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Spurious correlation #2,275 · 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 Mastercard's stock price (MA).  The chart goes from 2007 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As butter consumption increased, so did the demand for baked goods. This led to a wave of happiness as people indulged in delicious pastries, causing an overall improvement in mood. This increase in collective happiness somehow translated to a surge in confidence in the financial markets, including Mastercard's stock, leading to its rise. It's like a buttery, flaky domino effect on the economy!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate a hyper-realistic image of a person sitting at a wooden kitchen table, their backlit figure casting a warm shadow over the surface. The morning sunlight streams in through the window, illuminating the scene with a golden glow. The person spreads creamy butter over a perfectly toasted slice of bread, the texture of the butter glistening under the ambient light. Their focused gaze is fixed on the smartphone in their hand, which displays real-time stock updates for Mastercard. The juxtaposition of the mundane breakfast ritual with the high-stakes world of stock trading creates a striking visual narrative. 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 Mastercard's stock price. 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: 3D Pixar Style Hyper-realistic Minimalism Scalar art Macabre
ChatGPT: Hyper-realistic

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 Mastercard's stock price together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: A person sitting at a kitchen table, spreading butter on a slice of toast while checking their phone for updates on Mastercard's stock price. The morning light streams in through the window, casting a warm glow over the buttery toast.

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: [ Hyper-realistic ] and depicting this scene: A person sitting at a kitchen table, spreading butter on a slice of toast while checking their phone for updates on Mastercard's stock price. The morning light streams in through the window, casting a warm glow over the buttery toast. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate a hyper-realistic image of a person sitting at a wooden kitchen table, their backlit figure casting a warm shadow over the surface. The morning sunlight streams in through the window, illuminating the scene with a golden glow. The person spreads creamy butter over a perfectly toasted slice of bread, the texture of the butter glistening under the ambient light. Their focused gaze is fixed on the smartphone in their hand, which displays real-time stock updates for Mastercard. The juxtaposition of the mundane breakfast ritual with the high-stakes world of stock trading creates a striking visual narrative.

*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 Mastercard's stock price (MA) to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Spreading the Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price

The Journal of Quirky Economic Trends

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 witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics journal.You write titles and abstracts of goofy academic research papers.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, and add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price (MA). You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title seem clever.

Your research team used data from USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9021484 and p < 0.01 for 2007 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 Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study churns out a thorough investigation into the potential correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA), using data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) spanning from 2007 to 2021. The results are quite butter-ly captivating!

Our analysis reveals a butteristically strong correlation coefficient of 0.9021484 and a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a significant association between the two variables. This finding suggests that, statistically speaking, there's something more than just "buttering up" the stock performance of Mastercard.

On a lighter note, our research provides compelling evidence that perhaps the "buttery smooth" transactions using Mastercard may indeed have a spreadable impact on consumer spending habits, thereby influencing the company's stock price. It's almost like the financial markets are "buttering Mastercard up" for success!

In conclusion, this intriguing butter-and-stock relationship sheds light on the unexpected interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated factors in the financial world. So, next time you reach for that butter churn, keep in mind that it might just be stirring up the stock market as well – a financial "butterfly" effect, if you will!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics journal.You draft the introduction section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price (MA). 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 Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study churns out a thorough investigation into the potential correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA), using data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) spanning from 2007 to 2021. The results are quite butter-ly captivating!

Our analysis reveals a butteristically strong correlation coefficient of 0.9021484 and a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a significant association between the two variables. This finding suggests that, statistically speaking, there's something more than just "buttering up" the stock performance of Mastercard.

On a lighter note, our research provides compelling evidence that perhaps the "buttery smooth" transactions using Mastercard may indeed have a spreadable impact on consumer spending habits, thereby influencing the company's stock price. It's almost like the financial markets are "buttering Mastercard up" for success!

In conclusion, this intriguing butter-and-stock relationship sheds light on the unexpected interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated factors in the financial world. So, next time you reach for that butter churn, keep in mind that it might just be stirring up the stock market as well – a financial "butterfly" effect, if you will!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
**[[INTRODUCTION]]**

The realm of financial markets has long been a source of fascination and speculation, not unlike pondering the mysteries of the universe itself. Within this enigmatic domain, seemingly disparate variables and factors can intertwine in ways that befuddle even the most astute minds. Our research endeavors to uncover one such improbable linkage – the potential association between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA). This study seeks to butter up the perplexing relationship between these two seemingly incongruous elements.

It is a topic that has generated much curiosity, and perhaps even elicited some raised eyebrows and bemused chuckles. When one ponders the idea of butter and stock price correlation, it might seem like quite the stretch, a bit like cramming a slab of butter into the narrow confines of a credit card slot. Yet, as our investigation will reveal, statistical analysis can lend a fresh perspective and provide insightful - dare we say, buttery - revelations.

Our in-depth inquiry spans from 2007 to 2021, drawing upon comprehensive data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv). It endeavors to elucidate whether there exists an unexpected and statistically significant relationship between the consumption of butter, a quintessential culinary staple, and the stock performance of Mastercard, a global leader in the payment solutions industry. Our analysis aims to spread light on this unexplored connection and provide valuable insights for both financial analysts and dairy enthusiasts alike.

Speaking of dairy, a famous economist once said, "If butter and money were equally abundant, butter would be cheaper than it is, and money dearer". As we delve into our findings, we aim to unveil the hidden truths and unveil the riches - or perhaps, the spreads - that lie within this curious correlation. It’s time to look beyond the surface and ask ourselves, could the creamy delight of butter have more impact on the stock market than we ever imagined?

With that in mind, let us journey together into the world of financial intrigue, exploring the unexpected convergence of butter consumption and stock prices. Get ready for a roller-coaster ride through the labyrinths of economic entanglement, where the only constant may just be the reassuring presence of butter – the unsung hero of culinary and, as it turns out, perhaps financial realms. Hold on tight, and prepare to be churned by the impending' dairy and financial escapade!


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price (MA). 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 name some movies that you watched that are tangentially related to the topic.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Spreading the Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study churns out a thorough investigation into the potential correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA), using data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) spanning from 2007 to 2021. The results are quite butter-ly captivating!

Our analysis reveals a butteristically strong correlation coefficient of 0.9021484 and a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a significant association between the two variables. This finding suggests that, statistically speaking, there's something more than just "buttering up" the stock performance of Mastercard.

On a lighter note, our research provides compelling evidence that perhaps the "buttery smooth" transactions using Mastercard may indeed have a spreadable impact on consumer spending habits, thereby influencing the company's stock price. It's almost like the financial markets are "buttering Mastercard up" for success!

In conclusion, this intriguing butter-and-stock relationship sheds light on the unexpected interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated factors in the financial world. So, next time you reach for that butter churn, keep in mind that it might just be stirring up the stock market as well – a financial "butterfly" effect, if you will!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The realm of financial markets has long been a source of fascination and speculation, not unlike pondering the mysteries of the universe itself. Within this enigmatic domain, seemingly disparate variables and factors can intertwine in ways that befuddle even the most astute minds. Our research endeavors to uncover one such improbable linkage – the potential association between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA). This study seeks to butter up the perplexing relationship between these two seemingly incongruous elements.

It is a topic that has generated much curiosity, and perhaps even elicited some raised eyebrows and bemused chuckles. When one ponders the idea of butter and stock price correlation, it might seem like quite the stretch, a bit like cramming a slab of butter into the narrow confines of a credit card slot. Yet, as our investigation will reveal, statistical analysis can lend a fresh perspective and provide insightful - dare we say, buttery - revelations.

Our in-depth inquiry spans from 2007 to 2021, drawing upon comprehensive data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv). It endeavors to elucidate whether there exists an unexpected and statistically significant relationship between the consumption of butter, a quintessential culinary staple, and the stock performance of Mastercard, a global leader in the payment solutions industry. Our analysis aims to spread light on this unexplored connection and provide valuable insights for both financial analysts and dairy enthusiasts alike.

Speaking of dairy, a famous economist once said, "If butter and money were equally abundant, butter would be cheaper than it is, and money dearer". As we delve into our findings, we aim to unveil the hidden truths and unveil the riches - or perhaps, the spreads - that lie within this curious correlation. It’s time to look beyond the surface and ask ourselves, could the creamy delight of butter have more impact on the stock market than we ever imagined?

With that in mind, let us journey together into the world of financial intrigue, exploring the unexpected convergence of butter consumption and stock prices. Get ready for a roller-coaster ride through the labyrinths of economic entanglement, where the only constant may just be the reassuring presence of butter – the unsung hero of culinary and, as it turns out, perhaps financial realms. Hold on tight, and prepare to be churned by the impending' dairy and financial escapade!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The literature pertaining to the unusual relationship between butter consumption and stock prices provides a plethora of intriguing insights. Smith, in "The Butter Chronicles: A Comprehensive Analysis of Dairy Dynamics," presents an extensive exploration of the global patterns of butter consumption and its potential impacts on various economic indicators. Doe, in "Dairy Delights: A Financial Odyssey through Milk, Butter, and Margarine," offers a historical perspective on the influence of dairy products on financial markets, with a particular focus on fluctuating consumer trends. Jones, in "Margarine Matters: Unveiling the Marginalized Market Impact," delves into the lesser-known world of margarine and its concurrent effects on stock valuations, shedding light on the broader dairy landscape.

Interestingly, this literature intersects with the works of renowned economists and financial analysts, including Keynes, Friedman, and Bernanke, who have proposed diverse theories on the underlying mechanisms driving market behavior in response to consumer goods. The delectable synergy between butter and stock prices has also inspired the imagination of fiction authors, such as in "The Butter Conspiracy" by A. R. Loaf and "Churning Fortunes: A Tale of Butter and Bulls" by M. Argarine. These literary works, while entertaining, offer a whimsical lens through which to contemplate the interplay of seemingly unrelated entities in the financial domain.

Amidst this scholarly discourse, it is not uncommon for unexpected parallels to emerge from seemingly unrelated sources. Films such as "Butter: A Financial Spread" and "Mastercard's Melting Moments" may not directly discuss the butter-stock price nexus, but they certainly capture the essence of financial intrigue and culinary indulgence in a cinematic form. These curious intersections exemplify the breadth of influence that butter consumption and stock prices have across various cultural, economic, and literary realms.

Now, much like a well-churned batch of butter, we find ourselves at the cusp of unraveling the entwined fate of butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price. As we navigate this interplay, we embark on a journey that promises to be as rich and diverse as the myriad flavors of butter itself.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics journal.You draft the methodology section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price (MA). 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 LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) . You used data from 2007 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 Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study churns out a thorough investigation into the potential correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA), using data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) spanning from 2007 to 2021. The results are quite butter-ly captivating!

Our analysis reveals a butteristically strong correlation coefficient of 0.9021484 and a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a significant association between the two variables. This finding suggests that, statistically speaking, there's something more than just "buttering up" the stock performance of Mastercard.

On a lighter note, our research provides compelling evidence that perhaps the "buttery smooth" transactions using Mastercard may indeed have a spreadable impact on consumer spending habits, thereby influencing the company's stock price. It's almost like the financial markets are "buttering Mastercard up" for success!

In conclusion, this intriguing butter-and-stock relationship sheds light on the unexpected interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated factors in the financial world. So, next time you reach for that butter churn, keep in mind that it might just be stirring up the stock market as well – a financial "butterfly" effect, if you will!

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The realm of financial markets has long been a source of fascination and speculation, not unlike pondering the mysteries of the universe itself. Within this enigmatic domain, seemingly disparate variables and factors can intertwine in ways that befuddle even the most astute minds. Our research endeavors to uncover one such improbable linkage – the potential association between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA). This study seeks to butter up the perplexing relationship between these two seemingly incongruous elements.

It is a topic that has generated much curiosity, and perhaps even elicited some raised eyebrows and bemused chuckles. When one ponders the idea of butter and stock price correlation, it might seem like quite the stretch, a bit like cramming a slab of butter into the narrow confines of a credit card slot. Yet, as our investigation will reveal, statistical analysis can lend a fresh perspective and provide insightful - dare we say, buttery - revelations.

Our in-depth inquiry spans from 2007 to 2021, drawing upon comprehensive data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv). It endeavors to elucidate whether there exists an unexpected and statistically significant relationship between the consumption of butter, a quintessential culinary staple, and the stock performance of Mastercard, a global leader in the payment solutions industry. Our analysis aims to spread light on this unexplored connection and provide valuable insights for both financial analysts and dairy enthusiasts alike.

Speaking of dairy, a famous economist once said, "If butter and money were equally abundant, butter would be cheaper than it is, and money dearer". As we delve into our findings, we aim to unveil the hidden truths and unveil the riches - or perhaps, the spreads - that lie within this curious correlation. It’s time to look beyond the surface and ask ourselves, could the creamy delight of butter have more impact on the stock market than we ever imagined?

With that in mind, let us journey together into the world of financial intrigue, exploring the unexpected convergence of butter consumption and stock prices. Get ready for a roller-coaster ride through the labyrinths of economic entanglement, where the only constant may just be the reassuring presence of butter – the unsung hero of culinary and, as it turns out, perhaps financial realms. Hold on tight, and prepare to be churned by the impending' dairy and financial escapade!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unravel the intriguing connection between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA), our research team embarked on a quest as epic as churning cream into golden dairy goodness. We employed a data-driven approach, delving into a vast expanse of historical data spanning from 2007 to 2021, procured primarily from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv). This rich tapestry of data allowed us to prod, poke, and ultimately butter up our analysis with the finest ingredients of statistical rigor.

To measure global butter consumption, we traipsed through a labyrinth of online databases, sifting through data sources from butter production statistics to per capita consumption figures across various countries. Our enthusiastic pursuit led us down a path more convoluted than a butter-churned maze, but through perseverance, we derived a comprehensive dataset encapsulating the ebb and flow of butter consumption over the years. We will not butter up the truth - this part of the process was a veritable spread of data-gathering challenges.

Next, in a journey reminiscent of Odysseus navigating the high seas, we charted the course of Mastercard's stock price data. With the help of financial data platforms and reliable resources, we scoured through price-volume data, company financials, and market trends, gathering the necessary information to conduct an in-depth analysis of MA's stock performance. Our data collection process was more complex than a multi-layered butter croissant, but just as satisfying upon completion.

After meticulously procuring these datasets, we took a page out of the legendary alchemist's book and subjected the data to a series of statistical analyses, aiming to distill the essence of any potential relationship between butter consumption and MA's stock price. We employed complex time-series analysis and econometric modeling, applying techniques such as Granger causality tests and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modeling to uncover any underlying patterns. We didn't just skim the surface; we whipped, churned, and eventually churned out the golden insights within the datasets.

In the spirit of full transparency, we also conducted robust sensitivity analyses and diagnostic checks to ensure the reliability and validity of our findings. This meticulous approach allowed us to churn out the most buttery-smooth results, akin to achieving the perfect texture when whipping cream for a delectable dessert.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for - we performed the ultimate statistical magic trick, calculating correlation coefficients and p-values that would make even the most discerning statisticians crack a smile. The correlation and causation analyses were conducted with all the seriousness of a dairy farmer tending to their prized cheese, but with a pinch of statistical quirkiness and lightning-fast wit.

In conclusion, our research methodology harnessed a rich blend of data collection, statistical analyses, and a sprinkle of whimsy to unearth the buttery intricacies of the relationship between butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price. So, while the world may keep churning, we can confidently assert that our findings are as compelling as a perfectly buttered slice of toast - and just as difficult to resist.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics journal.You draft the results section of an academic research paper. You speak in the past tense (you found...).
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price (MA). 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 LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) .

For the time period 2007 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.9021484, r-squared of 0.8138718, 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 Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study churns out a thorough investigation into the potential correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA), using data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) spanning from 2007 to 2021. The results are quite butter-ly captivating!

Our analysis reveals a butteristically strong correlation coefficient of 0.9021484 and a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a significant association between the two variables. This finding suggests that, statistically speaking, there's something more than just "buttering up" the stock performance of Mastercard.

On a lighter note, our research provides compelling evidence that perhaps the "buttery smooth" transactions using Mastercard may indeed have a spreadable impact on consumer spending habits, thereby influencing the company's stock price. It's almost like the financial markets are "buttering Mastercard up" for success!

In conclusion, this intriguing butter-and-stock relationship sheds light on the unexpected interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated factors in the financial world. So, next time you reach for that butter churn, keep in mind that it might just be stirring up the stock market as well – a financial "butterfly" effect, if you will!

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The realm of financial markets has long been a source of fascination and speculation, not unlike pondering the mysteries of the universe itself. Within this enigmatic domain, seemingly disparate variables and factors can intertwine in ways that befuddle even the most astute minds. Our research endeavors to uncover one such improbable linkage – the potential association between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA). This study seeks to butter up the perplexing relationship between these two seemingly incongruous elements.

It is a topic that has generated much curiosity, and perhaps even elicited some raised eyebrows and bemused chuckles. When one ponders the idea of butter and stock price correlation, it might seem like quite the stretch, a bit like cramming a slab of butter into the narrow confines of a credit card slot. Yet, as our investigation will reveal, statistical analysis can lend a fresh perspective and provide insightful - dare we say, buttery - revelations.

Our in-depth inquiry spans from 2007 to 2021, drawing upon comprehensive data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv). It endeavors to elucidate whether there exists an unexpected and statistically significant relationship between the consumption of butter, a quintessential culinary staple, and the stock performance of Mastercard, a global leader in the payment solutions industry. Our analysis aims to spread light on this unexplored connection and provide valuable insights for both financial analysts and dairy enthusiasts alike.

Speaking of dairy, a famous economist once said, "If butter and money were equally abundant, butter would be cheaper than it is, and money dearer". As we delve into our findings, we aim to unveil the hidden truths and unveil the riches - or perhaps, the spreads - that lie within this curious correlation. It’s time to look beyond the surface and ask ourselves, could the creamy delight of butter have more impact on the stock market than we ever imagined?

With that in mind, let us journey together into the world of financial intrigue, exploring the unexpected convergence of butter consumption and stock prices. Get ready for a roller-coaster ride through the labyrinths of economic entanglement, where the only constant may just be the reassuring presence of butter – the unsung hero of culinary and, as it turns out, perhaps financial realms. Hold on tight, and prepare to be churned by the impending' dairy and financial escapade!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The findings of our study uncovered a remarkably strong correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA) over the period from 2007 to 2021. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9021484, with an r-squared value of 0.8138718, and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. It appears that when it comes to the financial markets, butter truly does make everything better – even stock prices!

Looking at the scatterplot (see Fig. 1), it is evident that as butter consumption increases, there is a noticeable uptrend in Mastercard's stock price. The two variables seem to move in tandem, almost like a well-rehearsed dance routine, or better yet, a perfectly orchestrated recipe!

One can't help but ponder the implications of these findings. Could it be that the phrase "everything's better with butter" also extends to the realm of financial prosperity? It seems that the riches truly lie in the spreads – both literal and metaphorical.

Our results offer a tantalizing glimpse into the potential influence of butter consumption on consumer behavior and, subsequently, on the performance of a major player in the payment solutions industry. It prompts us to consider the possibility that the proverbial "butterfly effect" may hold more truth than we originally thought – after all, who knew that a stick of butter could have such financial currency?

In conclusion, our study highlights the unexpected interconnectedness between seemingly unrelated factors in the world of finance. If nothing else, it certainly gives us food for thought and enriches our understanding of the intricate and, at times, unassuming forces at play in the global economy. As we wade through these remarkable findings, it's safe to say that the financial markets have just become a little "butter" with our insights!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics journal.You draft the discussion section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price (MA). 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 Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study churns out a thorough investigation into the potential correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA), using data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) spanning from 2007 to 2021. The results are quite butter-ly captivating!

Our analysis reveals a butteristically strong correlation coefficient of 0.9021484 and a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a significant association between the two variables. This finding suggests that, statistically speaking, there's something more than just "buttering up" the stock performance of Mastercard.

On a lighter note, our research provides compelling evidence that perhaps the "buttery smooth" transactions using Mastercard may indeed have a spreadable impact on consumer spending habits, thereby influencing the company's stock price. It's almost like the financial markets are "buttering Mastercard up" for success!

In conclusion, this intriguing butter-and-stock relationship sheds light on the unexpected interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated factors in the financial world. So, next time you reach for that butter churn, keep in mind that it might just be stirring up the stock market as well – a financial "butterfly" effect, if you will!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The literature pertaining to the unusual relationship between butter consumption and stock prices provides a plethora of intriguing insights. Smith, in "The Butter Chronicles: A Comprehensive Analysis of Dairy Dynamics," presents an extensive exploration of the global patterns of butter consumption and its potential impacts on various economic indicators. Doe, in "Dairy Delights: A Financial Odyssey through Milk, Butter, and Margarine," offers a historical perspective on the influence of dairy products on financial markets, with a particular focus on fluctuating consumer trends. Jones, in "Margarine Matters: Unveiling the Marginalized Market Impact," delves into the lesser-known world of margarine and its concurrent effects on stock valuations, shedding light on the broader dairy landscape.
Interestingly, this literature intersects with the works of renowned economists and financial analysts, including Keynes, Friedman, and Bernanke, who have proposed diverse theories on the underlying mechanisms driving market behavior in response to consumer goods. The delectable synergy between butter and stock prices has also inspired the imagination of fiction authors, such as in "The Butter Conspiracy" by A. R. Loaf and "Churning Fortunes: A Tale of Butter and Bulls" by M. Argarine. These literary works, while entertaining, offer a whimsical lens through which to contemplate the interplay of seemingly unrelated entities in the financial domain.
Amidst this scholarly discourse, it is not uncommon for unexpected parallels to emerge from seemingly unrelated sources. Films such as "Butter: A Financial Spread" and "Mastercard's Melting Moments" may not directly discuss the butter-stock price nexus, but they certainly capture the essence of financial intrigue and culinary indulgence in a cinematic form. These curious intersections exemplify the breadth of influence that butter consumption and stock prices have across various cultural, economic, and literary realms.
Now, much like a well-churned batch of butter, we find ourselves at the cusp of unraveling the entwined fate of butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price. As we navigate this interplay, we embark on a journey that promises to be as rich and diverse as the myriad flavors of butter itself.

[[RESULTS]]
The findings of our study uncovered a remarkably strong correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA) over the period from 2007 to 2021. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9021484, with an r-squared value of 0.8138718, and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. It appears that when it comes to the financial markets, butter truly does make everything better – even stock prices!
Looking at the scatterplot (see Fig. 1), it is evident that as butter consumption increases, there is a noticeable uptrend in Mastercard's stock price. The two variables seem to move in tandem, almost like a well-rehearsed dance routine, or better yet, a perfectly orchestrated recipe!
One can't help but ponder the implications of these findings. Could it be that the phrase "everything's better with butter" also extends to the realm of financial prosperity? It seems that the riches truly lie in the spreads – both literal and metaphorical.
Our results offer a tantalizing glimpse into the potential influence of butter consumption on consumer behavior and, subsequently, on the performance of a major player in the payment solutions industry. It prompts us to consider the possibility that the proverbial "butterfly effect" may hold more truth than we originally thought – after all, who knew that a stick of butter could have such financial currency?
In conclusion, our study highlights the unexpected interconnectedness between seemingly unrelated factors in the world of finance. If nothing else, it certainly gives us food for thought and enriches our understanding of the intricate and, at times, unassuming forces at play in the global economy. As we wade through these remarkable findings, it's safe to say that the financial markets have just become a little "butter" with our insights!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The findings of our study align with the existing literature that has hinted at the fascinating relationship between butter consumption and stock prices. The remarkably strong correlation we uncovered between global butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price echoes the sentiments expressed in Smith's "The Butter Chronicles: A Comprehensive Analysis of Dairy Dynamics" and Doe's "Dairy Delights: A Financial Odyssey through Milk, Butter, and Margarine." These works, while perhaps tinged with a buttery flair, have laid the groundwork for our empirical investigation.

In a serendipitous twist, our results lend empirical support to the notion that butter consumption may indeed be tied to the fluctuations in Mastercard's stock price. The pervasive influence of butter on consumer habits and preferences, as hinted at by Jones in "Margarine Matters: Unveiling the Marginalized Market Impact," seems to extend its reach into the realm of financial markets. This affirms the dairily intriguing hypothesis that consumer consumption patterns, particularly in relation to dairy products, could exert a potent influence on stock valuations.

From a financial perspective, our findings bear resemblance to the delightful synergy between butter and stock prices portrayed in the literary works of A. R. Loaf and M. Argarine. It appears that the whimsical intersection of dairy products and financial markets, as depicted in these works, has a tangible foundation in empirical reality. This butter-stock relationship, much like a carefully crafted pun, seems to have a surprising depth and reach that defies conventional expectations.

The connection between butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price, as elucidated by our study, offers a rich tapestry of implications for the financial landscape. It raises the possibility that seemingly mundane consumer choices could have far-reaching implications for the performance of major corporations, echoing the sentiment expressed in the cinematic depictions of financial intrigue and indulgence in "Butter: A Financial Spread" and "Mastercard's Melting Moments." This entertaining portrayal of financial dynamics, while perhaps perceived as comedic, contains a kernel of truth that our study has substantiated.

As we ruminate on the butter-and-stock relationship, it becomes apparent that the financial markets, much like a good dad joke, have a penchant for unexpected connections and twists. Our study not only provides a lighthearted take on the intricate interplay between butter consumption and stock prices but also underscores the inherent complexity and unpredictability of the financial world. In every stick of butter, it seems, lies the potential for a far-reaching impact on the financial markets – a veritable churn of economic influence and dairily-driven dynamics.


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Butter consumption and Mastercard's stock price (MA). 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 Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study churns out a thorough investigation into the potential correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA), using data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) spanning from 2007 to 2021. The results are quite butter-ly captivating!

Our analysis reveals a butteristically strong correlation coefficient of 0.9021484 and a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a significant association between the two variables. This finding suggests that, statistically speaking, there's something more than just "buttering up" the stock performance of Mastercard.

On a lighter note, our research provides compelling evidence that perhaps the "buttery smooth" transactions using Mastercard may indeed have a spreadable impact on consumer spending habits, thereby influencing the company's stock price. It's almost like the financial markets are "buttering Mastercard up" for success!

In conclusion, this intriguing butter-and-stock relationship sheds light on the unexpected interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated factors in the financial world. So, next time you reach for that butter churn, keep in mind that it might just be stirring up the stock market as well – a financial "butterfly" effect, if you will!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The realm of financial markets has long been a source of fascination and speculation, not unlike pondering the mysteries of the universe itself. Within this enigmatic domain, seemingly disparate variables and factors can intertwine in ways that befuddle even the most astute minds. Our research endeavors to uncover one such improbable linkage – the potential association between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA). This study seeks to butter up the perplexing relationship between these two seemingly incongruous elements.

It is a topic that has generated much curiosity, and perhaps even elicited some raised eyebrows and bemused chuckles. When one ponders the idea of butter and stock price correlation, it might seem like quite the stretch, a bit like cramming a slab of butter into the narrow confines of a credit card slot. Yet, as our investigation will reveal, statistical analysis can lend a fresh perspective and provide insightful - dare we say, buttery - revelations.

Our in-depth inquiry spans from 2007 to 2021, drawing upon comprehensive data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv). It endeavors to elucidate whether there exists an unexpected and statistically significant relationship between the consumption of butter, a quintessential culinary staple, and the stock performance of Mastercard, a global leader in the payment solutions industry. Our analysis aims to spread light on this unexplored connection and provide valuable insights for both financial analysts and dairy enthusiasts alike.

Speaking of dairy, a famous economist once said, "If butter and money were equally abundant, butter would be cheaper than it is, and money dearer". As we delve into our findings, we aim to unveil the hidden truths and unveil the riches - or perhaps, the spreads - that lie within this curious correlation. It’s time to look beyond the surface and ask ourselves, could the creamy delight of butter have more impact on the stock market than we ever imagined?

With that in mind, let us journey together into the world of financial intrigue, exploring the unexpected convergence of butter consumption and stock prices. Get ready for a roller-coaster ride through the labyrinths of economic entanglement, where the only constant may just be the reassuring presence of butter – the unsung hero of culinary and, as it turns out, perhaps financial realms. Hold on tight, and prepare to be churned by the impending' dairy and financial escapade!

[[RESULTS]]
The findings of our study uncovered a remarkably strong correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA) over the period from 2007 to 2021. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9021484, with an r-squared value of 0.8138718, and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. It appears that when it comes to the financial markets, butter truly does make everything better – even stock prices!
Looking at the scatterplot (see Fig. 1), it is evident that as butter consumption increases, there is a noticeable uptrend in Mastercard's stock price. The two variables seem to move in tandem, almost like a well-rehearsed dance routine, or better yet, a perfectly orchestrated recipe!
One can't help but ponder the implications of these findings. Could it be that the phrase "everything's better with butter" also extends to the realm of financial prosperity? It seems that the riches truly lie in the spreads – both literal and metaphorical.
Our results offer a tantalizing glimpse into the potential influence of butter consumption on consumer behavior and, subsequently, on the performance of a major player in the payment solutions industry. It prompts us to consider the possibility that the proverbial "butterfly effect" may hold more truth than we originally thought – after all, who knew that a stick of butter could have such financial currency?
In conclusion, our study highlights the unexpected interconnectedness between seemingly unrelated factors in the world of finance. If nothing else, it certainly gives us food for thought and enriches our understanding of the intricate and, at times, unassuming forces at play in the global economy. As we wade through these remarkable findings, it's safe to say that the financial markets have just become a little "butter" with our insights!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study uncovered a statistically significant connection between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA). The robust correlation coefficient of 0.9021484 sheds light on the unsuspected influence of butter on financial markets, proving that when it comes to stock prices, butter truly does make everything butter. This unexpected relationship raises the question: is butter the unsung hero of financial prosperity, or is Mastercard simply riding the wave of dairy delight?

Our findings prompt a reevaluation of the age-old adage, "everything's better with butter," as it seems to extend beyond culinary realms into the sprawling landscape of stock performance. It appears that consumers' affinity for butter may indeed have a spreadable impact on their spending habits, thereby influencing the stock price of a major player in the payment solutions industry. Perhaps, in the world of financial gains, we should start referring to "buttery smooth transactions" in a more literal sense!

As we reflect on these buttery revelations, it becomes quite clear that the ever-popular "butterfly effect" could well bear a more dairy-oriented connotation in the financial world. After all, who could have guessed that a stick of butter holds such financial weight? It seems that in the realm of stock prices, the riches truly lie in the spreads – both metaphorical and, in this case, quite literal!

It appears that the age-old question "Can money buy happiness?" may have an unexpected twist – perhaps it's not just the money, but also the butter that serves as a foundation for financial contentment. It seems that the creamy delight of butter has the potential to churn the financial markets in unforeseen ways.

In conclusion, this intriguing butter-and-stock relationship reveals the unfathomable interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated factors in the financial world. So, next time you reach for that butter churn, keep in mind that it might just be stirring up the stock market as well – a financial "butterfly" effect, if you will! It's clear that further research in this area is unnecessary; we've truly spread the wealth of knowledge with this study!

Our findings suggest that no further research is necessary in this area, as we have successfully uncovered the buttery truth behind the interplay between butter consumption and stock prices.


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 Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Quirky Economic Trends


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 Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

Society for Dairy Economics and Financial Analysis


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 Wealth: Melting Down the Connection Between Butter Consumption and Mastercard's Stock Price with an abstract of This study churns out a thorough investigation into the potential correlation between global butter consumption and the stock price of Mastercard (MA), using data from the USDA and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) spanning from 2007 to 2021. The results are quite butter-ly captivating!
Our analysis reveals a butteristically strong correlation coefficient of 0.9021484 and a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating a significant association between the two variables. This finding suggests that, statistically speaking, there's something more than just "buttering up" the stock performance of Mastercard.
On a lighter note, our research provides compelling evidence that perhaps the "buttery smooth" transactions using Mastercard may indeed have a spreadable impact on consumer spending habits, thereby influencing the company's stock price. It's almost like the financial markets are "buttering Mastercard up" for success!
In conclusion, this intriguing butter-and-stock relationship sheds light on the unexpected interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated factors in the financial world. So, next time you reach for that butter churn, keep in mind that it might just be stirring up the stock market as well – a financial "butterfly" effect, if you will!

ChatGPT:

butter consumption, Mastercard stock price, correlation analysis, global butter consumption, USDA data, LSEG Analytics, Refinitiv data, financial market correlation, consumer spending habits, stock market impact, financial interconnectedness, statistical analysis, financial "butterfly" effect

*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

Mastercard's stock price (MA)
Detailed data title: Opening price of Mastercard (MA) on the first trading day of the year
Source: LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv)
Additional Info: Via Microsoft Excel Stockhistory function

See what else correlates with Mastercard's stock price (MA)

Correlation r = 0.9021484 (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 = 0.8138718 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 81.4% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Mastercard's stock price (MA)) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Butter consumption) over the 15 years from 2007 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 4.3E-6. 0.0000042531358473683140000000
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 0.9 in 0.00043% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 235,121 random variables You don't actually need 235 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 14 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 14 because we have two variables measured over a period of 15 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.

[ 0.72, 0.97 ] 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.
200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Butter consumption (Pounds per person)4.7554.95.45.55.55.55.65.75.766.26.36.5
Mastercard's stock price (MA) (Stock price)9.9621.7914.4125.822.6437.8450.6383.7486.6895.37104.41152.01185.83300.46358




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([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([9.96,21.79,14.41,25.8,22.64,37.84,50.63,83.74,86.68,95.37,104.41,152.01,185.83,300.46,358,])
array_1_name = "Butter consumption"
array_2_name = "Mastercard's stock price (MA)"

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

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



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

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

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Correlation ID: 2275 · Black Variable ID: 557 · Red Variable ID: 1557
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