Spurious correlation #1,176 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the second variable is Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. The chart goes from 1979 to 2014, 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 New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the second variable is Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. The chart goes from 1979 to 2014, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As people got more engrossed in thrilling best-sellers, their heart rates rose, leading to a higher metabolic demand. This inadvertently created a spike in hotdog cravings for the competitive eater, who couldn't resist the sizzling, page-turning combination of fiction and franks. Looks like the real page-turner was watching him devour those dogs!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a magical realism scene where a person is seated in a cozy chair, deeply engaged in a New York Times Fiction Best Seller. The person should have a joyous expression and wide eyes while being surrounded by a pile of these best-selling books. Next to them, there should be a small mountain of hotdogs, symbolizing the link between the increase in best sellers and the increase in hotdogs consumed. In the background, the reigning hotdog eating champion should be standing at a competition table, passionately devouring hotdogs surrounded by cheering spectators. The scene should capture the connection between reading fiction and the craving for adventure and new experiences without using any words. 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 New York Times Fiction Best Sellers caused an increase in Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion because reading fiction stimulates the imagination, leading to a heightened sense of adventure and a desire to experience new and exciting things - like eating an excessive amount of hotdogs in a competitive setting.. 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: Magic realism Charcoal Realistic Cubism Magic realism
ChatGPT: Magic realism

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 New York Times Fiction Best Sellers caused an increase in Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion because reading fiction stimulates the imagination, leading to a heightened sense of adventure and a desire to experience new and exciting things - like eating an excessive amount of hotdogs in a competitive setting.
ChatGPT: In the scene, we see a pile of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers stacked on a table next to a small mountain of hotdogs. A person is sitting on a cozy chair, engrossed in one of the books, with eyes wide and a smile on their face as they get lost in the story. Meanwhile, in the background, the hotdog eating champion is standing at a competition table, surrounded by cheering spectators, eagerly devouring hotdogs with a competitive zeal. The books and the hotdogs represent the link between the increase in best sellers and the increase in hotdogs consumed, showcasing the connection between reading fiction and the craving for adventure and new experiences.

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: [ Magic realism ] and depicting this scene: In the scene, we see a pile of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers stacked on a table next to a small mountain of hotdogs. A person is sitting on a cozy chair, engrossed in one of the books, with eyes wide and a smile on their face as they get lost in the story. Meanwhile, in the background, the hotdog eating champion is standing at a competition table, surrounded by cheering spectators, eagerly devouring hotdogs with a competitive zeal. The books and the hotdogs represent the link between the increase in best sellers and the increase in hotdogs consumed, showcasing the connection between reading fiction and the craving for adventure and new experiences. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a magical realism scene where a person is seated in a cozy chair, deeply engaged in a New York Times Fiction Best Seller. The person should have a joyous expression and wide eyes while being surrounded by a pile of these best-selling books. Next to them, there should be a small mountain of hotdogs, symbolizing the link between the increase in best sellers and the increase in hotdogs consumed. In the background, the reigning hotdog eating champion should be standing at a competition table, passionately devouring hotdogs surrounded by cheering spectators. The scene should capture the connection between reading fiction and the craving for adventure and new experiences without using any words.

*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 an increase in New York Times Fiction Best Sellers caused Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion to increase. Add a funny one-liner at the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

The Novel n' Nosh Connection: A Tale of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

The Journal of Gastronomic Literature

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 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 New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Speak in the present tense for this section (the authors find...), as is common in academic research paper literature reviews. Name the sources in a format similar to this: In "Book," the authors find lorem and ipsum.

Make up the lorem and ipsum part, but make it sound related to the topic at hand.

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then name some movies that you watched that are tangentially related to the topic.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The "Novel n' Nosh" Connection: A Tale of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this research paper, we embark on a literary and culinary adventure to unravel the eyebrow-raising correlation between the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs by the champions of the renowned Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. While some may dismiss this as a "tall tale," our findings reveal a surprising level of statistical significance between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Leveraging data from Hawes and Wikipedia spanning the years 1979 to 2014, we calculated a correlation coefficient of 0.9047380 and p < 0.01, defying the odds of pure coincidence. This suggests a tantalizing link between literary tastes and the insatiable appetite for hotdogs demonstrated by the competitive eaters. This study offers a feast of curious connections, raising new questions about the impact of fiction on the competitive eating world and the potential for bibliophiles to flex their gastronomic prowess.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Ah, the tantalizing aroma of literature and hotdogs wafts through the air as we delve into the perplexing correlation between New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs by the champions of the illustrious Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. As we embark on this unlikely odyssey, one cannot help but wonder: does consuming more hotdogs lead to a craving for literary masterpieces, or does a best-selling novel ignite a hankering for an impressive display of hotdog consumption? It's a literary "tail" with a culinary twist that leaves us pondering the age-old question: "To mustard, or not to mustard?"
While some may raise an eyebrow at the peculiar pairing of fiction and franks, our research endeavors to uncover the statistical significance behind this "novel n' nosh" connection. From the earnest pages of the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers to the raucous spectacle of the Coney Island hotdog-eating showdown, our study aims to uncover the tantalizing threads that weave these two seemingly unrelated phenomena into a delectable narrative.
Behind the veneer of whimsy and jest, lies a serious pursuit of understanding the unsuspected synergy between literary acclaim and the remarkable feats of gastronomic gusto witnessed at Nathan's Famous. As we meticulously examine the data from the years 1979 to 2014, sourced from Hawes and Wikipedia, we are confronted with a correlation coefficient of 0.9047380 and a p-value less than 0.01. This eyebrow-raising statistical revelation defies the odds of pure coincidence, inviting us to ponder a world where the chapters of fiction hold sway over the competitive eating arena.
This research paper aims not only to unveil this surprising synergy but to also offer a delectable buffet of eccentric correlations and whimsical musings that stimulate the mind and tickle the palate. So, grab a hotdog, settle into your favorite armchair, and prepare to be whisked away on a literary and culinary escapade that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the intriguing interplay between fiction and frankfurters. After all, in the world of academia, sometimes the most profound discoveries come from the most unexpected places.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

In their landmark study, Smith and Doe (2008) meticulously analyzed the literary preferences of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition champions and found an unexpected predilection for New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. As champions reached for their umpteenth hotdog during the iconic Coney Island contest, they were also likely to be spotted with a dog-eared copy of a best-selling novel, adding an air of sophistication to the competitive eating arena. The authors posit that perhaps there is hidden symbolism in the act of consuming prose and franks simultaneously, but leave readers to ponder the deeper philosophical implications of such a culinary-literary dance.

Jones (2013) further expounds on this enigmatic correlation, suggesting that the act of pairing literary indulgence with the consumption of absurd quantities of hotdogs may tap into the subconscious desires of the competitive eaters, igniting a peculiar drive to achieve literary and culinary greatness simultaneously. This prompts one to wonder if hotdogs, in all their savory glory, serve as a muse for the champion eaters, inspiring them to digest both literature and franks in bulk. It appears that the symbiotic relationship between novels and hotdogs goes beyond mere gustatory pleasure, opening the floodgates to a myriad of philosophical inquiries about the human experience at the intersection of literature and gastronomy.

In "Eat, Read, Love: The Art of Literary Hotdogging" (2020), the authors delve into the cultural implications of this unconventional pairing. They postulate that champion eaters, in their quest for competitive supremacy, draw inspiration from the narrative arcs of best-selling fiction, using the fuel of captivating novels to propel them through the grueling hotdog-eating spectacle. This raises the ever-puzzling question: does the consumption of literary works propel eaters to consume hotdogs with unparalleled vigor, or does the act of consuming hotdogs provide nourishment for the soul, stimulating cerebral engagement with the written word? An intriguing mystery indeed.

The resonance between well-crafted fiction and the magnanimous feats of hotdog consumption has also been explored in popular non-fiction works such as "The Joy of Hotdogs" by Jane Smith (2015) and "Hotdogs and Hemingway: A Culinary Literary Odyssey" by John Doe (2019). These notable authors delve into the undeniable allure of hotdogs and their unlikely harmonization with the nuances of the literary world. Through meticulous analysis and a touch of whimsy, they beckon readers to ponder the curious dance between fact and fiction, hotdogs and highbrow literature.

Moving beyond the written word, the silver screen has also offered glimpses of this uncanny relationship, albeit in unexpected ways. Films such as "The Great Hotdog Caper" and "The Literary Gastronome" subtly hint at the interconnectedness of literature and hotdog consumption, delivering nods and winks to the astute viewer. While these cinematic offerings may not provide definitive answers, they add a layer of intrigue to our exploration, inviting us to consider the ways in which popular culture weaves a tapestry of fiction and franks.

As we unravel the tangled web of literary hotdogging, we are reminded that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction, and perhaps, more delectable too. The "novel n' nosh" connection persists as a beguiling enigma, compelling us to reframe our understanding of the literary and culinary worlds in a manner that challenges conventional wisdom and tickles the intellect.

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 New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Make lots of 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]]
The "Novel n' Nosh" Connection: A Tale of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this research paper, we embark on a literary and culinary adventure to unravel the eyebrow-raising correlation between the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs by the champions of the renowned Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. While some may dismiss this as a "tall tale," our findings reveal a surprising level of statistical significance between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Leveraging data from Hawes and Wikipedia spanning the years 1979 to 2014, we calculated a correlation coefficient of 0.9047380 and p < 0.01, defying the odds of pure coincidence. This suggests a tantalizing link between literary tastes and the insatiable appetite for hotdogs demonstrated by the competitive eaters. This study offers a feast of curious connections, raising new questions about the impact of fiction on the competitive eating world and the potential for bibliophiles to flex their gastronomic prowess.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
In their landmark study, Smith and Doe (2008) meticulously analyzed the literary preferences of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition champions and found an unexpected predilection for New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. As champions reached for their umpteenth hotdog during the iconic Coney Island contest, they were also likely to be spotted with a dog-eared copy of a best-selling novel, adding an air of sophistication to the competitive eating arena. The authors posit that perhaps there is hidden symbolism in the act of consuming prose and franks simultaneously, but leave readers to ponder the deeper philosophical implications of such a culinary-literary dance.
Jones (2013) further expounds on this enigmatic correlation, suggesting that the act of pairing literary indulgence with the consumption of absurd quantities of hotdogs may tap into the subconscious desires of the competitive eaters, igniting a peculiar drive to achieve literary and culinary greatness simultaneously. This prompts one to wonder if hotdogs, in all their savory glory, serve as a muse for the champion eaters, inspiring them to digest both literature and franks in bulk. It appears that the symbiotic relationship between novels and hotdogs goes beyond mere gustatory pleasure, opening the floodgates to a myriad of philosophical inquiries about the human experience at the intersection of literature and gastronomy.
In "Eat, Read, Love: The Art of Literary Hotdogging" (2020), the authors delve into the cultural implications of this unconventional pairing. They postulate that champion eaters, in their quest for competitive supremacy, draw inspiration from the narrative arcs of best-selling fiction, using the fuel of captivating novels to propel them through the grueling hotdog-eating spectacle. This raises the ever-puzzling question: does the consumption of literary works propel eaters to consume hotdogs with unparalleled vigor, or does the act of consuming hotdogs provide nourishment for the soul, stimulating cerebral engagement with the written word? An intriguing mystery indeed.
The resonance between well-crafted fiction and the magnanimous feats of hotdog consumption has also been explored in popular non-fiction works such as "The Joy of Hotdogs" by Jane Smith (2015) and "Hotdogs and Hemingway: A Culinary Literary Odyssey" by John Doe (2019). These notable authors delve into the undeniable allure of hotdogs and their unlikely harmonization with the nuances of the literary world. Through meticulous analysis and a touch of whimsy, they beckon readers to ponder the curious dance between fact and fiction, hotdogs and highbrow literature.
Moving beyond the written word, the silver screen has also offered glimpses of this uncanny relationship, albeit in unexpected ways. Films such as "The Great Hotdog Caper" and "The Literary Gastronome" subtly hint at the interconnectedness of literature and hotdog consumption, delivering nods and winks to the astute viewer. While these cinematic offerings may not provide definitive answers, they add a layer of intrigue to our exploration, inviting us to consider the ways in which popular culture weaves a tapestry of fiction and franks.
As we unravel the tangled web of literary hotdogging, we are reminded that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction, and perhaps, more delectable too. The "novel n' nosh" connection persists as a beguiling enigma, compelling us to reframe our understanding of the literary and culinary worlds in a manner that challenges conventional wisdom and tickles the intellect.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our study reveal a startling correlation between New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs by the champions of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, akin to the surprising twist at the end of a gripping novel or the unexpected crunch of a pickle on a hotdog.
Upon analyzing the data collected from the years 1979 to 2014, we unearthed a correlation coefficient of 0.9047380, indicating a remarkably strong positive relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. This correlation suggests a connection so strong, it could rival the binding force of ketchup on a hotdog – and that's saying something!
The coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.8185508 underscores the robustness of this connection, further solidifying the notion that there's more to this relationship than meets the eye, much like the layers of toppings on a fully-loaded stadium hotdog.
With a p-value less than 0.01, we confidently reject the null hypothesis and declare that the association between New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the champions' hotdog consumption is indeed substantial, defying the odds of mere chance. This statistical significance is as striking as the first bite into an impeccably grilled hotdog - a bold and flavorful revelation.
To visually encapsulate this compelling relationship, we present a scatterplot (Fig. 1) that vividly illustrates the strong positive correlation between the number of hotdogs consumed by the competition champion and the prominence of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. This graph is a feast for the eyes, much like a perfectly arranged hotdog topped with all the fixings!
As we digest these findings, it becomes apparent that there exists a tantalizing link between literary acclaim and the formidable consumption of hotdogs at the Coney Island classic. This discovery offers a delightful blend of surprise and amusement, akin to the unexpected burst of flavor from a hotdog condiment one had not anticipated. Our findings beckon us to contemplate a world where the literary world and the competitive eating arena intertwine in a captivating dance of influence and indulgence.
In conclusion, our results serve up a whimsical yet substantial revelation: the "Novel n' Nosh" connection between New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs at the renowned Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition is not merely a delight for the palate of the imagination, but a surprising statistical reality. This curious correlation invites further exploration into the unexpected intersections of the literary and culinary worlds, leaving us with a lingering question: could there be books out there with the power to inspire even greater feats of gastronomic gusto? As we savor the implications of this study, let us remember that, in the world of academic inquiry, truth can be as wild and unpredictable as the toppings on a New York-style hotdog.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The findings of our study underscore the surprising yet robust correlation between New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs by the champions of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, evoking inquisitive chuckles akin to stumbling upon a witty pun in a classic novel. Our results not only affirm the previous research by Smith and Doe (2008), but they elevate the literary-culinary interplay to a compelling level of statistical significance, akin to an unexpected twist in a tale steeped in savory charm.

Our discovery accords with the notion posited by Jones (2013) that the act of pairing literary indulgence with the consumption of substantial quantities of hotdogs might indeed be a subconscious drive for the champion eaters, as though consuming the well-woven narratives of best-selling fiction serves as a literary seasoning, enhancing the gustatory experience of consuming hotdogs in bulk. This blending of gustatory and cognitive experiences is reminiscent of turning the pages of a gripping novel while savoring the nuanced flavors of a tangy mustard-laden hotdog - a symphony of senses that defies the boundaries of conventional taste.

The statistical gluttony revealed through our analysis not only complements the philosophical inquiries proposed by "Eat, Read, Love: The Art of Literary Hotdogging" (2020), but it also provides empirical sustenance for the argument that champion eaters, fortified by the narrative arcs of best-selling fiction, may indeed propel themselves through the rigorous hotdog-eating spectacle with a literary zeal that eclipses mere culinary fortitude. It is as though the champions gorge themselves not solely on hotdogs, but also on the vivid imagery and emotional resonance offered by the literary works they hold dear - a nuanced consumption that transcends the mere act of ingesting food.

Our results carry with them the tantalizing aroma of confirmation, offering empirical validation for the proposed connection between literature and hotdog consumption. They act as a flavorful condiment to the ongoing discourse about the unusual symbiosis between fiction and franks - a discourse that not only piques intellectual curiosity but also tickles the taste buds of the academic world. In light of these findings, it is apparent that the quirks of our culinary and literary cultures intermingle in ways that defy expectation and delight the discerning palate of the scholarly mind.

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 New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Make lots of 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]]
The "Novel n' Nosh" Connection: A Tale of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this research paper, we embark on a literary and culinary adventure to unravel the eyebrow-raising correlation between the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs by the champions of the renowned Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. While some may dismiss this as a "tall tale," our findings reveal a surprising level of statistical significance between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Leveraging data from Hawes and Wikipedia spanning the years 1979 to 2014, we calculated a correlation coefficient of 0.9047380 and p < 0.01, defying the odds of pure coincidence. This suggests a tantalizing link between literary tastes and the insatiable appetite for hotdogs demonstrated by the competitive eaters. This study offers a feast of curious connections, raising new questions about the impact of fiction on the competitive eating world and the potential for bibliophiles to flex their gastronomic prowess.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Ah, the tantalizing aroma of literature and hotdogs wafts through the air as we delve into the perplexing correlation between New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs by the champions of the illustrious Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. As we embark on this unlikely odyssey, one cannot help but wonder: does consuming more hotdogs lead to a craving for literary masterpieces, or does a best-selling novel ignite a hankering for an impressive display of hotdog consumption? It's a literary "tail" with a culinary twist that leaves us pondering the age-old question: "To mustard, or not to mustard?"
While some may raise an eyebrow at the peculiar pairing of fiction and franks, our research endeavors to uncover the statistical significance behind this "novel n' nosh" connection. From the earnest pages of the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers to the raucous spectacle of the Coney Island hotdog-eating showdown, our study aims to uncover the tantalizing threads that weave these two seemingly unrelated phenomena into a delectable narrative.
Behind the veneer of whimsy and jest, lies a serious pursuit of understanding the unsuspected synergy between literary acclaim and the remarkable feats of gastronomic gusto witnessed at Nathan's Famous. As we meticulously examine the data from the years 1979 to 2014, sourced from Hawes and Wikipedia, we are confronted with a correlation coefficient of 0.9047380 and a p-value less than 0.01. This eyebrow-raising statistical revelation defies the odds of pure coincidence, inviting us to ponder a world where the chapters of fiction hold sway over the competitive eating arena.
This research paper aims not only to unveil this surprising synergy but to also offer a delectable buffet of eccentric correlations and whimsical musings that stimulate the mind and tickle the palate. So, grab a hotdog, settle into your favorite armchair, and prepare to be whisked away on a literary and culinary escapade that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the intriguing interplay between fiction and frankfurters. After all, in the world of academia, sometimes the most profound discoveries come from the most unexpected places.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our study reveal a startling correlation between New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs by the champions of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, akin to the surprising twist at the end of a gripping novel or the unexpected crunch of a pickle on a hotdog.
Upon analyzing the data collected from the years 1979 to 2014, we unearthed a correlation coefficient of 0.9047380, indicating a remarkably strong positive relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. This correlation suggests a connection so strong, it could rival the binding force of ketchup on a hotdog – and that's saying something!
The coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.8185508 underscores the robustness of this connection, further solidifying the notion that there's more to this relationship than meets the eye, much like the layers of toppings on a fully-loaded stadium hotdog.
With a p-value less than 0.01, we confidently reject the null hypothesis and declare that the association between New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the champions' hotdog consumption is indeed substantial, defying the odds of mere chance. This statistical significance is as striking as the first bite into an impeccably grilled hotdog - a bold and flavorful revelation.
To visually encapsulate this compelling relationship, we present a scatterplot (Fig. 1) that vividly illustrates the strong positive correlation between the number of hotdogs consumed by the competition champion and the prominence of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. This graph is a feast for the eyes, much like a perfectly arranged hotdog topped with all the fixings!
As we digest these findings, it becomes apparent that there exists a tantalizing link between literary acclaim and the formidable consumption of hotdogs at the Coney Island classic. This discovery offers a delightful blend of surprise and amusement, akin to the unexpected burst of flavor from a hotdog condiment one had not anticipated. Our findings beckon us to contemplate a world where the literary world and the competitive eating arena intertwine in a captivating dance of influence and indulgence.
In conclusion, our results serve up a whimsical yet substantial revelation: the "Novel n' Nosh" connection between New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs at the renowned Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition is not merely a delight for the palate of the imagination, but a surprising statistical reality. This curious correlation invites further exploration into the unexpected intersections of the literary and culinary worlds, leaving us with a lingering question: could there be books out there with the power to inspire even greater feats of gastronomic gusto? As we savor the implications of this study, let us remember that, in the world of academic inquiry, truth can be as wild and unpredictable as the toppings on a New York-style hotdog.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has unearthed a statistical link more perplexing than trying to eat a hotdog without getting mustard on your shirt. The "Novel n' Nosh" connection between New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs at the renowned Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition is as real as the relish on a ballpark frank. The correlation coefficient of 0.9047380 and a p-value less than 0.01 speak volumes, much like the sound of a crowd cheering at a hotdog-eating contest.

This investigation has served up a smorgasbord of unexpected findings, raising new questions and leaving us with an insatiable appetite for further exploration. Could literary masterpieces be secretly whispering savory secrets to the champions of competitive eating? We may never know, but the tantalizing link between literary acclaim and the formidable consumption of hotdogs at the Coney Island classic is a discovery as delightful as finding the last dollop of sauerkraut hidden in the corner of your hotdog bun.

As we savor the implications of this study, we find ourselves reluctantly declaring that no further research is needed in this area - much like when you've already consumed your weight in hotdogs and decide it's probably best to pass on that eleventh one. Sometimes, in the world of academia, it's best not to overindulge in one area of research - especially if it involves hotdogs.

So, as we bid farewell to this quirky research journey, let's remember that truth can be as twisty and flavorful as a spiral of ketchup on a hotdog, and that the most unexpected correlations can often lead to a deeper understanding of the world around us. Cheers to the "Novel n' Nosh" connection - a true testament to the marvels of whimsy and wonder in the academic realm!

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 The Novel n' Nosh Connection: A Tale of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Gastronomic Literature

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 The Novel n' Nosh Connection: A Tale of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Culinary Literacy and Competitive Eating Research

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 The Novel n' Nosh Connection: A Tale of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition with an abstract of In this research paper, we embark on a literary and culinary adventure to unravel the eyebrow-raising correlation between the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and the consumption of hotdogs by the champions of the renowned Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. While some may dismiss this as a "tall tale," our findings reveal a surprising level of statistical significance between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Leveraging data from Hawes and Wikipedia spanning the years 1979 to 2014, we calculated a correlation coefficient of 0.9047380 and p < 0.01, defying the odds of pure coincidence. This suggests a tantalizing link between literary tastes and the insatiable appetite for hotdogs demonstrated by the competitive eaters. This study offers a feast of curious connections, raising new questions about the impact of fiction on the competitive eating world and the potential for bibliophiles to flex their gastronomic prowess.

ChatGPT:

New York Times Fiction Best Sellers, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, correlation between best sellers and hotdog consumption, statistical significance of literary and culinary link, Hawes data, Wikipedia data, competitive eaters' appetite, impact of fiction on competitive eating, connection between literary tastes and hotdog consumption

*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

New York Times Fiction Best Sellers
Detailed data title: Number of unique fictional books on the New York Times Best Seller List (counting repeat books only once)
Source: Hawes
See what else correlates with New York Times Fiction Best Sellers

Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion
Detailed data title: Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion
Source: Wikipedia
See what else correlates with Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

Correlation r = 0.9047380 (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 = 0.8185508 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 81.9% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., New York Times Fiction Best Sellers) over the 36 years from 1979 through 2014.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 3.7E-14.^Show 0.0000000000000373838173733604
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 0.9 in 3.7E-12% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 26,749,542,188,610 random variables^Note You don't actually need 26 trillion 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 35 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 35 because we have two variables measured over a period of 36 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.

[ 0.82, 0.95 ] 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.

	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	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
New York Times Fiction Best Sellers (NYT Best Sellers)	9	7	5	6	6	7	10	9	9	7	9	10	9	10	5	10	9	12	10	13	12	14	21	23	14	14	23	20	20	34	35	31	36	35	31	20
Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion (Hotdogs eaten)	9	9.5	11	11	10.5	9.5	11.75	15.5	13.5	10	15.5	16	21.5	19	17	20	19.5	22.25	24.5	19	20.25	25	50	50.5	44.5	53.33	49	53.75	66	59	68	54	62	68	69	61

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([9,7,5,6,6,7,10,9,9,7,9,10,9,10,5,10,9,12,10,13,12,14,21,23,14,14,23,20,20,34,35,31,36,35,31,20,])
array_2 = np.array([9,9.5,11,11,10.5,9.5,11.75,15.5,13.5,10,15.5,16,21.5,19,17,20,19.5,22.25,24.5,19,20.25,25,50,50.5,44.5,53.33,49,53.75,66,59,68,54,62,68,69,61,])
array_1_name = "New York Times Fiction Best Sellers"
array_2_name = "Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion"

# 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 New York Times Fiction Best Sellers
Line chart for only Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion
The spurious research paper: The Novel n' Nosh Connection: A Tale of New York Times Fiction Best Sellers and Hotdogs in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

View another random correlation

How fun was this correlation?

Hats off to you for rating!

Correlation ID: 1176 · Black Variable ID: 96 · Red Variable ID: 500


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