spurious correlations
discover · random · spurious scholar
← previous page · next page →
View details about correlation #5,891
Trading Meme: The Insider Connection Between Bloomberg's Money Stuff and 'Bad Luck Brian' Popularity
As fewer articles were published, insider traders had less guidance, leading to a series of comically unfortunate events in their attempts to make illicit gains. This inadvertently mirrored the classic 'bad luck Brian' meme, thus reducing the need for its online circulation.
View details about correlation #1,689
A Liberal Arts Prescription: The Pediatric Predicament in Massachusetts
As the number of Bachelor's degrees awarded in Liberal Arts decreased, there was a corresponding decrease in the availability of people who could properly interpret children's finger paintings, leading to a decline in accurate early developmental assessments. This ultimately resulted in a reduced number of qualified pediatricians in Massachusetts as the demand for quality crayon-based diagnostics exceeded the supply.
What else correlates?
Bachelor's degrees awarded in Liberal arts · all education
The number of pediatricians in Massachusetts · all cccupations
Bachelor's degrees awarded in Liberal arts · all education
The number of pediatricians in Massachusetts · all cccupations
View details about correlation #5,904
Grate Expectations: The Gouda News on Cheddar Cheese Consumption and Solar Power Generated in Haiti
As Cheddar cheese consumption increased, the collective brainpower of the population reached new heights. With innovative solutions, they developed a way to harness the renewable energy of cheese dreams, leading to a surge in solar power generation in Haiti. The Cheesy Brainwave Initiative has now sparked a gouda revolution in the energy sector! Curd you believe it?
What else correlates?
Cheddar cheese consumption · all food
Solar power generated in Haiti · all energy
Cheddar cheese consumption · all food
Solar power generated in Haiti · all energy
View details about correlation #3,645
Hair-Raising Connections: The Caroline Effect on Newmont's Stock Price
As the popularity of the name Caroline declined, fewer people were inspired to sing "Sweet Caroline," leading to a decrease in the demand for music. This caused a surplus of resources in the entertainment industry, so Newmont's stock, being a precious metals company, struck gold as resources were reallocated. In other words, it seems like Caroline's name wasn't the only thing getting mined!
What else correlates?
Popularity of the first name Caroline · all first names
Newmont's stock price (NEM) · all stocks
Popularity of the first name Caroline · all first names
Newmont's stock price (NEM) · all stocks
View details about correlation #4,531
The Tenuous Tango: Texas Votes and Troublesome BMW Recalls
As support for the Democratic candidate surged in Texas, more and more people began using their BMWs to proudly display their political beliefs. The sudden uptick in BMW usage overloaded the vehicles, leading to malfunctions that ultimately prompted BMW of North America to issue a wave of automotive recalls. It seems the road to the White House was also paved with unexpected pit stops for BMW drivers in the Lone Star State!
View details about correlation #1,070
Zombie Zeal and Real Estate: A Zany Zombieland Zest for Zombie Searches and Zesty Zillow Zones
As more people prepared for a potential zombie apocalypse, the demand for underground bunkers in North Dakota skyrocketed, leading to a boom in the real estate market and a sudden need for more agents to facilitate these unconventional property transactions. "Even the undead can't resist that North Dakota charm!"
What else correlates?
Google searches for 'zombies' · all google searches
The number of real estate agents in North Dakota · all cccupations
Google searches for 'zombies' · all google searches
The number of real estate agents in North Dakota · all cccupations
View details about correlation #1,058
Neptonian Nonsense: The Quirky Correlation Between Solar Distance and Petroleum Consumption in Azerbaijan
As the gravitational pull increased, it created a ripple effect on Earth's magnetic field, leading to improved fuel combustion efficiency in Azerbaijani vehicles.
What else correlates?
The distance between Neptune and Mercury · all planets
Petroluem consumption in Azerbaijan · all energy
The distance between Neptune and Mercury · all planets
Petroluem consumption in Azerbaijan · all energy
View details about correlation #4,957
From lol to low: The Popularity of the 'press f to pay respects' meme and its Impact on Boeing's Stock Price
As the 'press f to pay respects' meme gained popularity, it led to an increase in internet traffic and keyboard usage. This higher demand for keyboards meant that more electronic components, including small parts manufactured by companies like Boeing, were needed. The surge in stock price for Boeing can be directly correlated to the unexpected meme-inspired need for their products, as the keyboard epidemic took hold of the nation.
What else correlates?
Popularity of the 'press f to pay respects' meme · all memes
Boeing's stock price (BA) · all stocks
Popularity of the 'press f to pay respects' meme · all memes
Boeing's stock price (BA) · all stocks
View details about correlation #4,629
Stand-Up Maths and Sexy Bras: Crunching the Numbers on Provocative Titles and Fantasy Valuation
As the provocative Stand-up Maths video titles become less attention-grabbing, there is a corresponding decline in mathematical intrigue. This inadvertently leads to a reduced demand for over-the-top mathematical lingerie calculations. The once highly coveted Victoria's Secret Annual Fantasy Bra, adorned with geometric patterns and equations, loses its appeal as the world of mathematics takes a less flashy, more subdued approach. In a strange turn of events, it seems the calculus of provocative video titles and the algebra of lingerie allure are intimately intertwined in a complex equation of societal fascination.
View details about correlation #1,369
The Doctor is In...Demand: Exploring the Correlation Between Yearly Total Gross Income of US Farms and Searches for 'Who is the Doctor' on Google
As farm incomes rise, farmers invest in advanced technology. This leads to an increase in productivity and efficiency, resulting in more free time. With this free time, they watch more TV, including the popular show Doctor Who, prompting them to search for information about the iconic character. Remember, it's not just the crops that are growing on those farms!
What else correlates?
Yearly Total Gross Income of US Farms · all food
Google searches for 'who is the doctor' · all google searches
Yearly Total Gross Income of US Farms · all food
Google searches for 'who is the doctor' · all google searches
View details about correlation #5,917
Monica's Matrimonial Measure: Examining the Eccentric Link between Monica's Moniker and Marriage Metrics in Nevada
Why did the marriage rate in Nevada decrease? It seems that fewer Monicas meant fewer "Monica, will you marry me?" moments. It just goes to show, when it comes to tying the knot, Monicas really did have a monopoly in Nevada!
What else correlates?
Popularity of the first name Monica · all first names
The marriage rate in Nevada · all random state specific
Popularity of the first name Monica · all first names
The marriage rate in Nevada · all random state specific
View details about correlation #1,077
Swing and Bling: The Link Between Roger Federer's Grand Slam Fling and Electronics Engineers' Ring in New Mexico
As Federer played in more high-stakes matches, his uncanny ability to remain cool under pressure and consistently deliver powerful performances inspired a wave of interest in precision engineering. Watching him expertly maneuver around the court sparked a newfound passion for intricate design and technical problem-solving. It's as if his every forehand and backhand was secretly transmitting signals of innovation to New Mexico, leading to a surge in electronics engineers who were striving to create their own championship-worthy circuits and revolutionary gadgets. It's like Federer's presence on the court served as a magnetic force, volleying aces of inspiration directly into the hearts and minds of individuals, ultimately serving up a smashing impact on the field of electronics in New Mexico.
View details about correlation #5,868
Berry(more) Votes: The Drew Connection Between Movies and Libertarian Leanings
The more Drew Barrymore movies people watched, the more they realized the importance of personal freedom and non-intervention in their lives. All those feel-good romantic comedies and heartwarming dramas must have sparked a desire for individual liberty, leading to a surge in support for Libertarian candidates in Alabama. It's like her on-screen charm and charisma were casting a spell of political awakening across the state.
View details about correlation #1,338
Pouring Over the Data: The Ale-Amazon Connection - A Statistical Analysis of Breweries in the United States and Amazon.com's Stock Price
As the number of breweries in the United States increased, so did the demand for unique and specialized beer products. This led to a surge in online sales of craft beers and beer-related merchandise on Amazon.com. As a result, Amazon's overall revenue and market share in the alcohol industry saw a hoppy, frothy rise, prompting investors to raise a glass to the company's success and driving up its stock price. Cheers to the unexpected connection between beer production and e-commerce dominance!
What else correlates?
The number of Breweries in the United States · all food
Amazon.com's stock price (AMZN) · all stocks
The number of Breweries in the United States · all food
Amazon.com's stock price (AMZN) · all stocks
View details about correlation #5,015
Associates in the Archive: Analyzing the Association between Associates degrees in Physical sciences and science technologies and the Avalanche of Audacious Comments on OverSimplified YouTube videos
As the number of Associates degrees awarded in Physical sciences and science technologies increased, more and more people were drawn to the mind-boggling world of science. They delved into complex topics, expanding their knowledge like the universe itself. This newfound understanding led to a surge in the Total comments on OverSimplified YouTube videos, as viewers felt an intellectual awakening and an inexplicable urge to share their newfound scientific prowess with the world. The comments section became a battleground of wits, where individuals vied to outdo each other with their astute observations and scientific puns. Ultimately, the influx of science-educated individuals elevated the discourse, proving that when it comes to commentary, the laws of attraction are simply elementary, my dear Watson!
View details about correlation #1,508
Rocky Numbers: An Unexpected Connection Between Sylvester Stallone's Filmography and Millwrights in North Dakota
As Sylvester Stallone continued to pump out action-packed movies, more and more people in North Dakota were inspired to pursue the macho lifestyle. This led to a surprising surge in the demand for millwrights, who were seen as the ultimate tough, no-nonsense tradespeople capable of building anything from Rambo-style contraptions to Rocky-esque machinery. It seems that when it comes to the labor force in North Dakota, Sly really knows how to 'expendable' it!
View details about correlation #5,139
Trollywood: A Meme-orable Connection between Alaina's Popularity and the Trollface Trend
Because every time someone heard the name Alaina, they couldn't help but grin from Alaina ear to Alaina ear, just like the trollface! It's like they say, Alaina's bring the joy, and the trollface brings the lolz.
What else correlates?
Popularity of the first name Alaina · all first names
Popularity of the 'trollface' meme · all memes
Popularity of the first name Alaina · all first names
Popularity of the 'trollface' meme · all memes
View details about correlation #1,775
Blown Away: The Impact of Wind Power Generation in Taiwan on Google Searches for 'I Am Tired'
As wind power in Taiwan increased, it led to higher air circulation which in turn stirred up more dust. This surge in dust levels caused an uptick in respiratory issues among the population, leading to people feeling constantly tired as they navigated through the dusty doldrums. It seems the winds of change have blown in a new kind of fatigue, leaving everyone in Taiwan exclaiming, "I'm turbine out!"
What else correlates?
Wind power generated in Taiwan · all energy
Google searches for 'i am tired' · all google searches
Wind power generated in Taiwan · all energy
Google searches for 'i am tired' · all google searches
View details about correlation #5,861
Marvelous Movies and Mismatched Movements: Exploring the Relationship Between Robert Downey Jr.'s Screen Appearances and Democratic Votes in Indiana
As Robert Downey Jr.'s movie count rises, so does the magnetic charm encapsulated in every frame. This leads to an upsurge in overall positivity, creating a ripple effect on the viewers' political leanings. It's as if his on-screen presence acts as a catalyst for embracing liberal ideologies. Plus, who can resist a candidate when Iron Man himself seems to be endorsing them in a subliminal, cinematic manner? Remember, it's not just a Civil War on screen; it's a battle for electoral victory in the Hoosier State! So, perhaps there's a hidden superhero effect propelling those Democrat votes in Indiana. And as we all know, when it comes to politics, anything is possible, even a subtle Tony Stark influence in the heart of the Heartland.
View details about correlation #4,622
Sizzle and Fizzle: The Relationship Between Stand-up Maths Onscreen Pizzazz and Arson in North Dakota
As the mathematical intensity of the video titles rises, so does the unexpected urge in North Dakota to set things ablaze. It's as if the fiery passion for numbers somehow ignites a spark in the locals, leading to a whole new kind of math - arsons and crafts. Who knew that mathematical comedy could multiply the flames of mischief in the Peace Garden State!
What else correlates?
How cool Matt Parker's YouTube video titles are · all YouTube
Arson in North Dakota · all random state specific
How cool Matt Parker's YouTube video titles are · all YouTube
Arson in North Dakota · all random state specific
Why this works
- Data dredging: I have 25,237 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 636,906,169 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.”
Fun fact: the chart used on the wikipedia page to demonstrate data dredging is also from me. I've been being naughty with data since 2014.
Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead tossed a bunch of data in a blender to see what correlations would shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random. - Lack of causal connection: There is probably no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above.
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.
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. - Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. You will often see trend-lines form. 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 naive p-value calculation does not take this into account.
You will calculate a lower chance of "randomly" achieving the result than represents reality.
To be more specific: p-value tests are probability values, where you are calculating the probability of achieving a result at least as extreme as you found completely by chance. When calculating a p-value, you need to assert how many "degrees of freedom" your variable has. I count each year (minus one) as a "degree of freedom," but this is misleading for continuous variables.
This kind of thing can creep up on you pretty easily when using p-values, which is why it's best to take it as "one of many" inputs that help you assess the results of your analysis.
- Y-axes doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graphs 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. If you click on any of the charts that abuse this, you can scroll down to see a version that starts at zero. - Confounding variable: 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.
- Outliers: Some datasets here have outliers which drag up the correlation.
In concept, "outlier" just means "way different than the rest of your dataset." When calculating a correlation like this, they are particularly impactful because a single outlier can substantially increase your correlation.
Because this page is automatically generated, I don't know whether any of the charts displayed on it have outliers. I'm just a footnote. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I intentionally mishandeled outliers, which makes the correlation look extra strong. - Low n: There are not many data points included in some of these charts.
You can do analyses with low ns! But you shouldn't data dredge with a low n.
Even if the p-value is high, we should be suspicious of using so few datapoints in a correlation.
Pro-tip: click on any correlation to see:
- Detailed data sources
- Prompts for the AI-generated content
- Explanations of each of the calculations (correlation, p-value)
- Python code to calculate it yourself
