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spurious correlations

correlation is not causation

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don't miss spurious scholar,
where each of these is an academic paper

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Annual US household spending on pork and the second variable is Lululemon's stock price (LULU).  The chart goes from 2008 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #5,898


Pigging Out: The Swine Connection between Pork Spending and Lululemon Stock Price
As pork consumption rose, so did the demand for stretchy pants with forgiving waistbands, leading to higher profits for Lululemon. It's a classic case of bringing home the bacon and then needing pants with extra give!




What else correlates?
Annual US household spending on pork · all weird & wacky
Lululemon's stock price (LULU) · all stocks

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Google searches for 'why isnt 11 pronounced onety one' and the second variable is Kerosene used in Romania.  The chart goes from 2004 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #1,076


The Ignition of Linguistic Curiosities: A Combustible Connection Between 'Why Isn't 11 Pronounced Onety One' Google Searches and Kerosene Usage in Romania
It turns out, as people pondered the pronunciation of eleven, a linguistics enthusiast in Romania launched a campaign to switch to a more phonetic-based system. This led to the creation of "onety one" as the new word for eleven in Romanian. As the absurdity of this new term gained popularity, the government decided to distract the population with a nationwide kerosene ban, effectively putting an end to any heated discussions about onety one. The citizens were too busy adjusting to this linguistic quirk, and the demand for kerosene plummeted as everyone switched to using alternative fuels like the combustible nature of the Romanian language. And that's how a decrease in 'why isn't 11 pronounced onety one' searches sparked a fiery language revolution and doused the kerosene usage in Romania!




What else correlates?
Google searches for 'why isnt 11 pronounced onety one' · all google searches
Kerosene used in Romania · all energy

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Master's degrees awarded in Psychology and the second variable is Popularity of the first name Benny.  The chart goes from 2012 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #5,947


The Benny-Fits of a Psychology Degree: A Correlative Analysis of Master's Degrees Awarded and the Popularity of the Name Benny
As more psychologists entered the workforce, they began advocating for the use of soothing, friendly names in popular media and advertising. This led to a subtle but pervasive preference for names like Benny, as they were found to evoke feelings of warmth and approachability. Thus, the increase in Master's degrees awarded in Psychology directly influenced the popular perception and choice of the name Benny for newborns. Remember, a calm and collected baby name can work wonders for infant-parent communication!




What else correlates?
Master's degrees awarded in Psychology · all education
Popularity of the first name Benny · all first names

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Annual US household spending on meats, poultry, fish, and eggs and the second variable is Equinix's stock price (EQIX).  The chart goes from 2003 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #4,064


The Meaty Connection: When Household Spending on Proteins Directly Affects EQIX Stock Price
More households investing in grill technology led to a surge in demand for outdoor cooking space. This inadvertently drove up the need for data storage and processing power to support the countless backyard BBQ photos and videos being uploaded to the cloud, ultimately boosting the stock price of Equinix, a leader in digital infrastructure.




What else correlates?
Annual US household spending on meats, poultry, fish, and eggs · all weird & wacky
Equinix's stock price (EQIX) · all stocks

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the 'distracted boyfriend' meme and the second variable is The number of office clerks in Kentucky.  The chart goes from 2006 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #5,045


From Distracted Boyfriend to Distracted Clerk: Exploring the Correlation Between the Popularity of the 'Distracted Boyfriend' Meme and the Number of Office Clerks in Kentucky
As the 'distracted boyfriend' meme gained traction, companies realized the need for more office clerks to manage all the new workplace distractions caused by employees reenacting the meme. Remember, when seeking a promotion, always keep your focus and avoid getting caught up in office meme-antics!




What else correlates?
Popularity of the 'distracted boyfriend' meme · all memes
The number of office clerks in Kentucky · all cccupations

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is GMO use in soybeans in Minnesota and the second variable is Google searches for 'i cant even'.  The chart goes from 2004 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #1,889


Soy What? Exploring the GMO-ment between Soybeans and 'I Can't Even' Google Searches in Minnesota
The soybeans were so advanced they started expressing existential angst, leading to a wave of soy-inspired ennui that the internet just couldn't handle.




What else correlates?
GMO use in soybeans in Minnesota · all food
Google searches for 'i cant even' · all google searches

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Margarita and the second variable is Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana.  The chart goes from 1985 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,794


On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana
Fewer Margaritas, fewer car troubles. With less Margarita in the mix, it seems the thieves couldn't find the right recipe for a successful heist.




What else correlates?
Popularity of the first name Margarita · all first names
Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana · all random state specific

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Neptune and Mercury and the second variable is Highest Nielsen rating for a TV show each year.  The chart goes from 1975 to 2020, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #1,165


Out of This World Ratings: The Celestial Connection Between Neptune's Distance and Top TV Shows
The gravitational tug-of-war disrupted TV reception, leading to lower ratings as viewers struggled to tune in to their favorite shows. As the planets moved closer, it created celestial interference with the broadcast signals, ultimately affecting the TV ratings on Earth.




What else correlates?
The distance between Neptune and Mercury · all planets
Highest Nielsen rating for a TV show each year · all weird & wacky

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Number of public school students in 1st grade and the second variable is The number of insurance claims adjusters in Illinois.  The chart goes from 2003 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,722


Counting Kids and Calculating Claims: An Examination of the Relationship Between 1st Grade Enrollment and Insurance Adjusters in Illinois
As more and more 1st graders entered public schools, there was a sudden surge in finger painting related insurance claims. This created a demand for additional insurance claims adjusters in Illinois who specialized in assessing the finger painting related damages. The 1st graders were unknowingly crafting a masterpiece of mayhem, leading to a boom in the insurance industry, and a colorful conundrum for the state.




What else correlates?
Number of public school students in 1st grade · all education
The number of insurance claims adjusters in Illinois · all cccupations

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Google searches for 'who is jk rowling' and the second variable is The Coca-Cola Company's stock price (KO).  The chart goes from 2004 to 2023, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #1,104


Fizzing Up the Search: The Curious Case of 'Who is J.K. Rowling' and Coca-Cola Stock Prices
More people learning about the author of the Harry Potter series led to a surge in interest and a magical belief in the value of Coke's st-ocks. As the search for literary knowledge Rowling, so did the demand for the classic beverage, causing investors to raise their glasses to Coke's success.




What else correlates?
Google searches for 'who is jk rowling' · all google searches
The Coca-Cola Company's stock price (KO) · all stocks

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is How insightful OverSimplified YouTube video titles are and the second variable is Snowfall in Chicago.  The chart goes from 2016 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #5,924


SnowWay! The Chilling Influence of OverSimplified YouTube Video Titles on Snowfall in Chicago
As the snow piles up, so does our understanding of history, thanks to these chill-inducing video titles. It's like each flake brings a new perspective, coating our brains in a fresh layer of knowledge. Clearing the way for some seriously enlightening content, this winter wonderland is definitely not flaking out when it comes to sparking curiosity. So, grab a blanket, cozy up, and get ready to have your mind snowverhauled with these insightful Oversimplified video titles. Remember, when it comes to learning, the forecast calls for a blizzard of brilliance! Stay toasty, stay curious, and let it snow, let it Oversimplify!




What else correlates?
How insightful OverSimplified YouTube video titles are · all YouTube
Snowfall in Chicago · all weather

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Killian and the second variable is Automotive recalls for issues with the Air Bags.  The chart goes from 1990 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,599


The Air Bag Flair and the Name Affair: Exploring the Correlation Between Killian and Recalls
As more babies were named Killian, the collective toddler energy apparently disrupted the delicate air bag sensors. It's a little-known phenomenon called 'infantile air bag agitation syndrome.' The automotive industry has a new challenge to address - designing baby-proof air bag systems. It's a real conundrum - how to keep up with the changing demographics of car passengers. But rest assured, car manufacturers are taking a hands-on approach to this unexpected correlation.




What else correlates?
Popularity of the first name Killian · all first names
Automotive recalls for issues with the Air Bags · all weird & wacky

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Butter consumption and the second variable is The number of epidemiologists in Colorado.  The chart goes from 2005 to 2020, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,246


The Butter Effect: A Statistical Analysis of Butter Consumption and the Proportion of Epidemiologists in Colorado
As butter consumption in Colorado increased, so did the demand for larger sample sizes in epidemiological studies. This led to a surge in funding for public health research, prompting a migration of epidemiologists to the state, lured by the opportunity to conduct margarineally significant studies and spread their knowledge like, well, butter.




What else correlates?
Butter consumption · all food
The number of epidemiologists in Colorado · all cccupations

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Annual US household spending on eggs and the second variable is Emerson Electric Co.'s stock price (EMR).  The chart goes from 2002 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,009


Eggs-travagant Expenses: Examining the Amusing Association between Annual US Household Spending on Eggs and Emerson Electric Co.'s Stock Price
As household spending on eggs went up, so did the demand for egg-related products, like egg poachers and omelet pans. This surge in demand made Emerson Electric Co.'s stock crackle and pop on the market, leading to an over-easy rise in their stock price. It seems like the secret to their success was simply eggs-quisite!




What else correlates?
Annual US household spending on eggs · all weird & wacky
Emerson Electric Co.'s stock price (EMR) · all stocks

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Tyler and the second variable is Gasoline pumped in Italy.  The chart goes from 1980 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #1,080


The Pump Factor: Exploring the Tyler-Fueled Relationship Between Name Popularity and Gasoline Consumption in Italy
Perhaps every time someone named Tyler walked by a gas station in Italy, the gas pumps were inexplicably activated by some kind of "Tyler" recognition technology, leading to a surge in gasoline pumped. It's as if the Tylers had some secret power to fuel the Italian gas industry, quite literally. It's a name-based enigma that has left both statisticians and gas station attendants scratching their heads in bewilderment!




What else correlates?
Popularity of the first name Tyler · all first names
Gasoline pumped in Italy · all energy

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Venus and Mercury and the second variable is The number of nursing assistants in Indiana.  The chart goes from 2012 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,732


Vexing Venus and Mercurial Metrics: Exploring the Eccentric Relationship Between Planetary Proximity and Nursing Personnel in Indiana
As the distance between Venus and Mercury shrinks, their gravitational pull forms a cosmic vacuum cleaner effect. This inadvertently sucks up the motivation for nursing assistant jobs in Indiana, leading to a decrease in their numbers. It's a case of celestial bodies creating celestial job changes!




What else correlates?
The distance between Venus and Mercury · all planets
The number of nursing assistants in Indiana · all cccupations

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Associates degrees awarded in Science technologies and the second variable is Google searches for 'avocado toast'.  The chart goes from 2011 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,965


Avocado Toast Boasts: Associating Science Technicians with Brunch Addicts
As more students studied science technologies, they engineered a way to create perfectly ripe avocados on demand, leading to a surge in avocado toast popularity. It's a toast to technological advancements in brunch cuisine!




What else correlates?
Associates degrees awarded in Science technologies · all education
Google searches for 'avocado toast' · all google searches

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Blanca and the second variable is Robberies in Texas.  The chart goes from 1985 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,498


The White Robbery: Unraveling the Correlation Between the Popularity of the Name Blanca and Robberies in Texas
As the popularity of the name Blanca decreased, there were fewer people named Blanca in Texas. This led to a significant decline in the formation of all-female heist crews, who were notorious for their daring Texas bank robberies. With fewer Blanca's participating, the overall violent crime rate in Texas naturally saw a decrease.




What else correlates?
Popularity of the first name Blanca · all first names
Robberies in Texas · all random state specific

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Per capita consumption of margarine and the second variable is The divorce rate in Maine.  The chart goes from 2000 to 2009, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #5,920


Spreading Love and Margarine: An Examination of the Butter-Splitter Correlation in Maine
Perhaps as people used less margarine, they became less slippery in their relationships. The lack of artificial spread may have kept the couples from buttering each other up, leading to a decrease in overall marital strife. That's the reality when you can't believe it's not butter - it's a recipe for marital success. Alternatively, it could be that as the margarine consumption decreased, so did the overall slickness in the state, leading to fewer instances of partners feeling like they couldn't grip the marriage.




What else correlates?
Per capita consumption of margarine · all food
The divorce rate in Maine · all random state specific

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Why this works

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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:

Project by Tyler Vigen
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