Spurious correlation #1,081 · View random
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 Jordan and the second variable is Robberies in South Carolina. The chart goes from 1985 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

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 Jordan and the second variable is Robberies in South Carolina. The chart goes from 1985 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

More babies were named Jordan, leading to an increased demand for personalized basketball jerseys. This demand caused a spike in underground jersey counterfeiting operations, ultimately leading to an uptick in overall criminal activity, including robberies, in South Carolina.

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Prompt: Generate an image of a small town bank with a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. Inside, bank tellers are preparing for the day as they chat with each other. In the corner, there's a wanted poster with the name "Jordan" pinned to the noticeboard. The number of customers in the bank is visibly lower than before, and the streets outside seem calmer with local police patrolling. Additionally, a few bank robbers dressed as basketball players are nervously trying to blend in with the crowd while glancing at the wanted poster. Let the image have a cybernetic art style, incorporating futuristic and technological elements into the scene. 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 situation described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here is a situation: The decrease in popularity of the first name Jordan led to a decrease in robberies in South Carolina because as the name Jordan became less popular, there were fewer people named Jordan to rob banks dressed as basketball players, resulting in a decrease in robberies.. Given that situation, which of the following image descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand and the tone of the explanation. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: Voxel art Cybernetic art Cute cartoon Art nouveau Cyber folk
ChatGPT: Cybernetic art

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated and the explanation described. Do not reference graphs or charts; describe physical objects.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that depicts the following situation. Keep the description simple. The decrease in popularity of the first name Jordan led to a decrease in robberies in South Carolina because as the name Jordan became less popular, there were fewer people named Jordan to rob banks dressed as basketball players, resulting in a decrease in robberies.
ChatGPT: Imagine a small town bank with a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. Inside, the bank tellers are chatting while prepping for the day. In the corner, a wanted poster with the name "Jordan" is pinned to the noticeboard. There are fewer customers inside the bank compared to before, and the streets outside appear calmer as the local police patrol. A few bank robbers dressed as basketball players are nervously glancing at the wanted poster while trying to blend in with the crowd.

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: [ Cybernetic art ] and depicting this scene: Imagine a small town bank with a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. Inside, the bank tellers are chatting while prepping for the day. In the corner, a wanted poster with the name "Jordan" is pinned to the noticeboard. There are fewer customers inside the bank compared to before, and the streets outside appear calmer as the local police patrol. A few bank robbers dressed as basketball players are nervously glancing at the wanted poster while trying to blend in with the crowd. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Prompt: Generate an image of a small town bank with a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. Inside, bank tellers are preparing for the day as they chat with each other. In the corner, there's a wanted poster with the name "Jordan" pinned to the noticeboard. The number of customers in the bank is visibly lower than before, and the streets outside seem calmer with local police patrolling. Additionally, a few bank robbers dressed as basketball players are nervously trying to blend in with the crowd while glancing at the wanted poster. Let the image have a cybernetic art style, incorporating futuristic and technological elements into the scene.

*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.
^{Show prompt for explanation} 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 Popularity of the first name Jordan positively influenced Robberies in South Carolina.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Jordan Robberies: A Study of the Correlation Between the Name and Crime in South Carolina

Journal of Sociolinguistic Criminology

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!

^{Show prompt used to generate this paper} 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 dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics 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 Popularity of the first name Jordan and Robberies in South Carolina. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, 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 devolve ever further, and mention something completely ridiculous, like you conducted literature review by reading the backs of shampoo bottles.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Jordan Robberies: A Study of the Correlation Between the Name and Crime in South Carolina"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents a quasi-experimental study investigating the intriguing correlation between the popularity of the first name Jordan and the occurrence of robberies in the state of South Carolina. Our research team utilized longitudinal data obtained from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services to unveil a significant association between the two variables. The correlation coefficient of 0.9471218 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning from 1985 to 2022 provides compelling evidence for this surprising connection. The implications of such findings are manifold and raise intriguing questions about the potential influence of nomenclature on criminal behavior. This research sheds light on a unique intersection between personal identity and criminal activity, prompting further exploration into the complex dynamics at play. While the causal mechanism underlying this relationship remains elusive, the statistical robustness of our results demands attention and invites speculative hypotheses. The implications of naming conventions on behavioral outcomes may indeed be more profound than previously assumed, and warrant consideration in both academic and practical contexts.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The impact of names on various aspects of life has been a subject of fascination for centuries. Whether it's the influence of a name on an individual's career prospects, social interactions, or even criminal tendencies, the power of nomenclature has captured the curiosity of researchers and laypersons alike. In this study, we delve into the peculiar connection between the popularity of the first name Jordan and the occurrence of robberies in the state of South Carolina. While the notion of a name shaping criminal behavior may sound like a plot twist from a caper novel, empirical evidence indicates a substantial correlation that cannot be overlooked.
Human behavior is a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and societal factors, often defying straightforward explanations. Yet, the possibility that something as seemingly innocuous as a name could influence criminal tendencies raises eyebrows and invites a smirking commentary on the quirky nature of human psychology. After all, one might jest that the correlation between the name Jordan and robberies in South Carolina is the "heist of the century" in terms of unexpected statistical revelations.
The choice of a name is a pivotal part of an individual's identity, often laden with personal, familial, or cultural significance. However, could it also harbor subtle implications for behavioral predispositions? The musing leads one down a meandering path of contemplation, akin to navigating a treacherous labyrinth of ideas and possibilities. Consequently, our study seeks to illuminate this uncharted territory at the intersection of nomenclature and criminal activity, shedding light on a facet of human behavior that is as puzzling as it is intriguing.
The empirical foundation of this investigation rests on a meticulous analysis of longitudinal data from authoritative sources, injecting a dose of gravitas into the otherwise whimsical endeavor. Nonetheless, the findings, perplexing as they may initially seem, demand the rigorous scrutiny and interpretation synonymous with scholarly inquiry. As we unravel the threads of this curious tapestry, we invite our readers to join us on an academic sojourn that traverses both statistical terrain and the more enigmatic realms of human nature.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Smith et al. (2010) examine the role of nomenclature in shaping behavioral outcomes, drawing attention to the potential influence of names on individuals' life trajectories. The authors find that the choice of a name can subtly steer one's experiences and interactions, echoing the sentiments of Shakespeare's Juliet: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." This classic inquiry into the significance of names resonates with our exploration of the relationship between the name Jordan and criminal activity in South Carolina, albeit with a whimsical twist that departs from the bard's theatrical musings.

In "The Power of Names" by Doe (2015), the author delves into the historical and cultural dimensions of naming practices, unraveling the intricate tapestry of associations and connotations woven into each appellation. The emotive resonance of names, as underscored by Doe, invites contemplation on their potential manifestations in diverse spheres, though, perhaps not as unexpected as their role in shaping criminal propensities.

Jones (2018) provides a comprehensive analysis of regional variations in naming trends, illuminating the idiosyncrasies of popular names across geographies. This geographic lens adds nuance to our investigation of the prevalence of the name Jordan and its intriguing correlation with robberies in South Carolina, introducing a spatial dimension to the whimsical enigma at hand.

Moving beyond non-fiction works, the inclusion of relevant fictional literature offers an intriguing vantage point. In "The Jordan Heist" by A. N. Author (2007), the narrative unfolds a tale of cunning robberies intertwined with the enigmatic allure of the eponymous protagonist. This fictional rendition of heists, while a divergence from scholarly discourse, infuses a sense of intrigue and lightheartedness into the sober world of empirical research.

Moreover, the evocative symbolism embedded in the name "Jordan" comes to the fore in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925). The character of Jay Gatsby, a figure of both admiration and moral ambiguity, casts a shadow of mystery reminiscent of the statistical peculiarity we encounter in our own study. The confluence of literary fascination and empirical inquiry adds a layer of whimsy to our venture, reminding us that research can often take unexpected detours through the annals of creativity.

In a departure from conventional sources, the authors also engaged in a thorough review of anecdotal evidence, perusing sardonic observations and whimsical conjectures in unlikely places. The labels adorning mundane consumer products, the absurd quips on novelty socks, and the cryptic riddles on fortune cookie slips, while not traditional wellsprings of scholarly insight, offered a whimsical counterbalance to the methodical rigor of academic inquiry. This unconventional approach underscored the multifaceted nature of research, where the seemingly mundane can unexpectedly collide with the scholarly pursuit of knowledge, yielding moments of levity in the serious pursuit of understanding.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics 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 Popularity of the first name Jordan and Robberies in South Carolina. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from US Social Security Administration and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services . You used data from 1985 to 2022

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]]
"Jordan Robberies: A Study of the Correlation Between the Name and Crime in South Carolina"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents a quasi-experimental study investigating the intriguing correlation between the popularity of the first name Jordan and the occurrence of robberies in the state of South Carolina. Our research team utilized longitudinal data obtained from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services to unveil a significant association between the two variables. The correlation coefficient of 0.9471218 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning from 1985 to 2022 provides compelling evidence for this surprising connection. The implications of such findings are manifold and raise intriguing questions about the potential influence of nomenclature on criminal behavior. This research sheds light on a unique intersection between personal identity and criminal activity, prompting further exploration into the complex dynamics at play. While the causal mechanism underlying this relationship remains elusive, the statistical robustness of our results demands attention and invites speculative hypotheses. The implications of naming conventions on behavioral outcomes may indeed be more profound than previously assumed, and warrant consideration in both academic and practical contexts.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The impact of names on various aspects of life has been a subject of fascination for centuries. Whether it's the influence of a name on an individual's career prospects, social interactions, or even criminal tendencies, the power of nomenclature has captured the curiosity of researchers and laypersons alike. In this study, we delve into the peculiar connection between the popularity of the first name Jordan and the occurrence of robberies in the state of South Carolina. While the notion of a name shaping criminal behavior may sound like a plot twist from a caper novel, empirical evidence indicates a substantial correlation that cannot be overlooked.
Human behavior is a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and societal factors, often defying straightforward explanations. Yet, the possibility that something as seemingly innocuous as a name could influence criminal tendencies raises eyebrows and invites a smirking commentary on the quirky nature of human psychology. After all, one might jest that the correlation between the name Jordan and robberies in South Carolina is the "heist of the century" in terms of unexpected statistical revelations.
The choice of a name is a pivotal part of an individual's identity, often laden with personal, familial, or cultural significance. However, could it also harbor subtle implications for behavioral predispositions? The musing leads one down a meandering path of contemplation, akin to navigating a treacherous labyrinth of ideas and possibilities. Consequently, our study seeks to illuminate this uncharted territory at the intersection of nomenclature and criminal activity, shedding light on a facet of human behavior that is as puzzling as it is intriguing.
The empirical foundation of this investigation rests on a meticulous analysis of longitudinal data from authoritative sources, injecting a dose of gravitas into the otherwise whimsical endeavor. Nonetheless, the findings, perplexing as they may initially seem, demand the rigorous scrutiny and interpretation synonymous with scholarly inquiry. As we unravel the threads of this curious tapestry, we invite our readers to join us on an academic sojourn that traverses both statistical terrain and the more enigmatic realms of human nature.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

The methodology employed in this study hewed to the strictures of scholarly inquiry, albeit with a dash of whimsy befitting the whimsical nature of our research topic. To elucidate the potential correlation between the popularity of the first name Jordan and incidences of robbery in South Carolina, a multifaceted approach was adopted.

First, data pertaining to the prevalence of the name Jordan was procured from the US Social Security Administration, encompassing the period from 1985 to 2022. The meticulous curation of this dataset involved sifting through an ocean of names, akin to seeking a solitary seashell on a crowded beach. The iterative process of data cleaning and aggregation was as laborious as excavating for hidden treasure, yielding a comprehensive repository of nomenclature trends.

Simultaneously, the incidence of robberies in South Carolina during the same temporal domain was gleaned from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. This data exegesis entailed navigating the labyrinthine corridors of crime statistics, akin to embarking on a detective's quest for elusive clues. Disparate pieces of information were methodically aligned, akin to assembling a jigsaw puzzle of criminal activity, to unveil the intricate patterns underlying these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Having amassed these prodigious datasets, a quasi-experimental design was fashioned to scrutinize the relationship between the ebb and flow of the name Jordan and the rhythm of criminal occurrences in South Carolina. This methodology, though unconventional in its fusion of demographic and criminological elements, was akin to blending disparate ingredients in a scientific cauldron to conjure a compelling vista of statistical interplay.

The association between the name Jordan's prevalence and robbery incidences was assessed through rigorous statistical analyses, leveraging sophisticated methodologies that danced on the precipice of conventional research strategies. The utilization of robust statistical techniques, though as solemn as a stately waltz, lent an air of gravitas to the investigation, even as it tangoed with the whimsical notion of nomenclatural influence on criminal proclivity.

The veracity of the observed correlation was bolstered through control of confounding variables, akin to ensuring that a mischievous imp did not tamper with the results. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to discern the resilience of the relationship under varying contextual conditions, akin to testing the tenacity of a sprawling vine amidst changing weather patterns. The meticulous scrutiny of these analyses was marked by a perspicacious attention to detail, akin to a hawk-eyed observer perusing a cryptic manuscript for hidden meanings.

Additionally, the potential influence of temporal trends and external covariates on the observed correlation was scrutinized with the fervor of an inquisitive sleuth unraveling an enigmatic mystery. The interplay of these nuanced factors, akin to the convoluted machinations of a clandestine plot, was interrogated to ascertain the robustness and generalizability of the disclosed association.

In summation, the methodology adopted in this study fused the solemnity of scholarly inquiry with the whimsy of our research quest, employing a tapestry of methodologies that deservedly elicit scholarly curiosity and scholarly grins alike.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics 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 Popularity of the first name Jordan and Robberies in South Carolina. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
"Jordan Robberies: A Study of the Correlation Between the Name and Crime in South Carolina"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents a quasi-experimental study investigating the intriguing correlation between the popularity of the first name Jordan and the occurrence of robberies in the state of South Carolina. Our research team utilized longitudinal data obtained from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services to unveil a significant association between the two variables. The correlation coefficient of 0.9471218 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning from 1985 to 2022 provides compelling evidence for this surprising connection. The implications of such findings are manifold and raise intriguing questions about the potential influence of nomenclature on criminal behavior. This research sheds light on a unique intersection between personal identity and criminal activity, prompting further exploration into the complex dynamics at play. While the causal mechanism underlying this relationship remains elusive, the statistical robustness of our results demands attention and invites speculative hypotheses. The implications of naming conventions on behavioral outcomes may indeed be more profound than previously assumed, and warrant consideration in both academic and practical contexts.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Smith et al. (2010) examine the role of nomenclature in shaping behavioral outcomes, drawing attention to the potential influence of names on individuals' life trajectories. The authors find that the choice of a name can subtly steer one's experiences and interactions, echoing the sentiments of Shakespeare's Juliet: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." This classic inquiry into the significance of names resonates with our exploration of the relationship between the name Jordan and criminal activity in South Carolina, albeit with a whimsical twist that departs from the bard's theatrical musings.
In "The Power of Names" by Doe (2015), the author delves into the historical and cultural dimensions of naming practices, unraveling the intricate tapestry of associations and connotations woven into each appellation. The emotive resonance of names, as underscored by Doe, invites contemplation on their potential manifestations in diverse spheres, though, perhaps not as unexpected as their role in shaping criminal propensities.
Jones (2018) provides a comprehensive analysis of regional variations in naming trends, illuminating the idiosyncrasies of popular names across geographies. This geographic lens adds nuance to our investigation of the prevalence of the name Jordan and its intriguing correlation with robberies in South Carolina, introducing a spatial dimension to the whimsical enigma at hand.
Moving beyond non-fiction works, the inclusion of relevant fictional literature offers an intriguing vantage point. In "The Jordan Heist" by A. N. Author (2007), the narrative unfolds a tale of cunning robberies intertwined with the enigmatic allure of the eponymous protagonist. This fictional rendition of heists, while a divergence from scholarly discourse, infuses a sense of intrigue and lightheartedness into the sober world of empirical research.
Moreover, the evocative symbolism embedded in the name "Jordan" comes to the fore in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925). The character of Jay Gatsby, a figure of both admiration and moral ambiguity, casts a shadow of mystery reminiscent of the statistical peculiarity we encounter in our own study. The confluence of literary fascination and empirical inquiry adds a layer of whimsy to our venture, reminding us that research can often take unexpected detours through the annals of creativity.
In a departure from conventional sources, the authors also engaged in a thorough review of anecdotal evidence, perusing sardonic observations and whimsical conjectures in unlikely places. The labels adorning mundane consumer products, the absurd quips on novelty socks, and the cryptic riddles on fortune cookie slips, while not traditional wellsprings of scholarly insight, offered a whimsical counterbalance to the methodical rigor of academic inquiry. This unconventional approach underscored the multifaceted nature of research, where the seemingly mundane can unexpectedly collide with the scholarly pursuit of knowledge, yielding moments of levity in the serious pursuit of understanding.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis revealed a remarkably strong correlation (r = 0.9471218, r-squared = 0.8970398, p < 0.01) between the prevalence of the first name Jordan and the incidence of robberies in South Carolina from 1985 to 2022. The scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually demonstrates the striking coherence between these seemingly disparate variables, painting a compelling picture of their intertwined fates. One can almost envision the name "Jordan" orchestrating a daring heist of statistical significance, leaving researchers both bemused and intrigued by its audacious presence in the realm of crime.
The magnitude of this correlation sparks contemplation on the unexpected ways in which names may exert influence, akin to a surreptitious accomplice quietly pulling the strings of societal dynamics. The significance of this connection prompts a playful nod to the notion of 'nomenclatural notoriety', where a name's popularity appears to carry an ominous undertone in the context of criminal behavior. As the findings manifest, the allure of uncovering such offbeat relationships cannot be understated, evoking a sense of scholarly mischief in revealing the clandestine influence of nomenclature on real-world phenomena.
The robustness of the statistical measures employed in this study emphasizes the gravity of the observed relationship, challenging preconceptions and engendering a lighthearted provocation for further inquiry into the whimsical facets of human behavior. These findings implore researchers to reflect on the idiosyncrasies that underlie the empirical world, reminding them that even the most unexpected corridors of investigation may yield valuable insights. In this vein, the correlation between the first name Jordan and robberies in South Carolina serves as a whimsical yet thought-provoking addition to the tapestry of human behavioral research.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The robust correlation uncovered between the prevalence of the first name Jordan and the incidence of robberies in South Carolina from 1985 to 2022 not only underscores the statistical significance of this association but also prompts a whimsical contemplation of the mysterious ways in which nomenclature may surreptitiously influence behavioral dynamics. Our findings resonate with prior research by Smith et al. (2010), highlighting the understated yet undeniable impact of names on individuals' experiences and interactions. It seems Shakespeare's inquiry into the significance of names, a sentiment echoed by earlier studies, has taken an unexpected turn, with the name "Jordan" assuming an unwitting role in the realm of criminal propensities. While the bard's musing on the essence of a name still permeates scholarly discourse, our findings add a zesty twist to the age-old question, demonstrating that a rose, or in this case, a "Jordan," by any other name may prompt a surreptitious nod toward criminal mischief.

Moving beyond the deft whimsy of the literary sphere, our results also concur with the geographic dimension elucidated by Jones (2018), revealing the idiosyncrasies of regional naming trends and their unexpected correlations with criminal phenomena. The spatial contortions of nomenclatural influence, it seems, offer a delightful cartographic ballet of statistical intrigue, inviting us to ponder the playful topography of names and their surprising forays into criminal interludes.

The compelling statistical robustness of our findings resonates with the whimsical divergence of "The Jordan Heist" by A. N. Author (2007), infusing empirical inquiry with a tinge of lighthearted absurdity. As our study indicates, the eponymous protagonist's venturesome flair may have meandered beyond the bounds of fiction, imprinting a statistical imprint on the landscape of South Carolina's criminal tapestry.

In our investigation, the name “Jordan” emerges as a silent accomplice in orchestrating the statistical heist of notable significance, akin to a trail of enigmatic breadcrumbs leading researchers into the whimsical undercurrents of societal dynamics. The concept of 'nomenclatural notoriety' takes on an unexpectedly playful resonance, reminiscent of a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma - a whimsical metaphorical puzzle evoked by our research findings.

As our study reveals, the allure of unmasking such offbeat relationships lies in the scholarly whimsy of unveiling the clandestine influence of nomenclature on real-world phenomena. This study prompts a scholarly twinkle, evoking a sense of mischievous curiosity in unearthing the capricious facets of human behavior. In this light, the correlation between the first name Jordan and robberies in South Carolina adds a whimsically thought-provoking thread to the tapestry of human behavioral research, where scholarly mischief may pave unexpected corridors of investigation yielding invaluable insights.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics 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 Popularity of the first name Jordan and Robberies in South Carolina. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
"Jordan Robberies: A Study of the Correlation Between the Name and Crime in South Carolina"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents a quasi-experimental study investigating the intriguing correlation between the popularity of the first name Jordan and the occurrence of robberies in the state of South Carolina. Our research team utilized longitudinal data obtained from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services to unveil a significant association between the two variables. The correlation coefficient of 0.9471218 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning from 1985 to 2022 provides compelling evidence for this surprising connection. The implications of such findings are manifold and raise intriguing questions about the potential influence of nomenclature on criminal behavior. This research sheds light on a unique intersection between personal identity and criminal activity, prompting further exploration into the complex dynamics at play. While the causal mechanism underlying this relationship remains elusive, the statistical robustness of our results demands attention and invites speculative hypotheses. The implications of naming conventions on behavioral outcomes may indeed be more profound than previously assumed, and warrant consideration in both academic and practical contexts.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The impact of names on various aspects of life has been a subject of fascination for centuries. Whether it's the influence of a name on an individual's career prospects, social interactions, or even criminal tendencies, the power of nomenclature has captured the curiosity of researchers and laypersons alike. In this study, we delve into the peculiar connection between the popularity of the first name Jordan and the occurrence of robberies in the state of South Carolina. While the notion of a name shaping criminal behavior may sound like a plot twist from a caper novel, empirical evidence indicates a substantial correlation that cannot be overlooked.
Human behavior is a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and societal factors, often defying straightforward explanations. Yet, the possibility that something as seemingly innocuous as a name could influence criminal tendencies raises eyebrows and invites a smirking commentary on the quirky nature of human psychology. After all, one might jest that the correlation between the name Jordan and robberies in South Carolina is the "heist of the century" in terms of unexpected statistical revelations.
The choice of a name is a pivotal part of an individual's identity, often laden with personal, familial, or cultural significance. However, could it also harbor subtle implications for behavioral predispositions? The musing leads one down a meandering path of contemplation, akin to navigating a treacherous labyrinth of ideas and possibilities. Consequently, our study seeks to illuminate this uncharted territory at the intersection of nomenclature and criminal activity, shedding light on a facet of human behavior that is as puzzling as it is intriguing.
The empirical foundation of this investigation rests on a meticulous analysis of longitudinal data from authoritative sources, injecting a dose of gravitas into the otherwise whimsical endeavor. Nonetheless, the findings, perplexing as they may initially seem, demand the rigorous scrutiny and interpretation synonymous with scholarly inquiry. As we unravel the threads of this curious tapestry, we invite our readers to join us on an academic sojourn that traverses both statistical terrain and the more enigmatic realms of human nature.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis revealed a remarkably strong correlation (r = 0.9471218, r-squared = 0.8970398, p < 0.01) between the prevalence of the first name Jordan and the incidence of robberies in South Carolina from 1985 to 2022. The scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually demonstrates the striking coherence between these seemingly disparate variables, painting a compelling picture of their intertwined fates. One can almost envision the name "Jordan" orchestrating a daring heist of statistical significance, leaving researchers both bemused and intrigued by its audacious presence in the realm of crime.
The magnitude of this correlation sparks contemplation on the unexpected ways in which names may exert influence, akin to a surreptitious accomplice quietly pulling the strings of societal dynamics. The significance of this connection prompts a playful nod to the notion of 'nomenclatural notoriety', where a name's popularity appears to carry an ominous undertone in the context of criminal behavior. As the findings manifest, the allure of uncovering such offbeat relationships cannot be understated, evoking a sense of scholarly mischief in revealing the clandestine influence of nomenclature on real-world phenomena.
The robustness of the statistical measures employed in this study emphasizes the gravity of the observed relationship, challenging preconceptions and engendering a lighthearted provocation for further inquiry into the whimsical facets of human behavior. These findings implore researchers to reflect on the idiosyncrasies that underlie the empirical world, reminding them that even the most unexpected corridors of investigation may yield valuable insights. In this vein, the correlation between the first name Jordan and robberies in South Carolina serves as a whimsical yet thought-provoking addition to the tapestry of human behavioral research.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, the striking correlation between the popularity of the first name Jordan and the incidence of robberies in South Carolina from 1985 to 2022 sheds light on a peculiar intersection of nomenclature and criminal behavior. The statistical robustness of our findings serves as a reminder that even the most unassuming variables may harbor intriguing connections. The notion of 'nomenclatural notoriety' emerges as a playful concept that invites further reflection on the whimsical facets of human behavior and the clandestine influence of names on real-world phenomena.

One cannot help but muse on the potential influence of a notorious name like "Jordan" as it weaves its enigmatic narrative into the fabric of criminal activity. The statistical affinity between this name and robberies evokes a sense of scholarly mischief, akin to stumbling upon a mischievous prankster orchestrating an unlikely symphony of statistical significance. As we contemplate this unexpected correlation, it is tempting to imagine the name "Jordan" as a phantom orchestrator of criminal escapades, leaving researchers both bemused and bemused by its audacious presence in the annals of criminological statistics.

Given the compelling nature of our findings, it appears that no further research is needed in this area. The statistical heist of significance orchestrated by the name "Jordan" stands as a testament to the captivating idiosyncrasies that underlie behavioral phenomena, urging academic circles to embrace the whimsical twists and turns of empirical exploration in all their perplexing glory. Thus, we may assert that this research undoubtedly adds a dash of scholarly whimsy to the oft-stoic realm of behavioral inquiry.

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 Jordan Robberies: A Study of the Correlation Between the Name and Crime in South Carolina. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Sociolinguistic Criminology

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 Jordan Robberies: A Study of the Correlation Between the Name and Crime in South Carolina. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Investigative Linguistic Studies

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 Jordan Robberies: A Study of the Correlation Between the Name and Crime in South Carolina with an abstract of This paper presents a quasi-experimental study investigating the intriguing correlation between the popularity of the first name Jordan and the occurrence of robberies in the state of South Carolina. Our research team utilized longitudinal data obtained from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services to unveil a significant association between the two variables. The correlation coefficient of 0.9471218 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning from 1985 to 2022 provides compelling evidence for this surprising connection. The implications of such findings are manifold and raise intriguing questions about the potential influence of nomenclature on criminal behavior. This research sheds light on a unique intersection between personal identity and criminal activity, prompting further exploration into the complex dynamics at play. While the causal mechanism underlying this relationship remains elusive, the statistical robustness of our results demands attention and invites speculative hypotheses. The implications of naming conventions on behavioral outcomes may indeed be more profound than previously assumed, and warrant consideration in both academic and practical contexts.

ChatGPT:

Jordan, robberies, South Carolina, correlation, name, crime, correlation coefficient, US Social Security Administration, FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, longitudinal data, nomenclature, criminal behavior, personal identity, statistical robustness, naming conventions, behavioral outcomes

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

Random correlation

Discover a new correlation

View all correlations

View all research papers

Report an error

Data details

Popularity of the first name Jordan
Detailed data title: Babies of all sexes born in the US named Jordan
Source: US Social Security Administration
See what else correlates with Popularity of the first name Jordan

Robberies in South Carolina
Detailed data title: The robbery rate per 100,000 residents in South Carolina
Source: FBI Criminal Justice Information Services
See what else correlates with Robberies in South Carolina

Correlation r = 0.9471218 (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 = 0.8970398 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 89.7% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Robberies in South Carolina) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Popularity of the first name Jordan) over the 38 years from 1985 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.4E-19.^Show 0.0000000000000000002350259992
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme.^Note 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 0.95 in 2.4E-17% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 4,254,848,414,234,504,704 random variables^Note You don't actually need 4 quintillion variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

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

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

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 37 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 37 because we have two variables measured over a period of 38 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.

[ 0.9, 0.97 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
^{Read more about the confidence interval} 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: ^Note 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.

	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Popularity of the first name Jordan (Babies born)	6437	9387	10306	10619	15158	22091	21584	19398	20578	20417	20051	20150	21927	21522	18781	17977	16617	17304	15979	14007	13094	13476	13388	11745	10759	9979	9726	9245	8451	8202	7537	6786	6050	5522	5105	4974	4744	4499
Robberies in South Carolina (Robbery rate)	93.9	99.5	101.1	124.7	130.2	152.4	171.1	170.6	187.3	186.1	175.9	172	176.2	154.9	148.2	155	147.4	140.7	139.8	130.3	133.2	136.6	144.2	147.2	126.1	108.2	99.1	95.5	83.1	83.2	80.7	82.1	77.4	70.7	64.5	59.8	49.7	40.6

Why this works

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.
Lack of causal connection: There is probably^Note 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.
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^Note Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.

Try it yourself

You can calculate the values on this page on your own! Try running the Python code to see the calculation results. ^{Show the steps to do this.} 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([6437,9387,10306,10619,15158,22091,21584,19398,20578,20417,20051,20150,21927,21522,18781,17977,16617,17304,15979,14007,13094,13476,13388,11745,10759,9979,9726,9245,8451,8202,7537,6786,6050,5522,5105,4974,4744,4499,])
array_2 = np.array([93.9,99.5,101.1,124.7,130.2,152.4,171.1,170.6,187.3,186.1,175.9,172,176.2,154.9,148.2,155,147.4,140.7,139.8,130.3,133.2,136.6,144.2,147.2,126.1,108.2,99.1,95.5,83.1,83.2,80.7,82.1,77.4,70.7,64.5,59.8,49.7,40.6,])
array_1_name = "Popularity of the first name Jordan"
array_2_name = "Robberies in South Carolina"

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

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

Reuseable content

You may re-use the images on this page for any purpose, even commercial purposes, without asking for permission. The only requirement is that you attribute Tyler Vigen. ^Note Attribution can take many different forms. If you leave the "tylervigen.com" link in the image, that satisfies it just fine. If you remove it and move it to a footnote, that's fine too. You can also just write "Charts courtesy of Tyler Vigen" at the bottom of an article.

You do not need to attribute "the spurious correlations website," and you don't even need to link here if you don't want to. I don't gain anything from pageviews. There are no ads on this site, there is nothing for sale, and I am not for hire.

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

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

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

Download images for these variables:

High resolution line chart ^Note The image linked here is a Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG). It is the highest resolution that is possible to achieve. It scales up beyond the size of the observable universe without pixelating. You do not need to email me asking if I have a higher resolution image. I do not. The physical limitations of our universe prevent me from providing you with an image that is any higher resolution than this one.

If you insert it into a PowerPoint presentation (a tool well-known for managing things that are the scale of the universe), you can right-click > "Ungroup" or "Create Shape" and then edit the lines and text directly. You can also change the colors this way.

Alternatively you can use a tool like Inkscape.
High resolution line chart, optimized for mobile
Alternative high resolution line chart
Scatterplot
Portable line chart (png)
Portable line chart (png), optimized for mobile
Line chart for only Popularity of the first name Jordan
Line chart for only Robberies in South Carolina
The spurious research paper: Jordan Robberies: A Study of the Correlation Between the Name and Crime in South Carolina

View another random correlation

How fun was this correlation?

Your rating is much appreciated!

Correlation ID: 1081 · Black Variable ID: 1998 · Red Variable ID: 20216


Problem variable:
Issue:
Additional details: Optional
Confirm you are a human: