about · email me · subscribe
Spurious correlation #1,119 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is UFO sightings in Louisiana and the second variable is Patents granted in the US.  The chart goes from 1975 to 2020, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

The presence of intergalactic technology stimulated the creative thinking of earthlings, leading to a surge in groundbreaking inventions and, ultimately, more patents being approved. It's as if the universe's best-kept secrets were sparking innovation right here on our own home planet!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Create an image of a magical Louisiana bayou illuminated by the vivid glow of UFOs hovering in the sky. Within this enchanting scene, eccentric inventors and creators are frantically jotting down ideas in their notebooks, surrounded by the lush flora of the bayou. It's all set against a backdrop of vibrant streaks of color, as the extraterrestrial vessels hover above, inspiring the locals to collaboratively sketch blueprints for extraordinary gadgets and gizmos. Capture the buzz of creativity and collaboration in this fantastical setting. 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 increase in UFO sightings in Louisiana caused patents granted in the US to also increase due to the influx of extraterrestrial technology inspiring local inventors to come up with groundbreaking innovations. As the aliens hovered above, casting their otherworldly glow, the people of Louisiana were infused with a burst of creative energy, resulting in a surge of inventive ideas that led to a patent bonanza. It turns out, the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe was hiding in the bayous all along.. 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: Cute 2D animation Pop art Cutsy art illustration inspired by bauhaus Sci-fi fantacy
ChatGPT: Sci-fi fantasy

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 increase in UFO sightings in Louisiana caused patents granted in the US to also increase due to the influx of extraterrestrial technology inspiring local inventors to come up with groundbreaking innovations. As the aliens hovered above, casting their otherworldly glow, the people of Louisiana were infused with a burst of creative energy, resulting in a surge of inventive ideas that led to a patent bonanza. It turns out, the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe was hiding in the bayous all along.
ChatGPT: In a sleepy Louisiana bayou, under the mystic glow of twinkling UFOs, we see inventors and creators scribbling furiously in their notebooks. The sky is filled with streaks of vibrant colors as the extraterrestrial vehicles hover above. Among the Louisiana flora, locals appear to be huddled together, sketching out blueprints for peculiar gadgets and gizmos inspired by the alien presence. The once-quiet bayou is now bustling with excitement as locals eagerly collaborate, collectively tapping into the newfound creative spark.

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: [ Sci-fi fantasy ] and depicting this scene: In a sleepy Louisiana bayou, under the mystic glow of twinkling UFOs, we see inventors and creators scribbling furiously in their notebooks. The sky is filled with streaks of vibrant colors as the extraterrestrial vehicles hover above. Among the Louisiana flora, locals appear to be huddled together, sketching out blueprints for peculiar gadgets and gizmos inspired by the alien presence. The once-quiet bayou is now bustling with excitement as locals eagerly collaborate, collectively tapping into the newfound creative spark. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Create an image of a magical Louisiana bayou illuminated by the vivid glow of UFOs hovering in the sky. Within this enchanting scene, eccentric inventors and creators are frantically jotting down ideas in their notebooks, surrounded by the lush flora of the bayou. It's all set against a backdrop of vibrant streaks of color, as the extraterrestrial vessels hover above, inspiring the locals to collaboratively sketch blueprints for extraordinary gadgets and gizmos. Capture the buzz of creativity and collaboration in this fantastical setting.

*Variations in the User Prompts from chart to chart are just the result of random number generation in Python. I wrote a few arrays of various styles and methods to ask questions to change up the results. Every time this site writes an explanation or generates an image, the script picks from each at random.

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in UFO sightings in Louisiana caused Patents granted in the US to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link

Journal of Extraterrestrial Engineering

Jan 2024

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




Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You write titles and abstracts of goofy academic research papers.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, and add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Louisiana and Patents granted in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title punny if you can come up with clever pun. If not, just make it sound clever.

Your research team used data from National UFO Reporting Center and USPTO to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.7984764 and p < 0.01 for 1975 to 2020.

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

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link

[[ABSTRACT]]
The extent to which extraterrestrial encounters might impact human innovation has been a subject of persistent speculation and intrigue. Through an exhaustive examination of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, our research team sought to shed light on the potential connection between UFO sightings and patents granted in the US. Our findings reveal a statistically significant correlation between the two phenomena, with a correlation coefficient of 0.7984764 and p < 0.01 for the years spanning 1975 to 2020.

While strictly adhering to empirical analysis, we couldn't help but be amused by the idea that "UFO" might stand for "Unidentified Found Objects" in the world of innovation. It seems that interstellar visitors may not only be exploring our planet, but also unknowingly inspiring remarkable human creations.

As we delved into the data, it became clear that the UFO-Patent paradox may indeed be more than just a flight of fancy. The observation of anomalous aerial phenomena appears to coincide with periods of heightened inventive activity, teasing a cosmic correlation that defies conventional explanation.

In conclusion, our research has illuminated a curious statistical association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the granting of patents in the US. While the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be elucidated, this study underscores the need for a broader exploration of the intersection between the extraterrestrial and the extraordinary. After all, when it comes to innovation, it seems that even the skies may not be the limit.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the introduction section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Louisiana and Patents granted in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link

[[ABSTRACT]]
The extent to which extraterrestrial encounters might impact human innovation has been a subject of persistent speculation and intrigue. Through an exhaustive examination of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, our research team sought to shed light on the potential connection between UFO sightings and patents granted in the US. Our findings reveal a statistically significant correlation between the two phenomena, with a correlation coefficient of 0.7984764 and p < 0.01 for the years spanning 1975 to 2020.

While strictly adhering to empirical analysis, we couldn't help but be amused by the idea that "UFO" might stand for "Unidentified Found Objects" in the world of innovation. It seems that interstellar visitors may not only be exploring our planet, but also unknowingly inspiring remarkable human creations.

As we delved into the data, it became clear that the UFO-Patent paradox may indeed be more than just a flight of fancy. The observation of anomalous aerial phenomena appears to coincide with periods of heightened inventive activity, teasing a cosmic correlation that defies conventional explanation.

In conclusion, our research has illuminated a curious statistical association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the granting of patents in the US. While the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be elucidated, this study underscores the need for a broader exploration of the intersection between the extraterrestrial and the extraordinary. After all, when it comes to innovation, it seems that even the skies may not be the limit.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have long captivated the human imagination, sparking endless debates and Hollywood blockbusters. While some have dismissed UFO sightings as mere illusions or weather phenomena, others have eagerly awaited the arrival of alien neighbors with open arms. And these enthusiasts may just have their jokes taken *out of this world* as our research uncovers an unexpected link between UFO sightings and patents granted in the United States.

In the realm of scientific inquiry, unusual pairings can often lead to fascinating discoveries. It is in this spirit that we embarked on our investigation of the possible connection between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the patents granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As we boldly went where no researcher has gone before, we couldn't help but marvel at the idea that perhaps some patents are not just the product of human intellect, but rather, a *patently* unexpected cosmic inspiration.

The pursuit of knowledge often leads us down uncharted paths, and this study was no exception. Armed with a plethora of UFO sighting data from the National UFO Reporting Center and a treasure trove of patent records, we endeavored to unravel the mysterious dance between celestial visitations and human ingenuity. Our research team was positively "charged" up to uncover whether the sightings of UFOs fueled an energy of innovation, or if it was all just a *X-File* statistical spook.

In the next sections, we will delve into the intriguing statistical correlations that emerged from our analysis, revealing a pattern that can best be described as "out of this world." So buckle up, because as we explore the celestial patents that seem to have descended from the stars, prepare for research so thrilling, it might just make you want to shout, "Take me to your leader!"


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 UFO sightings in Louisiana and Patents granted in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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 CVS receipts.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link

[[ABSTRACT]]
The extent to which extraterrestrial encounters might impact human innovation has been a subject of persistent speculation and intrigue. Through an exhaustive examination of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, our research team sought to shed light on the potential connection between UFO sightings and patents granted in the US. Our findings reveal a statistically significant correlation between the two phenomena, with a correlation coefficient of 0.7984764 and p < 0.01 for the years spanning 1975 to 2020.

While strictly adhering to empirical analysis, we couldn't help but be amused by the idea that "UFO" might stand for "Unidentified Found Objects" in the world of innovation. It seems that interstellar visitors may not only be exploring our planet, but also unknowingly inspiring remarkable human creations.

As we delved into the data, it became clear that the UFO-Patent paradox may indeed be more than just a flight of fancy. The observation of anomalous aerial phenomena appears to coincide with periods of heightened inventive activity, teasing a cosmic correlation that defies conventional explanation.

In conclusion, our research has illuminated a curious statistical association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the granting of patents in the US. While the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be elucidated, this study underscores the need for a broader exploration of the intersection between the extraterrestrial and the extraordinary. After all, when it comes to innovation, it seems that even the skies may not be the limit.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have long captivated the human imagination, sparking endless debates and Hollywood blockbusters. While some have dismissed UFO sightings as mere illusions or weather phenomena, others have eagerly awaited the arrival of alien neighbors with open arms. And these enthusiasts may just have their jokes taken *out of this world* as our research uncovers an unexpected link between UFO sightings and patents granted in the United States.
In the realm of scientific inquiry, unusual pairings can often lead to fascinating discoveries. It is in this spirit that we embarked on our investigation of the possible connection between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the patents granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As we boldly went where no researcher has gone before, we couldn't help but marvel at the idea that perhaps some patents are not just the product of human intellect, but rather, a *patently* unexpected cosmic inspiration.
The pursuit of knowledge often leads us down uncharted paths, and this study was no exception. Armed with a plethora of UFO sighting data from the National UFO Reporting Center and a treasure trove of patent records, we endeavored to unravel the mysterious dance between celestial visitations and human ingenuity. Our research team was positively "charged" up to uncover whether the sightings of UFOs fueled an energy of innovation, or if it was all just a *X-File* statistical spook.
In the next sections, we will delve into the intriguing statistical correlations that emerged from our analysis, revealing a pattern that can best be described as "out of this world." So buckle up, because as we explore the celestial patents that seem to have descended from the stars, prepare for research so thrilling, it might just make you want to shout, "Take me to your leader!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Scholars have long endeavored to unravel the mysteries surrounding unconventional phenomena and their impact on human innovation. In "Smith et al.'s Study," the authors find evidence of a positive association between anomalous aerial sightings and inventive activity, prompting further investigation into the potential cosmic influences on human creativity. This notion may seem like a *far out* concept, but the correlation uncovered in their study cannot be easily dismissed.

As we gallivanted through the galaxy of literature, we not only consulted scholarly works but also delved into non-fiction publications to glean insights from the broader public discourse. Books such as "Extraterrestrial Encounters and Their Legacy" by Dr. Jane Doe and "Cosmic Creativity: Unveiling the Intergalactic Muse" by Professor John Jones echoed the sentiment that interstellar encounters may indeed be shaping human ingenuity. These works hint at the idea that perhaps the cosmos holds the key to unlocking groundbreaking innovations, or maybe it's just a case of creative minds *spacing out.*

In our quest for comprehensive understanding, we also couldn't resist delving into the realm of fiction for a different perspective. Fictional works such as "The Martian Patent Chronicles" by Andy Weir and "Close Encounters of the Patent Kind" by Philip K. Dick teased our imagination with tales of extraterrestrial influence on the patent landscape. While these books may be more about entertainment than empirical evidence, they certainly added a cosmic flair to our literature review, reminding us that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction – or is it fiction that's stranger than reality?

Determined to leave no stone unturned or asteroid unexplored, we even ventured into peculiar corners of research, including perusing seemingly irrelevant materials such as grocery lists and CVS receipts in the hope of uncovering a nugget of wisdom. Alas, our extraterrestrial informants seem to have hidden their insights between the purchase of toothpaste and a bag of potato chips, leaving us with nothing but the realization that perhaps we were simply *reaching for the stars* without a ladder.

As we navigate through this cosmic conundrum, we urge readers to buckle up for a research journey that promises to defy earthly conventions and bring a dash of whimsy to the world of academia. After all, in the universe of scholarly inquiry, a little laughter might just be the *anti-gravity* that keeps us grounded.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 UFO sightings in Louisiana and Patents granted in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and USPTO . You used data from 1975 to 2020

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]]
UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link

[[ABSTRACT]]
The extent to which extraterrestrial encounters might impact human innovation has been a subject of persistent speculation and intrigue. Through an exhaustive examination of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, our research team sought to shed light on the potential connection between UFO sightings and patents granted in the US. Our findings reveal a statistically significant correlation between the two phenomena, with a correlation coefficient of 0.7984764 and p < 0.01 for the years spanning 1975 to 2020.

While strictly adhering to empirical analysis, we couldn't help but be amused by the idea that "UFO" might stand for "Unidentified Found Objects" in the world of innovation. It seems that interstellar visitors may not only be exploring our planet, but also unknowingly inspiring remarkable human creations.

As we delved into the data, it became clear that the UFO-Patent paradox may indeed be more than just a flight of fancy. The observation of anomalous aerial phenomena appears to coincide with periods of heightened inventive activity, teasing a cosmic correlation that defies conventional explanation.

In conclusion, our research has illuminated a curious statistical association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the granting of patents in the US. While the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be elucidated, this study underscores the need for a broader exploration of the intersection between the extraterrestrial and the extraordinary. After all, when it comes to innovation, it seems that even the skies may not be the limit.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have long captivated the human imagination, sparking endless debates and Hollywood blockbusters. While some have dismissed UFO sightings as mere illusions or weather phenomena, others have eagerly awaited the arrival of alien neighbors with open arms. And these enthusiasts may just have their jokes taken *out of this world* as our research uncovers an unexpected link between UFO sightings and patents granted in the United States.
In the realm of scientific inquiry, unusual pairings can often lead to fascinating discoveries. It is in this spirit that we embarked on our investigation of the possible connection between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the patents granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As we boldly went where no researcher has gone before, we couldn't help but marvel at the idea that perhaps some patents are not just the product of human intellect, but rather, a *patently* unexpected cosmic inspiration.
The pursuit of knowledge often leads us down uncharted paths, and this study was no exception. Armed with a plethora of UFO sighting data from the National UFO Reporting Center and a treasure trove of patent records, we endeavored to unravel the mysterious dance between celestial visitations and human ingenuity. Our research team was positively "charged" up to uncover whether the sightings of UFOs fueled an energy of innovation, or if it was all just a *X-File* statistical spook.
In the next sections, we will delve into the intriguing statistical correlations that emerged from our analysis, revealing a pattern that can best be described as "out of this world." So buckle up, because as we explore the celestial patents that seem to have descended from the stars, prepare for research so thrilling, it might just make you want to shout, "Take me to your leader!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unravel the cosmic puzzle of the UFO-Patent paradox, our research team embarked on a methodological journey that would make even the most intrepid intergalactic explorer proud. We began by scouring through decades of data from the National UFO Reporting Center, where accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena are as abundant as stardust. We then combed through the United States Patent and Trademark Office records with the dedication of a determined extraterrestrial hunter, aiming to capture any patents that might have been "out of this world" in their innovation.

Our dataset, spanning from 1975 to 2020, resembled a colorful galaxy of information, brimming with reported UFO sightings in Louisiana and patents granted across the United States. With data in hand, we sought to detect any celestial signals amidst the statistical noise, employing rigorous analytical techniques with the precision of a NASA spacecraft docking with the International Space Station.

The first step in our analysis involved examining the temporal patterns of UFO sightings in Louisiana, charting their ebb and flow like cosmic waves crashing against the shores of statistical significance. We then juxtaposed these ethereal phenomena with the temporal distribution of patents granted in the US, creating a juxtaposition of otherworldly sightings and earthly innovations that may have left some of us feeling as disoriented as a flying saucer navigating through Earth's atmosphere.

In addition to temporal analysis, we harnessed the powers of multivariate statistical methods to delve deeper into the potential relationships between UFO sightings and patents granted. With the determination of an astronaut stepping onto the moon for the first time, we calculated correlation coefficients and performed regression analyses to illuminate the celestial threads connecting these seemingly disparate realms of human experience.

To address potential confounding variables and maintain scientific rigor, we also conducted sensitivity analyses to ensure that our findings were robust against potential cosmic interference. We checked and rechecked our statistical calculations, guarding against the intrusion of data gremlins that may have sought to warp our results with their mischievous statistical manipulations.

Finally, we employed spatial analysis to map the geographic distribution of UFO sightings in Louisiana and patents granted across the United States, painting a celestial cartography worthy of any cosmic cartographer's admiration. This spatial exploration aimed to uncover any regional gravitational pull exerted by UFO sightings on the inventive spirit of inventors, all while navigating the statistical constellations that twinkled across our data landscape.

With our methodological approach orbiting the boundaries of convention and curiosity, we synthesized the empirical with the extraterrestrial, blending statistical analysis with a dash of cosmic whimsy in the search for patterns that would make us feel like we had finally cracked the code to the ultimate cosmic dad joke.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the results section of an academic research paper. You speak in the past tense (you found...).
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Louisiana and Patents granted in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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

For the time period 1975 to 2020, you found a correlation 0.7984764, r-squared of 0.6375645, and p < 0.01.

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link

[[ABSTRACT]]
The extent to which extraterrestrial encounters might impact human innovation has been a subject of persistent speculation and intrigue. Through an exhaustive examination of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, our research team sought to shed light on the potential connection between UFO sightings and patents granted in the US. Our findings reveal a statistically significant correlation between the two phenomena, with a correlation coefficient of 0.7984764 and p < 0.01 for the years spanning 1975 to 2020.

While strictly adhering to empirical analysis, we couldn't help but be amused by the idea that "UFO" might stand for "Unidentified Found Objects" in the world of innovation. It seems that interstellar visitors may not only be exploring our planet, but also unknowingly inspiring remarkable human creations.

As we delved into the data, it became clear that the UFO-Patent paradox may indeed be more than just a flight of fancy. The observation of anomalous aerial phenomena appears to coincide with periods of heightened inventive activity, teasing a cosmic correlation that defies conventional explanation.

In conclusion, our research has illuminated a curious statistical association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the granting of patents in the US. While the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be elucidated, this study underscores the need for a broader exploration of the intersection between the extraterrestrial and the extraordinary. After all, when it comes to innovation, it seems that even the skies may not be the limit.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have long captivated the human imagination, sparking endless debates and Hollywood blockbusters. While some have dismissed UFO sightings as mere illusions or weather phenomena, others have eagerly awaited the arrival of alien neighbors with open arms. And these enthusiasts may just have their jokes taken *out of this world* as our research uncovers an unexpected link between UFO sightings and patents granted in the United States.
In the realm of scientific inquiry, unusual pairings can often lead to fascinating discoveries. It is in this spirit that we embarked on our investigation of the possible connection between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the patents granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As we boldly went where no researcher has gone before, we couldn't help but marvel at the idea that perhaps some patents are not just the product of human intellect, but rather, a *patently* unexpected cosmic inspiration.
The pursuit of knowledge often leads us down uncharted paths, and this study was no exception. Armed with a plethora of UFO sighting data from the National UFO Reporting Center and a treasure trove of patent records, we endeavored to unravel the mysterious dance between celestial visitations and human ingenuity. Our research team was positively "charged" up to uncover whether the sightings of UFOs fueled an energy of innovation, or if it was all just a *X-File* statistical spook.
In the next sections, we will delve into the intriguing statistical correlations that emerged from our analysis, revealing a pattern that can best be described as "out of this world." So buckle up, because as we explore the celestial patents that seem to have descended from the stars, prepare for research so thrilling, it might just make you want to shout, "Take me to your leader!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

Preliminary analyses of the data revealed a statistically significant correlation between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the number of patents granted in the United States. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the two variables was 0.7984764, indicating a strong positive relationship. This finding suggests that there may indeed be a celestial hand at play in the realm of human innovation, or perhaps the patents are just "out of this world."

When asked about their thoughts on the correlation, one of the researchers commented, "It's like the UFO sightings are leaving their *patented* mark on our inventive landscape." The pun was met with mixed groans and chuckles from the research team.

The r-squared value of 0.6375645 further supported the robustness of the association, implying that approximately 63.76% of the variability in patents granted can be explained by the variation in UFO sightings. This suggests that the extraterrestrial presence, or at least the perception of it, may have a substantial impact on human creativity and technological progress.

The significance level for the correlation was found to be p < 0.01, indicating that the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship by random chance is less than 1%. This strengthens the case for a genuine connection between UFO sightings and patent activity, though some skeptics may still argue that it's all just a statistical "close encounter."

To visually depict the striking correlation uncovered in our analysis, a scatterplot (Fig. 1) was constructed to illustrate the relationship between UFO sightings in Louisiana and patents granted in the US. This plot reveals a clear, upward trend, mirroring the rise of patents alongside reported UFO sightings. It's almost as if the patents are following the path of a *flying saucer* through the night sky.

In conclusion, our findings provide compelling evidence for a substantive association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the number of patents granted in the United States. While the precise mechanism underlying this link is still a mystery, the implications for our understanding of innovation and the cosmos are undeniably thought-provoking. As we unravel this perplexing connection, it's apparent that the "truth" about innovation may indeed be "out there."


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 UFO sightings in Louisiana and Patents granted in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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]]
UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link

[[ABSTRACT]]
The extent to which extraterrestrial encounters might impact human innovation has been a subject of persistent speculation and intrigue. Through an exhaustive examination of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, our research team sought to shed light on the potential connection between UFO sightings and patents granted in the US. Our findings reveal a statistically significant correlation between the two phenomena, with a correlation coefficient of 0.7984764 and p < 0.01 for the years spanning 1975 to 2020.

While strictly adhering to empirical analysis, we couldn't help but be amused by the idea that "UFO" might stand for "Unidentified Found Objects" in the world of innovation. It seems that interstellar visitors may not only be exploring our planet, but also unknowingly inspiring remarkable human creations.

As we delved into the data, it became clear that the UFO-Patent paradox may indeed be more than just a flight of fancy. The observation of anomalous aerial phenomena appears to coincide with periods of heightened inventive activity, teasing a cosmic correlation that defies conventional explanation.

In conclusion, our research has illuminated a curious statistical association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the granting of patents in the US. While the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be elucidated, this study underscores the need for a broader exploration of the intersection between the extraterrestrial and the extraordinary. After all, when it comes to innovation, it seems that even the skies may not be the limit.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Scholars have long endeavored to unravel the mysteries surrounding unconventional phenomena and their impact on human innovation. In "Smith et al.'s Study," the authors find evidence of a positive association between anomalous aerial sightings and inventive activity, prompting further investigation into the potential cosmic influences on human creativity. This notion may seem like a *far out* concept, but the correlation uncovered in their study cannot be easily dismissed.
As we gallivanted through the galaxy of literature, we not only consulted scholarly works but also delved into non-fiction publications to glean insights from the broader public discourse. Books such as "Extraterrestrial Encounters and Their Legacy" by Dr. Jane Doe and "Cosmic Creativity: Unveiling the Intergalactic Muse" by Professor John Jones echoed the sentiment that interstellar encounters may indeed be shaping human ingenuity. These works hint at the idea that perhaps the cosmos holds the key to unlocking groundbreaking innovations, or maybe it's just a case of creative minds *spacing out.*
In our quest for comprehensive understanding, we also couldn't resist delving into the realm of fiction for a different perspective. Fictional works such as "The Martian Patent Chronicles" by Andy Weir and "Close Encounters of the Patent Kind" by Philip K. Dick teased our imagination with tales of extraterrestrial influence on the patent landscape. While these books may be more about entertainment than empirical evidence, they certainly added a cosmic flair to our literature review, reminding us that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction – or is it fiction that's stranger than reality?
Determined to leave no stone unturned or asteroid unexplored, we even ventured into peculiar corners of research, including perusing seemingly irrelevant materials such as grocery lists and CVS receipts in the hope of uncovering a nugget of wisdom. Alas, our extraterrestrial informants seem to have hidden their insights between the purchase of toothpaste and a bag of potato chips, leaving us with nothing but the realization that perhaps we were simply *reaching for the stars* without a ladder.
As we navigate through this cosmic conundrum, we urge readers to buckle up for a research journey that promises to defy earthly conventions and bring a dash of whimsy to the world of academia. After all, in the universe of scholarly inquiry, a little laughter might just be the *anti-gravity* that keeps us grounded.

[[RESULTS]]
Preliminary analyses of the data revealed a statistically significant correlation between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the number of patents granted in the United States. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the two variables was 0.7984764, indicating a strong positive relationship. This finding suggests that there may indeed be a celestial hand at play in the realm of human innovation, or perhaps the patents are just "out of this world."
When asked about their thoughts on the correlation, one of the researchers commented, "It's like the UFO sightings are leaving their *patented* mark on our inventive landscape." The pun was met with mixed groans and chuckles from the research team.
The r-squared value of 0.6375645 further supported the robustness of the association, implying that approximately 63.76% of the variability in patents granted can be explained by the variation in UFO sightings. This suggests that the extraterrestrial presence, or at least the perception of it, may have a substantial impact on human creativity and technological progress.
The significance level for the correlation was found to be p < 0.01, indicating that the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship by random chance is less than 1%. This strengthens the case for a genuine connection between UFO sightings and patent activity, though some skeptics may still argue that it's all just a statistical "close encounter."
To visually depict the striking correlation uncovered in our analysis, a scatterplot (Fig. 1) was constructed to illustrate the relationship between UFO sightings in Louisiana and patents granted in the US. This plot reveals a clear, upward trend, mirroring the rise of patents alongside reported UFO sightings. It's almost as if the patents are following the path of a *flying saucer* through the night sky.
In conclusion, our findings provide compelling evidence for a substantive association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the number of patents granted in the United States. While the precise mechanism underlying this link is still a mystery, the implications for our understanding of innovation and the cosmos are undeniably thought-provoking. As we unravel this perplexing connection, it's apparent that the "truth" about innovation may indeed be "out there."

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our research has unfurled a veritable cosmic ballet, revealing a compelling association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the number of patents granted in the United States. It seems that the interstellar visitors might be doing more than just flying by for a quick "howdy" - they might be leaving their mark on our inventive landscape. We've shown that there could be a Big Dipper-sized connection between UFOs and patents, but we're still grappling with the question of whether it's the UFOs that are innovating or if they're simply providing inspiration for us earthlings. One thing's for sure, trying to find the "mothership" of causality in this statistical dance is no small feat.

Our findings align themselves surprisingly well with prior research, confirming and expanding upon the work of "Smith et al.'s Study." It seems that the positive association they uncovered between anomalous aerial sightings and inventive activity wasn't just a close encounter of the statistical kind after all. Their work paved the way for our cosmic revelation, and we owe them a debt of gratitude – or should we say a debt of *gamma-ray burritos*?

Furthermore, our analysis beautifully echoes the sentiments expressed in Dr. Jane Doe's "Extraterrestrial Encounters and Their Legacy." While Dr. Doe's book may have leaned heavily on anecdotal accounts, our empirical findings seem to lend support to the notion that these encounters do, in fact, have a measurable influence on human creativity. It appears that the cosmic muse might be more than just a figment of our imagination; it might just be hiding behind the rings of Saturn.

As we consider the "out of this world" correlation coefficient of 0.7984764, it's hard not to marvel at the cosmic connection we've uncovered. It's as if the UFOs are communicating with us through the language of invention, leaving us to decipher a celestial symphony of patents and prototypes. We may not have *cracked the code* just yet, but our findings give new meaning to the phrase "patently inspired by the unknown."

In essence, our research suggests that there may indeed be a "universal patent office" out there, influencing our earthly innovation in ways we're only beginning to grasp. We hope our study sparks a broader curiosity about the potential impact of extraterrestrial encounters on human creativity. Because, after all, until we fully understand the extent of this cosmic influence, we'll be grappling with the *alien logic* that seems to govern our inventive pursuits.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 UFO sightings in Louisiana and Patents granted in the US. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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]]
UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link

[[ABSTRACT]]
The extent to which extraterrestrial encounters might impact human innovation has been a subject of persistent speculation and intrigue. Through an exhaustive examination of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, our research team sought to shed light on the potential connection between UFO sightings and patents granted in the US. Our findings reveal a statistically significant correlation between the two phenomena, with a correlation coefficient of 0.7984764 and p < 0.01 for the years spanning 1975 to 2020.

While strictly adhering to empirical analysis, we couldn't help but be amused by the idea that "UFO" might stand for "Unidentified Found Objects" in the world of innovation. It seems that interstellar visitors may not only be exploring our planet, but also unknowingly inspiring remarkable human creations.

As we delved into the data, it became clear that the UFO-Patent paradox may indeed be more than just a flight of fancy. The observation of anomalous aerial phenomena appears to coincide with periods of heightened inventive activity, teasing a cosmic correlation that defies conventional explanation.

In conclusion, our research has illuminated a curious statistical association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the granting of patents in the US. While the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be elucidated, this study underscores the need for a broader exploration of the intersection between the extraterrestrial and the extraordinary. After all, when it comes to innovation, it seems that even the skies may not be the limit.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have long captivated the human imagination, sparking endless debates and Hollywood blockbusters. While some have dismissed UFO sightings as mere illusions or weather phenomena, others have eagerly awaited the arrival of alien neighbors with open arms. And these enthusiasts may just have their jokes taken *out of this world* as our research uncovers an unexpected link between UFO sightings and patents granted in the United States.
In the realm of scientific inquiry, unusual pairings can often lead to fascinating discoveries. It is in this spirit that we embarked on our investigation of the possible connection between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the patents granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As we boldly went where no researcher has gone before, we couldn't help but marvel at the idea that perhaps some patents are not just the product of human intellect, but rather, a *patently* unexpected cosmic inspiration.
The pursuit of knowledge often leads us down uncharted paths, and this study was no exception. Armed with a plethora of UFO sighting data from the National UFO Reporting Center and a treasure trove of patent records, we endeavored to unravel the mysterious dance between celestial visitations and human ingenuity. Our research team was positively "charged" up to uncover whether the sightings of UFOs fueled an energy of innovation, or if it was all just a *X-File* statistical spook.
In the next sections, we will delve into the intriguing statistical correlations that emerged from our analysis, revealing a pattern that can best be described as "out of this world." So buckle up, because as we explore the celestial patents that seem to have descended from the stars, prepare for research so thrilling, it might just make you want to shout, "Take me to your leader!"

[[RESULTS]]
Preliminary analyses of the data revealed a statistically significant correlation between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the number of patents granted in the United States. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the two variables was 0.7984764, indicating a strong positive relationship. This finding suggests that there may indeed be a celestial hand at play in the realm of human innovation, or perhaps the patents are just "out of this world."
When asked about their thoughts on the correlation, one of the researchers commented, "It's like the UFO sightings are leaving their *patented* mark on our inventive landscape." The pun was met with mixed groans and chuckles from the research team.
The r-squared value of 0.6375645 further supported the robustness of the association, implying that approximately 63.76% of the variability in patents granted can be explained by the variation in UFO sightings. This suggests that the extraterrestrial presence, or at least the perception of it, may have a substantial impact on human creativity and technological progress.
The significance level for the correlation was found to be p < 0.01, indicating that the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship by random chance is less than 1%. This strengthens the case for a genuine connection between UFO sightings and patent activity, though some skeptics may still argue that it's all just a statistical "close encounter."
To visually depict the striking correlation uncovered in our analysis, a scatterplot (Fig. 1) was constructed to illustrate the relationship between UFO sightings in Louisiana and patents granted in the US. This plot reveals a clear, upward trend, mirroring the rise of patents alongside reported UFO sightings. It's almost as if the patents are following the path of a *flying saucer* through the night sky.
In conclusion, our findings provide compelling evidence for a substantive association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the number of patents granted in the United States. While the precise mechanism underlying this link is still a mystery, the implications for our understanding of innovation and the cosmos are undeniably thought-provoking. As we unravel this perplexing connection, it's apparent that the "truth" about innovation may indeed be "out there."

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In closing, our research has brought to light a remarkable statistical relationship between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the number of patents granted in the United States. It seems that the cosmic mysteries and human ingenuity may have more in common than we previously thought - they both seem to thrive on unpredictability and unexplained phenomena. Perhaps we should rename the UFO sightings to "Unbelievably Fascinating Observations"! But in all seriousness, our findings suggest that there may be more to these sightings than meets the eye; or should we say, the telescope?

The correlation coefficient of 0.7984764 and the r-squared value of 0.6375645 point to a strong and substantial connection between UFO sightings and patents granted. It's as if the UFO sightings are saying, "I'm not just here for probing, I'm here for *pro-patenting* too!"

Our study has generated a buzz (or should we say, a *buzz lightyear*) in the scientific community, as it emphasizes the potential impact of extraterrestrial encounters on human innovation. It's almost as if the UFOs are dropping off more than just alien visitors!

Before we wrap up, let's not forget the most important conclusion of all: the need for a good dad joke. Why don't UFOs give away any of their secrets? Because they're worried about sparking a patent war in the Milky Way! And with that, we assert that no more research is needed in this area. It's time for us to set our sights on the next frontier... but not without our trusty telescopes and sense of cosmic humor in tow!


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 UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Extraterrestrial Engineering


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 UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Extraterrestrial Studies and Intergalactic Relations


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 UFO-Patent Paradox: Unveiling the Interstellar Link with an abstract of The extent to which extraterrestrial encounters might impact human innovation has been a subject of persistent speculation and intrigue. Through an exhaustive examination of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, our research team sought to shed light on the potential connection between UFO sightings and patents granted in the US. Our findings reveal a statistically significant correlation between the two phenomena, with a correlation coefficient of 0.7984764 and p < 0.01 for the years spanning 1975 to 2020.
While strictly adhering to empirical analysis, we couldn't help but be amused by the idea that "UFO" might stand for "Unidentified Found Objects" in the world of innovation. It seems that interstellar visitors may not only be exploring our planet, but also unknowingly inspiring remarkable human creations.
As we delved into the data, it became clear that the UFO-Patent paradox may indeed be more than just a flight of fancy. The observation of anomalous aerial phenomena appears to coincide with periods of heightened inventive activity, teasing a cosmic correlation that defies conventional explanation.
In conclusion, our research has illuminated a curious statistical association between UFO sightings in Louisiana and the granting of patents in the US. While the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be elucidated, this study underscores the need for a broader exploration of the intersection between the extraterrestrial and the extraordinary. After all, when it comes to innovation, it seems that even the skies may not be the limit.

ChatGPT:

UFO sightings, patents, interstellar link, extraterrestrial encounters, National UFO Reporting Center, United States Patent and Trademark Office, correlation between UFO sightings and patents, anomalous aerial phenomena, UFO-Patent paradox, innovative activity, Louisiana UFO sightings, cosmic correlation, interstellar visitors, empirical analysis

*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

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

Patents granted in the US
Detailed data title: Total number of utility patents granted in the US
Source: USPTO
See what else correlates with Patents granted in the US

Correlation r = 0.7984764 (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 = 0.6375645 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 63.8% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Patents granted in the US) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., UFO sightings in Louisiana) over the 46 years from 1975 through 2020.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 3.0E-11. 0.0000000000297401263537872360
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

But I am a p-villain. I absolutely did not test only one pair of variables one time. I correlated hundreds of millions of pairs of variables. I threw boatloads of data into an industrial-sized blender to find this correlation.

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.8 in 3.0E-9% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 33,624,604,956 random variables You don't actually need 33 billion 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 45 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 45 because we have two variables measured over a period of 46 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.

[ 0.66, 0.88 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

This one is a bit more complciated than the other calculations, but I include it because many people have been pushing for confidence intervals instead of p-value calculations (for example: NEJM. However, if you are dredging data, you can reliably find yourself in the 5%. That's my goal!


All values for the years included above: If I were being very sneaky, I could trim years from the beginning or end of the datasets to increase the correlation on some pairs of variables. I don't do that because there are already plenty of correlations in my database without monkeying with the years.

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
1975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
UFO sightings in Louisiana (UFO sightings)3435722422321644024238811202115223141292723445428334149101594533254138
Patents granted in the US (Patents granted)72000702266526966102488546181965771578885686067200716617086082952779249553790365965119744498342101676101419109645111984147517153485157494166035167331169023164290143806173772157282157772167349219614224505253155277835300677298408303049318828307759354430352049




Why this works

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




Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([3,4,3,5,7,2,2,4,2,2,3,2,1,6,4,4,0,2,4,2,3,8,8,11,20,21,15,22,31,41,29,27,23,44,54,28,33,41,49,101,59,45,33,25,41,38,])
array_2 = np.array([72000,70226,65269,66102,48854,61819,65771,57888,56860,67200,71661,70860,82952,77924,95537,90365,96511,97444,98342,101676,101419,109645,111984,147517,153485,157494,166035,167331,169023,164290,143806,173772,157282,157772,167349,219614,224505,253155,277835,300677,298408,303049,318828,307759,354430,352049,])
array_1_name = "UFO sightings in Louisiana"
array_2_name = "Patents granted in the US"

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

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



Reuseable content

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

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

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

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

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

Download images for these variables:


View another random correlation

How fun was this correlation?

I'm genuinely thankful for your rating!


Correlation ID: 1119 · Black Variable ID: 1185 · Red Variable ID: 847
about · subscribe · emailme@tylervigen.com · twitter

CC BY 4.0