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Spurious correlation #2,511 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Uranus and Mercury and the second variable is Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games.  The chart goes from 1975 to 2019, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

The gravitational pull created a wave of interstellar baseball enthusiasm, propelling fans to purchase tickets in astronomical numbers. It's possible that as the planetary gap widened, it created a celestial alignment favoring the Padres, leading to their increased popularity on earth. After all, who wouldn't want to witness out-of-this-world home runs and stellar pitching performances?

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Create an image of a parallax art-style scene where Uranus, a distant galaxy, is depicted orbiting in the starry sky far away from Mercury. On Earth, portray fans eagerly lining up for San Diego Padres games with a sense of excitement and anticipation. Utilize dynamic perspective and vibrant colors to capture the feeling of a long-anticipated interstellar event. 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: The distance between Uranus and Mercury and Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. 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: Parallax art Scalar art Hyper-realistic Sci-fi fantacy Cutsy graphics
ChatGPT: Parallax art

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both The distance between Uranus and Mercury and Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games, in the following situation: The farther Uranus is from Mercury, the more the Padres' pitch seems out of this world. And as Mercury moves away, fans are on a longer journey to catch a game, making them extra eager to slide into those seats and root for the home team. It's a cosmic connection that's really giving the Padres a stellar advantage.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a distant galaxy, Uranus orbits far away from Mercury, twinkling in the starry sky. Meanwhile, on Earth, fans eagerly line up for San Diego Padres games, their excitement fueled by the long journey it took to travel to the stadium, making the anticipation out of this world.

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: [ Parallax art ] and depicting this scene: In a distant galaxy, Uranus orbits far away from Mercury, twinkling in the starry sky. Meanwhile, on Earth, fans eagerly line up for San Diego Padres games, their excitement fueled by the long journey it took to travel to the stadium, making the anticipation out of this world. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Create an image of a parallax art-style scene where Uranus, a distant galaxy, is depicted orbiting in the starry sky far away from Mercury. On Earth, portray fans eagerly lining up for San Diego Padres games with a sense of excitement and anticipation. Utilize dynamic perspective and vibrant colors to capture the feeling of a long-anticipated interstellar event.

*Variations in the User Prompts from chart to chart are just the result of random number generation in Python. I wrote a few arrays of various styles and methods to ask questions to change up the results. Every time this site writes an explanation or generates an image, the script picks from each at random.

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in The distance between Uranus and Mercury caused Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games to increase.\Make it sound serious until the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales

The Journal of Celestial Events and Economic Phenomena

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!
Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.




Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.You write titles and abstracts of goofy academic research papers.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, and add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Mercury and Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Rhyme words in the title.

Your research team used data from Caclculated using Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.7126229 and p < 0.01 for 1975 to 2019.

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]]
Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales

[[ABSTRACT]]
Astrological phenomena and sports outcomes have long been the subjects of fascination and speculation. In this study, we delved into the intergalactic to investigate the potential link between the distance separating the planets Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Leveraging data from Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com spanning the years 1975 to 2019, our findings unveiled a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7126229 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. Our results shed light on the cosmic forces at play, offering intriguing insights into the celestial rhythms that may impact the popularity of baseball games. We invite readers to join us on this celestial journey as we explore the cosmic ties that bind the Padres' fate to the distant planetary dance.


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Mercury and Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales

[[ABSTRACT]]
Astrological phenomena and sports outcomes have long been the subjects of fascination and speculation. In this study, we delved into the intergalactic to investigate the potential link between the distance separating the planets Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Leveraging data from Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com spanning the years 1975 to 2019, our findings unveiled a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7126229 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. Our results shed light on the cosmic forces at play, offering intriguing insights into the celestial rhythms that may impact the popularity of baseball games. We invite readers to join us on this celestial journey as we explore the cosmic ties that bind the Padres' fate to the distant planetary dance.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The intersection of astrology and sports has long been a terrain of fascination and bewilderment. While the idea of cosmic forces influencing earthly matters may sound like a trope from a science fiction novel, the notion persists in the realms of popular culture and speculative musings. In this study, we venture into uncharted celestial territory to investigate a peculiar connection between the planetary distances and the ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. As we navigate this cosmic journey, we shall explore the potential astrological undercurrents that may sway the fate of a Major League Baseball team.

The undertaking of this study was not without its challenges. Indeed, attempting to meld the ethereal and the empirical posed its own set of astronomical hurdles. Nevertheless, armed with a firm belief in the power of interdisciplinary exploration, we sought to discern whether the positions of celestial bodies might exert an unseen influence on the attendance at baseball games. Our quest has led us to delve into datasets containing planetary distances, ticket sales figures, and performance statistics – a scientific voyage that may be likened to unraveling the mysteries of the universe one statistical regression at a time.

Before proceeding further, it is pivotal to delineate the objectives that steer our course through this astronomical investigation. Firstly, we endeavor to examine the patterns and fluctuations in the separation between Uranus and Mercury and how these may correlate with the ebbs and flows in the demand for Padres game tickets. Secondly, we seek to confront the skepticism surrounding astrological propositions with verifiable evidence, steering this endeavor with the precision of a telescope honed on distant stars. And lastly, we aim to inspire a contemplation of the cosmic dance that may shape the fortunes of a baseball team, planting the seeds of celestial curiosity in the astute minds of academicians and baseball enthusiasts alike.

While this study is firmly grounded in the empirical terrain of statistical analysis, we invite our readers to untether their minds from the gravitational pull of conventional thinking and embrace the cosmic inquiry with an open spirit. Join us as we embark on a celestial summons, beckoning forth both the serious scholar and the cosmic dreamer to witness the galactic waltz that may hold the key to the Padres' terrestrial triumphs.


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Mercury and Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then you might move on to cartoons and children's shows that you watched for research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales

[[ABSTRACT]]
Astrological phenomena and sports outcomes have long been the subjects of fascination and speculation. In this study, we delved into the intergalactic to investigate the potential link between the distance separating the planets Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Leveraging data from Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com spanning the years 1975 to 2019, our findings unveiled a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7126229 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. Our results shed light on the cosmic forces at play, offering intriguing insights into the celestial rhythms that may impact the popularity of baseball games. We invite readers to join us on this celestial journey as we explore the cosmic ties that bind the Padres' fate to the distant planetary dance.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of astrology and sports has long been a terrain of fascination and bewilderment. While the idea of cosmic forces influencing earthly matters may sound like a trope from a science fiction novel, the notion persists in the realms of popular culture and speculative musings. In this study, we venture into uncharted celestial territory to investigate a peculiar connection between the planetary distances and the ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. As we navigate this cosmic journey, we shall explore the potential astrological undercurrents that may sway the fate of a Major League Baseball team.
The undertaking of this study was not without its challenges. Indeed, attempting to meld the ethereal and the empirical posed its own set of astronomical hurdles. Nevertheless, armed with a firm belief in the power of interdisciplinary exploration, we sought to discern whether the positions of celestial bodies might exert an unseen influence on the attendance at baseball games. Our quest has led us to delve into datasets containing planetary distances, ticket sales figures, and performance statistics – a scientific voyage that may be likened to unraveling the mysteries of the universe one statistical regression at a time.
Before proceeding further, it is pivotal to delineate the objectives that steer our course through this astronomical investigation. Firstly, we endeavor to examine the patterns and fluctuations in the separation between Uranus and Mercury and how these may correlate with the ebbs and flows in the demand for Padres game tickets. Secondly, we seek to confront the skepticism surrounding astrological propositions with verifiable evidence, steering this endeavor with the precision of a telescope honed on distant stars. And lastly, we aim to inspire a contemplation of the cosmic dance that may shape the fortunes of a baseball team, planting the seeds of celestial curiosity in the astute minds of academicians and baseball enthusiasts alike.
While this study is firmly grounded in the empirical terrain of statistical analysis, we invite our readers to untether their minds from the gravitational pull of conventional thinking and embrace the cosmic inquiry with an open spirit. Join us as we embark on a celestial summons, beckoning forth both the serious scholar and the cosmic dreamer to witness the galactic waltz that may hold the key to the Padres' terrestrial triumphs.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The connection between astrological phenomena and terrestrial events has been a source of intrigue for centuries. Numerous scholarly works have sought to unravel the enigmatic relationship between celestial movements and earthly affairs. In "Celestial Mechanics and Dynamics," Smith and Doe illuminate the intricate mechanics governing planetary orbits, offering a foundation for understanding the gravitational pulls and celestial alignments that could potentially impact events on Earth. Similarly, Jones' "Astrological Influences on Human Behavior" delves into the psychological aspects of astrological beliefs, laying the groundwork for investigating the potential subconscious effects of celestial movements on human actions and decisions.

Moving from scholarly research to more practical applications, real-world implications of astronomical phenomena have also been explored in non-fiction literature. In "Cosmic Pull: How the Stars Influence Our Lives," the authors delve into various historical anecdotes and contemporary examples where planetary positions are believed to influence human destiny, shedding light on the enduring fascination with the cosmic and its potential impact on daily life. On the other hand, "Planetary Playoffs: A Guide to Astrological Sports Analytics" presents an unconventional exploration of astrological patterns in sports outcomes, challenging traditional statistical approaches with celestial interpretations of athletic performance. These works lay the groundwork for our investigation into the potential link between planetary distances and sports events.

Turning to the world of fiction, speculative works like "The Celestial MVP: A Baseball Odyssey Among the Stars" and "Galactic Grand Slams: The Cosmic Secrets of Baseball Success" present imaginative narratives that intertwine cosmic forces with the realm of sports. While these literary creations may stray far from empirical science, they capture the enduring allure of blending celestial phenomena with earthly pursuits, setting the stage for our exploration into the astrological undercurrents of baseball attendance.

In the pursuit of uncovering celestial insights, unconventional sources have also provided valuable perspectives. Cartoons such as "The Space Adventures of Slugger Sam" and "Astroball: The Cosmic Baseball Team" offer entertaining portrayals of cosmic baseball escapades, infusing humor and whimsy into the cosmic exploration of sports. While these animated representations may seem lighthearted, they offer a unique lens through which to view the intersection of celestial phenomena and athletic endeavors.

As we navigate through this diverse body of literature, we encounter a spectrum of perspectives on the interplay between the cosmic and the terrestrial. The varying interpretations and approaches set the stage for our investigation into the connection between the distance separating Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games, framing our inquiry within the broader context of celestial influences on earthly events.


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Mercury and Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Caclculated using Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com . You used data from 1975 to 2019

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]]
Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales

[[ABSTRACT]]
Astrological phenomena and sports outcomes have long been the subjects of fascination and speculation. In this study, we delved into the intergalactic to investigate the potential link between the distance separating the planets Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Leveraging data from Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com spanning the years 1975 to 2019, our findings unveiled a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7126229 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. Our results shed light on the cosmic forces at play, offering intriguing insights into the celestial rhythms that may impact the popularity of baseball games. We invite readers to join us on this celestial journey as we explore the cosmic ties that bind the Padres' fate to the distant planetary dance.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of astrology and sports has long been a terrain of fascination and bewilderment. While the idea of cosmic forces influencing earthly matters may sound like a trope from a science fiction novel, the notion persists in the realms of popular culture and speculative musings. In this study, we venture into uncharted celestial territory to investigate a peculiar connection between the planetary distances and the ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. As we navigate this cosmic journey, we shall explore the potential astrological undercurrents that may sway the fate of a Major League Baseball team.
The undertaking of this study was not without its challenges. Indeed, attempting to meld the ethereal and the empirical posed its own set of astronomical hurdles. Nevertheless, armed with a firm belief in the power of interdisciplinary exploration, we sought to discern whether the positions of celestial bodies might exert an unseen influence on the attendance at baseball games. Our quest has led us to delve into datasets containing planetary distances, ticket sales figures, and performance statistics – a scientific voyage that may be likened to unraveling the mysteries of the universe one statistical regression at a time.
Before proceeding further, it is pivotal to delineate the objectives that steer our course through this astronomical investigation. Firstly, we endeavor to examine the patterns and fluctuations in the separation between Uranus and Mercury and how these may correlate with the ebbs and flows in the demand for Padres game tickets. Secondly, we seek to confront the skepticism surrounding astrological propositions with verifiable evidence, steering this endeavor with the precision of a telescope honed on distant stars. And lastly, we aim to inspire a contemplation of the cosmic dance that may shape the fortunes of a baseball team, planting the seeds of celestial curiosity in the astute minds of academicians and baseball enthusiasts alike.
While this study is firmly grounded in the empirical terrain of statistical analysis, we invite our readers to untether their minds from the gravitational pull of conventional thinking and embrace the cosmic inquiry with an open spirit. Join us as we embark on a celestial summons, beckoning forth both the serious scholar and the cosmic dreamer to witness the galactic waltz that may hold the key to the Padres' terrestrial triumphs.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unravel the enigmatic interplay between the celestial and the terrestrial, our research team navigated through a web of astronomical and baseball data with the agility of a comet hurtling through the cosmos. Leveraging the vast expanse of the internet, we collected data on the distances between Uranus and Mercury, as well as ticket sales figures for San Diego Padres games from the annals of Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com. These sources granted us access to a treasure trove of data spanning the years 1975 to 2019, allowing us to conduct a comprehensive analysis that mirrored the unyielding passage of time through the cosmos.

A key aspect of our methodology involved meticulous data cleaning and alignment, akin to the precision demanded in calibrating a telescope to capture distant planetary movements. We sifted through the datasets like astronomers poring over star maps, ensuring the accurate alignment of corresponding celestial and baseball event data. It was imperative that the cosmic and terrestrial timelines were synchronized with astronomical precision, for any misalignment could lead to statistical aberrations more confounding than the orbit of a comet.

The next phase of our methodological odyssey involved the computation of statistical parameters such as correlation coefficients and p-values. Utilizing the arcane arts of statistical analysis, we sought to unveil the hidden patterns that might underpin the celestial ballet's influence on the attendance at Padres games. Through the rigorous invocation of mathematical incantations and model fitting, we strove to extract insights that would rival the discoveries of a celestial body through a telescope's lens.

To address potential spurious correlations and confounding variables, we employed a robust multivariate regression analysis. This allowed us to tease apart the celestial factors from the earthly influencers that might sway the ebb and flow of ticket sales. Like cosmic cartographers charting the trajectories of asteroids, we meticulously delineated the impact of other pertinent factors such as team performance, promotional activities, and celestial events – ensuring that the luminous influence of the Uranus-Mercury separation was not obscured by terrestrial interferences.

As we embarked on this celestial odyssey, we remained acutely aware of the inherent limitations and complexities entwined within our chosen pursuit. The fusion of astrology and empirical analysis, much like the blending of different celestial bodies in a cosmic ballet, presented its own challenges. Yet, it is with the spirit of cosmic curiosity that we sought to navigate these challenges and unveil the potential interstellar tango that might sway the tides of Padres' fate.

The confluence of celestial distances and baseball fortunes may seem an improbable union, akin to the whimsical conjunctions of stars in a constellation. Yet, it is precisely within this celestial paradox that we sought to unveil the latent astrological undercurrents that might shape the meteoric rise or eclipse of ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Through the alignment of data, the invocation of statistical sorcery, and the intrepid spirit of cosmic inquiry, we endeavored to unfurl the cosmic tapestry that may hold the key to the Padres' earthly triumphs.


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Mercury and Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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

For the time period 1975 to 2019, you found a correlation 0.7126229, r-squared of 0.5078314, 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]]
Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales

[[ABSTRACT]]
Astrological phenomena and sports outcomes have long been the subjects of fascination and speculation. In this study, we delved into the intergalactic to investigate the potential link between the distance separating the planets Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Leveraging data from Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com spanning the years 1975 to 2019, our findings unveiled a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7126229 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. Our results shed light on the cosmic forces at play, offering intriguing insights into the celestial rhythms that may impact the popularity of baseball games. We invite readers to join us on this celestial journey as we explore the cosmic ties that bind the Padres' fate to the distant planetary dance.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The intersection of astrology and sports has long been a terrain of fascination and bewilderment. While the idea of cosmic forces influencing earthly matters may sound like a trope from a science fiction novel, the notion persists in the realms of popular culture and speculative musings. In this study, we venture into uncharted celestial territory to investigate a peculiar connection between the planetary distances and the ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. As we navigate this cosmic journey, we shall explore the potential astrological undercurrents that may sway the fate of a Major League Baseball team.
The undertaking of this study was not without its challenges. Indeed, attempting to meld the ethereal and the empirical posed its own set of astronomical hurdles. Nevertheless, armed with a firm belief in the power of interdisciplinary exploration, we sought to discern whether the positions of celestial bodies might exert an unseen influence on the attendance at baseball games. Our quest has led us to delve into datasets containing planetary distances, ticket sales figures, and performance statistics – a scientific voyage that may be likened to unraveling the mysteries of the universe one statistical regression at a time.
Before proceeding further, it is pivotal to delineate the objectives that steer our course through this astronomical investigation. Firstly, we endeavor to examine the patterns and fluctuations in the separation between Uranus and Mercury and how these may correlate with the ebbs and flows in the demand for Padres game tickets. Secondly, we seek to confront the skepticism surrounding astrological propositions with verifiable evidence, steering this endeavor with the precision of a telescope honed on distant stars. And lastly, we aim to inspire a contemplation of the cosmic dance that may shape the fortunes of a baseball team, planting the seeds of celestial curiosity in the astute minds of academicians and baseball enthusiasts alike.
While this study is firmly grounded in the empirical terrain of statistical analysis, we invite our readers to untether their minds from the gravitational pull of conventional thinking and embrace the cosmic inquiry with an open spirit. Join us as we embark on a celestial summons, beckoning forth both the serious scholar and the cosmic dreamer to witness the galactic waltz that may hold the key to the Padres' terrestrial triumphs.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The statistical analysis of the data revealed a striking correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Our research team's foray into the cosmic depths yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.7126229, indicating a moderately strong positive relationship between the astrological variable and the attendance at Padres games. The r-squared value of 0.5078314 suggested that approximately 50.8% of the variability in ticket sales could be explained by the astrological factor – a cosmic revelation indeed.

Furthermore, the p-value of less than 0.01 accentuated the statistical significance of our findings, affirming that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by cosmic coincidence alone. It appears that the celestial dance between Uranus and Mercury may indeed exert an influence on the terrestrial revelry at the baseball diamond. Perhaps it's not just the gravitational pull that dictates the ebb and flow of the tides – could the planetary positions also sway the waves of fandom?

The robustness of the correlation can be visually appreciated in Fig. 1, where the scatterplot depicts a discernible pattern of association between the distance separating Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. With each data point resembling a celestial body in its own right, the plot offers a cosmic ballet of numerical relationships – a celestial symphony of statistical significance, if you will.

In conclusion, our investigation has unveiled a compelling link between astrological distances and the popularity of Padres games. While the notion of planetary positions influencing terrestrial affairs may have seemed far-fetched, our findings present a celestial twist to the dynamics of sports-related phenomena. Future research endeavors may delve deeper into the cosmic well, unraveling the unseen ties that bind the cosmos to the confines of the baseball stadium. This cosmic odyssey may just be the beginning of many more intergalactic inquiries, urging us to gaze beyond the outfield and into the boundless reaches of the celestial canvas.


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Mercury and Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

Here are the title, abstract, literature review, and results sections. Please harken back to 1-2 of the goofy items in the literature review, but pretend to take them completely seriously. Discuss how your results supported the prior research.

Do not write a conclusion. I will add a conclusion after this.

[[TITLE]]
Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales

[[ABSTRACT]]
Astrological phenomena and sports outcomes have long been the subjects of fascination and speculation. In this study, we delved into the intergalactic to investigate the potential link between the distance separating the planets Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Leveraging data from Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com spanning the years 1975 to 2019, our findings unveiled a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7126229 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. Our results shed light on the cosmic forces at play, offering intriguing insights into the celestial rhythms that may impact the popularity of baseball games. We invite readers to join us on this celestial journey as we explore the cosmic ties that bind the Padres' fate to the distant planetary dance.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The connection between astrological phenomena and terrestrial events has been a source of intrigue for centuries. Numerous scholarly works have sought to unravel the enigmatic relationship between celestial movements and earthly affairs. In "Celestial Mechanics and Dynamics," Smith and Doe illuminate the intricate mechanics governing planetary orbits, offering a foundation for understanding the gravitational pulls and celestial alignments that could potentially impact events on Earth. Similarly, Jones' "Astrological Influences on Human Behavior" delves into the psychological aspects of astrological beliefs, laying the groundwork for investigating the potential subconscious effects of celestial movements on human actions and decisions.
Moving from scholarly research to more practical applications, real-world implications of astronomical phenomena have also been explored in non-fiction literature. In "Cosmic Pull: How the Stars Influence Our Lives," the authors delve into various historical anecdotes and contemporary examples where planetary positions are believed to influence human destiny, shedding light on the enduring fascination with the cosmic and its potential impact on daily life. On the other hand, "Planetary Playoffs: A Guide to Astrological Sports Analytics" presents an unconventional exploration of astrological patterns in sports outcomes, challenging traditional statistical approaches with celestial interpretations of athletic performance. These works lay the groundwork for our investigation into the potential link between planetary distances and sports events.
Turning to the world of fiction, speculative works like "The Celestial MVP: A Baseball Odyssey Among the Stars" and "Galactic Grand Slams: The Cosmic Secrets of Baseball Success" present imaginative narratives that intertwine cosmic forces with the realm of sports. While these literary creations may stray far from empirical science, they capture the enduring allure of blending celestial phenomena with earthly pursuits, setting the stage for our exploration into the astrological undercurrents of baseball attendance.
In the pursuit of uncovering celestial insights, unconventional sources have also provided valuable perspectives. Cartoons such as "The Space Adventures of Slugger Sam" and "Astroball: The Cosmic Baseball Team" offer entertaining portrayals of cosmic baseball escapades, infusing humor and whimsy into the cosmic exploration of sports. While these animated representations may seem lighthearted, they offer a unique lens through which to view the intersection of celestial phenomena and athletic endeavors.
As we navigate through this diverse body of literature, we encounter a spectrum of perspectives on the interplay between the cosmic and the terrestrial. The varying interpretations and approaches set the stage for our investigation into the connection between the distance separating Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games, framing our inquiry within the broader context of celestial influences on earthly events.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis of the data revealed a striking correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Our research team's foray into the cosmic depths yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.7126229, indicating a moderately strong positive relationship between the astrological variable and the attendance at Padres games. The r-squared value of 0.5078314 suggested that approximately 50.8% of the variability in ticket sales could be explained by the astrological factor – a cosmic revelation indeed.
Furthermore, the p-value of less than 0.01 accentuated the statistical significance of our findings, affirming that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by cosmic coincidence alone. It appears that the celestial dance between Uranus and Mercury may indeed exert an influence on the terrestrial revelry at the baseball diamond. Perhaps it's not just the gravitational pull that dictates the ebb and flow of the tides – could the planetary positions also sway the waves of fandom?
The robustness of the correlation can be visually appreciated in Fig. 1, where the scatterplot depicts a discernible pattern of association between the distance separating Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. With each data point resembling a celestial body in its own right, the plot offers a cosmic ballet of numerical relationships – a celestial symphony of statistical significance, if you will.
In conclusion, our investigation has unveiled a compelling link between astrological distances and the popularity of Padres games. While the notion of planetary positions influencing terrestrial affairs may have seemed far-fetched, our findings present a celestial twist to the dynamics of sports-related phenomena. Future research endeavors may delve deeper into the cosmic well, unraveling the unseen ties that bind the cosmos to the confines of the baseball stadium. This cosmic odyssey may just be the beginning of many more intergalactic inquiries, urging us to gaze beyond the outfield and into the boundless reaches of the celestial canvas.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

The discovery of a substantial correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games yields both cosmic and practical implications. It seems that planetary positions may have a celestial sway on the earthly realm of baseball attendance. Our findings align with the groundwork set by Smith and Doe in "Celestial Mechanics and Dynamics," shedding light on the gravitational pulls and celestial alignments that could influence events on Earth. In a cosmic twist of statistical fate, our results support the unconventional exploration of astrological patterns in sports outcomes, as proposed in "Planetary Playoffs: A Guide to Astrological Sports Analytics." It appears that the cosmic ballet of the solar system may indeed choreograph the waltz of Padres' fervent fandom.

The statistical significance of our findings may seem like an astronomical anomaly, but our research team took great care to ensure that cosmic coincidence didn't cloud our analysis. With a p-value of less than 0.01, we can confidently assert that the observed correlation is no mere happenstance; it seems that there is substantial cosmic backing to the link between distant planets and game attendances. It's not just celestial bodies exerting gravitational force; perhaps there's an unseen celestial marketing team working to pull in the crowds.

Furthermore, our results indicate that approximately 50.8% of the variability in ticket sales can be attributed to the astrological factor, suggesting that there's more to celestial positions than meets the telescope. The modesty of our correlation coefficient may hint at the subtlety of the celestial influence, akin to the gentle push and pull of the tides under lunar sway. This cosmic revelation captivates the imagination, prompting us to consider a departure from conventional explanations for sports-related phenomena.

As we gaze upon the scatterplot, we cannot help but be mesmerized by the celestial symphony of numerical relationships. Each data point resembles a celestial body in its own right, twirling and pirouetting in a cosmic ballet that entwines distant planets with local pastimes. Our study may just be the prelude to a cosmic odyssey that peers beyond the stadium lights, delving deeper into the celestial canvas that paints the ebb and flow of fandom. The cosmic implications of our findings beckon us to explore the celestial sphere with a newfound sense of curiosity and wonder – who knows what other cosmic connections might astound us next?


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Mercury and Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 300 tokens. At the very end, assert that no more research is needed in this area.

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales

[[ABSTRACT]]
Astrological phenomena and sports outcomes have long been the subjects of fascination and speculation. In this study, we delved into the intergalactic to investigate the potential link between the distance separating the planets Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Leveraging data from Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com spanning the years 1975 to 2019, our findings unveiled a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7126229 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. Our results shed light on the cosmic forces at play, offering intriguing insights into the celestial rhythms that may impact the popularity of baseball games. We invite readers to join us on this celestial journey as we explore the cosmic ties that bind the Padres' fate to the distant planetary dance.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The intersection of astrology and sports has long been a terrain of fascination and bewilderment. While the idea of cosmic forces influencing earthly matters may sound like a trope from a science fiction novel, the notion persists in the realms of popular culture and speculative musings. In this study, we venture into uncharted celestial territory to investigate a peculiar connection between the planetary distances and the ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. As we navigate this cosmic journey, we shall explore the potential astrological undercurrents that may sway the fate of a Major League Baseball team.
The undertaking of this study was not without its challenges. Indeed, attempting to meld the ethereal and the empirical posed its own set of astronomical hurdles. Nevertheless, armed with a firm belief in the power of interdisciplinary exploration, we sought to discern whether the positions of celestial bodies might exert an unseen influence on the attendance at baseball games. Our quest has led us to delve into datasets containing planetary distances, ticket sales figures, and performance statistics – a scientific voyage that may be likened to unraveling the mysteries of the universe one statistical regression at a time.
Before proceeding further, it is pivotal to delineate the objectives that steer our course through this astronomical investigation. Firstly, we endeavor to examine the patterns and fluctuations in the separation between Uranus and Mercury and how these may correlate with the ebbs and flows in the demand for Padres game tickets. Secondly, we seek to confront the skepticism surrounding astrological propositions with verifiable evidence, steering this endeavor with the precision of a telescope honed on distant stars. And lastly, we aim to inspire a contemplation of the cosmic dance that may shape the fortunes of a baseball team, planting the seeds of celestial curiosity in the astute minds of academicians and baseball enthusiasts alike.
While this study is firmly grounded in the empirical terrain of statistical analysis, we invite our readers to untether their minds from the gravitational pull of conventional thinking and embrace the cosmic inquiry with an open spirit. Join us as we embark on a celestial summons, beckoning forth both the serious scholar and the cosmic dreamer to witness the galactic waltz that may hold the key to the Padres' terrestrial triumphs.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis of the data revealed a striking correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Our research team's foray into the cosmic depths yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.7126229, indicating a moderately strong positive relationship between the astrological variable and the attendance at Padres games. The r-squared value of 0.5078314 suggested that approximately 50.8% of the variability in ticket sales could be explained by the astrological factor – a cosmic revelation indeed.
Furthermore, the p-value of less than 0.01 accentuated the statistical significance of our findings, affirming that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by cosmic coincidence alone. It appears that the celestial dance between Uranus and Mercury may indeed exert an influence on the terrestrial revelry at the baseball diamond. Perhaps it's not just the gravitational pull that dictates the ebb and flow of the tides – could the planetary positions also sway the waves of fandom?
The robustness of the correlation can be visually appreciated in Fig. 1, where the scatterplot depicts a discernible pattern of association between the distance separating Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. With each data point resembling a celestial body in its own right, the plot offers a cosmic ballet of numerical relationships – a celestial symphony of statistical significance, if you will.
In conclusion, our investigation has unveiled a compelling link between astrological distances and the popularity of Padres games. While the notion of planetary positions influencing terrestrial affairs may have seemed far-fetched, our findings present a celestial twist to the dynamics of sports-related phenomena. Future research endeavors may delve deeper into the cosmic well, unraveling the unseen ties that bind the cosmos to the confines of the baseball stadium. This cosmic odyssey may just be the beginning of many more intergalactic inquiries, urging us to gaze beyond the outfield and into the boundless reaches of the celestial canvas.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has shed light on a cosmic correlation that tickles the curiosity and perplexes the astrophysical and sporting communities alike. The robust correlation coefficient of 0.7126229 and the statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 provide empirical evidence of the celestial sway on the terrestrial realm of Padres ticket sales. It seems that while home runs may be determined by earthly prowess, the celestial tango between Uranus and Mercury might just hold the key to the dance of ticket sales.

As we wrap up this stellar saga, we note that our findings stretch the boundaries of conventional thinking, inviting us to gaze beyond the box score and into the vast expanse of cosmic conjecture. The scatterplot resembling a celestial ballet serves as a whimsical reminder that statistical significance can be as enchanting as the aurora borealis – dancing to the rhythm of cosmic variables.

However, despite the allure of further cosmic escapades, we assert that no more research is needed in this area. We leave it up to future dreamers and researchers to ponder the astronomical mysteries that may influence the mortals' delight in baseball games. After all, as the cosmic curtain falls on this research, we are reminded that sometimes, the quirks of the universe can be as capricious as the unpredictable swing of a bat.


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 Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Celestial Events and Economic Phenomena


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 Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Celestial Economics and Lunar Marketing


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 Astrological Distances and Padre Chances: A Lunar-Cy Connection to Ticket Sales with an abstract of Astrological phenomena and sports outcomes have long been the subjects of fascination and speculation. In this study, we delved into the intergalactic to investigate the potential link between the distance separating the planets Uranus and Mercury and ticket sales for San Diego Padres games. Leveraging data from Astropy and Baseball-Reference.com spanning the years 1975 to 2019, our findings unveiled a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7126229 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01. Our results shed light on the cosmic forces at play, offering intriguing insights into the celestial rhythms that may impact the popularity of baseball games. We invite readers to join us on this celestial journey as we explore the cosmic ties that bind the Padres' fate to the distant planetary dance.

ChatGPT:

Astrological phenomena, sports outcomes, intergalactic, planetary distances, Uranus, Mercury, ticket sales, San Diego Padres, Astropy, Baseball-Reference.com, correlation coefficient, statistically significant, cosmic forces, celestial rhythms, popularity of baseball games, cosmic ties, planetary dance, astrology, lunar cycles, celestial events, astrological impact on sports, baseball game attendance.

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



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Data details

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

See what else correlates with The distance between Uranus and Mercury

Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games
Detailed data title: Total tickets sold in home games for the San Diego Padres
Source: Baseball-Reference.com
See what else correlates with Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games

Correlation r = 0.7126229 (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 = 0.5078314 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 50.8% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., The distance between Uranus and Mercury) over the 45 years from 1975 through 2019.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 4.0E-8. 0.0000000399350384470540500000
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 0.71 in 4.0E-6% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 25,040,667 random variables You don't actually need 25 million variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

p-value calculations are useful for understanding the probability of a result happening by chance. They are most useful when used to highlight the risk of a fluke outcome. For example, if you calculate a p-value of 0.30, the risk that the result is a fluke is high. It is good to know that! But there are lots of ways to get a p-value of less than 0.01, as evidenced by this project.

In this particular case, the values are so extreme as to be meaningless. That's why no one reports p-values with specificity after they drop below 0.01.

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 44 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 44 because we have two variables measured over a period of 45 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.

[ 0.53, 0.83 ] 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.
197519761977197819791980198119821983198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
The distance between Uranus and Mercury (Planetary distance (AU))18.387618.443718.498518.542518.586718.629118.697618.754118.837418.912818.975919.028119.086219.151319.215419.304819.378719.451819.500519.562619.616919.673519.748219.805919.85719.883519.923619.943819.979620.024420.061120.084420.091520.103220.093920.105220.111920.122220.102420.080420.053320.005119.985719.959819.9414
Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games (Tickets sold)1281750145848013762701670110145697011390305191611607520153982019839002210350180572014540601506900200903018564001804290172141013754309538571041800218789020893302555870252354023524402378130222060020300803016750286979026597602790070242754019196002131770214302021237202166690219537024597502351420213849021685402396400




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([18.3876,18.4437,18.4985,18.5425,18.5867,18.6291,18.6976,18.7541,18.8374,18.9128,18.9759,19.0281,19.0862,19.1513,19.2154,19.3048,19.3787,19.4518,19.5005,19.5626,19.6169,19.6735,19.7482,19.8059,19.857,19.8835,19.9236,19.9438,19.9796,20.0244,20.0611,20.0844,20.0915,20.1032,20.0939,20.1052,20.1119,20.1222,20.1024,20.0804,20.0533,20.0051,19.9857,19.9598,19.9414,])
array_2 = np.array([1281750,1458480,1376270,1670110,1456970,1139030,519161,1607520,1539820,1983900,2210350,1805720,1454060,1506900,2009030,1856400,1804290,1721410,1375430,953857,1041800,2187890,2089330,2555870,2523540,2352440,2378130,2220600,2030080,3016750,2869790,2659760,2790070,2427540,1919600,2131770,2143020,2123720,2166690,2195370,2459750,2351420,2138490,2168540,2396400,])
array_1_name = "The distance between Uranus and Mercury"
array_2_name = "Ticket sales for San Diego Padres games"

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

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



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

You do not need to attribute "the spurious correlations website," and you don't even need to link here if you don't want to. I don't gain anything from pageviews. There are no ads on this site, there is nothing for sale, and I am not for hire.

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

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

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Correlation ID: 2511 · Black Variable ID: 1956 · Red Variable ID: 4420
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