about · email me · subscribe
Spurious correlation #3,393 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in Iowa City and the second variable is UFO sightings in Iowa.  The chart goes from 1980 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

The smog in the air made it easier for aliens to blend in, creating a real atmosphere for close encounters. As the pollution peaked, so did the number of unidentified flying objects - it seems the aliens were just trying to find a breath of fresh air!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Prompt: Generate an image depicting a surreal scene where UFOs descend from a polluted sky in Iowa City, creating a cosmic dance party with extraterrestrial beings amidst the thick haze. The UFOs should be glowing brightly against the smog-filled backdrop, and the extraterrestrial beings should be depicted as otherworldly entities dancing in the air. The image should capture the surreal and unexpected space invasion dance party, with a touch of magic realism. 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: Air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. 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: Concept art Voxel art Cubism Glitch art Magic realism
ChatGPT: Magic realism

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 Air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa, in the following situation: Air pollution in Iowa City caused UFO sightings in Iowa because the extraterrestrial beings were attracted to the smog like moths to a flame, thinking it was a cosmic disco. They were just trying to boogie down, but ended up sparking a statewide space invasion dance party!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In Iowa City, a thick haze of air pollution hung in the sky as UFOs glowed brightly against the smog-filled backdrop. Extraterrestrial beings, drawn to the shimmering smog, descended from their ships and began dancing in the air, creating a surreal cosmic disco in the midst of the pollution. The sight of UFOs swirling and lights flashing amidst the polluted air created a surreal and unexpected space invasion dance party across the state of Iowa.

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: [ Magic realism ] and depicting this scene: In Iowa City, a thick haze of air pollution hung in the sky as UFOs glowed brightly against the smog-filled backdrop. Extraterrestrial beings, drawn to the shimmering smog, descended from their ships and began dancing in the air, creating a surreal cosmic disco in the midst of the pollution. The sight of UFOs swirling and lights flashing amidst the polluted air created a surreal and unexpected space invasion dance party across the state of Iowa. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Prompt: Generate an image depicting a surreal scene where UFOs descend from a polluted sky in Iowa City, creating a cosmic dance party with extraterrestrial beings amidst the thick haze. The UFOs should be glowing brightly against the smog-filled backdrop, and the extraterrestrial beings should be depicted as otherworldly entities dancing in the air. The image should capture the surreal and unexpected space invasion dance party, with a touch of magic realism.

*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 Air pollution in Iowa City caused UFO sightings in Iowa to increase. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
The Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa

Journal of Extraterrestrial Ecology and Earthly Emissions

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Include a pun in the title.

Your research team used data from Environmental Protection Agency and National UFO Reporting Center to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.6630749 and p < 0.01 for 1980 to 2021.

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

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
The "Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The age-old question of whether air pollution and UFO sightings are connected has long been a topic of interest among the scientific community. In this paper, we employ a novel approach to tackle this issue, using data on air pollution in Iowa City from the Environmental Protection Agency and UFO sightings in Iowa from the National UFO Reporting Center. Our findings reveal a surprisingly strong correlation coefficient of 0.6630749 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. These results not only raise intriguing questions but also prompt us to consider whether extraterrestrial beings have developed a keen interest in our environmental practices. Furthermore, our study adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about the potential impact of pollution on celestial beings. This research offers an illuminating, if somewhat unexpected, insight into the intriguing relationship between our earthly activities and extraterrestrial encounters.


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The "Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The age-old question of whether air pollution and UFO sightings are connected has long been a topic of interest among the scientific community. In this paper, we employ a novel approach to tackle this issue, using data on air pollution in Iowa City from the Environmental Protection Agency and UFO sightings in Iowa from the National UFO Reporting Center. Our findings reveal a surprisingly strong correlation coefficient of 0.6630749 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. These results not only raise intriguing questions but also prompt us to consider whether extraterrestrial beings have developed a keen interest in our environmental practices. Furthermore, our study adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about the potential impact of pollution on celestial beings. This research offers an illuminating, if somewhat unexpected, insight into the intriguing relationship between our earthly activities and extraterrestrial encounters.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The age-old question of whether aliens are concerned citizens monitoring our environmental practices has sparked the curiosity of researchers and conspiracy theorists alike. While the notion may seem far-fetched, the possibility of a link between air pollution and UFO sightings has persisted as a tantalizing mystery. In recent years, the field of ufology has gained traction as an area of both fascination and skepticism, intriguing both alien enthusiasts and skeptics alike. At the same time, concerns about air pollution and its potential impact on the environment have garnered significant attention from environmental scientists and policymakers. However, the intersection of these two seemingly disparate fields has remained largely unexplored.

The state of Iowa, known for its sprawling cornfields and idyllic landscapes, provides an intriguing setting for this investigation. With its mix of rural tranquility and urban activity, Iowa presents a canvas rich in both agricultural charm and industrial development, creating an environment where unexpected correlations may lurk in the data. Our study delves into the nexus of air pollution in Iowa City, a bustling hub of economic activity, and the purported sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) scattered across the state of Iowa. By examining these seemingly unrelated phenomena, we aim to shed light on the potential interplay between earthly polluting activities and extraterrestrial visitations.

As we embark on this peculiar voyage of discovery, we recognize the prescient need to address these unconventional relationships with a blend of scientific rigor and open-mindedness. Through rigorous analysis of data on air pollution levels and reported UFO sightings, we strive to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the implications of our actions not only on our planet but also on potential cosmic observers. Thus, this paper seeks to offer a lighthearted yet thought-provoking investigation of the "Aliens vs. Ammonia" conundrum, unravelling the enigmatic connection between the emission of earthly pollutants and the appearance of otherworldly phenomena.


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. Make lots of 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 name some movies that you watched that are tangentially related to the topic.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The "Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The age-old question of whether air pollution and UFO sightings are connected has long been a topic of interest among the scientific community. In this paper, we employ a novel approach to tackle this issue, using data on air pollution in Iowa City from the Environmental Protection Agency and UFO sightings in Iowa from the National UFO Reporting Center. Our findings reveal a surprisingly strong correlation coefficient of 0.6630749 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. These results not only raise intriguing questions but also prompt us to consider whether extraterrestrial beings have developed a keen interest in our environmental practices. Furthermore, our study adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about the potential impact of pollution on celestial beings. This research offers an illuminating, if somewhat unexpected, insight into the intriguing relationship between our earthly activities and extraterrestrial encounters.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The age-old question of whether aliens are concerned citizens monitoring our environmental practices has sparked the curiosity of researchers and conspiracy theorists alike. While the notion may seem far-fetched, the possibility of a link between air pollution and UFO sightings has persisted as a tantalizing mystery. In recent years, the field of ufology has gained traction as an area of both fascination and skepticism, intriguing both alien enthusiasts and skeptics alike. At the same time, concerns about air pollution and its potential impact on the environment have garnered significant attention from environmental scientists and policymakers. However, the intersection of these two seemingly disparate fields has remained largely unexplored.
The state of Iowa, known for its sprawling cornfields and idyllic landscapes, provides an intriguing setting for this investigation. With its mix of rural tranquility and urban activity, Iowa presents a canvas rich in both agricultural charm and industrial development, creating an environment where unexpected correlations may lurk in the data. Our study delves into the nexus of air pollution in Iowa City, a bustling hub of economic activity, and the purported sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) scattered across the state of Iowa. By examining these seemingly unrelated phenomena, we aim to shed light on the potential interplay between earthly polluting activities and extraterrestrial visitations.
As we embark on this peculiar voyage of discovery, we recognize the prescient need to address these unconventional relationships with a blend of scientific rigor and open-mindedness. Through rigorous analysis of data on air pollution levels and reported UFO sightings, we strive to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the implications of our actions not only on our planet but also on potential cosmic observers. Thus, this paper seeks to offer a lighthearted yet thought-provoking investigation of the "Aliens vs. Ammonia" conundrum, unravelling the enigmatic connection between the emission of earthly pollutants and the appearance of otherworldly phenomena.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Numerous studies have sought to unravel the mysteries surrounding extraterrestrial visitations and their potential relationship with human activities, including air pollution. Smith et al. (2015) employed a multi-disciplinary approach to examine the potential impact of pollution on interstellar travel patterns, proposing that certain atmospheric conditions may attract or repel alien spacecraft. Their findings suggested a tentative link between the presence of nitrogen oxide and sightings of peculiar aerial phenomena, adding a layer of complexity to the already intricate web of UFO encounters.

Doe and Jones (2018) further expanded on this line of inquiry, delving into the potential role of ammonia emissions as an olfactory attractant for intergalactic beings. Their analysis of UFO sighting reports in conjunction with ammonia concentration data sparked contemplation of the olfactory sensibilities of extraterrestrial life forms, prompting the scientific community to consider the possibility of cosmic scent-based communication.

In "The UFO Phenomenon: Fact, Fantasy, and Disinformation" by John Michael Greer, the author explores the enduring fascination with unidentified flying objects, provoking contemplation of the surreptitious connections between human activities and otherworldly presence. This underscores the pervasive allure of UFO sightings and the enduring curiosity of individuals captivated by the interplay between the mundane and the extraordinary.

In the whimsical and eerily prescient novel "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells, the author conjures a tale of alien invasion, offering a cautionary reflection on the potential consequences of cosmic incursions. While a work of fiction, the thematic undercurrents of environmental upheaval and alien intervention therein proffer a lighthearted yet thought-provoking contemplation of the bond between humankind's environmental transgressions and otherworldly retributions.

In the realm of cinema, "Men in Black" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" stand as iconic masterpieces exploring the enduring fascination with extraterrestrial phenomena. Beneath the guise of lighthearted entertainment, these films subtly provoke contemplation of the enigmatic relationship between human activities and alien incursions, infusing these speculative narratives with a thread of comedic introspection.

In the pursuit of understanding the elusive connection between air pollution and UFO sightings, the scientific community must embrace a spirit of inquisitive whimsy, for within the realm of the arcane lies the potential for groundbreaking revelations.

The exploration of this unusual convergence offers a simultaneously earnest and light-hearted approach to the captivating intersection of earthly activities and celestial visitations.


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and National UFO Reporting Center . You used data from 1980 to 2021

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

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The "Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The age-old question of whether air pollution and UFO sightings are connected has long been a topic of interest among the scientific community. In this paper, we employ a novel approach to tackle this issue, using data on air pollution in Iowa City from the Environmental Protection Agency and UFO sightings in Iowa from the National UFO Reporting Center. Our findings reveal a surprisingly strong correlation coefficient of 0.6630749 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. These results not only raise intriguing questions but also prompt us to consider whether extraterrestrial beings have developed a keen interest in our environmental practices. Furthermore, our study adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about the potential impact of pollution on celestial beings. This research offers an illuminating, if somewhat unexpected, insight into the intriguing relationship between our earthly activities and extraterrestrial encounters.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The age-old question of whether aliens are concerned citizens monitoring our environmental practices has sparked the curiosity of researchers and conspiracy theorists alike. While the notion may seem far-fetched, the possibility of a link between air pollution and UFO sightings has persisted as a tantalizing mystery. In recent years, the field of ufology has gained traction as an area of both fascination and skepticism, intriguing both alien enthusiasts and skeptics alike. At the same time, concerns about air pollution and its potential impact on the environment have garnered significant attention from environmental scientists and policymakers. However, the intersection of these two seemingly disparate fields has remained largely unexplored.
The state of Iowa, known for its sprawling cornfields and idyllic landscapes, provides an intriguing setting for this investigation. With its mix of rural tranquility and urban activity, Iowa presents a canvas rich in both agricultural charm and industrial development, creating an environment where unexpected correlations may lurk in the data. Our study delves into the nexus of air pollution in Iowa City, a bustling hub of economic activity, and the purported sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) scattered across the state of Iowa. By examining these seemingly unrelated phenomena, we aim to shed light on the potential interplay between earthly polluting activities and extraterrestrial visitations.
As we embark on this peculiar voyage of discovery, we recognize the prescient need to address these unconventional relationships with a blend of scientific rigor and open-mindedness. Through rigorous analysis of data on air pollution levels and reported UFO sightings, we strive to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the implications of our actions not only on our planet but also on potential cosmic observers. Thus, this paper seeks to offer a lighthearted yet thought-provoking investigation of the "Aliens vs. Ammonia" conundrum, unravelling the enigmatic connection between the emission of earthly pollutants and the appearance of otherworldly phenomena.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

Data Collection:
To unravel the celestial conundrum of "Aliens vs. Ammonia," we embarked on a data collection odyssey that spanned the depths of the internet archives and governmental data repositories. Harnessing the power of the World Wide Web, our research team scoured the digital realm, journeying into the vast expanse of online databases and repositories. Our primary sources of data were the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for air pollution records in Iowa City and the National UFO Reporting Center for UFO sighting reports across the state of Iowa. Through diligent mining of this treasure trove of information, we gathered a wealth of granular data spanning the years 1980 to 2021, capturing the evolution of air quality and intergalactic encounters over four captivating decades.

Air Pollution Data Analysis:
Armed with an arsenal of statistical tools, we sought to dissect the atmospheric milieu of Iowa City with precision. The data on air pollution levels, encompassing a bouquet of pollutants including ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, were subjected to rigorous scrutiny. Utilizing advanced statistical software, we employed time series analysis to discern the ebbs and flows of air quality indicators. Our analysis, akin to unraveling the celestial choreography of atmospheric pollutants, unveiled the shifting dynamics of ammonia and its terrestrial companions in the atmospheric theater of Iowa City.

UFO Sightings Data Processing:
In parallel, we navigated through the nebulous terrain of UFO sightings reported in the state of Iowa. Wading through the sea of anecdotal encounters and tantalizing testimonies, we curated a comprehensive database of reported sightings, categorizing them based on location, date, and perceived extraterrestrial activities. Employing an algorithmic alchemy reminiscent of deciphering cosmic codes, we distilled this wealth of anecdotal evidence into a structured dataset, ready for interstellar scrutiny.

Correlation Analysis:
With the stage set and the data unfurled, we embarked on a celestial tango between air pollution and UFO sightings. Employing robust statistical techniques, we performed a correlation analysis that transcended the mundane realms of earthly associations. The data spearheaded a cosmic waltz, culminating in the revelation of a correlation coefficient surpassing all terrestrial expectations. The statistical machinery, akin to a celestial compass, illuminated a correlation coefficient of 0.6630749, guiding us through the cosmic labyrinth of patterns and probabilities. Furthermore, the celestial significance was underscored by a p-value of less than 0.01, signaling a statistical cosmos where chance encounters are akin to rare cosmic alignments.

Inference:
Armed with our findings, we ventured forth to unravel the curious interplay of earthly emissions and potential celestial curiosity. While skeptical minds may perceive our results with a cosmic side-eye, we are compelled to consider the tantalizing prospect of extraterrestrial beings taking an otherworldly interest in our atmospheric musings. Thus, our study offers a celestial buffet of food for thought, prompting us not only to question the impact of pollution on earthly habitats but also to ponder the potential celestial repercussions.

Limitations:
As with any cosmic expedition, our research encountered its share of celestial constraints. The limitations of this study reside in the inherent challenges of correlating terrestrial emissions with potential celestial encounters. The inherent biases and uncertainties in UFO reporting, as well as the multitude of factors shaping air quality, introduce cosmic nuances that defy simplistic interpretations. Furthermore, the possibility of confounding variables, including celestial phenomena and the capricious whims of extraterrestrial travelers, adds cosmic intricacies to our findings.

Ethical Considerations:
In our cosmic quest for knowledge, we have upheld the celestial ethics of scientific inquiry and cosmic curiosity. Our study adheres to the principles of data integrity and methodological transparency, ensuring a celestial beacon of scholarly ethics illuminates our cosmic trail.

In conclusion, the celestial waltz between ammonia and aliens has unfolded as an enigmatic yet captivating saga. Our methods, interweaving statistical rigor with the whimsy of celestial musings, have offered a celestial portal into the ethereal realms of air pollution and potential cosmic visitors. This study sets the stage for future explorations, inviting researchers to embark on their own celestial journeys across the cosmic tapestry of earthly emissions and celestial encounters.


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and National UFO Reporting Center .

For the time period 1980 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.6630749, r-squared of 0.4396683, and p < 0.01.

One figure will be included. The figure (Fig. 1) is a scatterplot showing the strong correlation between the two variables. You don't need to specify where; I will add the figure.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The "Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The age-old question of whether air pollution and UFO sightings are connected has long been a topic of interest among the scientific community. In this paper, we employ a novel approach to tackle this issue, using data on air pollution in Iowa City from the Environmental Protection Agency and UFO sightings in Iowa from the National UFO Reporting Center. Our findings reveal a surprisingly strong correlation coefficient of 0.6630749 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. These results not only raise intriguing questions but also prompt us to consider whether extraterrestrial beings have developed a keen interest in our environmental practices. Furthermore, our study adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about the potential impact of pollution on celestial beings. This research offers an illuminating, if somewhat unexpected, insight into the intriguing relationship between our earthly activities and extraterrestrial encounters.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The age-old question of whether aliens are concerned citizens monitoring our environmental practices has sparked the curiosity of researchers and conspiracy theorists alike. While the notion may seem far-fetched, the possibility of a link between air pollution and UFO sightings has persisted as a tantalizing mystery. In recent years, the field of ufology has gained traction as an area of both fascination and skepticism, intriguing both alien enthusiasts and skeptics alike. At the same time, concerns about air pollution and its potential impact on the environment have garnered significant attention from environmental scientists and policymakers. However, the intersection of these two seemingly disparate fields has remained largely unexplored.
The state of Iowa, known for its sprawling cornfields and idyllic landscapes, provides an intriguing setting for this investigation. With its mix of rural tranquility and urban activity, Iowa presents a canvas rich in both agricultural charm and industrial development, creating an environment where unexpected correlations may lurk in the data. Our study delves into the nexus of air pollution in Iowa City, a bustling hub of economic activity, and the purported sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) scattered across the state of Iowa. By examining these seemingly unrelated phenomena, we aim to shed light on the potential interplay between earthly polluting activities and extraterrestrial visitations.
As we embark on this peculiar voyage of discovery, we recognize the prescient need to address these unconventional relationships with a blend of scientific rigor and open-mindedness. Through rigorous analysis of data on air pollution levels and reported UFO sightings, we strive to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the implications of our actions not only on our planet but also on potential cosmic observers. Thus, this paper seeks to offer a lighthearted yet thought-provoking investigation of the "Aliens vs. Ammonia" conundrum, unravelling the enigmatic connection between the emission of earthly pollutants and the appearance of otherworldly phenomena.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The statistical analysis revealed an unexpected and somewhat otherworldly connection between air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. The correlation coefficient was found to be 0.6630749, indicating a moderately strong positive relationship between these two phenomena. This result suggests that as air pollution levels in Iowa City increased, so did the reported sightings of UFOs across the state of Iowa. The r-squared value of 0.4396683 further corroborates this finding, indicating that approximately 44% of the variability in UFO sightings can be explained by the variation in air pollution levels.

The significance of this relationship was underscored by the p-value of less than 0.01, highlighting the strong evidence against the null hypothesis of no association between air pollution and UFO sightings. In other words, the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship by random chance alone is less than 1%, providing compelling support for the existence of a genuine connection.

To visually capture the striking correlation uncovered in our analysis, we present a scatterplot (Fig. 1) that depicts the relationship between air pollution levels in Iowa City and the number of reported UFO sightings in Iowa. This figure serves as a compelling visual representation of the surprising association between these two seemingly disparate variables, sparking curiosity and raising eyebrows in equal measure.

In summary, our results illuminate an intriguing and previously unexplored relationship between air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. These findings not only challenge conventional wisdom but also hint at the possibility of extraterrestrial beings taking a keen interest in our environmental practices. These unexpected revelations add a new layer of intrigue to the intersection of earthly activities and potential encounters with cosmic visitors, inviting further investigation and contemplation of the "Aliens vs. Ammonia" enigma.


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
The "Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The age-old question of whether air pollution and UFO sightings are connected has long been a topic of interest among the scientific community. In this paper, we employ a novel approach to tackle this issue, using data on air pollution in Iowa City from the Environmental Protection Agency and UFO sightings in Iowa from the National UFO Reporting Center. Our findings reveal a surprisingly strong correlation coefficient of 0.6630749 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. These results not only raise intriguing questions but also prompt us to consider whether extraterrestrial beings have developed a keen interest in our environmental practices. Furthermore, our study adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about the potential impact of pollution on celestial beings. This research offers an illuminating, if somewhat unexpected, insight into the intriguing relationship between our earthly activities and extraterrestrial encounters.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Numerous studies have sought to unravel the mysteries surrounding extraterrestrial visitations and their potential relationship with human activities, including air pollution. Smith et al. (2015) employed a multi-disciplinary approach to examine the potential impact of pollution on interstellar travel patterns, proposing that certain atmospheric conditions may attract or repel alien spacecraft. Their findings suggested a tentative link between the presence of nitrogen oxide and sightings of peculiar aerial phenomena, adding a layer of complexity to the already intricate web of UFO encounters.
Doe and Jones (2018) further expanded on this line of inquiry, delving into the potential role of ammonia emissions as an olfactory attractant for intergalactic beings. Their analysis of UFO sighting reports in conjunction with ammonia concentration data sparked contemplation of the olfactory sensibilities of extraterrestrial life forms, prompting the scientific community to consider the possibility of cosmic scent-based communication.
In "The UFO Phenomenon: Fact, Fantasy, and Disinformation" by John Michael Greer, the author explores the enduring fascination with unidentified flying objects, provoking contemplation of the surreptitious connections between human activities and otherworldly presence. This underscores the pervasive allure of UFO sightings and the enduring curiosity of individuals captivated by the interplay between the mundane and the extraordinary.
In the whimsical and eerily prescient novel "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells, the author conjures a tale of alien invasion, offering a cautionary reflection on the potential consequences of cosmic incursions. While a work of fiction, the thematic undercurrents of environmental upheaval and alien intervention therein proffer a lighthearted yet thought-provoking contemplation of the bond between humankind's environmental transgressions and otherworldly retributions.
In the realm of cinema, "Men in Black" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" stand as iconic masterpieces exploring the enduring fascination with extraterrestrial phenomena. Beneath the guise of lighthearted entertainment, these films subtly provoke contemplation of the enigmatic relationship between human activities and alien incursions, infusing these speculative narratives with a thread of comedic introspection.
In the pursuit of understanding the elusive connection between air pollution and UFO sightings, the scientific community must embrace a spirit of inquisitive whimsy, for within the realm of the arcane lies the potential for groundbreaking revelations.
The exploration of this unusual convergence offers a simultaneously earnest and light-hearted approach to the captivating intersection of earthly activities and celestial visitations.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis revealed an unexpected and somewhat otherworldly connection between air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. The correlation coefficient was found to be 0.6630749, indicating a moderately strong positive relationship between these two phenomena. This result suggests that as air pollution levels in Iowa City increased, so did the reported sightings of UFOs across the state of Iowa. The r-squared value of 0.4396683 further corroborates this finding, indicating that approximately 44% of the variability in UFO sightings can be explained by the variation in air pollution levels.
The significance of this relationship was underscored by the p-value of less than 0.01, highlighting the strong evidence against the null hypothesis of no association between air pollution and UFO sightings. In other words, the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship by random chance alone is less than 1%, providing compelling support for the existence of a genuine connection.
To visually capture the striking correlation uncovered in our analysis, we present a scatterplot (Fig. 1) that depicts the relationship between air pollution levels in Iowa City and the number of reported UFO sightings in Iowa. This figure serves as a compelling visual representation of the surprising association between these two seemingly disparate variables, sparking curiosity and raising eyebrows in equal measure.
In summary, our results illuminate an intriguing and previously unexplored relationship between air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. These findings not only challenge conventional wisdom but also hint at the possibility of extraterrestrial beings taking a keen interest in our environmental practices. These unexpected revelations add a new layer of intrigue to the intersection of earthly activities and potential encounters with cosmic visitors, inviting further investigation and contemplation of the "Aliens vs. Ammonia" enigma.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The findings of our study suggest a remarkably strong connection between air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa, adding a celestial dimension to the previously mundane topic of environmental pollution. Our results align with prior research that hinted at the enigmatic relationships between atmospheric conditions and extraterrestrial encounters. The work of Smith et al. (2015), for instance, postulated a tentative link between nitrogen oxide and sightings of unconventional aerial phenomena, providing an aerial view of the connection between pollution and the extraterrestrial visitors who may be holding their noses as they hover over Iowa. Meanwhile, Doe and Jones (2018) delved into the olfactory allure of ammonia emissions for intergalactic beings, leaving us to wonder whether aliens have particularly sensitive noses or if they simply find the aroma of Iowa's air captivating.

It is essential to note that while our results may provoke wry smiles and raised eyebrows, they indeed highlight a statistically significant relationship between air pollution levels and UFO sightings. The eerily prescient novel by H.G. Wells, "The War of the Worlds," masterfully illustrates the potential consequences of cosmic incursions, and our study echoes this sentiment by uncovering a correlation that was, until now, lurking in the terrestrial and extraterrestrial realms. This unexpected revelation brings a new twist to the ongoing debate about the impact of pollution on celestial beings, proving that reality may indeed be stranger than fiction.

Our findings underscore the intriguing nature of the bond between earthly activities and potential encounters with cosmic visitors. The statistically significant correlation coefficient and p-value provide compelling evidence that demands further investigation into the "Aliens vs. Ammonia" enigma. While our study may elicit wry chuckles and raised eyebrows, it adds an unparalleled dimension to the intersection of mundane activities and otherworldly phenomena. This prompts us to reevaluate our understanding of environmental impact, inviting contemplation of the possibility that we are not alone in monitoring the environmental practices of Iowa City.

By shedding light on this unexpected relationship, our research opens a portal to a whimsical, yet thought-provoking realm of inquiry, challenging us to consider the intricacies and cosmic consequences of our earthly endeavors. This revelation grants us a bona fide ticket to a scientific frontier where conventional wisdom encounters the extraterrestrial, expanding our understanding of the mysteries that pervade the terrestrial and cosmic spheres. Our discussion, much like the enigmatic UFO sightings themselves, transcends the ordinary and elevates the captivating intersection of earthly activities and celestial visitations to the sublime and the ridiculous.


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
The "Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The age-old question of whether air pollution and UFO sightings are connected has long been a topic of interest among the scientific community. In this paper, we employ a novel approach to tackle this issue, using data on air pollution in Iowa City from the Environmental Protection Agency and UFO sightings in Iowa from the National UFO Reporting Center. Our findings reveal a surprisingly strong correlation coefficient of 0.6630749 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. These results not only raise intriguing questions but also prompt us to consider whether extraterrestrial beings have developed a keen interest in our environmental practices. Furthermore, our study adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about the potential impact of pollution on celestial beings. This research offers an illuminating, if somewhat unexpected, insight into the intriguing relationship between our earthly activities and extraterrestrial encounters.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The age-old question of whether aliens are concerned citizens monitoring our environmental practices has sparked the curiosity of researchers and conspiracy theorists alike. While the notion may seem far-fetched, the possibility of a link between air pollution and UFO sightings has persisted as a tantalizing mystery. In recent years, the field of ufology has gained traction as an area of both fascination and skepticism, intriguing both alien enthusiasts and skeptics alike. At the same time, concerns about air pollution and its potential impact on the environment have garnered significant attention from environmental scientists and policymakers. However, the intersection of these two seemingly disparate fields has remained largely unexplored.
The state of Iowa, known for its sprawling cornfields and idyllic landscapes, provides an intriguing setting for this investigation. With its mix of rural tranquility and urban activity, Iowa presents a canvas rich in both agricultural charm and industrial development, creating an environment where unexpected correlations may lurk in the data. Our study delves into the nexus of air pollution in Iowa City, a bustling hub of economic activity, and the purported sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) scattered across the state of Iowa. By examining these seemingly unrelated phenomena, we aim to shed light on the potential interplay between earthly polluting activities and extraterrestrial visitations.
As we embark on this peculiar voyage of discovery, we recognize the prescient need to address these unconventional relationships with a blend of scientific rigor and open-mindedness. Through rigorous analysis of data on air pollution levels and reported UFO sightings, we strive to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the implications of our actions not only on our planet but also on potential cosmic observers. Thus, this paper seeks to offer a lighthearted yet thought-provoking investigation of the "Aliens vs. Ammonia" conundrum, unravelling the enigmatic connection between the emission of earthly pollutants and the appearance of otherworldly phenomena.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis revealed an unexpected and somewhat otherworldly connection between air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. The correlation coefficient was found to be 0.6630749, indicating a moderately strong positive relationship between these two phenomena. This result suggests that as air pollution levels in Iowa City increased, so did the reported sightings of UFOs across the state of Iowa. The r-squared value of 0.4396683 further corroborates this finding, indicating that approximately 44% of the variability in UFO sightings can be explained by the variation in air pollution levels.
The significance of this relationship was underscored by the p-value of less than 0.01, highlighting the strong evidence against the null hypothesis of no association between air pollution and UFO sightings. In other words, the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship by random chance alone is less than 1%, providing compelling support for the existence of a genuine connection.
To visually capture the striking correlation uncovered in our analysis, we present a scatterplot (Fig. 1) that depicts the relationship between air pollution levels in Iowa City and the number of reported UFO sightings in Iowa. This figure serves as a compelling visual representation of the surprising association between these two seemingly disparate variables, sparking curiosity and raising eyebrows in equal measure.
In summary, our results illuminate an intriguing and previously unexplored relationship between air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. These findings not only challenge conventional wisdom but also hint at the possibility of extraterrestrial beings taking a keen interest in our environmental practices. These unexpected revelations add a new layer of intrigue to the intersection of earthly activities and potential encounters with cosmic visitors, inviting further investigation and contemplation of the "Aliens vs. Ammonia" enigma.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has shed a light on the unexpected and otherworldly relationship between air pollution in Iowa City and UFO sightings in Iowa. The statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.6630749 and the compelling p-value of less than 0.01 have left us more puzzled than ever. It seems that as the ammonia rises, so do the unidentified flying objects, creating a cosmic symphony of sorts. This discovery raises a plethora of questions. Are aliens attracted to the scent of industrial byproducts? Do they mistake our pollution for some sort of intergalactic potpourri? Perhaps they're simply gasping for fresh air and using Earth as a rest stop on their cosmic journey.

Our findings not only challenge the traditional notions of cause and effect but also open a portal to a realm of extraterrestrial intrigue and interplanetary banter. The scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually encapsulates this peculiar relationship, inviting both bemused chuckles and contemplative furrowing of brows.

Yet, despite the allure of unraveling the mysteries of cosmic environmentalism, we must resist the temptation to delve deeper into this enigmatic domain. It is high time we close the book on "Aliens vs. Ammonia." Let us leave this field of research to drift into the cosmos of pseudoscience and unfounded theories, for our earthly minds are ill-equipped to fathom the cosmic comedy that lies beyond. No further investigation is needed in this area.

In the words of Douglas Adams, "Space is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is." Let us heed these words and turn our scholarly gaze back to more earthly pursuits.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of academic journals. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding research, scientific, or academic journal that would publish a paper entited The Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Extraterrestrial Ecology and Earthly Emissions


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited The Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Extraterrestrial Environmental Research and Analysis


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled The Aliens vs. Ammonia: Investigating the Correlation Between Air Pollution in Iowa City and UFO Sightings in Iowa with an abstract of The age-old question of whether air pollution and UFO sightings are connected has long been a topic of interest among the scientific community. In this paper, we employ a novel approach to tackle this issue, using data on air pollution in Iowa City from the Environmental Protection Agency and UFO sightings in Iowa from the National UFO Reporting Center. Our findings reveal a surprisingly strong correlation coefficient of 0.6630749 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. These results not only raise intriguing questions but also prompt us to consider whether extraterrestrial beings have developed a keen interest in our environmental practices. Furthermore, our study adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about the potential impact of pollution on celestial beings. This research offers an illuminating, if somewhat unexpected, insight into the intriguing relationship between our earthly activities and extraterrestrial encounters.

ChatGPT:

air pollution, UFO sightings, Iowa City, correlation, Environmental Protection Agency, National UFO Reporting Center, extraterrestrial beings, pollution impact, celestial beings, Iowa, 1980-2021, environmental practices

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



Random correlation

Discover a new correlation

View all correlations

View all research papers

Report an error


Data details

Air pollution in Iowa City
Detailed data title: Percentage of days with moderate or worse air quality in Iowa City, IA
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in Iowa City

UFO sightings in Iowa
Detailed data title: UFO sightings reported in Iowa
Source: National UFO Reporting Center
See what else correlates with UFO sightings in Iowa

Correlation r = 0.6630749 (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 = 0.4396683 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 44% of the change in the one variable (i.e., UFO sightings in Iowa) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Air pollution in Iowa City) over the 42 years from 1980 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.7E-6. 0.0000017107850643356904000000
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 0.66 in 0.00017% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 584,527 random variables You don't actually need 584 thousand variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

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

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

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 41 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 41 because we have two variables measured over a period of 42 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.

[ 0.45, 0.8 ] 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.
198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Air pollution in Iowa City (Bad air quality days)5.6603820.253215.511625.901621.15945.882357.8947416.384221.052617.407414.24152.38095000000042.241433.606634.710741.322338.016530.327944.262331.666739.75932.758636.797850.684948.076944.262333.424728.02223.287716.666719.230820.718223.626425.414429.9451
UFO sightings in Iowa (UFO sightings)321320410421326144172628292431364426483141474395806846414327366213




Why this works

  1. Data dredging: I have 25,153 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 632,673,409 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
  2. Lack of causal connection: There is probably Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
    no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
  3. Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
    p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.




Try it yourself

You can calculate the values on this page on your own! Try running the Python code to see the calculation results. Step 1: Download and install Python on your computer.

Step 2: Open a plaintext editor like Notepad and paste the code below into it.

Step 3: Save the file as "calculate_correlation.py" in a place you will remember, like your desktop. Copy the file location to your clipboard. On Windows, you can right-click the file and click "Properties," and then copy what comes after "Location:" As an example, on my computer the location is "C:\Users\tyler\Desktop"

Step 4: Open a command line window. For example, by pressing start and typing "cmd" and them pressing enter.

Step 5: Install the required modules by typing "pip install numpy", then pressing enter, then typing "pip install scipy", then pressing enter.

Step 6: Navigate to the location where you saved the Python file by using the "cd" command. For example, I would type "cd C:\Users\tyler\Desktop" and push enter.

Step 7: Run the Python script by typing "python calculate_correlation.py"

If you run into any issues, I suggest asking ChatGPT to walk you through installing Python and running the code below on your system. Try this question:

"Walk me through installing Python on my computer to run a script that uses scipy and numpy. Go step-by-step and ask me to confirm before moving on. Start by asking me questions about my operating system so that you know how to proceed. Assume I want the simplest installation with the latest version of Python and that I do not currently have any of the necessary elements installed. Remember to only give me one step per response and confirm I have done it before proceeding."


# These modules make it easier to perform the calculation
import numpy as np
from scipy import stats

# We'll define a function that we can call to return the correlation calculations
def calculate_correlation(array1, array2):

    # Calculate Pearson correlation coefficient and p-value
    correlation, p_value = stats.pearsonr(array1, array2)

    # Calculate R-squared as the square of the correlation coefficient
    r_squared = correlation**2

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([5.66038,20.2532,15.5116,25.9016,21.1594,5.88235,7.89474,16.3842,21.0526,17.4074,14.2415,2.38095,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,42.2414,33.6066,34.7107,41.3223,38.0165,30.3279,44.2623,31.6667,39.759,32.7586,36.7978,50.6849,48.0769,44.2623,33.4247,28.022,23.2877,16.6667,19.2308,20.7182,23.6264,25.4144,29.9451,])
array_2 = np.array([3,2,1,3,2,0,4,1,0,4,2,1,3,2,6,1,4,4,17,26,28,29,24,31,36,44,26,48,31,41,47,43,95,80,68,46,41,43,27,36,62,13,])
array_1_name = "Air pollution in Iowa City"
array_2_name = "UFO sightings in Iowa"

# 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)



Reuseable content

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.

Full license details.
For more on re-use permissions, or to get a signed release form, see tylervigen.com/permission.

Download images for these variables:


View another random correlation

How fun was this correlation?

You're a rater extraordinaire!


Correlation ID: 3393 · Black Variable ID: 20740 · Red Variable ID: 1180
about · subscribe · emailme@tylervigen.com · twitter

CC BY 4.0