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Spurious correlation #3,663 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic and the second variable is Wins for the New York Mets.  The chart goes from 2008 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

The Mets' secret good luck charm is the smell of freshly grilled sausages wafting through the stadium, thanks to the widespread use of LPG in the Central African Republic. This unexpectedly boosts the team's morale and performance, leading to more wins on the field. Who knew that the path to victory for the Mets was through the savory scent of barbequed goodness?

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Create an image that captures a futuristic, high-tech scene in the Central African Republic. Show a group of people gathered around sleek, modern gas grills, joyfully using Liquefied Petroleum Gas to barbecue gourmet food. One person should be holding a bottle of BBQ sauce, which accidentally spills on a lucky charm of the New York Mets. In the background, depict the New York Mets celebrating a victory. The overall scene should evoke a sense of innovative technology merging with traditional cooking practices, with the unexpected twist of American baseball celebrations. 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: Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets. 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: Glitch art A scene from Skyrim High-tech Cyberpunk Psychedelic
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 Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets, in the following situation: Because the increase in Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic led to more people using gas grills, which caused a surge in barbecue popularity. This resulted in a lucky BBQ sauce spill on the lucky charm of the New York Mets, leading them to win crucial games.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: A group of people in Central African Republic gathering around their newly acquired gas grills, happily using Liquefied petroleum gas to barbecue delicious food. In the middle of the scene, a bottle of BBQ sauce accidentally spills on a lucky charm of the New York Mets, who are seen celebrating a victory in the background.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ High-tech ] and depicting this scene: A group of people in Central African Republic gathering around their newly acquired gas grills, happily using Liquefied petroleum gas to barbecue delicious food. In the middle of the scene, a bottle of BBQ sauce accidentally spills on a lucky charm of the New York Mets, who are seen celebrating a victory in the background. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Create an image that captures a futuristic, high-tech scene in the Central African Republic. Show a group of people gathered around sleek, modern gas grills, joyfully using Liquefied Petroleum Gas to barbecue gourmet food. One person should be holding a bottle of BBQ sauce, which accidentally spills on a lucky charm of the New York Mets. In the background, depict the New York Mets celebrating a victory. The overall scene should evoke a sense of innovative technology merging with traditional cooking practices, with the unexpected twist of American baseball celebrations.

*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 Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic positively influenced Wins for the New York Mets.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets

The International Journal of Sports Analytics and Unusual Correlations

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 Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Rhyme words in the title.

Your research team used data from Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.8869124 and p < 0.01 for 2008 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]]
Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the unexpected relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets baseball team. Leveraging data from the Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com, our findings reveal a striking correlation between the two seemingly unrelated entities. Our results indicate a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, with statistical significance at p < 0.01 for the years 2008 to 2021. While purists may scoff at the notion of a connection, our study sheds light on the surprising interplay between LPG usage and the success of the Mets, proving that there may be more to the game of baseball than meets the eye. With puns intended, we invite readers to take a swing at this unconventional correlation and explore the uncharted territory where energy economics and sports superstition collide.


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 Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the unexpected relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets baseball team. Leveraging data from the Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com, our findings reveal a striking correlation between the two seemingly unrelated entities. Our results indicate a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, with statistical significance at p < 0.01 for the years 2008 to 2021. While purists may scoff at the notion of a connection, our study sheds light on the surprising interplay between LPG usage and the success of the Mets, proving that there may be more to the game of baseball than meets the eye. With puns intended, we invite readers to take a swing at this unconventional correlation and explore the uncharted territory where energy economics and sports superstition collide.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

When we think of the Central African Republic, we might conjure up images of vast savannas, exotic wildlife, and perhaps a lack of tangible connections to America's favorite pastime—baseball. Similarly, when contemplating the New York Mets, we envision the iconic sights and sounds of Citi Field, the thrill of a game-winning home run, and probably not the flickering flame of a propane stove in the Central African Republic. Yet, as the saying goes, "truth is stranger than fiction," and the curious case of the correlation between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the wins of the New York Mets provides an intriguing avenue for investigation.

The idea that a commodity as fundamental as LPG in a distant country could have any bearing on the outcome of a Major League Baseball team's season may seem preposterous at first glance. However, as researchers with a penchant for uncovering the unexpected, we were drawn to explore this unlikely pairing of seemingly disparate elements. Our study embarks on a quest to unravel the mysterious bonds that tie together the world of energy economics and the realm of baseball superstitions—where the crack of a bat meets the hiss of a propane flame.

Our investigation is driven by a blend of statistical curiosity and a touch of whimsy, striving to marry the rigors of econometric analysis with the lighthearted intrigue of unexpected correlations. While some may dismiss the notion of a connection between LPG usage and the Mets' wins as mere coincidence, we approach the topic with a sense of open-minded inquiry. After all, as baseball legend Yogi Berra aptly put it, "It's déjà vu all over again"—and perhaps this time, LPG usage and Mets victories will surprise us with a statistical curveball.

In the following sections, we will present our findings from an extensive analysis of LPG consumption data in the Central African Republic and the New York Mets' performance statistics spanning over a decade. Our quest is not only to illuminate the statistical relationship between these unlikely bedfellows but also to spark a conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and invites readers to venture beyond the confines of traditional research boundaries. So, step up to the plate as we embark on this unconventional journey, where the aroma of cooking gas and the excitement of a baseball game come together in a statistical dance that will leave even the most seasoned researchers scratching their heads in amusement. Let the game begin!


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 Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets. 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 cite some social media posts you read that seem to be related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the unexpected relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets baseball team. Leveraging data from the Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com, our findings reveal a striking correlation between the two seemingly unrelated entities. Our results indicate a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, with statistical significance at p < 0.01 for the years 2008 to 2021. While purists may scoff at the notion of a connection, our study sheds light on the surprising interplay between LPG usage and the success of the Mets, proving that there may be more to the game of baseball than meets the eye. With puns intended, we invite readers to take a swing at this unconventional correlation and explore the uncharted territory where energy economics and sports superstition collide.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
When we think of the Central African Republic, we might conjure up images of vast savannas, exotic wildlife, and perhaps a lack of tangible connections to America's favorite pastime—baseball. Similarly, when contemplating the New York Mets, we envision the iconic sights and sounds of Citi Field, the thrill of a game-winning home run, and probably not the flickering flame of a propane stove in the Central African Republic. Yet, as the saying goes, "truth is stranger than fiction," and the curious case of the correlation between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the wins of the New York Mets provides an intriguing avenue for investigation.
The idea that a commodity as fundamental as LPG in a distant country could have any bearing on the outcome of a Major League Baseball team's season may seem preposterous at first glance. However, as researchers with a penchant for uncovering the unexpected, we were drawn to explore this unlikely pairing of seemingly disparate elements. Our study embarks on a quest to unravel the mysterious bonds that tie together the world of energy economics and the realm of baseball superstitions—where the crack of a bat meets the hiss of a propane flame.
Our investigation is driven by a blend of statistical curiosity and a touch of whimsy, striving to marry the rigors of econometric analysis with the lighthearted intrigue of unexpected correlations. While some may dismiss the notion of a connection between LPG usage and the Mets' wins as mere coincidence, we approach the topic with a sense of open-minded inquiry. After all, as baseball legend Yogi Berra aptly put it, "It's déjà vu all over again"—and perhaps this time, LPG usage and Mets victories will surprise us with a statistical curveball.
In the following sections, we will present our findings from an extensive analysis of LPG consumption data in the Central African Republic and the New York Mets' performance statistics spanning over a decade. Our quest is not only to illuminate the statistical relationship between these unlikely bedfellows but also to spark a conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and invites readers to venture beyond the confines of traditional research boundaries. So, step up to the plate as we embark on this unconventional journey, where the aroma of cooking gas and the excitement of a baseball game come together in a statistical dance that will leave even the most seasoned researchers scratching their heads in amusement. Let the game begin!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

In "Smith et al. (2020)," the authors find that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumption in the Central African Republic has a direct and significant impact on the energy dynamics of the region. While this study lays a solid foundation for understanding the role of LPG in Central Africa, it fails to explore any potential connections to the performance of the New York Mets. Nevertheless, it sets the stage for our investigation into the unexpectedly intertwined domains of energy economics and baseball superstitions.

Similarly, Doe's study "LPG and Economic Development: A Global Perspective" offers a comprehensive analysis of the economic implications of LPG usage worldwide. As insightful as it is, the study overlooks the striking possibility that LPG might hold the key to the New York Mets' victories. A missed opportunity, no doubt.

Turning to a more tangentially related literature, “Moneyball” by Michael Lewis revolutionizes conventional wisdom in baseball through its exploration of data-driven decision-making by the Oakland Athletics. While the book does not directly address LPG usage, its emphasis on statistical analysis in baseball lays the groundwork for our unconventional inquiry. In a similar vein, "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach, although a work of fiction, immerses readers in the complexities of baseball dynamics, albeit without a hint of propane pondering.

In a serendipitous encounter on social media, a tweet by @BaseballSuperstitions highlights an intriguing anecdote about a Mets fan who believes in a curious ritual involving the timing of LPG deliveries to the Central African Republic and its supposed influence on the team's winning streaks. While the authenticity of such claims remains unverified, it is indicative of the widespread fascination with unconventional connections in the world of sports.

With these diverse perspectives in mind, we step into the uncharted territory of investigating the correlation, or perhaps the causation, between Liquefied Petroleum Gas usage in the Central African Republic and the wins for the New York Mets. As we delve into this peculiar intersection of energy economics and baseball superstition, we invite readers to join us in unraveling the statistical enigma of propane and pitchers, and their unprecedented impact on the game. Let the puns flow like gas from a freshly filled propane tank as we embark on this whimsical escapade of statistical discovery.


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 Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com . You used data from 2008 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]]
Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the unexpected relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets baseball team. Leveraging data from the Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com, our findings reveal a striking correlation between the two seemingly unrelated entities. Our results indicate a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, with statistical significance at p < 0.01 for the years 2008 to 2021. While purists may scoff at the notion of a connection, our study sheds light on the surprising interplay between LPG usage and the success of the Mets, proving that there may be more to the game of baseball than meets the eye. With puns intended, we invite readers to take a swing at this unconventional correlation and explore the uncharted territory where energy economics and sports superstition collide.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
When we think of the Central African Republic, we might conjure up images of vast savannas, exotic wildlife, and perhaps a lack of tangible connections to America's favorite pastime—baseball. Similarly, when contemplating the New York Mets, we envision the iconic sights and sounds of Citi Field, the thrill of a game-winning home run, and probably not the flickering flame of a propane stove in the Central African Republic. Yet, as the saying goes, "truth is stranger than fiction," and the curious case of the correlation between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the wins of the New York Mets provides an intriguing avenue for investigation.
The idea that a commodity as fundamental as LPG in a distant country could have any bearing on the outcome of a Major League Baseball team's season may seem preposterous at first glance. However, as researchers with a penchant for uncovering the unexpected, we were drawn to explore this unlikely pairing of seemingly disparate elements. Our study embarks on a quest to unravel the mysterious bonds that tie together the world of energy economics and the realm of baseball superstitions—where the crack of a bat meets the hiss of a propane flame.
Our investigation is driven by a blend of statistical curiosity and a touch of whimsy, striving to marry the rigors of econometric analysis with the lighthearted intrigue of unexpected correlations. While some may dismiss the notion of a connection between LPG usage and the Mets' wins as mere coincidence, we approach the topic with a sense of open-minded inquiry. After all, as baseball legend Yogi Berra aptly put it, "It's déjà vu all over again"—and perhaps this time, LPG usage and Mets victories will surprise us with a statistical curveball.
In the following sections, we will present our findings from an extensive analysis of LPG consumption data in the Central African Republic and the New York Mets' performance statistics spanning over a decade. Our quest is not only to illuminate the statistical relationship between these unlikely bedfellows but also to spark a conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and invites readers to venture beyond the confines of traditional research boundaries. So, step up to the plate as we embark on this unconventional journey, where the aroma of cooking gas and the excitement of a baseball game come together in a statistical dance that will leave even the most seasoned researchers scratching their heads in amusement. Let the game begin!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

In order to untangle the enigmatic web that connects Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic to the wins of the New York Mets, our research team employed a methodological approach that was as diverse as the subject matter itself. Our data collection journey led us through the digital landscapes of the Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com, where we navigated the labyrinth of statistical archives and sportive records with the tenacity of a determined infielder and the keen eye of a seasoned umpire.

To commence our investigation, we gathered LPG consumption data from the Central African Republic spanning the years 2008 to 2021. The data were meticulously sourced from reputable databases and industry reports, and underwent rigorous scrutiny to ensure accuracy and reliability. Our approach involved calculating LPG usage per capita and per household, allowing us to capture the nuances of domestic and commercial propane consumption within the Central African Republic. While delving into the consumption patterns of LPG might have seemed like entering the outfield without a glove, we remained vigilant in our pursuit of comprehensive and representative data.

Simultaneously, our methodological playbook also involved the acquisition of comprehensive performance statistics for the New York Mets throughout the same time period. Batting averages, earned run averages, and wins and losses were all meticulously recorded and put through a battery of statistical tests to ensure their integrity and relevance. Much like a meticulous pitcher crafting their pitch repertoire, we meticulously deciphered the numerical data behind the Mets' fortunes and misfortunes on the diamond.

With our data arsenal in hand, we then advanced to the task of statistical analysis, utilizing advanced econometric techniques to explore the potential relationship between LPG usage in the Central African Republic and the performance metrics of the New York Mets. Employing robust linear regression models and time series analyses, we aimed to elucidate any potential correlations and causal relationships that might underpin the unexpected interplay between propane consumption and the Mets' victories. Additionally, we conducted a battery of diagnostic tests to ascertain the robustness and validity of our findings, ensuring that our statistical inferences were as airtight as a well-sealed propane tank.

It is important to note that despite the conspicuous quirkiness of our research topic, we upheld the principles of rigorous statistical inference and methodological validity throughout our investigation. Our team remained steadfast in our commitment to subject our discoveries to the rigors of statistical scrutiny, even while embracing the light-hearted spirit of exploration that characterizes our unconventional research journey.

With data firmly in hand and statistical tools honed to a fine edge, our methodology afforded us the means to probe into the quirks of statistical serendipity and uncover the unforeseen connections that often lie beneath the surface of conventional analysis. The rigorous yet whimsical nature of our approach reflects our aspiration to blend the profound with the playful, allowing us to shed light on the unexpected statistical dance between LPG usage in the Central African Republic and the New York Mets' wins.


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 Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com .

For the time period 2008 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.8869124, r-squared of 0.7866135, 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]]
Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the unexpected relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets baseball team. Leveraging data from the Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com, our findings reveal a striking correlation between the two seemingly unrelated entities. Our results indicate a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, with statistical significance at p < 0.01 for the years 2008 to 2021. While purists may scoff at the notion of a connection, our study sheds light on the surprising interplay between LPG usage and the success of the Mets, proving that there may be more to the game of baseball than meets the eye. With puns intended, we invite readers to take a swing at this unconventional correlation and explore the uncharted territory where energy economics and sports superstition collide.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
When we think of the Central African Republic, we might conjure up images of vast savannas, exotic wildlife, and perhaps a lack of tangible connections to America's favorite pastime—baseball. Similarly, when contemplating the New York Mets, we envision the iconic sights and sounds of Citi Field, the thrill of a game-winning home run, and probably not the flickering flame of a propane stove in the Central African Republic. Yet, as the saying goes, "truth is stranger than fiction," and the curious case of the correlation between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the wins of the New York Mets provides an intriguing avenue for investigation.
The idea that a commodity as fundamental as LPG in a distant country could have any bearing on the outcome of a Major League Baseball team's season may seem preposterous at first glance. However, as researchers with a penchant for uncovering the unexpected, we were drawn to explore this unlikely pairing of seemingly disparate elements. Our study embarks on a quest to unravel the mysterious bonds that tie together the world of energy economics and the realm of baseball superstitions—where the crack of a bat meets the hiss of a propane flame.
Our investigation is driven by a blend of statistical curiosity and a touch of whimsy, striving to marry the rigors of econometric analysis with the lighthearted intrigue of unexpected correlations. While some may dismiss the notion of a connection between LPG usage and the Mets' wins as mere coincidence, we approach the topic with a sense of open-minded inquiry. After all, as baseball legend Yogi Berra aptly put it, "It's déjà vu all over again"—and perhaps this time, LPG usage and Mets victories will surprise us with a statistical curveball.
In the following sections, we will present our findings from an extensive analysis of LPG consumption data in the Central African Republic and the New York Mets' performance statistics spanning over a decade. Our quest is not only to illuminate the statistical relationship between these unlikely bedfellows but also to spark a conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and invites readers to venture beyond the confines of traditional research boundaries. So, step up to the plate as we embark on this unconventional journey, where the aroma of cooking gas and the excitement of a baseball game come together in a statistical dance that will leave even the most seasoned researchers scratching their heads in amusement. Let the game begin!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The correlation analysis conducted on the relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets yielded some eye-opening results. Our investigation revealed a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, implying a strong positive association between these seemingly disparate variables. The r-squared value of 0.7866135 further reinforces the solidity of this relationship, indicating that approximately 78.7% of the variance in Mets wins can be explained by fluctuations in LPG consumption in the Central African Republic. With a significance level of p < 0.01, our findings establish the statistical credibility of this unexpected correlation, leaving us with the resounding conclusion that there might be more to this connection than meets the eye.

In Figure 1, our scatterplot vividly illustrates the striking correlation between LPG usage and Mets wins. Each data point paints a compelling picture of the intertwined fate of these two variables over the years, with LPG consumption displaying a remarkable synchronicity with the success of the Mets on the baseball diamond. As the LPG usage in the Central African Republic fluctuated, the wins of the New York Mets mirrored these movements in a manner that defied conventional expectations. This unexpected alignment serves as a testament to the uncharted depths of statistical interplay that transcend geographical and conceptual barriers, establishing a connection that raises an arched eyebrow among even the most seasoned researchers.

While the notion of a causal relationship between LPG usage in Central African Republic and the New York Mets' triumphs may initially stretch the bounds of credulity, our findings invite a playful reconsideration of the potential interplay between energy economics and the cherished pastime of baseball. As we navigate the lines between whimsy and rigor, our study paves the way for further exploration into the unanticipated tapestry of correlations, urging scholars to embrace the unexpected with both statistical gravitas and a good-natured sense of wonder. With the likeness of the LPG flame and the crack of a baseball bat dancing in the statistical realm, our research beckons the inquisitive mind to venture forth into this uncharted statistical ballpark and marvel at the quirks of unpredictability lurking within the game of correlations.


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 Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the unexpected relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets baseball team. Leveraging data from the Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com, our findings reveal a striking correlation between the two seemingly unrelated entities. Our results indicate a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, with statistical significance at p < 0.01 for the years 2008 to 2021. While purists may scoff at the notion of a connection, our study sheds light on the surprising interplay between LPG usage and the success of the Mets, proving that there may be more to the game of baseball than meets the eye. With puns intended, we invite readers to take a swing at this unconventional correlation and explore the uncharted territory where energy economics and sports superstition collide.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
In "Smith et al. (2020)," the authors find that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumption in the Central African Republic has a direct and significant impact on the energy dynamics of the region. While this study lays a solid foundation for understanding the role of LPG in Central Africa, it fails to explore any potential connections to the performance of the New York Mets. Nevertheless, it sets the stage for our investigation into the unexpectedly intertwined domains of energy economics and baseball superstitions.
Similarly, Doe's study "LPG and Economic Development: A Global Perspective" offers a comprehensive analysis of the economic implications of LPG usage worldwide. As insightful as it is, the study overlooks the striking possibility that LPG might hold the key to the New York Mets' victories. A missed opportunity, no doubt.
Turning to a more tangentially related literature, “Moneyball” by Michael Lewis revolutionizes conventional wisdom in baseball through its exploration of data-driven decision-making by the Oakland Athletics. While the book does not directly address LPG usage, its emphasis on statistical analysis in baseball lays the groundwork for our unconventional inquiry. In a similar vein, "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach, although a work of fiction, immerses readers in the complexities of baseball dynamics, albeit without a hint of propane pondering.
In a serendipitous encounter on social media, a tweet by @BaseballSuperstitions highlights an intriguing anecdote about a Mets fan who believes in a curious ritual involving the timing of LPG deliveries to the Central African Republic and its supposed influence on the team's winning streaks. While the authenticity of such claims remains unverified, it is indicative of the widespread fascination with unconventional connections in the world of sports.
With these diverse perspectives in mind, we step into the uncharted territory of investigating the correlation, or perhaps the causation, between Liquefied Petroleum Gas usage in the Central African Republic and the wins for the New York Mets. As we delve into this peculiar intersection of energy economics and baseball superstition, we invite readers to join us in unraveling the statistical enigma of propane and pitchers, and their unprecedented impact on the game. Let the puns flow like gas from a freshly filled propane tank as we embark on this whimsical escapade of statistical discovery.

[[RESULTS]]
The correlation analysis conducted on the relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets yielded some eye-opening results. Our investigation revealed a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, implying a strong positive association between these seemingly disparate variables. The r-squared value of 0.7866135 further reinforces the solidity of this relationship, indicating that approximately 78.7% of the variance in Mets wins can be explained by fluctuations in LPG consumption in the Central African Republic. With a significance level of p < 0.01, our findings establish the statistical credibility of this unexpected correlation, leaving us with the resounding conclusion that there might be more to this connection than meets the eye.
In Figure 1, our scatterplot vividly illustrates the striking correlation between LPG usage and Mets wins. Each data point paints a compelling picture of the intertwined fate of these two variables over the years, with LPG consumption displaying a remarkable synchronicity with the success of the Mets on the baseball diamond. As the LPG usage in the Central African Republic fluctuated, the wins of the New York Mets mirrored these movements in a manner that defied conventional expectations. This unexpected alignment serves as a testament to the uncharted depths of statistical interplay that transcend geographical and conceptual barriers, establishing a connection that raises an arched eyebrow among even the most seasoned researchers.
While the notion of a causal relationship between LPG usage in Central African Republic and the New York Mets' triumphs may initially stretch the bounds of credulity, our findings invite a playful reconsideration of the potential interplay between energy economics and the cherished pastime of baseball. As we navigate the lines between whimsy and rigor, our study paves the way for further exploration into the unanticipated tapestry of correlations, urging scholars to embrace the unexpected with both statistical gravitas and a good-natured sense of wonder. With the likeness of the LPG flame and the crack of a baseball bat dancing in the statistical realm, our research beckons the inquisitive mind to venture forth into this uncharted statistical ballpark and marvel at the quirks of unpredictability lurking within the game of correlations.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The results of our study provide compelling evidence that the relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets is not mere happenstance. While some may raise their eyebrows – much like a curveball thrown by a Mets pitcher – at the notion of a connection between energy economics and baseball superstitions, our findings confirm the robustness of this unexpected correlation.

The correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, coupled with an r-squared value of 0.7866135, demonstrates a strong positive association between LPG consumption and Mets victories. This statistical backing not only supports the whimsical musings from a Mets fan's curious ritual but also builds upon the pioneering work of Smith et al. (2020) and Doe's study on LPG and economic development. The scholarly foundation laid by these works, although not explicitly exploring the connection to baseball wins, provided the necessary groundwork for our investigation.

Furthermore, the unexpected alignment between LPG usage in the Central African Republic and the wins of the New York Mets challenges conventional expectations, much like a batter challenging a pitcher's fastball with a well-timed swing. Our study's scatterplot, with LPG consumption and Mets wins dancing in synchronization, serves as a testament to the serendipitous nature of statistical correlations and the interplay between seemingly unrelated variables.

While the idea of a causal relationship between LPG usage in Central African Republic and the New York Mets' triumphs may seem like a curious curveball, our results emphasize the need for researchers to remain open to unexpected connections in the statistical realm. Our study adds a dose of statistical gravitas to the lighthearted fascination with unconventional correlations, inviting scholars to embrace the unpredictability and wonder lurking within the game of statistical analysis.

In the delightful dance of statistical significance and good-natured curiosity, our research opens the door to uncharted statistical territories, beckoning researchers to explore the quirky interplay between LPG usage and the wins of the New York Mets. As we round the statistical bases in this unconventional ballpark, the striking correlation uncovered in our study invites further exploration into the unanticipated tapestry of connections, where the flames of LPG and the crack of the baseball bat come together in an unlikely statistical waltz.


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 Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the unexpected relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets baseball team. Leveraging data from the Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com, our findings reveal a striking correlation between the two seemingly unrelated entities. Our results indicate a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, with statistical significance at p < 0.01 for the years 2008 to 2021. While purists may scoff at the notion of a connection, our study sheds light on the surprising interplay between LPG usage and the success of the Mets, proving that there may be more to the game of baseball than meets the eye. With puns intended, we invite readers to take a swing at this unconventional correlation and explore the uncharted territory where energy economics and sports superstition collide.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
When we think of the Central African Republic, we might conjure up images of vast savannas, exotic wildlife, and perhaps a lack of tangible connections to America's favorite pastime—baseball. Similarly, when contemplating the New York Mets, we envision the iconic sights and sounds of Citi Field, the thrill of a game-winning home run, and probably not the flickering flame of a propane stove in the Central African Republic. Yet, as the saying goes, "truth is stranger than fiction," and the curious case of the correlation between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the wins of the New York Mets provides an intriguing avenue for investigation.
The idea that a commodity as fundamental as LPG in a distant country could have any bearing on the outcome of a Major League Baseball team's season may seem preposterous at first glance. However, as researchers with a penchant for uncovering the unexpected, we were drawn to explore this unlikely pairing of seemingly disparate elements. Our study embarks on a quest to unravel the mysterious bonds that tie together the world of energy economics and the realm of baseball superstitions—where the crack of a bat meets the hiss of a propane flame.
Our investigation is driven by a blend of statistical curiosity and a touch of whimsy, striving to marry the rigors of econometric analysis with the lighthearted intrigue of unexpected correlations. While some may dismiss the notion of a connection between LPG usage and the Mets' wins as mere coincidence, we approach the topic with a sense of open-minded inquiry. After all, as baseball legend Yogi Berra aptly put it, "It's déjà vu all over again"—and perhaps this time, LPG usage and Mets victories will surprise us with a statistical curveball.
In the following sections, we will present our findings from an extensive analysis of LPG consumption data in the Central African Republic and the New York Mets' performance statistics spanning over a decade. Our quest is not only to illuminate the statistical relationship between these unlikely bedfellows but also to spark a conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and invites readers to venture beyond the confines of traditional research boundaries. So, step up to the plate as we embark on this unconventional journey, where the aroma of cooking gas and the excitement of a baseball game come together in a statistical dance that will leave even the most seasoned researchers scratching their heads in amusement. Let the game begin!

[[RESULTS]]
The correlation analysis conducted on the relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets yielded some eye-opening results. Our investigation revealed a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, implying a strong positive association between these seemingly disparate variables. The r-squared value of 0.7866135 further reinforces the solidity of this relationship, indicating that approximately 78.7% of the variance in Mets wins can be explained by fluctuations in LPG consumption in the Central African Republic. With a significance level of p < 0.01, our findings establish the statistical credibility of this unexpected correlation, leaving us with the resounding conclusion that there might be more to this connection than meets the eye.
In Figure 1, our scatterplot vividly illustrates the striking correlation between LPG usage and Mets wins. Each data point paints a compelling picture of the intertwined fate of these two variables over the years, with LPG consumption displaying a remarkable synchronicity with the success of the Mets on the baseball diamond. As the LPG usage in the Central African Republic fluctuated, the wins of the New York Mets mirrored these movements in a manner that defied conventional expectations. This unexpected alignment serves as a testament to the uncharted depths of statistical interplay that transcend geographical and conceptual barriers, establishing a connection that raises an arched eyebrow among even the most seasoned researchers.
While the notion of a causal relationship between LPG usage in Central African Republic and the New York Mets' triumphs may initially stretch the bounds of credulity, our findings invite a playful reconsideration of the potential interplay between energy economics and the cherished pastime of baseball. As we navigate the lines between whimsy and rigor, our study paves the way for further exploration into the unanticipated tapestry of correlations, urging scholars to embrace the unexpected with both statistical gravitas and a good-natured sense of wonder. With the likeness of the LPG flame and the crack of a baseball bat dancing in the statistical realm, our research beckons the inquisitive mind to venture forth into this uncharted statistical ballpark and marvel at the quirks of unpredictability lurking within the game of correlations.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has illuminated a fascinating correlation between LPG usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets that transcends conventional expectations and borders on the whimsical. The robust correlation coefficient and high r-squared value point to a statistically significant relationship that leaves even the most seasoned researchers scratching their heads in amusement – or perhaps disbelief. While skeptics may dismiss this unexpected connection as mere coincidence, our findings invite a playful reconsideration of the potential interplay between energy economics and the realm of baseball superstitions. It seems that there may indeed be more to the game of baseball than meets the eye, and the flickering flame of a propane stove in Central Africa may hold an unforeseen sway over the fate of the Mets on the baseball diamond.

As we contemplate the implications of our research, it is worth acknowledging the unexpected twists and turns that statistical analysis can reveal, especially when one ventures into uncharted territory. Our study serves as a quirky reminder that correlation does not imply causation, but it undeniably invites further exploration into the peculiar realms where statistical relationships defy traditional boundaries. With puns intended, we encourage fellow researchers to take a swing at this unconventional correlation and savor the statistical curveballs that arise when disparate entities seemingly converge.

In light of our findings, we assert that no more research is needed in this area. It seems that the connection between LPG usage in the Central African Republic and wins for the New York Mets has sufficiently perplexed and entertained us. As the baseball season unfolds and LPG consumption fluctuates, perhaps we should all keep an eye on the propane flame in Central Africa while watching the Mets' performance – who knows what statistical surprises may be in store!



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 Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The International Journal of Sports Analytics and Unusual Correlations


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 Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The International Society for Petrochemical and Sports 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 Pitchers and Propane: Exploring the Link Between Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Central African Republic and Wins for the New York Mets with an abstract of This research delves into the unexpected relationship between Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the Central African Republic and the performance of the New York Mets baseball team. Leveraging data from the Energy Information Administration and Baseball-Reference.com, our findings reveal a striking correlation between the two seemingly unrelated entities. Our results indicate a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8869124, with statistical significance at p < 0.01 for the years 2008 to 2021. While purists may scoff at the notion of a connection, our study sheds light on the surprising interplay between LPG usage and the success of the Mets, proving that there may be more to the game of baseball than meets the eye. With puns intended, we invite readers to take a swing at this unconventional correlation and explore the uncharted territory where energy economics and sports superstition collide.

ChatGPT:

Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, Central African Republic, New York Mets, performance, correlation, Energy Information Administration, Baseball-Reference.com, correlation coefficient, statistical significance, energy economics, sports superstition

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



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Data details

Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic
Detailed data title: Volume of liquefied petroleum gas used consumed in Central African Republic in millions of barrels per day
Source: Energy Information Administration
See what else correlates with Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic

Wins for the New York Mets
Detailed data title: The total number of season wins for the New York Mets
Source: Baseball-Reference.com
See what else correlates with Wins for the New York Mets

Correlation r = 0.8869124 (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 = 0.7866135 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 78.7% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Wins for the New York Mets) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic) over the 14 years from 2008 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.4E-5. 0.0000235689970521960160000000
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 0.89 in 0.0024% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 42,429 random variables You don't actually need 42 thousand variables to find a correlation like this one. 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.

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 13 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 13 because we have two variables measured over a period of 14 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.

[ 0.67, 0.96 ] 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.
20082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic (Million Barrels/Day)0.06356160.06356160.06356160.06356160.06356160.06356160.06356160.06356160.06356160.06356160.06356160.06356160.06072730.0640776
Wins for the New York Mets (Game wins)8970797774747990877077862677




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. Confounding variable: 2020 is particularly different from the other years on this graph. Confounding variables (like global pandemics) will cause two variables to look connected when in fact a "sneaky third" variable is influencing both of them behind the scenes.
  5. Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.




Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0635616,0.0607273,0.0640776,])
array_2 = np.array([89,70,79,77,74,74,79,90,87,70,77,86,26,77,])
array_1_name = "Liquefied petroleum gas used in Central African Republic"
array_2_name = "Wins for the New York Mets"

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

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



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

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

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Correlation ID: 3663 · Black Variable ID: 24285 · Red Variable ID: 4315
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