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Spurious correlation #2,585 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence and the second variable is Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US.  The chart goes from 2007 to 2015, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the AI-focused xkcd comics multiplied, so did the... nutrient-rich manure, creating a thriving crop of correlations. This fecal phenomenon proves that when it comes to agricultural innovation, even artificial intelligence needs some all-natural assistance to keep the puns growing.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of an open field where a farmer unloads bags of dried manure from a truck. While doing so, the farmer is reading an xkcd comic about artificial intelligence on his phone and laughing at the humorous depiction of AI. In the distance, a scarecrow wears a hat with an xkcd logo, and nearby, a small robot helper is assisting in spreading the manure across the field. This scene should have a high-tech style, incorporating futuristic elements such as advanced farming equipment and sleek designs on the mobile phone and robot. 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: xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. 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: High-tech Vaporwave Concept art Magic realism Woodblock painting
ChatGPT: High-tech

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In an open field, a farmer unloads bags of dried manure from a truck while reading an xkcd comic about artificial intelligence on his phone, laughing at the humorous depiction of AI. In the distance, a scarecrow wears a hat with an xkcd logo, while nearby, a small robot helper assists in spreading the manure across the field.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ High-tech ] and depicting this scene: In an open field, a farmer unloads bags of dried manure from a truck while reading an xkcd comic about artificial intelligence on his phone, laughing at the humorous depiction of AI. In the distance, a scarecrow wears a hat with an xkcd logo, while nearby, a small robot helper assists in spreading the manure across the field. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of an open field where a farmer unloads bags of dried manure from a truck. While doing so, the farmer is reading an xkcd comic about artificial intelligence on his phone and laughing at the humorous depiction of AI. In the distance, a scarecrow wears a hat with an xkcd logo, and nearby, a small robot helper is assisting in spreading the manure across the field. This scene should have a high-tech style, incorporating futuristic elements such as advanced farming equipment and sleek designs on the mobile phone and robot.

*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 increases in xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence positively influenced Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.05)
AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market

The Journal of Digital Humor Studies

Jan 2024

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




Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title seem clever.

Your research team used data from AI analysis of xkcd comics and USDA to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 and p < 0.05 for 2007 to 2015.

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

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
"AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we present the findings of a groundbreaking study that examines the curious connection between XKCD comics centered around artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from AI analysis of XKCD comics and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we embarked on a quest to unravel this enigmatic relationship. As we delved into this research, it became apparent that AI and dung may have more in common than meets the eye – a discovery that both amazed and amused us, prompting the quip that sometimes science is just a bunch of horse sense (pun intended).

We scrutinized XKCD comics published from 2007 to 2015 and juxtaposed the content with the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the US during the same period. Through rigorous statistical analysis, we uncovered a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 and a p-value less than 0.05, indicating a significant association between the two seemingly disparate phenomena. This unexpected finding led us to ponder whether there might be, dare we say, a "fowl" play at hand in the world of agricultural practices (pardon the pun – we couldn't resist).

Our study not only sheds light on the uncanny correlation between AI-themed XKCD comics and the use of dried manure for agricultural purposes but also paves the way for further interdisciplinary investigations. The implications of this linkage, although whimsical at first glance, may have broader ramifications in understanding human cognition, humor, and the societal impacts of technological themes in popular culture. As we conclude our endeavor, we urge fellow researchers to embrace the unexpected and quirky in their pursuits, for it is often in the most unexpected places that the seeds of knowledge are sown (pun intended, once again).


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we present the findings of a groundbreaking study that examines the curious connection between XKCD comics centered around artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from AI analysis of XKCD comics and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we embarked on a quest to unravel this enigmatic relationship. As we delved into this research, it became apparent that AI and dung may have more in common than meets the eye – a discovery that both amazed and amused us, prompting the quip that sometimes science is just a bunch of horse sense (pun intended).

We scrutinized XKCD comics published from 2007 to 2015 and juxtaposed the content with the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the US during the same period. Through rigorous statistical analysis, we uncovered a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 and a p-value less than 0.05, indicating a significant association between the two seemingly disparate phenomena. This unexpected finding led us to ponder whether there might be, dare we say, a "fowl" play at hand in the world of agricultural practices (pardon the pun – we couldn't resist).

Our study not only sheds light on the uncanny correlation between AI-themed XKCD comics and the use of dried manure for agricultural purposes but also paves the way for further interdisciplinary investigations. The implications of this linkage, although whimsical at first glance, may have broader ramifications in understanding human cognition, humor, and the societal impacts of technological themes in popular culture. As we conclude our endeavor, we urge fellow researchers to embrace the unexpected and quirky in their pursuits, for it is often in the most unexpected places that the seeds of knowledge are sown (pun intended, once again).

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The nexus between technology and agriculture has long been a point of fascination for scholars and enthusiasts alike. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly intertwined with human endeavors, its influence extends beyond the realm of technical jargon and into the fabric of popular culture. In a similar vein, agricultural practices such as the use of dried manure as fertilizer have been integral to human sustenance since time immemorial. Little did we know that these two seemingly distinct domains would converge in a manner that could be described as both intriguing and, dare I say, "pungent" (pun absolutely intended).

The XKCD webcomic, known for its unique blend of science, technology, and sarcasm, has served as a welcome source of wit and whimsy for tech enthusiasts and self-professed geeks worldwide. Unbeknownst to many, XKCD comics have delved into the realm of AI with a delightful mix of humor and insight, prompting readers to ponder the existential, ethical, and often absurd aspects of artificial intelligence. As we explored this eclectic collection of comics, we couldn't help but marvel at the clever amalgamation of intellect and levity, evoking the sentiment that sometimes you just have to "compute" to enjoy a good joke (admittedly, an attempt at a nerdy dad joke).

In parallel, the use of dried manure as a fertilizer in agricultural practices in the United States has maintained a steadfast presence, albeit with varying degrees of public awareness and sentiment. A fundamental component of organic farming and traditional agricultural methods, the utilization of dried manure symbolizes a convergence of heritage and sustenance, reminiscent of a time when the land and its resources played a pivotal role in human prosperity. It seems that even in matters concerning dried manure, what goes around, comes around – quite literally (cue the groans for another cheeky pun).

In this study, we sought to bridge the disparate worlds of XKCD comics on artificial intelligence and the application of dried manure in the US fertilizer market. Our curiosity was piqued by the potential intersection of technological musings and agricultural pragmatism, prompting us to investigate whether there might be more to this unconventional pairing than meets the eye. Little did we anticipate that our exploration would lead us down a path rife with statistical insights and memorable quips – a journey that has reminded us that sometimes, the most unexpected connections can be just the fertilizer for fruitful investigations (pun absolutely intended, yet again).


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we present the findings of a groundbreaking study that examines the curious connection between XKCD comics centered around artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from AI analysis of XKCD comics and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we embarked on a quest to unravel this enigmatic relationship. As we delved into this research, it became apparent that AI and dung may have more in common than meets the eye – a discovery that both amazed and amused us, prompting the quip that sometimes science is just a bunch of horse sense (pun intended).

We scrutinized XKCD comics published from 2007 to 2015 and juxtaposed the content with the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the US during the same period. Through rigorous statistical analysis, we uncovered a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 and a p-value less than 0.05, indicating a significant association between the two seemingly disparate phenomena. This unexpected finding led us to ponder whether there might be, dare we say, a "fowl" play at hand in the world of agricultural practices (pardon the pun – we couldn't resist).

Our study not only sheds light on the uncanny correlation between AI-themed XKCD comics and the use of dried manure for agricultural purposes but also paves the way for further interdisciplinary investigations. The implications of this linkage, although whimsical at first glance, may have broader ramifications in understanding human cognition, humor, and the societal impacts of technological themes in popular culture. As we conclude our endeavor, we urge fellow researchers to embrace the unexpected and quirky in their pursuits, for it is often in the most unexpected places that the seeds of knowledge are sown (pun intended, once again).

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The nexus between technology and agriculture has long been a point of fascination for scholars and enthusiasts alike. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly intertwined with human endeavors, its influence extends beyond the realm of technical jargon and into the fabric of popular culture. In a similar vein, agricultural practices such as the use of dried manure as fertilizer have been integral to human sustenance since time immemorial. Little did we know that these two seemingly distinct domains would converge in a manner that could be described as both intriguing and, dare I say, "pungent" (pun absolutely intended).
The XKCD webcomic, known for its unique blend of science, technology, and sarcasm, has served as a welcome source of wit and whimsy for tech enthusiasts and self-professed geeks worldwide. Unbeknownst to many, XKCD comics have delved into the realm of AI with a delightful mix of humor and insight, prompting readers to ponder the existential, ethical, and often absurd aspects of artificial intelligence. As we explored this eclectic collection of comics, we couldn't help but marvel at the clever amalgamation of intellect and levity, evoking the sentiment that sometimes you just have to "compute" to enjoy a good joke (admittedly, an attempt at a nerdy dad joke).
In parallel, the use of dried manure as a fertilizer in agricultural practices in the United States has maintained a steadfast presence, albeit with varying degrees of public awareness and sentiment. A fundamental component of organic farming and traditional agricultural methods, the utilization of dried manure symbolizes a convergence of heritage and sustenance, reminiscent of a time when the land and its resources played a pivotal role in human prosperity. It seems that even in matters concerning dried manure, what goes around, comes around – quite literally (cue the groans for another cheeky pun).
In this study, we sought to bridge the disparate worlds of XKCD comics on artificial intelligence and the application of dried manure in the US fertilizer market. Our curiosity was piqued by the potential intersection of technological musings and agricultural pragmatism, prompting us to investigate whether there might be more to this unconventional pairing than meets the eye. Little did we anticipate that our exploration would lead us down a path rife with statistical insights and memorable quips – a journey that has reminded us that sometimes, the most unexpected connections can be just the fertilizer for fruitful investigations (pun absolutely intended, yet again).

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The relationship between XKCD comics and artificial intelligence has been a subject of scholarly interest in recent years. Smith (2017) delved into the sociocultural impact of XKCD's AI-themed comics, highlighting the comic's ability to blend humor with thought-provoking commentary on the intersection of technology and human existence. However, what Smith failed to mention is that sometimes these jokes are about as intelligent as an unprogrammed AI robot trying to make a knock-knock joke (not very, in case you were wondering).

Doe and Jones (2019) ventured into the realm of computational humor by analyzing the linguistic and semantic elements of AI-related jokes in online comics, including XKCD. Their work shed light on the intricate nuances of humor in the digital age, but they failed to highlight the truly "corny" nature of some of these jokes (pun absolutely intended).

Moving on from the realm of academic literature, we turn to non-fiction works that delve into the world of artificial intelligence and agricultural practices. In "Artificial Intelligence and Agricultural Innovation" by Greenfield (2018), the author explores the potential of AI in revolutionizing farming techniques and increasing agricultural productivity. Meanwhile, "The Dung Dynasty: A Comprehensive History of Manure in Agriculture" by Brown (2016) provides an in-depth examination of the historical significance of dried manure as a primary source of fertilizer.

On the fictional side of things, "The Fertilizer Code" by Dan Brown (not to be confused with the earlier-mentioned non-fiction author, unless he's been secretly moonlighting as a novelist) weaves a thrilling tale of intrigue, fertilizer, and cryptic codes that would make even the most seasoned agriculturalist chuckle. Similarly, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the AI-Ridden Farm" by Douglas Adams (reimagining a classic, are we now?), offers a whimsical take on the absurdities of AI and the unpredictable nature of agricultural life in a way that only Adams could conceive.

And just when you thought we couldn't get any more ludicrous, we conducted a comprehensive review of sources, including but not limited to the backs of shampoo bottles sold in rural farm supply stores. Surprisingly, the sodium lauryl sulfate content and the musings on "hair-raising" experiences did little to inform our research, but the pleasant fragrance certainly made the reading experience more "poo-tiful" (okay, that was a bit of a stretch, even for us).

In conclusion, the literature surrounding the curious connection between XKCD comics on artificial intelligence and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer presents a unique blend of serious scholarship, literary flights of fancy, and a healthy dose of good old-fashioned ridiculousness. As we journey through this strange and thought-provoking intersection, the lines between scholarly pursuits, dad jokes, and whimsical diversions blur, leaving us to ponder the age-old question: What do you get when you cross AI with dried manure? The answer remains to be fertilized – I mean, realized.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from AI analysis of xkcd comics and USDA . You used data from 2007 to 2015

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

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we present the findings of a groundbreaking study that examines the curious connection between XKCD comics centered around artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from AI analysis of XKCD comics and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we embarked on a quest to unravel this enigmatic relationship. As we delved into this research, it became apparent that AI and dung may have more in common than meets the eye – a discovery that both amazed and amused us, prompting the quip that sometimes science is just a bunch of horse sense (pun intended).

We scrutinized XKCD comics published from 2007 to 2015 and juxtaposed the content with the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the US during the same period. Through rigorous statistical analysis, we uncovered a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 and a p-value less than 0.05, indicating a significant association between the two seemingly disparate phenomena. This unexpected finding led us to ponder whether there might be, dare we say, a "fowl" play at hand in the world of agricultural practices (pardon the pun – we couldn't resist).

Our study not only sheds light on the uncanny correlation between AI-themed XKCD comics and the use of dried manure for agricultural purposes but also paves the way for further interdisciplinary investigations. The implications of this linkage, although whimsical at first glance, may have broader ramifications in understanding human cognition, humor, and the societal impacts of technological themes in popular culture. As we conclude our endeavor, we urge fellow researchers to embrace the unexpected and quirky in their pursuits, for it is often in the most unexpected places that the seeds of knowledge are sown (pun intended, once again).

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The nexus between technology and agriculture has long been a point of fascination for scholars and enthusiasts alike. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly intertwined with human endeavors, its influence extends beyond the realm of technical jargon and into the fabric of popular culture. In a similar vein, agricultural practices such as the use of dried manure as fertilizer have been integral to human sustenance since time immemorial. Little did we know that these two seemingly distinct domains would converge in a manner that could be described as both intriguing and, dare I say, "pungent" (pun absolutely intended).
The XKCD webcomic, known for its unique blend of science, technology, and sarcasm, has served as a welcome source of wit and whimsy for tech enthusiasts and self-professed geeks worldwide. Unbeknownst to many, XKCD comics have delved into the realm of AI with a delightful mix of humor and insight, prompting readers to ponder the existential, ethical, and often absurd aspects of artificial intelligence. As we explored this eclectic collection of comics, we couldn't help but marvel at the clever amalgamation of intellect and levity, evoking the sentiment that sometimes you just have to "compute" to enjoy a good joke (admittedly, an attempt at a nerdy dad joke).
In parallel, the use of dried manure as a fertilizer in agricultural practices in the United States has maintained a steadfast presence, albeit with varying degrees of public awareness and sentiment. A fundamental component of organic farming and traditional agricultural methods, the utilization of dried manure symbolizes a convergence of heritage and sustenance, reminiscent of a time when the land and its resources played a pivotal role in human prosperity. It seems that even in matters concerning dried manure, what goes around, comes around – quite literally (cue the groans for another cheeky pun).
In this study, we sought to bridge the disparate worlds of XKCD comics on artificial intelligence and the application of dried manure in the US fertilizer market. Our curiosity was piqued by the potential intersection of technological musings and agricultural pragmatism, prompting us to investigate whether there might be more to this unconventional pairing than meets the eye. Little did we anticipate that our exploration would lead us down a path rife with statistical insights and memorable quips – a journey that has reminded us that sometimes, the most unexpected connections can be just the fertilizer for fruitful investigations (pun absolutely intended, yet again).

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To bring this peculiar association to light, our methodology employed a blend of AI analysis, comic dissection, and agricultural data scrutiny that could be likened to a fusion dish – somewhat unconventional, yet surprisingly palatable (pun intended, of course). We began by harnessing the power of AI to analyze the content of XKCD comics related to artificial intelligence. This involved utilizing state-of-the-art AI algorithms to identify and categorize specific themes, humor patterns, and lexical nuances within the selected comics, employing what we like to call the "AI-llytical approach" (excuse the pun – we couldn't resist incorporating our findings into the title itself).

Simultaneously, we collected extensive data on the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This involved parsing through a copious amount of agricultural reports, surveys, and statistical datasets, which we affectionately dubbed the "sifting through manure" phase of our research (apologies for the crude analogy, but the pun potential was simply too good to pass up).

Upon gathering the necessary datasets, we proceeded to perform a rigorous comparative analysis, akin to orchestrating a symphony of statistics and comic wit. We juxtaposed the occurrences of AI-related themes in XKCD comics with the trends in dried manure utilization in US agriculture, employing statistical techniques including regression analysis, correlation testing, and time series modeling. This rigorous approach allowed us to uncover any underlying connections between the two ostensibly distinct domains, in what we like to call the "digital detective work" stage of our investigation (pun intended, for those who appreciate a good mystery).

To ensure the robustness of our findings, we also conducted sentiment analysis on the XKCD comics in question, examining the emotional tone and contextual resonance of the AI-related content. This discerning task involved delving into the realm of computational linguistics and humor theory, and as you might expect, led to a fair amount of chuckles and, regrettably, a few groan-inducing puns along the way (pardon the pun-ishment).

Furthermore, to compensate for any potential confounding factors or spurious correlations, we conducted a series of sensitivity analyses and robustness checks, akin to applying a dose of skepticism to our own findings. We scrutinized alternative timeframes, control variables, and even experimented with different varieties of manure-related jokes – all in the name of ensuring the validity and reliability of our results. This particular phase earned us the informal moniker of "comedy club statisticians," as we waded through the murky waters of humor quantification, occasionally surfacing with pun-laden anecdotes to share with our colleagues (you guessed it, another pun).

In summary, our methodology was as diverse and unexpected as the relationship we sought to unravel. By blending AI analysis, comic scrutiny, and agricultural data dissection, we endeavored to shed light on the enigmatic connection between XKCD comics on artificial intelligence and the utilization of dried manure in the US fertilizer market. And though our journey was fraught with quirky quips and unexpected twists, we can confidently say that our findings are no laughing matter – well, at least not entirely (cue the obligatory pun).


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from AI analysis of xkcd comics and USDA .

For the time period 2007 to 2015, you found a correlation 0.7292790, r-squared of 0.5318479, and p < 0.05.

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]]
"AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we present the findings of a groundbreaking study that examines the curious connection between XKCD comics centered around artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from AI analysis of XKCD comics and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we embarked on a quest to unravel this enigmatic relationship. As we delved into this research, it became apparent that AI and dung may have more in common than meets the eye – a discovery that both amazed and amused us, prompting the quip that sometimes science is just a bunch of horse sense (pun intended).

We scrutinized XKCD comics published from 2007 to 2015 and juxtaposed the content with the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the US during the same period. Through rigorous statistical analysis, we uncovered a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 and a p-value less than 0.05, indicating a significant association between the two seemingly disparate phenomena. This unexpected finding led us to ponder whether there might be, dare we say, a "fowl" play at hand in the world of agricultural practices (pardon the pun – we couldn't resist).

Our study not only sheds light on the uncanny correlation between AI-themed XKCD comics and the use of dried manure for agricultural purposes but also paves the way for further interdisciplinary investigations. The implications of this linkage, although whimsical at first glance, may have broader ramifications in understanding human cognition, humor, and the societal impacts of technological themes in popular culture. As we conclude our endeavor, we urge fellow researchers to embrace the unexpected and quirky in their pursuits, for it is often in the most unexpected places that the seeds of knowledge are sown (pun intended, once again).

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The nexus between technology and agriculture has long been a point of fascination for scholars and enthusiasts alike. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly intertwined with human endeavors, its influence extends beyond the realm of technical jargon and into the fabric of popular culture. In a similar vein, agricultural practices such as the use of dried manure as fertilizer have been integral to human sustenance since time immemorial. Little did we know that these two seemingly distinct domains would converge in a manner that could be described as both intriguing and, dare I say, "pungent" (pun absolutely intended).
The XKCD webcomic, known for its unique blend of science, technology, and sarcasm, has served as a welcome source of wit and whimsy for tech enthusiasts and self-professed geeks worldwide. Unbeknownst to many, XKCD comics have delved into the realm of AI with a delightful mix of humor and insight, prompting readers to ponder the existential, ethical, and often absurd aspects of artificial intelligence. As we explored this eclectic collection of comics, we couldn't help but marvel at the clever amalgamation of intellect and levity, evoking the sentiment that sometimes you just have to "compute" to enjoy a good joke (admittedly, an attempt at a nerdy dad joke).
In parallel, the use of dried manure as a fertilizer in agricultural practices in the United States has maintained a steadfast presence, albeit with varying degrees of public awareness and sentiment. A fundamental component of organic farming and traditional agricultural methods, the utilization of dried manure symbolizes a convergence of heritage and sustenance, reminiscent of a time when the land and its resources played a pivotal role in human prosperity. It seems that even in matters concerning dried manure, what goes around, comes around – quite literally (cue the groans for another cheeky pun).
In this study, we sought to bridge the disparate worlds of XKCD comics on artificial intelligence and the application of dried manure in the US fertilizer market. Our curiosity was piqued by the potential intersection of technological musings and agricultural pragmatism, prompting us to investigate whether there might be more to this unconventional pairing than meets the eye. Little did we anticipate that our exploration would lead us down a path rife with statistical insights and memorable quips – a journey that has reminded us that sometimes, the most unexpected connections can be just the fertilizer for fruitful investigations (pun absolutely intended, yet again).

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation between the publication of XKCD comics about artificial intelligence and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. The correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 indicated a substantial positive relationship between the two variables, with an r-squared value of 0.5318479 suggesting that approximately 53.18% of the variability in the use of dried manure can be explained by the publication of AI-themed XKCD comics.

Fig. 1 presents a scatterplot that visually encapsulates this intriguing correlation. It's as clear as... well, manure on a field, which is to say, pretty unmistakable.

As we marveled at this unexpected association, it occurred to us that perhaps there's more to humor than meets the AI. If laughter truly is the best medicine, then it seems that a healthy dose of AI-themed comedy might just be the fertilizer that the US agricultural industry needs – both literally and figuratively. After all, as the saying goes, "You can't spell 'artificial intelligence' without 'art,' but you sure can spell 'manure' without 'man,' and that's no bull!"


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
"AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we present the findings of a groundbreaking study that examines the curious connection between XKCD comics centered around artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from AI analysis of XKCD comics and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we embarked on a quest to unravel this enigmatic relationship. As we delved into this research, it became apparent that AI and dung may have more in common than meets the eye – a discovery that both amazed and amused us, prompting the quip that sometimes science is just a bunch of horse sense (pun intended).

We scrutinized XKCD comics published from 2007 to 2015 and juxtaposed the content with the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the US during the same period. Through rigorous statistical analysis, we uncovered a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 and a p-value less than 0.05, indicating a significant association between the two seemingly disparate phenomena. This unexpected finding led us to ponder whether there might be, dare we say, a "fowl" play at hand in the world of agricultural practices (pardon the pun – we couldn't resist).

Our study not only sheds light on the uncanny correlation between AI-themed XKCD comics and the use of dried manure for agricultural purposes but also paves the way for further interdisciplinary investigations. The implications of this linkage, although whimsical at first glance, may have broader ramifications in understanding human cognition, humor, and the societal impacts of technological themes in popular culture. As we conclude our endeavor, we urge fellow researchers to embrace the unexpected and quirky in their pursuits, for it is often in the most unexpected places that the seeds of knowledge are sown (pun intended, once again).

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The relationship between XKCD comics and artificial intelligence has been a subject of scholarly interest in recent years. Smith (2017) delved into the sociocultural impact of XKCD's AI-themed comics, highlighting the comic's ability to blend humor with thought-provoking commentary on the intersection of technology and human existence. However, what Smith failed to mention is that sometimes these jokes are about as intelligent as an unprogrammed AI robot trying to make a knock-knock joke (not very, in case you were wondering).
Doe and Jones (2019) ventured into the realm of computational humor by analyzing the linguistic and semantic elements of AI-related jokes in online comics, including XKCD. Their work shed light on the intricate nuances of humor in the digital age, but they failed to highlight the truly "corny" nature of some of these jokes (pun absolutely intended).
Moving on from the realm of academic literature, we turn to non-fiction works that delve into the world of artificial intelligence and agricultural practices. In "Artificial Intelligence and Agricultural Innovation" by Greenfield (2018), the author explores the potential of AI in revolutionizing farming techniques and increasing agricultural productivity. Meanwhile, "The Dung Dynasty: A Comprehensive History of Manure in Agriculture" by Brown (2016) provides an in-depth examination of the historical significance of dried manure as a primary source of fertilizer.
On the fictional side of things, "The Fertilizer Code" by Dan Brown (not to be confused with the earlier-mentioned non-fiction author, unless he's been secretly moonlighting as a novelist) weaves a thrilling tale of intrigue, fertilizer, and cryptic codes that would make even the most seasoned agriculturalist chuckle. Similarly, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the AI-Ridden Farm" by Douglas Adams (reimagining a classic, are we now?), offers a whimsical take on the absurdities of AI and the unpredictable nature of agricultural life in a way that only Adams could conceive.
And just when you thought we couldn't get any more ludicrous, we conducted a comprehensive review of sources, including but not limited to the backs of shampoo bottles sold in rural farm supply stores. Surprisingly, the sodium lauryl sulfate content and the musings on "hair-raising" experiences did little to inform our research, but the pleasant fragrance certainly made the reading experience more "poo-tiful" (okay, that was a bit of a stretch, even for us).
In conclusion, the literature surrounding the curious connection between XKCD comics on artificial intelligence and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer presents a unique blend of serious scholarship, literary flights of fancy, and a healthy dose of good old-fashioned ridiculousness. As we journey through this strange and thought-provoking intersection, the lines between scholarly pursuits, dad jokes, and whimsical diversions blur, leaving us to ponder the age-old question: What do you get when you cross AI with dried manure? The answer remains to be fertilized – I mean, realized.

[[RESULTS]]
Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation between the publication of XKCD comics about artificial intelligence and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. The correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 indicated a substantial positive relationship between the two variables, with an r-squared value of 0.5318479 suggesting that approximately 53.18% of the variability in the use of dried manure can be explained by the publication of AI-themed XKCD comics.
Fig. 1 presents a scatterplot that visually encapsulates this intriguing correlation. It's as clear as... well, manure on a field, which is to say, pretty unmistakable.
As we marveled at this unexpected association, it occurred to us that perhaps there's more to humor than meets the AI. If laughter truly is the best medicine, then it seems that a healthy dose of AI-themed comedy might just be the fertilizer that the US agricultural industry needs – both literally and figuratively. After all, as the saying goes, "You can't spell 'artificial intelligence' without 'art,' but you sure can spell 'manure' without 'man,' and that's no bull!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our study has unveiled a delightful connection between AI-themed XKCD comics and the utilization of dried manure in US agriculture, affirming the comical potential of this unlikely pairing. As we delved into this peculiar correlation, we couldn't help but appreciate the irony that sometimes the most fertile ground for scientific inquiry is where you'd least expect it – much like a good dad joke, this revelation was both unexpected and deeply satisfying.

Building on the prior research in the literature review, we observed that the humorous and thought-provoking nature of XKCD's AI-themed comics, as highlighted by Smith (2017), may have indeed triggered a domino effect that extends to the agricultural realm. In a sense, it's akin to planting a seed of humor that blossoms into a full-fledged crop of agricultural influence – a bit like the circle of life, but with more puns.

Furthermore, the work of Doe and Jones (2019) shed light on the linguistic and semantic complexity of AI-related jokes, but it was our study that truly unearthed the "barnyard" humor within XKCD's AI-themed comics. It's as if the comedic cadence of these comics resonated with agricultural enthusiasts, fertilizing their spirits with lighthearted wit and perhaps inspiring some "udderly" brilliant farming ideas along the way – who knew that AI and manure could form such a fertile synergy?

In support of Greenfield's (2018) exploration of AI's potential in agriculture, our findings suggest that the infusion of AI-themed humor, as encapsulated in XKCD comics, may indeed have a tangible impact on agricultural practices. Perhaps it's not just the nutrients in dried manure that are cultivating growth; it could very well be the comedic musings on artificial intelligence that are tilling the soil of innovative thinking in the agricultural sector. One might even say that these comics are sowing the seeds of technological levity in the field of farming – a classic case of "cultivating" new ideas, if you will.

Conversely, the historical significance of dried manure in agriculture, as expounded by Brown (2016), seems to intertwine with the modern realm of AI-infused humor, creating a fusion of past and present that leaves us pondering the timeless appeal of agricultural traditions and tech-infused jests. It's a bit like witnessing the meeting of two distinct eras – a juxtaposition that yields unexpected insights as rich as freshly fertilized soil (and just as pungent, sometimes).

The correlation between XKCD comics on artificial intelligence and the use of dried manure as fertilizer not only serves as a testament to the far-reaching influence of humor but also opens the door to a broader dialogue on the intersection of popular culture, technological themes, and agricultural practices. In essence, our study has peeled back the layers of these seemingly unrelated phenomena to reveal a connective tissue that is as old as agriculture itself – a connection that has sprouted into a pun-tastic revelation that is truly "udderly" captivating.

In the words of the great agricultural humorist, "Why was the scarecrow promoted? Because he was outstanding in his field." It seems that in the case of our study, both AI-themed comics and dried manure are indeed outstanding in their respective fields, and when they come together, the results are nothing short of captivating.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence and Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
"AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we present the findings of a groundbreaking study that examines the curious connection between XKCD comics centered around artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from AI analysis of XKCD comics and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we embarked on a quest to unravel this enigmatic relationship. As we delved into this research, it became apparent that AI and dung may have more in common than meets the eye – a discovery that both amazed and amused us, prompting the quip that sometimes science is just a bunch of horse sense (pun intended).

We scrutinized XKCD comics published from 2007 to 2015 and juxtaposed the content with the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the US during the same period. Through rigorous statistical analysis, we uncovered a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 and a p-value less than 0.05, indicating a significant association between the two seemingly disparate phenomena. This unexpected finding led us to ponder whether there might be, dare we say, a "fowl" play at hand in the world of agricultural practices (pardon the pun – we couldn't resist).

Our study not only sheds light on the uncanny correlation between AI-themed XKCD comics and the use of dried manure for agricultural purposes but also paves the way for further interdisciplinary investigations. The implications of this linkage, although whimsical at first glance, may have broader ramifications in understanding human cognition, humor, and the societal impacts of technological themes in popular culture. As we conclude our endeavor, we urge fellow researchers to embrace the unexpected and quirky in their pursuits, for it is often in the most unexpected places that the seeds of knowledge are sown (pun intended, once again).

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The nexus between technology and agriculture has long been a point of fascination for scholars and enthusiasts alike. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly intertwined with human endeavors, its influence extends beyond the realm of technical jargon and into the fabric of popular culture. In a similar vein, agricultural practices such as the use of dried manure as fertilizer have been integral to human sustenance since time immemorial. Little did we know that these two seemingly distinct domains would converge in a manner that could be described as both intriguing and, dare I say, "pungent" (pun absolutely intended).
The XKCD webcomic, known for its unique blend of science, technology, and sarcasm, has served as a welcome source of wit and whimsy for tech enthusiasts and self-professed geeks worldwide. Unbeknownst to many, XKCD comics have delved into the realm of AI with a delightful mix of humor and insight, prompting readers to ponder the existential, ethical, and often absurd aspects of artificial intelligence. As we explored this eclectic collection of comics, we couldn't help but marvel at the clever amalgamation of intellect and levity, evoking the sentiment that sometimes you just have to "compute" to enjoy a good joke (admittedly, an attempt at a nerdy dad joke).
In parallel, the use of dried manure as a fertilizer in agricultural practices in the United States has maintained a steadfast presence, albeit with varying degrees of public awareness and sentiment. A fundamental component of organic farming and traditional agricultural methods, the utilization of dried manure symbolizes a convergence of heritage and sustenance, reminiscent of a time when the land and its resources played a pivotal role in human prosperity. It seems that even in matters concerning dried manure, what goes around, comes around – quite literally (cue the groans for another cheeky pun).
In this study, we sought to bridge the disparate worlds of XKCD comics on artificial intelligence and the application of dried manure in the US fertilizer market. Our curiosity was piqued by the potential intersection of technological musings and agricultural pragmatism, prompting us to investigate whether there might be more to this unconventional pairing than meets the eye. Little did we anticipate that our exploration would lead us down a path rife with statistical insights and memorable quips – a journey that has reminded us that sometimes, the most unexpected connections can be just the fertilizer for fruitful investigations (pun absolutely intended, yet again).

[[RESULTS]]
Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation between the publication of XKCD comics about artificial intelligence and the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. The correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 indicated a substantial positive relationship between the two variables, with an r-squared value of 0.5318479 suggesting that approximately 53.18% of the variability in the use of dried manure can be explained by the publication of AI-themed XKCD comics.
Fig. 1 presents a scatterplot that visually encapsulates this intriguing correlation. It's as clear as... well, manure on a field, which is to say, pretty unmistakable.
As we marveled at this unexpected association, it occurred to us that perhaps there's more to humor than meets the AI. If laughter truly is the best medicine, then it seems that a healthy dose of AI-themed comedy might just be the fertilizer that the US agricultural industry needs – both literally and figuratively. After all, as the saying goes, "You can't spell 'artificial intelligence' without 'art,' but you sure can spell 'manure' without 'man,' and that's no bull!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has unveiled a peculiar yet undeniably robust correlation between XKCD comics centered around artificial intelligence and the use of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. This unexpected linkage, while initially met with raised eyebrows and a fair share of bemusement, has illuminated a fertile ground for interdisciplinary inquiry and whimsical wonderment. It appears that the fields of AI and agricultural practices are not only intertwined but also laden with potential for puns and dad jokes – a realization that has left us both amazed and exasperated at the same time. After all, who knew that the key to understanding this odorous correlation lay in the art of scientific humor? As they say, sometimes the best insights are found in the most unexpected places, much like stumbling upon a hidden gem in a pile of manure (forgive the analogy, we couldn't resist).

Our investigation has not only underscored the unanticipated kinship between AI-themed humor and agricultural traditions but has also sparked contemplation on the deeper societal and cognitive dimensions of this connection. It seems that in the realm of artificial intelligence and manure, there's more than meets the eye – or, in this case, perhaps more than meets the nose. As we wrap up this endeavor, we're reminded that the world of research is teeming with surprises and that sometimes, the most meaningful discoveries are seasoned with a dash of absurdity and a sprinkle of dung-related humor. You could say we've truly dug deep into this subject matter (pun intended, yet again).

In light of our findings, it seems apt to assert that the connection between AI-themed XKCD comics and the use of dried manure as fertilizer in the US is not only statistically significant but also culturally and intellectually intriguing. With this in mind, we fervently encourage future researchers to explore the unlikeliest of correlations, for it's often in the most unexpected juxtapositions that we find nuggets of insight and, in this case, perhaps a few nuggets of manure too (couldn't resist one last pun, for old time's sake).

All in all, we believe that our study provides a solid foundation for understanding and appreciating the idiosyncrasies of human culture, humor, and technological reflections in popular media. Consequently, we adamantly declare that further research in this area is not needed, as we've already hit the "manure jackpot" of discoveries.


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 AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Digital Humor Studies


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for the Study of Hilarious Connections in Research (SSHCR)


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 AI-lly Funny: Analyzing the Link between XKCD Comics on Artificial Intelligence and Dung Dealings in the US Fertilizer Market with an abstract of In this paper, we present the findings of a groundbreaking study that examines the curious connection between XKCD comics centered around artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of dried manure as fertilizer in the United States. Leveraging data from AI analysis of XKCD comics and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we embarked on a quest to unravel this enigmatic relationship. As we delved into this research, it became apparent that AI and dung may have more in common than meets the eye – a discovery that both amazed and amused us, prompting the quip that sometimes science is just a bunch of horse sense (pun intended).
We scrutinized XKCD comics published from 2007 to 2015 and juxtaposed the content with the utilization of dried manure as fertilizer in the US during the same period. Through rigorous statistical analysis, we uncovered a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7292790 and a p-value less than 0.05, indicating a significant association between the two seemingly disparate phenomena. This unexpected finding led us to ponder whether there might be, dare we say, a "fowl" play at hand in the world of agricultural practices (pardon the pun – we couldn't resist).
Our study not only sheds light on the uncanny correlation between AI-themed XKCD comics and the use of dried manure for agricultural purposes but also paves the way for further interdisciplinary investigations. The implications of this linkage, although whimsical at first glance, may have broader ramifications in understanding human cognition, humor, and the societal impacts of technological themes in popular culture. As we conclude our endeavor, we urge fellow researchers to embrace the unexpected and quirky in their pursuits, for it is often in the most unexpected places that the seeds of knowledge are sown (pun intended, once again).

ChatGPT:

XKCD comics, artificial intelligence, AI analysis, United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, dried manure, fertilizer market, correlation coefficient, interdisciplinary investigations, human cognition, humor, societal impacts, technological themes, popular culture, agricultural practices, statistical analysis

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



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Data details

xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence
Detailed data title: The number of xkcd comics published each year about artificial intelligence
Source: AI analysis of xkcd comics
Additional Info: I designed a Python workflow to perform OCR on every xkcd comic, feed that text into a large language model, and ask the model whether this comic was about the category named in the title.

See what else correlates with xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence

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

Correlation r = 0.7292790 (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 = 0.5318479 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 53.2% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence) over the 9 years from 2007 through 2015.

p < 0.05, which statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 0.026. 0.0257732411475011520000000000
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 0.73 in 2.6% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 39 random variables Which I absolutely did.
with the same 8 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 8 because we have two variables measured over a period of 9 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.

[ 0.13, 0.94 ] 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.
200720082009201020112012201320142015
xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence (xkcd comics)123122231
Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US (Fertilizer)14605018875119043514013720410417573813270419317995810




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. Very low n: There are not many data points included in this analysis. Even if the p-value is high, we should be suspicious of using so few datapoints in a correlation.




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([1,2,3,1,2,2,2,3,1,])
array_2 = np.array([146050,188751,190435,140137,204104,175738,132704,193179,95810,])
array_1_name = "xkcd comics published about artificial intelligence"
array_2_name = "Dried manure used for fertilizer in the US"

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

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



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Correlation ID: 2585 · Black Variable ID: 20034 · Red Variable ID: 1198
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