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Spurious correlation #1,415 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Butter consumption and the second variable is The number of lawyers in New Mexico.  The chart goes from 2003 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As butter intake rose, so did the demand for personal injury lawyers, leading to a migration of legal professionals to New Mexico in search of lucrative new cases related to butter-related accidents and health claims.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a high-tech, modern law office in New Mexico. The scene features a group of lawyers huddled around a sleek, glass-topped table. The table is lined with built-in touch screens displaying case files and legal documents. The lawyers are engrossed in discussion, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the digital screens. As they converse, they are seen sipping on steaming cups of coffee. In the center of the table, a plate of freshly baked bread is displayed, adorned with evenly sliced pieces of golden-brown goodness. Each slice is generously topped with a dollop of creamy butter, and some lawyers are captured in the act of spreading the butter across the warm, fragrant bread. The juxtaposition of cutting-edge technology and the simple act of savoring a comforting snack creates an intriguing scene. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Butter consumption and The number of lawyers in New Mexico. Given these, which of the following image style descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: Data cyber art Woodblock painting Cutsy graphics High-tech Macabre
ChatGPT: High-tech

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Butter consumption and The number of lawyers in New Mexico together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: A group of lawyers in New Mexico gather around a table, discussing cases and sipping on coffee. On the table, there's a plate of freshly baked bread with a generous dollop of butter on each slice. Some of the lawyers are seen spreading the butter on their bread as they engage in conversation.

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: [ High-tech ] and depicting this scene: A group of lawyers in New Mexico gather around a table, discussing cases and sipping on coffee. On the table, there's a plate of freshly baked bread with a generous dollop of butter on each slice. Some of the lawyers are seen spreading the butter on their bread as they engage in conversation. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a high-tech, modern law office in New Mexico. The scene features a group of lawyers huddled around a sleek, glass-topped table. The table is lined with built-in touch screens displaying case files and legal documents. The lawyers are engrossed in discussion, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the digital screens. As they converse, they are seen sipping on steaming cups of coffee. In the center of the table, a plate of freshly baked bread is displayed, adorned with evenly sliced pieces of golden-brown goodness. Each slice is generously topped with a dollop of creamy butter, and some lawyers are captured in the act of spreading the butter across the warm, fragrant bread. The juxtaposition of cutting-edge technology and the simple act of savoring a comforting snack creates an intriguing scene.

*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 Butter consumption caused The number of lawyers in New Mexico to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico

The Journal of Unconventional Culinary 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 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 Butter consumption and The number of lawyers in New Mexico. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Include a pun in the title.

Your research team used data from USDA and Bureau of Larbor Statistics to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917 and p < 0.01 for 2003 to 2021.

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

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
"Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this peculiar study, we delve into the seemingly absurd yet surprisingly delightful relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the state of New Mexico. As the saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a lawsuit," and indeed, we set out to determine if butter had any churning influence on the legal landscape. Armed with data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we embarked on a quest full of intrigue and dairy-related puns to unravel the butterly connection between these two disparate entities.

Our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, signifying a strikingly strong relationship between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. Perhaps the old adage should be amended to "Butter makes the laws go 'round." This striking coefficient was corroborated by a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, compelling evidence that this connection was no fluke.

As we pondered the implications of our findings, a classic dad joke emerged: "Why did the lawyer bring butter to the courtroom? Because they wanted to butter up the judge!" While our research certainly left us feeling buoyant with laughter, it also underscores the need for further investigation into the unexpected, yet undeniably delightful, interplay between seemingly unrelated phenomena.


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 Butter consumption and The number of lawyers in New Mexico. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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]]
"Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this peculiar study, we delve into the seemingly absurd yet surprisingly delightful relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the state of New Mexico. As the saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a lawsuit," and indeed, we set out to determine if butter had any churning influence on the legal landscape. Armed with data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we embarked on a quest full of intrigue and dairy-related puns to unravel the butterly connection between these two disparate entities.

Our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, signifying a strikingly strong relationship between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. Perhaps the old adage should be amended to "Butter makes the laws go 'round." This striking coefficient was corroborated by a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, compelling evidence that this connection was no fluke.

As we pondered the implications of our findings, a classic dad joke emerged: "Why did the lawyer bring butter to the courtroom? Because they wanted to butter up the judge!" While our research certainly left us feeling buoyant with laughter, it also underscores the need for further investigation into the unexpected, yet undeniably delightful, interplay between seemingly unrelated phenomena.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

As we embark on this perplexing journey of discovery, we are reminded of the age-old adage, "Butter makes everything better." Little did we know that this golden creamy goodness might also play a role in the ebb and flow of legal practitioners in the state of New Mexico. Just as a pat of butter can transform a mundane piece of toast into a savory delight, could it be that butter holds the power to shape the legal landscape of this southwestern state?

Our study aims to churn through the enigmatic relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in New Mexico, uncovering a correlation that is as unexpected as it is intriguing. It might seem like we've spread ourselves thin with this odd pairing, but as they say, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," or in this case, the proof of the research is in its consumption.

Upon delving into the troves of data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we were met with surprising revelations. The correlation coefficient of 0.8719917 loomed before us like a beacon of dairy-lit truth, bringing to mind the classic phrase, "Butter than ever." Is it mere coincidence or something more, we pondered? And with a chuckle, we were reminded of a lawyer's favorite dairy-related joke: "What type of cheese is the most argumentative? Provo-lone!"

As the statistical significance unfolded before our eyes, with a p-value of less than 0.01, we couldn't help but feel both perplexed and thrilled at the prospect of being onto something as provocative as this butterly connection. Could it be that behind every successful law firm, there’s a stick of butter quietly churning its way into legal history?

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the implications of these findings, pausing just long enough for another lawyer-themed dad joke: "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything – just like lawyers and butter, it seems!" The study presented herein stands as a case in point for the unexpected wonders that await those curious enough to ask, "What's the deal with butter and lawyers in New Mexico?"


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 Butter consumption and The number of lawyers in New Mexico. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this peculiar study, we delve into the seemingly absurd yet surprisingly delightful relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the state of New Mexico. As the saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a lawsuit," and indeed, we set out to determine if butter had any churning influence on the legal landscape. Armed with data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we embarked on a quest full of intrigue and dairy-related puns to unravel the butterly connection between these two disparate entities.

Our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, signifying a strikingly strong relationship between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. Perhaps the old adage should be amended to "Butter makes the laws go 'round." This striking coefficient was corroborated by a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, compelling evidence that this connection was no fluke.

As we pondered the implications of our findings, a classic dad joke emerged: "Why did the lawyer bring butter to the courtroom? Because they wanted to butter up the judge!" While our research certainly left us feeling buoyant with laughter, it also underscores the need for further investigation into the unexpected, yet undeniably delightful, interplay between seemingly unrelated phenomena.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
As we embark on this perplexing journey of discovery, we are reminded of the age-old adage, "Butter makes everything better." Little did we know that this golden creamy goodness might also play a role in the ebb and flow of legal practitioners in the state of New Mexico. Just as a pat of butter can transform a mundane piece of toast into a savory delight, could it be that butter holds the power to shape the legal landscape of this southwestern state?
Our study aims to churn through the enigmatic relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in New Mexico, uncovering a correlation that is as unexpected as it is intriguing. It might seem like we've spread ourselves thin with this odd pairing, but as they say, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," or in this case, the proof of the research is in its consumption.
Upon delving into the troves of data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we were met with surprising revelations. The correlation coefficient of 0.8719917 loomed before us like a beacon of dairy-lit truth, bringing to mind the classic phrase, "Butter than ever." Is it mere coincidence or something more, we pondered? And with a chuckle, we were reminded of a lawyer's favorite dairy-related joke: "What type of cheese is the most argumentative? Provo-lone!"
As the statistical significance unfolded before our eyes, with a p-value of less than 0.01, we couldn't help but feel both perplexed and thrilled at the prospect of being onto something as provocative as this butterly connection. Could it be that behind every successful law firm, there’s a stick of butter quietly churning its way into legal history?
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the implications of these findings, pausing just long enough for another lawyer-themed dad joke: "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything – just like lawyers and butter, it seems!" The study presented herein stands as a case in point for the unexpected wonders that await those curious enough to ask, "What's the deal with butter and lawyers in New Mexico?"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

It is imperative to explore the existing body of literature to glean insights that might shed light on the perplexing connection between butter consumption and the burgeoning population of lawyers in New Mexico. Smith and Doe in their seminal work "Dairy Dynamics: Exploring the Culinary-Cognitive Nexus" provide a comprehensive analysis of the cognitive effects of dairy consumption, offering a potential foundation for understanding how butter ingestion might influence career choices, such as pursuing legal professions.

Further diving into the realm of dairy-related correlations, Jones and Smith's research in "Got Milk, Got Lawyers: Unraveling the Mysteries of Statewide Dairy Intake and Legal Occupations" lays the groundwork for considering how dairy products, including butter, might subliminally steer individuals towards legal vocations. It certainly seems like the dairy industry is churning out more than just milk and butter – perhaps lawyers are a natural byproduct!

Expanding our search beyond strictly academic literature, the book "Butter Manifesto: A Culinary Conspiracy" takes readers on a wildly entertaining journey exploring the clandestine role of butter in shaping various aspects of human life. Could it be that the legal profession is one of the unsuspecting beneficiaries of the buttery machinations at play?

In the realm of fiction, the whimsical novel "The Case of the Curious Counsels" weaves a tale of legal intrigue with a delicious twist, where butter emerges as the unexpected ally of courtroom drama. While purely fictional, the book serves as a lighthearted reminder that reality can be just as absurd and delightful as fiction – much like the strange correlation we have uncovered.

However, in the interest of full disclosure, our literature review also took us to unexpected places. In "The Butter Chronicles: A Memoir of Creamy Cognitions," we followed the author's personal journey through buttery revelations, including a peculiar chapter on reading obscure correlations from everyday items – including, quite inexplicably, CVS receipts. While undoubtedly a departure from traditional scholarly research, this unexpected source did prompt some introspection on the uncanny links that may exist in the world around us.

Our foray into the literature has taken us on a delightful, albeit unconventional, journey, underscoring the need to explore the unexpected with an open mind – after all, as butter enthusiasts and legal aficionados alike will appreciate, life is, in many ways, like a pat of butter: rich, diverse, and occasionally sprinkled with a touch of absurdity.


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 Butter consumption and The number of lawyers in New Mexico. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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 USDA and Bureau of Larbor Statistics . You used data from 2003 to 2021

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

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this peculiar study, we delve into the seemingly absurd yet surprisingly delightful relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the state of New Mexico. As the saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a lawsuit," and indeed, we set out to determine if butter had any churning influence on the legal landscape. Armed with data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we embarked on a quest full of intrigue and dairy-related puns to unravel the butterly connection between these two disparate entities.

Our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, signifying a strikingly strong relationship between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. Perhaps the old adage should be amended to "Butter makes the laws go 'round." This striking coefficient was corroborated by a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, compelling evidence that this connection was no fluke.

As we pondered the implications of our findings, a classic dad joke emerged: "Why did the lawyer bring butter to the courtroom? Because they wanted to butter up the judge!" While our research certainly left us feeling buoyant with laughter, it also underscores the need for further investigation into the unexpected, yet undeniably delightful, interplay between seemingly unrelated phenomena.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
As we embark on this perplexing journey of discovery, we are reminded of the age-old adage, "Butter makes everything better." Little did we know that this golden creamy goodness might also play a role in the ebb and flow of legal practitioners in the state of New Mexico. Just as a pat of butter can transform a mundane piece of toast into a savory delight, could it be that butter holds the power to shape the legal landscape of this southwestern state?
Our study aims to churn through the enigmatic relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in New Mexico, uncovering a correlation that is as unexpected as it is intriguing. It might seem like we've spread ourselves thin with this odd pairing, but as they say, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," or in this case, the proof of the research is in its consumption.
Upon delving into the troves of data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we were met with surprising revelations. The correlation coefficient of 0.8719917 loomed before us like a beacon of dairy-lit truth, bringing to mind the classic phrase, "Butter than ever." Is it mere coincidence or something more, we pondered? And with a chuckle, we were reminded of a lawyer's favorite dairy-related joke: "What type of cheese is the most argumentative? Provo-lone!"
As the statistical significance unfolded before our eyes, with a p-value of less than 0.01, we couldn't help but feel both perplexed and thrilled at the prospect of being onto something as provocative as this butterly connection. Could it be that behind every successful law firm, there’s a stick of butter quietly churning its way into legal history?
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the implications of these findings, pausing just long enough for another lawyer-themed dad joke: "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything – just like lawyers and butter, it seems!" The study presented herein stands as a case in point for the unexpected wonders that await those curious enough to ask, "What's the deal with butter and lawyers in New Mexico?"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To navigate the churning sea of data and unravel the butterly connection between butter consumption and the prevalence of lawyers in New Mexico, our research team embarked on a journey as rich and complex as a freshly churned batch of butter. We commenced by gathering data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on butter consumption from 2003 to 2021. Then, like a seasoned sleuth unraveling a legal case, we turned to the Bureau of Labor Statistics to retrieve comprehensive information on the number of lawyers practicing in the Land of Enchantment during the same period.

Brimming with determination and a thirst for discovery, we faced the unenviable task of building a statistical model to analyze the collected data. Our approach resembled the delicate process of churning butter—slow and steady, yet brimming with excitement. Using a quirky blend of multiple linear regression and time series analysis, we aimed to tease out the intricate relationship between butter consumption and the attorney population in New Mexico. Just like the perfect mixture of ingredients in a delightful recipe, our model's coefficients were adjusted with great care, ensuring that the statistical concoction would lead to a delectable revelation rather than a bland result.

With a sprinkle of humor and a dash of curiosity, we donned our metaphorical lab coats and set out to explore the butterly implications of our findings. Much like a chef creating a delightful dish, we added a pinch of confidence intervals and a generous dollop of hypothesis testing to our statistical analysis, ensuring that our conclusions carried the unmistakable flavor of statistical significance.

In a moment of whimsy amidst the rigorous methodology, we couldn't help but ponder the parallel between our statistical exploration and a buttery lawyer-themed joke: "Why don't lawyers write wills? They don't want to encourage miscalculation!" Just as the punchline of a joke ties the narrative together, our methodological approach aimed to interlace data analysis and empirical research with a touch of whimsy, making for an engaging and memorable study.

Having stirred, whipped, and baked our data with meticulous care, we now present the butterly results of our research, a testament to the curious wonders that await those daring enough to delve into unexpected connections. As we conclude this academic escapade, we leave you with one parting thought and a final dad joke: "Why was the lawyer so good at making butter sculptures? They had a knack for churning out legal representations!" Join us as we savor the surprises unveiled by our captivating exploration of butter consumption and the buoyancy of lawyers in New Mexico.


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 Butter consumption and The number of lawyers in New Mexico. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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 USDA and Bureau of Larbor Statistics .

For the time period 2003 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.8719917, r-squared of 0.7603695, 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]]
"Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this peculiar study, we delve into the seemingly absurd yet surprisingly delightful relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the state of New Mexico. As the saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a lawsuit," and indeed, we set out to determine if butter had any churning influence on the legal landscape. Armed with data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we embarked on a quest full of intrigue and dairy-related puns to unravel the butterly connection between these two disparate entities.

Our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, signifying a strikingly strong relationship between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. Perhaps the old adage should be amended to "Butter makes the laws go 'round." This striking coefficient was corroborated by a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, compelling evidence that this connection was no fluke.

As we pondered the implications of our findings, a classic dad joke emerged: "Why did the lawyer bring butter to the courtroom? Because they wanted to butter up the judge!" While our research certainly left us feeling buoyant with laughter, it also underscores the need for further investigation into the unexpected, yet undeniably delightful, interplay between seemingly unrelated phenomena.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
As we embark on this perplexing journey of discovery, we are reminded of the age-old adage, "Butter makes everything better." Little did we know that this golden creamy goodness might also play a role in the ebb and flow of legal practitioners in the state of New Mexico. Just as a pat of butter can transform a mundane piece of toast into a savory delight, could it be that butter holds the power to shape the legal landscape of this southwestern state?
Our study aims to churn through the enigmatic relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in New Mexico, uncovering a correlation that is as unexpected as it is intriguing. It might seem like we've spread ourselves thin with this odd pairing, but as they say, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," or in this case, the proof of the research is in its consumption.
Upon delving into the troves of data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we were met with surprising revelations. The correlation coefficient of 0.8719917 loomed before us like a beacon of dairy-lit truth, bringing to mind the classic phrase, "Butter than ever." Is it mere coincidence or something more, we pondered? And with a chuckle, we were reminded of a lawyer's favorite dairy-related joke: "What type of cheese is the most argumentative? Provo-lone!"
As the statistical significance unfolded before our eyes, with a p-value of less than 0.01, we couldn't help but feel both perplexed and thrilled at the prospect of being onto something as provocative as this butterly connection. Could it be that behind every successful law firm, there’s a stick of butter quietly churning its way into legal history?
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the implications of these findings, pausing just long enough for another lawyer-themed dad joke: "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything – just like lawyers and butter, it seems!" The study presented herein stands as a case in point for the unexpected wonders that await those curious enough to ask, "What's the deal with butter and lawyers in New Mexico?"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The results of our investigation revealed a remarkable correlation between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in New Mexico. Over the period from 2003 to 2021, we found a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, indicating a strong positive relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. This unexpected union led us to reconsider the old adage, "You can't have your cake and eat it too - unless you're a lawyer fueled by butter!"

The scatterplot (Fig. 1) represents this robust correlation, portraying a trend that defies conventional wisdom but nevertheless stands as an intriguing testament to the unforeseen influence of butter on legal professions. As we marveled at this unanticipated connection, a thought-provoking dad joke came to mind: "Why don't lawyers ever go hungry? Because they're always buttering up clients!"

The strength of this correlation was further supported by an r-squared value of 0.7603695, suggesting that approximately 76% of the variability in the number of lawyers in New Mexico can be explained by fluctuations in butter consumption. It appears that behind every successful law case, there may indeed be a pat of butter silently exerting its creamy influence.

The statistical significance of our findings was underscored by a p-value of less than 0.01, emphasizing the robustness of the relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. This led us to wonder if the true secret ingredient in legal success might be none other than butter – or, as we like to quip, "This butterly connection might just churn the legal profession upside down!"

In summary, our findings highlight the need for further probing into the unexpected yet undeniably delightful interplay between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in New Mexico. As we contemplate the implications of this research, we are left with a sense of wonder and a lingering chuckle, contemplating the synergy of butter and legal practitioners.


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 Butter consumption and The number of lawyers in New Mexico. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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]]
"Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this peculiar study, we delve into the seemingly absurd yet surprisingly delightful relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the state of New Mexico. As the saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a lawsuit," and indeed, we set out to determine if butter had any churning influence on the legal landscape. Armed with data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we embarked on a quest full of intrigue and dairy-related puns to unravel the butterly connection between these two disparate entities.

Our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, signifying a strikingly strong relationship between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. Perhaps the old adage should be amended to "Butter makes the laws go 'round." This striking coefficient was corroborated by a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, compelling evidence that this connection was no fluke.

As we pondered the implications of our findings, a classic dad joke emerged: "Why did the lawyer bring butter to the courtroom? Because they wanted to butter up the judge!" While our research certainly left us feeling buoyant with laughter, it also underscores the need for further investigation into the unexpected, yet undeniably delightful, interplay between seemingly unrelated phenomena.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
It is imperative to explore the existing body of literature to glean insights that might shed light on the perplexing connection between butter consumption and the burgeoning population of lawyers in New Mexico. Smith and Doe in their seminal work "Dairy Dynamics: Exploring the Culinary-Cognitive Nexus" provide a comprehensive analysis of the cognitive effects of dairy consumption, offering a potential foundation for understanding how butter ingestion might influence career choices, such as pursuing legal professions.
Further diving into the realm of dairy-related correlations, Jones and Smith's research in "Got Milk, Got Lawyers: Unraveling the Mysteries of Statewide Dairy Intake and Legal Occupations" lays the groundwork for considering how dairy products, including butter, might subliminally steer individuals towards legal vocations. It certainly seems like the dairy industry is churning out more than just milk and butter – perhaps lawyers are a natural byproduct!
Expanding our search beyond strictly academic literature, the book "Butter Manifesto: A Culinary Conspiracy" takes readers on a wildly entertaining journey exploring the clandestine role of butter in shaping various aspects of human life. Could it be that the legal profession is one of the unsuspecting beneficiaries of the buttery machinations at play?
In the realm of fiction, the whimsical novel "The Case of the Curious Counsels" weaves a tale of legal intrigue with a delicious twist, where butter emerges as the unexpected ally of courtroom drama. While purely fictional, the book serves as a lighthearted reminder that reality can be just as absurd and delightful as fiction – much like the strange correlation we have uncovered.
However, in the interest of full disclosure, our literature review also took us to unexpected places. In "The Butter Chronicles: A Memoir of Creamy Cognitions," we followed the author's personal journey through buttery revelations, including a peculiar chapter on reading obscure correlations from everyday items – including, quite inexplicably, CVS receipts. While undoubtedly a departure from traditional scholarly research, this unexpected source did prompt some introspection on the uncanny links that may exist in the world around us.
Our foray into the literature has taken us on a delightful, albeit unconventional, journey, underscoring the need to explore the unexpected with an open mind – after all, as butter enthusiasts and legal aficionados alike will appreciate, life is, in many ways, like a pat of butter: rich, diverse, and occasionally sprinkled with a touch of absurdity.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our investigation revealed a remarkable correlation between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in New Mexico. Over the period from 2003 to 2021, we found a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, indicating a strong positive relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. This unexpected union led us to reconsider the old adage, "You can't have your cake and eat it too - unless you're a lawyer fueled by butter!"
The scatterplot (Fig. 1) represents this robust correlation, portraying a trend that defies conventional wisdom but nevertheless stands as an intriguing testament to the unforeseen influence of butter on legal professions. As we marveled at this unanticipated connection, a thought-provoking dad joke came to mind: "Why don't lawyers ever go hungry? Because they're always buttering up clients!"
The strength of this correlation was further supported by an r-squared value of 0.7603695, suggesting that approximately 76% of the variability in the number of lawyers in New Mexico can be explained by fluctuations in butter consumption. It appears that behind every successful law case, there may indeed be a pat of butter silently exerting its creamy influence.
The statistical significance of our findings was underscored by a p-value of less than 0.01, emphasizing the robustness of the relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. This led us to wonder if the true secret ingredient in legal success might be none other than butter – or, as we like to quip, "This butterly connection might just churn the legal profession upside down!"
In summary, our findings highlight the need for further probing into the unexpected yet undeniably delightful interplay between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in New Mexico. As we contemplate the implications of this research, we are left with a sense of wonder and a lingering chuckle, contemplating the synergy of butter and legal practitioners.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our findings offer compelling evidence of a robust relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in New Mexico. This discovery raises intriguing questions about the far-reaching impact of seemingly incongruent variables, prompting us to rethink the adages we thought we knew. As the saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life gives you butter, make legal precedents" – a testament to the unexpected power of dairy in legal matters.

Building on the work of Smith and Doe, our results provide empirical support for the notion that dairy consumption, particularly butter, may exert a significant influence on career choices, even within specialized fields like law. The cognitive effects of dairy products, as explored in previous research, may indeed be intertwining with individuals' decisions to pursue legal vocations, lending support to the concept that butter may be more than just a creamy delight – it might be a career motivator, too. Perhaps it's time to add "churning out lawyers" to the list of butter's myriad uses!

Moreover, our findings resonate with the whimsical insights of "The Case of the Curious Counsels," demonstrating that reality can indeed be as delightful and unexpected as fiction. The correlation we've unearthed serves as a reminder that life often presents us with surprises as rich and diverse as a freshly baked croissant slathered in butter, leaving us simultaneously intrigued and amused by the unforeseen connections that permeate the world.

In a broader context, these results call for a reevaluation of the multifaceted impact of everyday items on societal phenomena. Just as the buttery machinations at play in the culinary realm may be shaping legal landscapes, so too might other seemingly mundane elements be quietly but substantially influencing various aspects of human life. It appears that the world is not just what meets the eye – sometimes, it's what meets the bread and the courtroom, too.

As we consider the implications of our findings, one thing is clear: the unexpected, yet undeniably delightful, interplay between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in New Mexico opens a door to intriguing possibilities. Could this correlation extend beyond the borders of New Mexico to other jurisdictions? Might it be indicative of a broader societal phenomenon, quietly shaping career trajectories in ways we never imagined? Our research certainly leaves us with food for thought – or, in this case, food for litigation!

In conclusion, the butterly connection we've uncovered challenges conventional wisdom and kindles a sense of curiosity about the unanticipated influences at play in our daily lives. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of seemingly unrelated phenomena, we are reminded that the world is, in many ways, as rich and flavorful as a perfectly buttered slice of toast – with a side of legal intrigue.


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 Butter consumption and The number of lawyers in New Mexico. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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]]
"Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this peculiar study, we delve into the seemingly absurd yet surprisingly delightful relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the state of New Mexico. As the saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a lawsuit," and indeed, we set out to determine if butter had any churning influence on the legal landscape. Armed with data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we embarked on a quest full of intrigue and dairy-related puns to unravel the butterly connection between these two disparate entities.

Our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, signifying a strikingly strong relationship between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. Perhaps the old adage should be amended to "Butter makes the laws go 'round." This striking coefficient was corroborated by a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, compelling evidence that this connection was no fluke.

As we pondered the implications of our findings, a classic dad joke emerged: "Why did the lawyer bring butter to the courtroom? Because they wanted to butter up the judge!" While our research certainly left us feeling buoyant with laughter, it also underscores the need for further investigation into the unexpected, yet undeniably delightful, interplay between seemingly unrelated phenomena.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
As we embark on this perplexing journey of discovery, we are reminded of the age-old adage, "Butter makes everything better." Little did we know that this golden creamy goodness might also play a role in the ebb and flow of legal practitioners in the state of New Mexico. Just as a pat of butter can transform a mundane piece of toast into a savory delight, could it be that butter holds the power to shape the legal landscape of this southwestern state?
Our study aims to churn through the enigmatic relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in New Mexico, uncovering a correlation that is as unexpected as it is intriguing. It might seem like we've spread ourselves thin with this odd pairing, but as they say, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," or in this case, the proof of the research is in its consumption.
Upon delving into the troves of data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we were met with surprising revelations. The correlation coefficient of 0.8719917 loomed before us like a beacon of dairy-lit truth, bringing to mind the classic phrase, "Butter than ever." Is it mere coincidence or something more, we pondered? And with a chuckle, we were reminded of a lawyer's favorite dairy-related joke: "What type of cheese is the most argumentative? Provo-lone!"
As the statistical significance unfolded before our eyes, with a p-value of less than 0.01, we couldn't help but feel both perplexed and thrilled at the prospect of being onto something as provocative as this butterly connection. Could it be that behind every successful law firm, there’s a stick of butter quietly churning its way into legal history?
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the implications of these findings, pausing just long enough for another lawyer-themed dad joke: "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything – just like lawyers and butter, it seems!" The study presented herein stands as a case in point for the unexpected wonders that await those curious enough to ask, "What's the deal with butter and lawyers in New Mexico?"

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our investigation revealed a remarkable correlation between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in New Mexico. Over the period from 2003 to 2021, we found a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, indicating a strong positive relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. This unexpected union led us to reconsider the old adage, "You can't have your cake and eat it too - unless you're a lawyer fueled by butter!"
The scatterplot (Fig. 1) represents this robust correlation, portraying a trend that defies conventional wisdom but nevertheless stands as an intriguing testament to the unforeseen influence of butter on legal professions. As we marveled at this unanticipated connection, a thought-provoking dad joke came to mind: "Why don't lawyers ever go hungry? Because they're always buttering up clients!"
The strength of this correlation was further supported by an r-squared value of 0.7603695, suggesting that approximately 76% of the variability in the number of lawyers in New Mexico can be explained by fluctuations in butter consumption. It appears that behind every successful law case, there may indeed be a pat of butter silently exerting its creamy influence.
The statistical significance of our findings was underscored by a p-value of less than 0.01, emphasizing the robustness of the relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. This led us to wonder if the true secret ingredient in legal success might be none other than butter – or, as we like to quip, "This butterly connection might just churn the legal profession upside down!"
In summary, our findings highlight the need for further probing into the unexpected yet undeniably delightful interplay between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in New Mexico. As we contemplate the implications of this research, we are left with a sense of wonder and a lingering chuckle, contemplating the synergy of butter and legal practitioners.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In the curious journey through the land of butter and law, we have uncovered a surprisingly robust connection between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in the state of New Mexico. As our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, we couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected harmony between these seemingly disparate entities. It seems that behind every legal brief, there may indeed be a buttery subplot silently churning away.

The strength of this relationship, supported by a statistically significant p-value, prompts us to ponder the true influence of butter in the legal profession. Perhaps the famous saying should be revised: "Two things in life are certain – death, taxes, and the subtle influence of butter on legal matters."

The r-squared value of 0.7603695 further emphasizes the substantial impact of butter consumption on the fluctuation of lawyers in New Mexico. It seems that the unassuming stick of butter may wield more power in legal circles than we ever anticipated. Perhaps it's time for a new legal aphorism: "When the going gets tough, the tough get margarine? No, butter, definitely butter."

As we conclude this buttery exploration, it becomes abundantly clear that further in-depth investigations into the delightful interplay of butter and legal practitioners are imperative. However, after uncovering these fascinating findings, we can confidently profess that no more research is needed in this area. We have churned through the mystery, and the results are as clear as clarified butter.

In the words of a classic dad joke, "We thought about going on a butter diet, but it's just too much of a spread." With that said, let's toast to the unexpected wonders of academic research and the delightful surprises that await those bold enough to spread the boundaries of knowledge.


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 Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Unconventional Culinary 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 Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Culinary and Legal Studies


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 Spreading the Law: A Butterly Connection Between Butter Consumption and the Buoyancy of Lawyers in New Mexico with an abstract of In this peculiar study, we delve into the seemingly absurd yet surprisingly delightful relationship between butter consumption and the proliferation of lawyers in the state of New Mexico. As the saying goes, "Where there's a will, there's a lawsuit," and indeed, we set out to determine if butter had any churning influence on the legal landscape. Armed with data from the USDA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we embarked on a quest full of intrigue and dairy-related puns to unravel the butterly connection between these two disparate entities.
Our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8719917, signifying a strikingly strong relationship between butter consumption and the number of lawyers in the Land of Enchantment. Perhaps the old adage should be amended to "Butter makes the laws go 'round." This striking coefficient was corroborated by a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, compelling evidence that this connection was no fluke.
As we pondered the implications of our findings, a classic dad joke emerged: "Why did the lawyer bring butter to the courtroom? Because they wanted to butter up the judge!" While our research certainly left us feeling buoyant with laughter, it also underscores the need for further investigation into the unexpected, yet undeniably delightful, interplay between seemingly unrelated phenomena.

ChatGPT:

butter consumption, lawyers in New Mexico, correlation between butter consumption and lawyers, USDA data on butter consumption, Bureau of Labor Statistics lawyers data, New Mexico legal landscape, butter and lawyers relationship, butter consumption and legal landscape correlation coefficient

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



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Data details

Butter consumption
Detailed data title: Per capita consumption of Butter in the US
Source: USDA
See what else correlates with Butter consumption

The number of lawyers in New Mexico
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of lawyers in New Mexico
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of lawyers in New Mexico

Correlation r = 0.8719917 (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 = 0.7603695 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 76% of the change in the one variable (i.e., The number of lawyers in New Mexico) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Butter consumption) over the 19 years from 2003 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.1E-6. 0.0000011454420855892876000000
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 0.87 in 0.00011% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 873,025 random variables You don't actually need 873 thousand 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 18 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 18 because we have two variables measured over a period of 19 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.

[ 0.69, 0.95 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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


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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
2003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Butter consumption (Pounds per person)4.54.54.54.74.7554.95.45.55.55.55.65.75.766.26.36.5
The number of lawyers in New Mexico (Lawyers)2550244019702210205022502620244034002940321029102830289029002970356036603420




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.




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([4.5,4.5,4.5,4.7,4.7,5,5,4.9,5.4,5.5,5.5,5.5,5.6,5.7,5.7,6,6.2,6.3,6.5,])
array_2 = np.array([2550,2440,1970,2210,2050,2250,2620,2440,3400,2940,3210,2910,2830,2890,2900,2970,3560,3660,3420,])
array_1_name = "Butter consumption"
array_2_name = "The number of lawyers in New Mexico"

# 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: 1415 · Black Variable ID: 557 · Red Variable ID: 11818
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