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Spurious correlation #1,128 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Uranus and Venus and the second variable is Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US.  The chart goes from 1986 to 2015, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the gap widened, the gravitational tug-of-war between the two planets weakened, leading to a celestial poo-flinging contest. The manure on Earth, feeling inspired by this cosmic competition, dried itself out in preparation for potential liftoff, much to the surprise of farmers everywhere. And that's how the interplanetary antics of Uranus and Venus inadvertently contributed to a bumper crop of dried manure in the US.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: An image that looks like it is a scene from A Disney Movie: A vast, open field with a herd of cows grazing peacefully under the clear, blue sky. In the distance, the night sky is visible, revealing Uranus and Venus moving further apart, creating a dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere. As a result of this celestial phenomenon, the cows show signs of joy and seem to produce more flatulence, which is represented in a whimsical and lighthearted manner. The farmers are happily collecting the plentiful cow manure, and it is being depicted in a way that emphasizes the positive aspect of this natural process. The warm, gentle sunlight accentuates the scene, filling it with a sense of magic and 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: The increase in distance between Uranus and Venus caused Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US to also increase because the cosmic alignment shifted the gravitational pull, resulting in an uptick in cow flatulence, leading to a surplus of high-quality manure for drying.. 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 Disney Movie Art nouveau Cutsy art illustration inspired by bauhaus Low poly
ChatGPT: An image that looks like it is a scene from A Disney Movie

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. The increase in distance between Uranus and Venus caused Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US to also increase because the cosmic alignment shifted the gravitational pull, resulting in an uptick in cow flatulence, leading to a surplus of high-quality manure for drying.
ChatGPT: Imagine a vast, open field with a herd of cows grazing under the clear blue sky. In the distance, Uranus and Venus appear to be moving further apart in the night sky. As a result, the gravitational forces seem to shift, causing the cows to produce more flatulence. The farmers are seen collecting the plentiful cow manure, which is then laid out to dry in the warm sun, creating a surplus of high-quality fertilizer for use on the fields.

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: [ An image that looks like it is a scene from A Disney Movie ] and depicting this scene: Imagine a vast, open field with a herd of cows grazing under the clear blue sky. In the distance, Uranus and Venus appear to be moving further apart in the night sky. As a result, the gravitational forces seem to shift, causing the cows to produce more flatulence. The farmers are seen collecting the plentiful cow manure, which is then laid out to dry in the warm sun, creating a surplus of high-quality fertilizer for use on the fields. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: An image that looks like it is a scene from A Disney Movie: A vast, open field with a herd of cows grazing peacefully under the clear, blue sky. In the distance, the night sky is visible, revealing Uranus and Venus moving further apart, creating a dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere. As a result of this celestial phenomenon, the cows show signs of joy and seem to produce more flatulence, which is represented in a whimsical and lighthearted manner. The farmers are happily collecting the plentiful cow manure, and it is being depicted in a way that emphasizes the positive aspect of this natural process. The warm, gentle sunlight accentuates the scene, filling it with a sense of magic and 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 The distance between Uranus and Venus caused Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US

The Journal of Cosmic Compost Research

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 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 The distance between Uranus and Venus and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. 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 Caclculated using Astropy and USDA to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 and p < 0.01 for 1986 to 2015.

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]]
The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents an unconventional investigation into the correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from Astropy for astronomical distances and the USDA for fertilizer usage statistics, our research team embarked on this unique inquiry. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. This eyebrow-raising result prompts a comical play on words, as the linkage between cosmic distances and earthly farming practices unveils a humorously unexpected relationship. The implications of this discovery stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 The distance between Uranus and Venus and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents an unconventional investigation into the correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from Astropy for astronomical distances and the USDA for fertilizer usage statistics, our research team embarked on this unique inquiry. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. This eyebrow-raising result prompts a comical play on words, as the linkage between cosmic distances and earthly farming practices unveils a humorously unexpected relationship. The implications of this discovery stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The study of celestial bodies and their potential influence on earthly phenomena has long captivated the imagination of both astronomers and the more astronomically inclined agriculturists. While traditional agricultural practices rely on the tried and true methods of soil management and crop rotation, our foray into the unlikely correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States has inevitably opened up a Pandora's box of cosmic curiosities.

As our research delved into the vast expanse of data provided by both Astropy and the USDA, we were initially met with skeptical raised eyebrows and more than a few muffled chuckles from our peers in other academic circles. However, armed with statistical rigor and a penchant for thinking outside the agricultural crate, we laid the groundwork for a study that would dig deep into the hidden connections between the celestial and the scatalogical. After all, as Carl Sagan once mused, "we are made of star stuff," so why should we not consider the cosmic implications of our terrestrial doings?

Our investigation, initially met with naysayers who were perhaps a bit too full of hot air, ultimately unearthed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683, along with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. The "scoop" became evident—a comical play on words that sheds a light-hearted perspective on the rather unexpected relationship between cosmic distances and, well, the stuff of fertilizer.

In unraveling this connection, it is crucial to consider the implications beyond the initial allure of cosmic puns. This eyebrow-raising correlation prompts a revisiting of the fundamental questions we pose about the interconnectedness of the universe and our own terrestrial endeavors. Moreover, our findings could revolutionize the application of agricultural practices, perhaps leading to a renaissance of "astronomically inspired" farming methods. The implications stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.

As we prepare to take the academic community on a journey through the stars and the manure piles, we invite the readers to join us in a jovial yet thought-provoking exploration of the uncharted territories where the heavens meet the humble soil. Dear academics and fellow pun enthusiasts, hold onto your soil probes and telescopes, for this is a journey that promises not just groundbreaking research, but also a fair share of cosmic chuckles along the way.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 The distance between Uranus and Venus and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. 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 CVS receipts.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents an unconventional investigation into the correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from Astropy for astronomical distances and the USDA for fertilizer usage statistics, our research team embarked on this unique inquiry. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. This eyebrow-raising result prompts a comical play on words, as the linkage between cosmic distances and earthly farming practices unveils a humorously unexpected relationship. The implications of this discovery stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The study of celestial bodies and their potential influence on earthly phenomena has long captivated the imagination of both astronomers and the more astronomically inclined agriculturists. While traditional agricultural practices rely on the tried and true methods of soil management and crop rotation, our foray into the unlikely correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States has inevitably opened up a Pandora's box of cosmic curiosities.
As our research delved into the vast expanse of data provided by both Astropy and the USDA, we were initially met with skeptical raised eyebrows and more than a few muffled chuckles from our peers in other academic circles. However, armed with statistical rigor and a penchant for thinking outside the agricultural crate, we laid the groundwork for a study that would dig deep into the hidden connections between the celestial and the scatalogical. After all, as Carl Sagan once mused, "we are made of star stuff," so why should we not consider the cosmic implications of our terrestrial doings?
Our investigation, initially met with naysayers who were perhaps a bit too full of hot air, ultimately unearthed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683, along with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. The "scoop" became evident—a comical play on words that sheds a light-hearted perspective on the rather unexpected relationship between cosmic distances and, well, the stuff of fertilizer.
In unraveling this connection, it is crucial to consider the implications beyond the initial allure of cosmic puns. This eyebrow-raising correlation prompts a revisiting of the fundamental questions we pose about the interconnectedness of the universe and our own terrestrial endeavors. Moreover, our findings could revolutionize the application of agricultural practices, perhaps leading to a renaissance of "astronomically inspired" farming methods. The implications stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.
As we prepare to take the academic community on a journey through the stars and the manure piles, we invite the readers to join us in a jovial yet thought-provoking exploration of the uncharted territories where the heavens meet the humble soil. Dear academics and fellow pun enthusiasts, hold onto your soil probes and telescopes, for this is a journey that promises not just groundbreaking research, but also a fair share of cosmic chuckles along the way.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The connection between celestial bodies and agricultural practices has long been a topic of interest and speculation. The works of Smith (2005), Doe (2010), and Jones (2013) have addressed the influence of cosmic phenomena on earthly activities, laying a foundation for our current investigation into the correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States.

Furthermore, the text "Cosmic Connections in Agriculture" by Green (2017) and "The Cosmic Compost Continuum" by Brown (2019) have provided insights into the potential intersections of celestial events and organic farming methods. These serious and scholarly works have contributed to the understanding of the broader context within which our study is situated.

Adding a touch of fiction to the mix, novels such as "The Plough and the Planets" by Starry McAuthor (2012) and "Manure in the Stars" by Cosmic Garden (2016) have whimsically explored the cosmic implications of terrestrial farming. These literary diversions, while not grounded in empirical evidence, have sparked the imagination and contributed to the discourse surrounding the integration of celestial knowledge into agriculture.

As part of our exhaustive literature review, we must also acknowledge an unexpected source of inspiration. In conducting our research, we stumbled upon an extensive collection of CVS receipts touting a myriad of unrelated products and rewards. While one might question the relevance of these receipts to our investigation, serendipity led us to an obscure study entitled "Bovine Lunar Manifestations and the Therapeutic Effects of Celestial Alignment" by Dr. Moondust (2020). Although its findings are, to put it politely, eccentric, this work prompted some lighthearted contemplation of the unexpected ways in which celestial bodies may influence earthly matters.

In conclusion, the literature surrounding the intersection of cosmic phenomena and agricultural practices encompasses a range of scholarly studies, imaginative narratives, and, well, some rather unexpected sources. This diversity of perspectives highlights the multidimensional nature of our investigation and underscores the importance of considering both serious discourse and more quirky, offbeat interpretations of the cosmic influence on earthly affairs.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 The distance between Uranus and Venus and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Caclculated using Astropy and USDA . You used data from 1986 to 2015

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]]
The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents an unconventional investigation into the correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from Astropy for astronomical distances and the USDA for fertilizer usage statistics, our research team embarked on this unique inquiry. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. This eyebrow-raising result prompts a comical play on words, as the linkage between cosmic distances and earthly farming practices unveils a humorously unexpected relationship. The implications of this discovery stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The study of celestial bodies and their potential influence on earthly phenomena has long captivated the imagination of both astronomers and the more astronomically inclined agriculturists. While traditional agricultural practices rely on the tried and true methods of soil management and crop rotation, our foray into the unlikely correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States has inevitably opened up a Pandora's box of cosmic curiosities.
As our research delved into the vast expanse of data provided by both Astropy and the USDA, we were initially met with skeptical raised eyebrows and more than a few muffled chuckles from our peers in other academic circles. However, armed with statistical rigor and a penchant for thinking outside the agricultural crate, we laid the groundwork for a study that would dig deep into the hidden connections between the celestial and the scatalogical. After all, as Carl Sagan once mused, "we are made of star stuff," so why should we not consider the cosmic implications of our terrestrial doings?
Our investigation, initially met with naysayers who were perhaps a bit too full of hot air, ultimately unearthed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683, along with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. The "scoop" became evident—a comical play on words that sheds a light-hearted perspective on the rather unexpected relationship between cosmic distances and, well, the stuff of fertilizer.
In unraveling this connection, it is crucial to consider the implications beyond the initial allure of cosmic puns. This eyebrow-raising correlation prompts a revisiting of the fundamental questions we pose about the interconnectedness of the universe and our own terrestrial endeavors. Moreover, our findings could revolutionize the application of agricultural practices, perhaps leading to a renaissance of "astronomically inspired" farming methods. The implications stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.
As we prepare to take the academic community on a journey through the stars and the manure piles, we invite the readers to join us in a jovial yet thought-provoking exploration of the uncharted territories where the heavens meet the humble soil. Dear academics and fellow pun enthusiasts, hold onto your soil probes and telescopes, for this is a journey that promises not just groundbreaking research, but also a fair share of cosmic chuckles along the way.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

In order to illuminate the interstellar interplay of Uranus and Venus on the agricultural landscape of the United States, our research team embarked on a quest to gather and crunch copious amounts of data. With one foot in the cosmos and the other in the barnyard, we sought to employ a multidimensional approach that would do justice to the complexity of our research topic.

Leveraging the astronomical prowess of Astropy, we diligently calculated the distance between Uranus and Venus for the years 1986 to 2015. This involved delving into celestial mechanics, celestial dynamics, and any other celestial fields we could get our hands on. With our figurative heads in the clouds and our hands in the data, we built a robust dataset of cosmic distances that would form the cornerstone of our analysis.

Simultaneously, we turned our attention to the earthly domain, where the scent of freshly fertilized fields wafted through the air. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided a treasure trove of information on the usage of dried manure as a fertilizer during the same time period. We combed through this agricultural odyssey of data, carefully documenting the application of this humble, yet essential, farming material.

Now, for the part that may raise a few eyebrows among our esteemed colleagues – the connection. Utilizing a fantastical fusion of statistical models and astrological wizardry, we juxtaposed the celestial distances with fertilizer usage to uncover any obscure relationship between the two. Our statistical analyses involved more calculations than there are stars in the sky, as we sought to determine whether the distance between Uranus and Venus exhibited any correlation with the application of dried manure as a fertilizer across the agricultural landscape of the United States.

The statistical significance of our findings was evaluated with the rigor befitting such an out-of-this-world (and yet so deeply grounded) investigation. We employed a range of inferential methods to tease out the subtle correlations that lay hidden within the vast expanse of our dataset. Our diligent efforts culminated in a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683, accompanied by a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, which unequivocally thrust this unexpected linkage into the spotlight.

While our methodology may appear to echo the musings of a cosmic farmer, it was underpinned by the stringent principles of empirical inquiry and statistical scrutiny. This delightfully quirky fusion of celestial mechanics and agricultural analytics set the stage for our revelatory findings, perhaps even prompting a celestial chuckle or two from the cosmic peanut gallery. Or should we say, the astrological almanac of leguminous laughter?


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 The distance between Uranus and Venus and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Caclculated using Astropy and USDA .

For the time period 1986 to 2015, you found a correlation 0.5759683, r-squared of 0.3317395, 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]]
The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents an unconventional investigation into the correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from Astropy for astronomical distances and the USDA for fertilizer usage statistics, our research team embarked on this unique inquiry. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. This eyebrow-raising result prompts a comical play on words, as the linkage between cosmic distances and earthly farming practices unveils a humorously unexpected relationship. The implications of this discovery stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The study of celestial bodies and their potential influence on earthly phenomena has long captivated the imagination of both astronomers and the more astronomically inclined agriculturists. While traditional agricultural practices rely on the tried and true methods of soil management and crop rotation, our foray into the unlikely correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States has inevitably opened up a Pandora's box of cosmic curiosities.
As our research delved into the vast expanse of data provided by both Astropy and the USDA, we were initially met with skeptical raised eyebrows and more than a few muffled chuckles from our peers in other academic circles. However, armed with statistical rigor and a penchant for thinking outside the agricultural crate, we laid the groundwork for a study that would dig deep into the hidden connections between the celestial and the scatalogical. After all, as Carl Sagan once mused, "we are made of star stuff," so why should we not consider the cosmic implications of our terrestrial doings?
Our investigation, initially met with naysayers who were perhaps a bit too full of hot air, ultimately unearthed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683, along with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. The "scoop" became evident—a comical play on words that sheds a light-hearted perspective on the rather unexpected relationship between cosmic distances and, well, the stuff of fertilizer.
In unraveling this connection, it is crucial to consider the implications beyond the initial allure of cosmic puns. This eyebrow-raising correlation prompts a revisiting of the fundamental questions we pose about the interconnectedness of the universe and our own terrestrial endeavors. Moreover, our findings could revolutionize the application of agricultural practices, perhaps leading to a renaissance of "astronomically inspired" farming methods. The implications stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.
As we prepare to take the academic community on a journey through the stars and the manure piles, we invite the readers to join us in a jovial yet thought-provoking exploration of the uncharted territories where the heavens meet the humble soil. Dear academics and fellow pun enthusiasts, hold onto your soil probes and telescopes, for this is a journey that promises not just groundbreaking research, but also a fair share of cosmic chuckles along the way.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The empirical analysis of the relationship between the distance separating Uranus and Venus and the usage of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States from 1986 to 2015 yielded some intriguing insights. The correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 indicates a moderately strong positive relationship between these seemingly disparate factors. Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.3317395 suggests that approximately 33.17% of the variability in fertilizer usage can be explained by changes in the distance between Uranus and Venus during this time period. With a p-value of less than 0.01, the statistical significance of this correlation is abundantly clear, serving as a delightful surprise that promises a journey through the stars and the manure piles - a road less traveled by traditional agricultural research, to say the least.

Figure 1 reveals the scatterplot illustrating the pointed relationship between the distance separating Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. This graph serves as a visual testament to the unexpected connection between celestial bodies and earthly agricultural practices, succinctly encapsulating the "crappy" correlation that our study has brought to light.

The implications of these findings extend beyond the statistical evidence, prompting renewed interest in exploring the intersection between cosmic influences and terrestrial phenomena. The mirthful play on words aside, this discovery opens the door to a revitalized consideration of the cosmic implications of our terrestrial activities. It also offers the potential to revolutionize agricultural practices, stirring excitement about the prospects of "astronomically inspired" farming methods. We invite our readers to join us in this lighthearted yet thought-provoking exploration of the uncharted territories where the heavens meet the humble soil.

In conclusion, our research sheds new light, not just on the phrase "reaching for the stars," but also on the unexpected interplay between astronomical distances and down-to-earth agricultural practices. As we navigate this potentially fertile ground between cosmic forces and earthly matters, we embrace the humor in our findings while recognizing the serious opportunities they present for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative agricultural approaches.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 The distance between Uranus and Venus and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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]]
The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents an unconventional investigation into the correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from Astropy for astronomical distances and the USDA for fertilizer usage statistics, our research team embarked on this unique inquiry. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. This eyebrow-raising result prompts a comical play on words, as the linkage between cosmic distances and earthly farming practices unveils a humorously unexpected relationship. The implications of this discovery stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The connection between celestial bodies and agricultural practices has long been a topic of interest and speculation. The works of Smith (2005), Doe (2010), and Jones (2013) have addressed the influence of cosmic phenomena on earthly activities, laying a foundation for our current investigation into the correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States.
Furthermore, the text "Cosmic Connections in Agriculture" by Green (2017) and "The Cosmic Compost Continuum" by Brown (2019) have provided insights into the potential intersections of celestial events and organic farming methods. These serious and scholarly works have contributed to the understanding of the broader context within which our study is situated.
Adding a touch of fiction to the mix, novels such as "The Plough and the Planets" by Starry McAuthor (2012) and "Manure in the Stars" by Cosmic Garden (2016) have whimsically explored the cosmic implications of terrestrial farming. These literary diversions, while not grounded in empirical evidence, have sparked the imagination and contributed to the discourse surrounding the integration of celestial knowledge into agriculture.
As part of our exhaustive literature review, we must also acknowledge an unexpected source of inspiration. In conducting our research, we stumbled upon an extensive collection of CVS receipts touting a myriad of unrelated products and rewards. While one might question the relevance of these receipts to our investigation, serendipity led us to an obscure study entitled "Bovine Lunar Manifestations and the Therapeutic Effects of Celestial Alignment" by Dr. Moondust (2020). Although its findings are, to put it politely, eccentric, this work prompted some lighthearted contemplation of the unexpected ways in which celestial bodies may influence earthly matters.
In conclusion, the literature surrounding the intersection of cosmic phenomena and agricultural practices encompasses a range of scholarly studies, imaginative narratives, and, well, some rather unexpected sources. This diversity of perspectives highlights the multidimensional nature of our investigation and underscores the importance of considering both serious discourse and more quirky, offbeat interpretations of the cosmic influence on earthly affairs.

[[RESULTS]]
The empirical analysis of the relationship between the distance separating Uranus and Venus and the usage of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States from 1986 to 2015 yielded some intriguing insights. The correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 indicates a moderately strong positive relationship between these seemingly disparate factors. Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.3317395 suggests that approximately 33.17% of the variability in fertilizer usage can be explained by changes in the distance between Uranus and Venus during this time period. With a p-value of less than 0.01, the statistical significance of this correlation is abundantly clear, serving as a delightful surprise that promises a journey through the stars and the manure piles - a road less traveled by traditional agricultural research, to say the least.
Figure 1 reveals the scatterplot illustrating the pointed relationship between the distance separating Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. This graph serves as a visual testament to the unexpected connection between celestial bodies and earthly agricultural practices, succinctly encapsulating the "crappy" correlation that our study has brought to light.
The implications of these findings extend beyond the statistical evidence, prompting renewed interest in exploring the intersection between cosmic influences and terrestrial phenomena. The mirthful play on words aside, this discovery opens the door to a revitalized consideration of the cosmic implications of our terrestrial activities. It also offers the potential to revolutionize agricultural practices, stirring excitement about the prospects of "astronomically inspired" farming methods. We invite our readers to join us in this lighthearted yet thought-provoking exploration of the uncharted territories where the heavens meet the humble soil.
In conclusion, our research sheds new light, not just on the phrase "reaching for the stars," but also on the unexpected interplay between astronomical distances and down-to-earth agricultural practices. As we navigate this potentially fertile ground between cosmic forces and earthly matters, we embrace the humor in our findings while recognizing the serious opportunities they present for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative agricultural approaches.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The connection between the distance separating Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States has been a subject of mirthful contemplation and scholarly inquiry alike. Our study not only validates the lighthearted ponderings of McAuthor (2012) and Garden (2016) but also provides empirical evidence supporting the more serious claims put forth by Smith (2005), Doe (2010), and Jones (2013). Who would have thought that the celestial dance between Uranus and Venus might have a not-so-subtle influence on the terrestrial dance of farming practices in the US?

The statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 that emerged from our analysis aligns with the ponderings of those who have championed the idea of celestial influences on earthly matters. It's almost as if the planets are sending a clear signal to our earthly farmers: "spread that manure, it's cosmic!" The r-squared value of 0.3317395 further cements the relationship, indicating that approximately 33.17% of the variability in fertilizer usage can indeed be attributed to the changes in the distance between Uranus and Venus during our study period. One could say that a significant portion of the manure-related variability is truly out of this world.

Figure 1 not only serves as a visual testament to this "crappy" correlation but also stands as a symbol of the unexpected and often unexplored intersection between the cosmic and the mundane. Our findings provide an exciting opportunity to explore what might be aptly termed "astro-farming," steering the agricultural industry into new astral territories. Indeed, it's a groundbreaking discovery – or should we say manure-spreading discovery – that promises to fertilize the field of celestial-terrestrial connections.

As we continue to contemplate the implications of this discovery, we are reminded of Dr. Moondust's lighthearted yet thought-provoking thesis on "Bovine Lunar Manifestations." While some may consider our findings eccentric, we see them as a shining beacon guiding us through the uncharted territories where the heavens meet the humble soil. It is in such unexpected, interdisciplinary explorations that we find the potential for both mirth and meaningful advances in our understanding of the world around us.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 The distance between Uranus and Venus and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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]]
The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents an unconventional investigation into the correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from Astropy for astronomical distances and the USDA for fertilizer usage statistics, our research team embarked on this unique inquiry. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. This eyebrow-raising result prompts a comical play on words, as the linkage between cosmic distances and earthly farming practices unveils a humorously unexpected relationship. The implications of this discovery stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The study of celestial bodies and their potential influence on earthly phenomena has long captivated the imagination of both astronomers and the more astronomically inclined agriculturists. While traditional agricultural practices rely on the tried and true methods of soil management and crop rotation, our foray into the unlikely correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States has inevitably opened up a Pandora's box of cosmic curiosities.
As our research delved into the vast expanse of data provided by both Astropy and the USDA, we were initially met with skeptical raised eyebrows and more than a few muffled chuckles from our peers in other academic circles. However, armed with statistical rigor and a penchant for thinking outside the agricultural crate, we laid the groundwork for a study that would dig deep into the hidden connections between the celestial and the scatalogical. After all, as Carl Sagan once mused, "we are made of star stuff," so why should we not consider the cosmic implications of our terrestrial doings?
Our investigation, initially met with naysayers who were perhaps a bit too full of hot air, ultimately unearthed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683, along with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. The "scoop" became evident—a comical play on words that sheds a light-hearted perspective on the rather unexpected relationship between cosmic distances and, well, the stuff of fertilizer.
In unraveling this connection, it is crucial to consider the implications beyond the initial allure of cosmic puns. This eyebrow-raising correlation prompts a revisiting of the fundamental questions we pose about the interconnectedness of the universe and our own terrestrial endeavors. Moreover, our findings could revolutionize the application of agricultural practices, perhaps leading to a renaissance of "astronomically inspired" farming methods. The implications stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.
As we prepare to take the academic community on a journey through the stars and the manure piles, we invite the readers to join us in a jovial yet thought-provoking exploration of the uncharted territories where the heavens meet the humble soil. Dear academics and fellow pun enthusiasts, hold onto your soil probes and telescopes, for this is a journey that promises not just groundbreaking research, but also a fair share of cosmic chuckles along the way.

[[RESULTS]]
The empirical analysis of the relationship between the distance separating Uranus and Venus and the usage of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States from 1986 to 2015 yielded some intriguing insights. The correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 indicates a moderately strong positive relationship between these seemingly disparate factors. Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.3317395 suggests that approximately 33.17% of the variability in fertilizer usage can be explained by changes in the distance between Uranus and Venus during this time period. With a p-value of less than 0.01, the statistical significance of this correlation is abundantly clear, serving as a delightful surprise that promises a journey through the stars and the manure piles - a road less traveled by traditional agricultural research, to say the least.
Figure 1 reveals the scatterplot illustrating the pointed relationship between the distance separating Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. This graph serves as a visual testament to the unexpected connection between celestial bodies and earthly agricultural practices, succinctly encapsulating the "crappy" correlation that our study has brought to light.
The implications of these findings extend beyond the statistical evidence, prompting renewed interest in exploring the intersection between cosmic influences and terrestrial phenomena. The mirthful play on words aside, this discovery opens the door to a revitalized consideration of the cosmic implications of our terrestrial activities. It also offers the potential to revolutionize agricultural practices, stirring excitement about the prospects of "astronomically inspired" farming methods. We invite our readers to join us in this lighthearted yet thought-provoking exploration of the uncharted territories where the heavens meet the humble soil.
In conclusion, our research sheds new light, not just on the phrase "reaching for the stars," but also on the unexpected interplay between astronomical distances and down-to-earth agricultural practices. As we navigate this potentially fertile ground between cosmic forces and earthly matters, we embrace the humor in our findings while recognizing the serious opportunities they present for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative agricultural approaches.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our findings have brought to light a correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Venus and the usage of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States that is beyond what we would normally expect to find. The statistical significance of this relationship, with a p-value of less than 0.01, is a delightful surprise that invigorates our understanding of the cosmic and the quotidian. While we tread lightly on this manure-laden path, it is evident that this correlation opens up a Pandora's box of cosmic curiosities and agricultural possibilities. However, it also makes us ponder whether the stars truly have a hand in "fertilizing" our crop yields. As much as we have enjoyed unearthing this unexpected correlation, the humorous play on words aside, we can confidently assert that no further research into this matter is necessary – the connection between Uranus, Venus, and manure may be truly a pun-believable culmination of our research efforts.


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 The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Cosmic Compost Research


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 The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Center for Astrological Agrology


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 The Scoop on the Poop: A Crappy Connection Between Celestial Bodies and Fertilizer Usage in the US with an abstract of This paper presents an unconventional investigation into the correlation between the distance between Uranus and Venus and the utilization of dried manure as a fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from Astropy for astronomical distances and the USDA for fertilizer usage statistics, our research team embarked on this unique inquiry. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.5759683 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1986 to 2015. This eyebrow-raising result prompts a comical play on words, as the linkage between cosmic distances and earthly farming practices unveils a humorously unexpected relationship. The implications of this discovery stretch far beyond the apparent astronomical pun, sparking a renewed interest in exploring interdisciplinary intersections between the celestial and the terrestrial. This, without a doubt, provides a fresh perspective on the phrase "reaching for the stars" when considering agricultural methods on our own little planet.

ChatGPT:

Uranus, Venus, celestial bodies, dried manure, fertilizer usage, United States, Astropy, USDA, correlation coefficient, p-value, farming practices, astronomical distances, interdisciplinary intersections, agricultural methods

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



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Data details

The distance between Uranus and Venus
Detailed data title: The average distance between Uranus and Venus as measured on the first day of each month
Source: Caclculated using Astropy
Additional Info: I wrote a Python script using Astropy to calculate the distance between the named planets on the first day of each month for every year.

See what else correlates with The distance between Uranus and Venus

Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US
Detailed data title: U.S. consumption of Dried manure for fertilizer
Source: USDA
See what else correlates with Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US

Correlation r = 0.5759683 (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 = 0.3317395 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 33.2% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., The distance between Uranus and Venus) over the 30 years from 1986 through 2015.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 0.00087. 0.0008664455907194533000000000
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 0.58 in 0.087% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 1,154 random variables Which I absolutely did.
with the same 29 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 29 because we have two variables measured over a period of 30 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.

[ 0.27, 0.78 ] 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.
198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015
The distance between Uranus and Venus (Planetary distance (AU))19.16519.108419.418519.235319.431519.547919.404719.729619.599619.67819.887619.678819.955619.904319.846220.113119.883220.061320.110519.933820.214720.02120.067820.212919.953120.184220.06219.959620.163319.872
Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US (Fertilizer)8897611139712406615013914642013748614922511671811595016456411482213204512544315788116068015597415687012575415445514415716880514605018875119043514013720410417573813270419317995810




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([19.165,19.1084,19.4185,19.2353,19.4315,19.5479,19.4047,19.7296,19.5996,19.678,19.8876,19.6788,19.9556,19.9043,19.8462,20.1131,19.8832,20.0613,20.1105,19.9338,20.2147,20.021,20.0678,20.2129,19.9531,20.1842,20.062,19.9596,20.1633,19.872,])
array_2 = np.array([88976,111397,124066,150139,146420,137486,149225,116718,115950,164564,114822,132045,125443,157881,160680,155974,156870,125754,154455,144157,168805,146050,188751,190435,140137,204104,175738,132704,193179,95810,])
array_1_name = "The distance between Uranus and Venus"
array_2_name = "Dried manure used for fertilizer 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 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: 1128 · Black Variable ID: 1972 · Red Variable ID: 1198
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