation. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a mountainous Utah landscape under a clear night sky. In the distance, a bright, glowing UFO is seen hovering, captivating witnesses below. In contrast, inside a well-lit room, a group of innovators is working collaboratively, surrounded by sketches, plans, and innovative prototypes. The scene should convey a sense of awe and wonder as the UFO sightings drive the inventive spirit, leading to a surge in creativity and a sense of boundless innovation. The overall image should be in a 3D Pixar style, with vibrant colors and a touch of whimsical wonder.

*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 Utah caused Patents granted in the US to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants

Journal of Extraterrestrial Studies

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 dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Utah and Patents granted in the US. 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 USPTO to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 and p < 0.01 for 1975 to 2020.

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]]
"Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Patent and Trademark Office, this study delves into the intriguing question of whether there is a link between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States. Our research team subjected the data from 1975 to 2020 to rigorous statistical analysis and unearthed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a strong relationship between the two variables.

Intriguingly, our findings suggest that the presence of otherworldly visitors in the skies above Utah may be influencing the wave of innovative ideas and technological advancements that lead to patent grants in the US. While some may dismiss this correlation as mere coincidence, our analysis encourages a closer examination of the cosmic forces at play in the world of intellectual property.

In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence of a connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the patent grants awarded in the US, shedding light on a hitherto overlooked aspect of extraterrestrial influence on human technological progress. With these findings, we aim to spark further research, igniting curiosity about the broader impact of interstellar phenomena on earthly innovation. It seems our quest for groundbreaking discoveries is truly "out of this world!"

Surprisingly, we didn't find any patents for "flying saucers" in the USPTO records. It seems the extraterrestrials have been keeping their technology under wraps – or perhaps they just prefer intergalactic copyright protection!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Utah and Patents granted in the US. 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]]
"Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Patent and Trademark Office, this study delves into the intriguing question of whether there is a link between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States. Our research team subjected the data from 1975 to 2020 to rigorous statistical analysis and unearthed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a strong relationship between the two variables.

Intriguingly, our findings suggest that the presence of otherworldly visitors in the skies above Utah may be influencing the wave of innovative ideas and technological advancements that lead to patent grants in the US. While some may dismiss this correlation as mere coincidence, our analysis encourages a closer examination of the cosmic forces at play in the world of intellectual property.

In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence of a connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the patent grants awarded in the US, shedding light on a hitherto overlooked aspect of extraterrestrial influence on human technological progress. With these findings, we aim to spark further research, igniting curiosity about the broader impact of interstellar phenomena on earthly innovation. It seems our quest for groundbreaking discoveries is truly "out of this world!"

Surprisingly, we didn't find any patents for "flying saucers" in the USPTO records. It seems the extraterrestrials have been keeping their technology under wraps – or perhaps they just prefer intergalactic copyright protection!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The quest for scientific inquiry often leads us down unexpected, and sometimes, otherworldly paths. As we peer into the boundless expanse of the cosmos, we are compelled to consider the potential impact of extraterrestrial phenomena on our earthly endeavors. In this study, we embark on a journey that transcends the boundaries of conventional scientific investigation, as we seek to unravel the mysterious connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the issuance of patents in the United States.

Many may scoff at the notion of extraterrestrial beings influencing the innovative output of the human race, dismissing it as mere science fiction. However, as the saying goes, "The truth is out there," and perhaps it is hiding in plain sight among the statistical correlations and numerical analyses.

As we delve into this curious correlation, we are reminded of a classic dad joke: Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny! In a similar vein, the eyebrow-raising correlation we are about to unveil may elicit both skepticism and amusement, prompting us to contemplate the interplay of cosmic events and human ingenuity.

Our investigation delves into the question of whether the UFO sightings dotting the Utah skies have cast a shadow, or perhaps a beam of extraterrestrial inspiration, on the inventive minds of individuals across the United States. The unexpected nature of our inquiry is reminiscent of a flying saucer sighting – an enigma that beckons us to peer through the telescope of statistical analysis in search of a potential cosmic conundrum.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Utah and Patents granted in the US. 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. Perhaps you also got inspiration from some board games that are vaugely related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Patent and Trademark Office, this study delves into the intriguing question of whether there is a link between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States. Our research team subjected the data from 1975 to 2020 to rigorous statistical analysis and unearthed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a strong relationship between the two variables.

Intriguingly, our findings suggest that the presence of otherworldly visitors in the skies above Utah may be influencing the wave of innovative ideas and technological advancements that lead to patent grants in the US. While some may dismiss this correlation as mere coincidence, our analysis encourages a closer examination of the cosmic forces at play in the world of intellectual property.

In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence of a connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the patent grants awarded in the US, shedding light on a hitherto overlooked aspect of extraterrestrial influence on human technological progress. With these findings, we aim to spark further research, igniting curiosity about the broader impact of interstellar phenomena on earthly innovation. It seems our quest for groundbreaking discoveries is truly "out of this world!"

Surprisingly, we didn't find any patents for "flying saucers" in the USPTO records. It seems the extraterrestrials have been keeping their technology under wraps – or perhaps they just prefer intergalactic copyright protection!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The quest for scientific inquiry often leads us down unexpected, and sometimes, otherworldly paths. As we peer into the boundless expanse of the cosmos, we are compelled to consider the potential impact of extraterrestrial phenomena on our earthly endeavors. In this study, we embark on a journey that transcends the boundaries of conventional scientific investigation, as we seek to unravel the mysterious connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the issuance of patents in the United States.
Many may scoff at the notion of extraterrestrial beings influencing the innovative output of the human race, dismissing it as mere science fiction. However, as the saying goes, "The truth is out there," and perhaps it is hiding in plain sight among the statistical correlations and numerical analyses.
As we delve into this curious correlation, we are reminded of a classic dad joke: Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny! In a similar vein, the eyebrow-raising correlation we are about to unveil may elicit both skepticism and amusement, prompting us to contemplate the interplay of cosmic events and human ingenuity.
Our investigation delves into the question of whether the UFO sightings dotting the Utah skies have cast a shadow, or perhaps a beam of extraterrestrial inspiration, on the inventive minds of individuals across the United States. The unexpected nature of our inquiry is reminiscent of a flying saucer sighting – an enigma that beckons us to peer through the telescope of statistical analysis in search of a potential cosmic conundrum.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Prior investigations into the link between extraterrestrial phenomena and human innovation have been scarce, with few venturing into the uncharted territory of correlating UFO sightings with patent grants. However, Smith et al. (2015) ventured boldly into this domain, laying the groundwork for our own research. They hypothesized that UFO sightings may have an impact on the creative thinking of individuals and organizations, potentially leading to an increase in patent activity. Similarly, Doe and Jones (2018) suggested a potential connection between cosmic visitations and the surge in technological advancement, providing a launching pad for our subsequent exploration.

Turning to more lighthearted sources, "UFOs: Fact or Fiction" by David A. Aguilar, and "Patent Pending in 24 Hours" by Richard Stim and David Pressman, provided valuable insights into the intersection of otherworldly phenomena and intellectual property rights. Furthermore, the fictional works "The X-Files: Goblins" by Charles Grant and "Men in Black" by Steve Perry, although not rooted in empirical evidence, offered entertaining perspectives on the coexistence of extraterrestrial encounters and human inventive capacity.

Drawing inspiration from the world of board games, the popular title "Cosmic Encounter" by Future Pastimes and "UFO: Enemy Unknown" by Mythos Games and MicroProse simulated intergalactic interactions, offering thought-provoking parallels to our investigation.

As we venture further into the realm of interstellar innovation, it is essential to maintain a sense of humor, reminiscent of a classic dad joke: Why did the UFO refuse to land? It didn't want to get stuck in a patent dispute! In similar fashion, as we navigate through the cosmic expanse of statistical analyses and astronomical correlations, it is crucial to uphold a lighthearted perspective on the often perplexing intersection of extraterrestrial influences and earthly endeavors.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Utah and Patents granted in the US. 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 USPTO . You used data from 1975 to 2020

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]]
"Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Patent and Trademark Office, this study delves into the intriguing question of whether there is a link between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States. Our research team subjected the data from 1975 to 2020 to rigorous statistical analysis and unearthed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a strong relationship between the two variables.

Intriguingly, our findings suggest that the presence of otherworldly visitors in the skies above Utah may be influencing the wave of innovative ideas and technological advancements that lead to patent grants in the US. While some may dismiss this correlation as mere coincidence, our analysis encourages a closer examination of the cosmic forces at play in the world of intellectual property.

In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence of a connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the patent grants awarded in the US, shedding light on a hitherto overlooked aspect of extraterrestrial influence on human technological progress. With these findings, we aim to spark further research, igniting curiosity about the broader impact of interstellar phenomena on earthly innovation. It seems our quest for groundbreaking discoveries is truly "out of this world!"

Surprisingly, we didn't find any patents for "flying saucers" in the USPTO records. It seems the extraterrestrials have been keeping their technology under wraps – or perhaps they just prefer intergalactic copyright protection!

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The quest for scientific inquiry often leads us down unexpected, and sometimes, otherworldly paths. As we peer into the boundless expanse of the cosmos, we are compelled to consider the potential impact of extraterrestrial phenomena on our earthly endeavors. In this study, we embark on a journey that transcends the boundaries of conventional scientific investigation, as we seek to unravel the mysterious connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the issuance of patents in the United States.
Many may scoff at the notion of extraterrestrial beings influencing the innovative output of the human race, dismissing it as mere science fiction. However, as the saying goes, "The truth is out there," and perhaps it is hiding in plain sight among the statistical correlations and numerical analyses.
As we delve into this curious correlation, we are reminded of a classic dad joke: Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny! In a similar vein, the eyebrow-raising correlation we are about to unveil may elicit both skepticism and amusement, prompting us to contemplate the interplay of cosmic events and human ingenuity.
Our investigation delves into the question of whether the UFO sightings dotting the Utah skies have cast a shadow, or perhaps a beam of extraterrestrial inspiration, on the inventive minds of individuals across the United States. The unexpected nature of our inquiry is reminiscent of a flying saucer sighting – an enigma that beckons us to peer through the telescope of statistical analysis in search of a potential cosmic conundrum.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

The methodology employed in this study encompassed a comprehensive collection and analysis of data pertaining to UFO sightings in Utah and US patent grants. Data on UFO sightings was obtained from the National UFO Reporting Center, encompassing reports from 1975 to 2020. The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) served as the primary source of information regarding patents granted during the same time period.

To extract the UFO sighting data, we employed an innovative approach involving the use of specialized algorithms designed to sift through the abundance of online reports. These algorithms filtered out known celestial objects, aircraft, and drones, focusing exclusively on reports with characteristics indicative of unidentified flying objects. This approach ensured that the dataset comprised genuine UFO sightings, minimizing the inclusion of false positives that could compromise the integrity of the analysis.

Upon obtaining the UFO sighting data, we meticulously cross-referenced the geographical coordinates of each reported sighting with the corresponding proximity to Utah. This geographical filtering allowed us to isolate instances that pertained specifically to the airspace over Utah, thus facilitating a targeted examination of the potential impact of UFO sightings in this region.

In parallel, the data concerning US patent grants was subjected to a rigorous categorization process, classifying patents based on their respective technological domains. This categorization enabled us to discern patterns in the distribution of patent grants across various sectors, shedding light on potential areas of overlap with the purported influence of UFO sightings.

As we delved into the intricate web of data, we were reminded of a classic UFO-related dad joke: Why did the alien break up with the moon? Because it was just too "space-y"! Appropriately, our methodology sought to navigate through the vast expanse of data, aiming to uncover any semblance of connection between extraterrestrial encounters and human innovations.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Utah and Patents granted in the US. 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 USPTO .

For the time period 1975 to 2020, you found a correlation 0.9271506, r-squared of 0.8596083, 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]]
"Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Patent and Trademark Office, this study delves into the intriguing question of whether there is a link between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States. Our research team subjected the data from 1975 to 2020 to rigorous statistical analysis and unearthed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a strong relationship between the two variables.

Intriguingly, our findings suggest that the presence of otherworldly visitors in the skies above Utah may be influencing the wave of innovative ideas and technological advancements that lead to patent grants in the US. While some may dismiss this correlation as mere coincidence, our analysis encourages a closer examination of the cosmic forces at play in the world of intellectual property.

In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence of a connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the patent grants awarded in the US, shedding light on a hitherto overlooked aspect of extraterrestrial influence on human technological progress. With these findings, we aim to spark further research, igniting curiosity about the broader impact of interstellar phenomena on earthly innovation. It seems our quest for groundbreaking discoveries is truly "out of this world!"

Surprisingly, we didn't find any patents for "flying saucers" in the USPTO records. It seems the extraterrestrials have been keeping their technology under wraps – or perhaps they just prefer intergalactic copyright protection!

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The quest for scientific inquiry often leads us down unexpected, and sometimes, otherworldly paths. As we peer into the boundless expanse of the cosmos, we are compelled to consider the potential impact of extraterrestrial phenomena on our earthly endeavors. In this study, we embark on a journey that transcends the boundaries of conventional scientific investigation, as we seek to unravel the mysterious connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the issuance of patents in the United States.
Many may scoff at the notion of extraterrestrial beings influencing the innovative output of the human race, dismissing it as mere science fiction. However, as the saying goes, "The truth is out there," and perhaps it is hiding in plain sight among the statistical correlations and numerical analyses.
As we delve into this curious correlation, we are reminded of a classic dad joke: Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny! In a similar vein, the eyebrow-raising correlation we are about to unveil may elicit both skepticism and amusement, prompting us to contemplate the interplay of cosmic events and human ingenuity.
Our investigation delves into the question of whether the UFO sightings dotting the Utah skies have cast a shadow, or perhaps a beam of extraterrestrial inspiration, on the inventive minds of individuals across the United States. The unexpected nature of our inquiry is reminiscent of a flying saucer sighting – an enigma that beckons us to peer through the telescope of statistical analysis in search of a potential cosmic conundrum.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The results of our analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States over the period of 1975 to 2020. This indicates a strong positive association between these two variables. It seems that the UFO sightings in Utah may indeed be linked to the innovative output reflected in the patent grants across the US. It appears that Utah's skies are not just filled with stars but also with a hefty dose of extraterrestrial inspiration – talk about "heavenly" creativity!

Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.8596083 suggests that approximately 85.96% of the variability in the number of patents granted can be explained by the fluctuations in UFO sightings. It's as if the aliens are leaving their unmistakable mark on the landscape of technological advancement, subtly nudging human inventors in a cosmic game of "Simon says."

The statistical analysis also revealed a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating that the observed correlation is highly unlikely to have occurred by chance. This strengthens the argument for a bona fide relationship between UFO sightings in Utah and patent grants in the US, standing as a testament to the profound influence of otherworldly phenomena on our earthly innovations.

The figure (Fig. 1) showcases the scatterplot illustrating the robust correlation between UFO sightings in Utah and US patent grants, providing a visual testament to the cosmic connection at play. It seems that the stars, quite literally, have aligned to bestow their inventive brilliance upon the minds of earthly innovators.

In conclusion, our research has unearthed a compelling relationship between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States, opening the doors to a new realm of interstellar innovation. As we ponder the celestial forces at play in our technological progress, one cannot help but wonder: Are we truly the masterminds behind our inventions, or are we merely conduits for extraterrestrial ingenuity? It seems that when it comes to the cosmic quest for innovation, the sky is not the limit – it's just the beginning!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Utah and Patents granted in the US. 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]]
"Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Patent and Trademark Office, this study delves into the intriguing question of whether there is a link between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States. Our research team subjected the data from 1975 to 2020 to rigorous statistical analysis and unearthed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a strong relationship between the two variables.

Intriguingly, our findings suggest that the presence of otherworldly visitors in the skies above Utah may be influencing the wave of innovative ideas and technological advancements that lead to patent grants in the US. While some may dismiss this correlation as mere coincidence, our analysis encourages a closer examination of the cosmic forces at play in the world of intellectual property.

In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence of a connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the patent grants awarded in the US, shedding light on a hitherto overlooked aspect of extraterrestrial influence on human technological progress. With these findings, we aim to spark further research, igniting curiosity about the broader impact of interstellar phenomena on earthly innovation. It seems our quest for groundbreaking discoveries is truly "out of this world!"

Surprisingly, we didn't find any patents for "flying saucers" in the USPTO records. It seems the extraterrestrials have been keeping their technology under wraps – or perhaps they just prefer intergalactic copyright protection!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Prior investigations into the link between extraterrestrial phenomena and human innovation have been scarce, with few venturing into the uncharted territory of correlating UFO sightings with patent grants. However, Smith et al. (2015) ventured boldly into this domain, laying the groundwork for our own research. They hypothesized that UFO sightings may have an impact on the creative thinking of individuals and organizations, potentially leading to an increase in patent activity. Similarly, Doe and Jones (2018) suggested a potential connection between cosmic visitations and the surge in technological advancement, providing a launching pad for our subsequent exploration.
Turning to more lighthearted sources, "UFOs: Fact or Fiction" by David A. Aguilar, and "Patent Pending in 24 Hours" by Richard Stim and David Pressman, provided valuable insights into the intersection of otherworldly phenomena and intellectual property rights. Furthermore, the fictional works "The X-Files: Goblins" by Charles Grant and "Men in Black" by Steve Perry, although not rooted in empirical evidence, offered entertaining perspectives on the coexistence of extraterrestrial encounters and human inventive capacity.
Drawing inspiration from the world of board games, the popular title "Cosmic Encounter" by Future Pastimes and "UFO: Enemy Unknown" by Mythos Games and MicroProse simulated intergalactic interactions, offering thought-provoking parallels to our investigation.
As we venture further into the realm of interstellar innovation, it is essential to maintain a sense of humor, reminiscent of a classic dad joke: Why did the UFO refuse to land? It didn't want to get stuck in a patent dispute! In similar fashion, as we navigate through the cosmic expanse of statistical analyses and astronomical correlations, it is crucial to uphold a lighthearted perspective on the often perplexing intersection of extraterrestrial influences and earthly endeavors.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States over the period of 1975 to 2020. This indicates a strong positive association between these two variables. It seems that the UFO sightings in Utah may indeed be linked to the innovative output reflected in the patent grants across the US. It appears that Utah's skies are not just filled with stars but also with a hefty dose of extraterrestrial inspiration – talk about "heavenly" creativity!
Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.8596083 suggests that approximately 85.96% of the variability in the number of patents granted can be explained by the fluctuations in UFO sightings. It's as if the aliens are leaving their unmistakable mark on the landscape of technological advancement, subtly nudging human inventors in a cosmic game of "Simon says."
The statistical analysis also revealed a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating that the observed correlation is highly unlikely to have occurred by chance. This strengthens the argument for a bona fide relationship between UFO sightings in Utah and patent grants in the US, standing as a testament to the profound influence of otherworldly phenomena on our earthly innovations.
The figure (Fig. 1) showcases the scatterplot illustrating the robust correlation between UFO sightings in Utah and US patent grants, providing a visual testament to the cosmic connection at play. It seems that the stars, quite literally, have aligned to bestow their inventive brilliance upon the minds of earthly innovators.
In conclusion, our research has unearthed a compelling relationship between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States, opening the doors to a new realm of interstellar innovation. As we ponder the celestial forces at play in our technological progress, one cannot help but wonder: Are we truly the masterminds behind our inventions, or are we merely conduits for extraterrestrial ingenuity? It seems that when it comes to the cosmic quest for innovation, the sky is not the limit – it's just the beginning!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The findings of this study shed light on the intriguing correlation between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States, reinforcing prior research that ventured into the uncharted territory of extraterrestrial influences on human innovation. The statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of less than 0.01 provides compelling evidence of a relationship between these two variables, suggesting that the presence of otherworldly visitors may indeed be influencing the surge of inventive ideas leading to patent grants.

Echoing the humorous tone of prior research, it appears that the extraterrestrials have been discreetly beaming their innovative prowess into the creative minds of earthly inventors, akin to a cosmic game of "Simon says." This revelation prompts a classic dad joke: Why did the UFO refuse to land? It didn't want to get stuck in a patent dispute! The humor aside, our results lend credence to the notion that the stellar visitors may be playing a substantive role in the inventive landscape, albeit behind the scenes – or should we say, beyond the stratosphere?

The substantial r-squared value of 0.8596083 suggests that nearly 86% of the variability in the number of patents granted can be attributed to the fluctuations in UFO sightings. It seems that the extraterrestrial influence may not be merely a fleeting apparition but a steady celestial force guiding the course of human innovation. This thought provokes the question: are we the architects of our inventions, or are we merely conduits for interstellar ingenuity? It's a cosmic conundrum that adds a touch of intergalactic mystique to the realm of intellectual property.

The visual representation of the robust correlation in the scatterplot (Fig. 1) further bolsters the argument for a genuine connection between UFO sightings in Utah and patent grants in the US. The alignment of the data points in the plot is reminiscent of the stars aligning to bestow their inventive brilliance upon the minds of human innovators, underscoring the influence of cosmic forces on our earthly endeavors.

Thus, our findings not only support existing research but also act as a catalyst for further explorations into the impact of interstellar phenomena on human creativity and technological progress. It seems that the quest for groundbreaking discoveries truly transcends earthly confines, delving into the enigmatic realm of interstellar innovation.

In this cosmic dance of statistical analyses and astronomical correlations, our study serves as a testament to the profound influence of otherworldly phenomena on our earthly innovations. After all, when it comes to the nexus of cosmic curiosity and earthly ingenuity, it appears that the sky may not be the limit – it's just the beginning!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Utah and Patents granted in the US. 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]]
"Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Patent and Trademark Office, this study delves into the intriguing question of whether there is a link between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States. Our research team subjected the data from 1975 to 2020 to rigorous statistical analysis and unearthed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a strong relationship between the two variables.

Intriguingly, our findings suggest that the presence of otherworldly visitors in the skies above Utah may be influencing the wave of innovative ideas and technological advancements that lead to patent grants in the US. While some may dismiss this correlation as mere coincidence, our analysis encourages a closer examination of the cosmic forces at play in the world of intellectual property.

In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence of a connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the patent grants awarded in the US, shedding light on a hitherto overlooked aspect of extraterrestrial influence on human technological progress. With these findings, we aim to spark further research, igniting curiosity about the broader impact of interstellar phenomena on earthly innovation. It seems our quest for groundbreaking discoveries is truly "out of this world!"

Surprisingly, we didn't find any patents for "flying saucers" in the USPTO records. It seems the extraterrestrials have been keeping their technology under wraps – or perhaps they just prefer intergalactic copyright protection!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The quest for scientific inquiry often leads us down unexpected, and sometimes, otherworldly paths. As we peer into the boundless expanse of the cosmos, we are compelled to consider the potential impact of extraterrestrial phenomena on our earthly endeavors. In this study, we embark on a journey that transcends the boundaries of conventional scientific investigation, as we seek to unravel the mysterious connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the issuance of patents in the United States.
Many may scoff at the notion of extraterrestrial beings influencing the innovative output of the human race, dismissing it as mere science fiction. However, as the saying goes, "The truth is out there," and perhaps it is hiding in plain sight among the statistical correlations and numerical analyses.
As we delve into this curious correlation, we are reminded of a classic dad joke: Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny! In a similar vein, the eyebrow-raising correlation we are about to unveil may elicit both skepticism and amusement, prompting us to contemplate the interplay of cosmic events and human ingenuity.
Our investigation delves into the question of whether the UFO sightings dotting the Utah skies have cast a shadow, or perhaps a beam of extraterrestrial inspiration, on the inventive minds of individuals across the United States. The unexpected nature of our inquiry is reminiscent of a flying saucer sighting – an enigma that beckons us to peer through the telescope of statistical analysis in search of a potential cosmic conundrum.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States over the period of 1975 to 2020. This indicates a strong positive association between these two variables. It seems that the UFO sightings in Utah may indeed be linked to the innovative output reflected in the patent grants across the US. It appears that Utah's skies are not just filled with stars but also with a hefty dose of extraterrestrial inspiration – talk about "heavenly" creativity!
Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.8596083 suggests that approximately 85.96% of the variability in the number of patents granted can be explained by the fluctuations in UFO sightings. It's as if the aliens are leaving their unmistakable mark on the landscape of technological advancement, subtly nudging human inventors in a cosmic game of "Simon says."
The statistical analysis also revealed a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating that the observed correlation is highly unlikely to have occurred by chance. This strengthens the argument for a bona fide relationship between UFO sightings in Utah and patent grants in the US, standing as a testament to the profound influence of otherworldly phenomena on our earthly innovations.
The figure (Fig. 1) showcases the scatterplot illustrating the robust correlation between UFO sightings in Utah and US patent grants, providing a visual testament to the cosmic connection at play. It seems that the stars, quite literally, have aligned to bestow their inventive brilliance upon the minds of earthly innovators.
In conclusion, our research has unearthed a compelling relationship between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States, opening the doors to a new realm of interstellar innovation. As we ponder the celestial forces at play in our technological progress, one cannot help but wonder: Are we truly the masterminds behind our inventions, or are we merely conduits for extraterrestrial ingenuity? It seems that when it comes to the cosmic quest for innovation, the sky is not the limit – it's just the beginning!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has uncovered a remarkable correlation between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States. It appears that the extraterrestrial presence hovering above Utah has been more than just an object of curiosity; it has served as a catalyst for innovative ideas that materialize as patents across the nation. This correlation prompts us to reconsider the boundaries of human creativity and the potential influence of cosmic visitors on our technological progress. It seems the "truth" about extraterrestrial inspiration may indeed be "out there" among the stars, waiting to be discovered!

As we reflect on these findings, one cannot help but enjoy a classic dad joke: Why did the alien refuse to take the UFO home? He didn't want to get caught in a "space" jam! Just like the alien in the joke, the extraterrestrial influence on earthly patent grants evokes a chuckle and invites us to ponder the cosmic humor interwoven in our scientific pursuits.

Our analysis has opened a portal to a new realm of interstellar innovation, one that beckons further exploration and inquiry. However, it appears that, at least for now, the "galactic" nature of this correlation remains an enigma best left to ponder over a cup of coffee or perhaps a UFO-shaped cookie. Therefore, it is with a lighthearted nod to the stars above that we assert: No more research is needed in this area.


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 Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Extraterrestrial Studies


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 Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Association for Extraterrestrial Studies and Advancements


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 Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants with an abstract of Utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the US Patent and Trademark Office, this study delves into the intriguing question of whether there is a link between UFO sightings in Utah and the number of patents granted in the United States. Our research team subjected the data from 1975 to 2020 to rigorous statistical analysis and unearthed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.9271506 with a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a strong relationship between the two variables.
Intriguingly, our findings suggest that the presence of otherworldly visitors in the skies above Utah may be influencing the wave of innovative ideas and technological advancements that lead to patent grants in the US. While some may dismiss this correlation as mere coincidence, our analysis encourages a closer examination of the cosmic forces at play in the world of intellectual property.
In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence of a connection between UFO sightings in Utah and the patent grants awarded in the US, shedding light on a hitherto overlooked aspect of extraterrestrial influence on human technological progress. With these findings, we aim to spark further research, igniting curiosity about the broader impact of interstellar phenomena on earthly innovation. It seems our quest for groundbreaking discoveries is truly "out of this world!"
Surprisingly, we didn't find any patents for "flying saucers" in the USPTO records. It seems the extraterrestrials have been keeping their technology under wraps – or perhaps they just prefer intergalactic copyright protection!

ChatGPT:

UFO sightings, Utah, correlation, US Patent Grants, National UFO Reporting Center, US Patent and Trademark Office, statistical analysis, correlation coefficient, p-value, technological advancements, interstellar influence, intellectual property, cosmic forces, interstellar phenomena, human technological progress, groundbreaking discoveries, flying saucers, USPTO records, intergalactic copyright protection

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

Patents granted in the US
Detailed data title: Total number of patents granted in the US
Source: USPTO
See what else correlates with Patents granted in the US

Correlation r = 0.9271506 (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 = 0.8596083 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 86% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Patents granted in the US) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., UFO sightings in Utah) over the 46 years from 1975 through 2020.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.2E-20. 0.0000000000000000000224170363
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 0.93 in 2.2E-18% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 44,608,929,861,080,694,784 random variables You don't actually need 44 quintillion 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 45 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 45 because we have two variables measured over a period of 46 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.

[ 0.87, 0.96 ] 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.
1975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
UFO sightings in Utah (UFO sightings)221215231321213213137621193134234242252723352635405511093777590664581102
Patents granted in the US (Patents granted)768107538869781705145241366170710646327661982726507724576862893858427210253399077106696107394109746113587113834121696124069163142169085175979183970184375187012181299157718196405182899185224191927244341247713276788302948326032325980333583351403339992391103388900




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. Confounding variable: 2020 is particularly different from the other years on this graph. Confounding variables (like global pandemics) will cause two variables to look connected when in fact a "sneaky third" variable is influencing both of them behind the scenes.
  5. 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([2,2,1,2,1,5,2,3,1,3,2,1,2,1,3,2,1,3,1,3,7,6,21,19,31,34,23,42,42,25,27,23,35,26,35,40,55,110,93,77,75,90,66,45,81,102,])
array_2 = np.array([76810,75388,69781,70514,52413,66170,71064,63276,61982,72650,77245,76862,89385,84272,102533,99077,106696,107394,109746,113587,113834,121696,124069,163142,169085,175979,183970,184375,187012,181299,157718,196405,182899,185224,191927,244341,247713,276788,302948,326032,325980,333583,351403,339992,391103,388900,])
array_1_name = "UFO sightings in Utah"
array_2_name = "Patents granted in the US"

# 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 may re-use the images on this page for any purpose, even commercial purposes, without asking for permission. The only requirement is that you attribute Tyler Vigen. Attribution can take many different forms. If you leave the "tylervigen.com" link in the image, that satisfies it just fine. If you remove it and move it to a footnote, that's fine too. You can also just write "Charts courtesy of Tyler Vigen" at the bottom of an article.

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: 1116 · Black Variable ID: 1176 · Red Variable ID: 848
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