Spurious correlation #1,392 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the second variable is The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. The chart goes from 2007 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 Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the second variable is The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. The chart goes from 2007 to 2014, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

The surge in crocodile attacks led to a rise in demand for people with experience in maintaining order in dangerous situations. As a result, Massachusetts saw a sudden influx of individuals seeking refuge from reptilian confrontations by officiating sports. Remember, when life throws you a curveball, just make sure there's a referee to call it!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: [Realistic] Generate an image of a showcase featuring a diorama split in half. On one side, portray a dark, murky mangrove swamp in Southeast Asia with realistic lighting and foliage, a fierce crocodile lurking just beneath the water's surface. On the other side, depict a sun-drenched sports field in Massachusetts with vivid green grass and a team of umpires and referees in black and white striped uniforms standing ready to officiate a game. The split should be seamless and visually striking, capturing the contrast between the two scenes. 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 variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. Given these, which of the following image style descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: Parallax art Parallax art Realistic Data cyber art Vaporwave
ChatGPT: Realistic

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In the dense mangroves of South-East Asia, a fierce crocodile lurks in the murky waters, its powerful jaws ready to strike. Meanwhile, on a sun-drenched sports field in Massachusetts, a team of umpires and referees stands ready to officiate a heated game, their black and white striped uniforms a stark contrast to the green grass.

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: [ Realistic ] and depicting this scene: In the dense mangroves of South-East Asia, a fierce crocodile lurks in the murky waters, its powerful jaws ready to strike. Meanwhile, on a sun-drenched sports field in Massachusetts, a team of umpires and referees stands ready to officiate a heated game, their black and white striped uniforms a stark contrast to the green grass. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: [Realistic] Generate an image of a showcase featuring a diorama split in half. On one side, portray a dark, murky mangrove swamp in Southeast Asia with realistic lighting and foliage, a fierce crocodile lurking just beneath the water's surface. On the other side, depict a sun-drenched sports field in Massachusetts with vivid green grass and a team of umpires and referees in black and white striped uniforms standing ready to officiate a game. The split should be seamless and visually striking, capturing the contrast between the two scenes.

*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 Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia caused The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts to increase. Add a funny one-liner at the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Chomp Calls: An Examination of the Relationship Between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the Number of Umpires and Referees in Massachusetts

The Journal of Comparative Zoological Paradoxes

Jan 2024

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

^{Show prompt used to generate this paper} Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft a literature review section of an academic research paper, that starts out dry for the first few sentences but then becomes hilarious and goofy.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then devolve ever further, and mention something completely ridiculous, like you conducted literature review by reading the backs of shampoo bottles.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Chomp Calls: An Examination of the Relationship Between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the Number of Umpires and Referees in Massachusetts"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study investigates the curious connection between the frequency of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the employment levels of umpires and referees in the state of Massachusetts. Utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 and p < 0.01 was observed for the years 2007 to 2014. The findings suggest an unexpectedly strong relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena, opening the floodgates for further investigation into the whimsically intertwined worlds of human labor forces and reptilian aggression.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The world is full of mysteries, and sometimes the most unlikely pairings can yield surprisingly robust relationships. In this study, we delve into the enigmatic and seemingly incongruous link between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the number of umpires and referees employed in the state of Massachusetts. At first glance, one might be forgiven for thinking that these two phenomena are as unrelated as a crocodile is to a penalty kick. However, our investigation has uncovered a perplexing correlation that demands further scrutiny.
The specter of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia has long been a source of dread and fascination. These apex predators, with their formidable jaws and stealthy hunting prowess, strike fear into both residents and visitors of the affected regions. In contrast, the world of umpires and referees in the context of Massachusetts conjures images of sports fields, whistle-blowing, and the occasional dispute over a close call. How could these disparate worlds possibly collide in a meaningful way? Well, it seems that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.
To unravel this tangled web of statistical quirks, our study harnesses data from Wikipedia (famed for its at-times-questionable reliability, but a treasure trove of information nonetheless) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Through meticulous data analysis, a notable correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 was unearthed over the years 2007 to 2014, with a confidence level of p < 0.01. The very statistical significance of this relationship is as surprising as finding an alligator in a ball pit – unexpected yet undeniably present.
This remarkable correlation compels us to peer further into the abyss of seemingly unrelated phenomena. Indeed, it raises the perplexing question: could the labor force of human referees in Massachusetts be inadvertently influencing the predilection of crocodiles to engage in acts of aggression on the other side of the world? One is tempted to imagine crocodiles lurking in the water, closely monitoring the decisions of referees from afar, waiting for a particularly contentious call to pounce with a terrifying chomp.
In shedding light on this improbable relationship, our study not only provides fodder for light-hearted speculation but also underlines the intricate and sometimes whimsical intertwining of the natural world and human activities. With this tantalizing revelation, we invite readers to embark on a journey with us – a journey into the bizarre, the unexpected, and the inconceivable. For who could have thought that a crocodile's penchant for mayhem and the duties of a sports official in Massachusetts could be entangled in such a compelling manner? The intersection of seemingly unrelated phenomena, it seems, can be as unpredictable as the capricious movements of a reptilian predator.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The authors find light on the seemingly convoluted and whimsically intertwined relationship between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. Several studies have addressed the gravity of crocodile attacks and the duties of sports officials, shedding some speculative illumination on a correlation that is as unexpected as finding a crocodile in a fruit basket.

Smith et al. (2017) examine the ecological factors leading to crocodile attacks, emphasizing the territorial behavior and hunting patterns of these apex predators. Meanwhile, Doe and Jones (2015) delve into the world of umpires and referees, highlighting the subtle nuances of sports officiating and its impact on game dynamics. Both studies provide solid ground for the disparate realms of reptilian aggression and human adjudication, and yet, they fail to anticipate the peculiar confluence that seemingly unites these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Moving beyond the realm of academic investigations, pertinent non-fiction literature presents a spectrum of thought-provoking perspectives. "The Crocodiles of the World" by Wildlife Expert A and "Refereeing: The Unseen Heroes of Sports" by Rules Enthusiast B offer insightful narratives that, while ostensibly unrelated, may form the building blocks of understanding this odd correlation.

Expanding further into the realm of literature, fictional works also provide intriguing, if not fantastical, insights. "Crocodile Cove Chronicles" by Fictional Storyteller C and "Whistleblowers: Tales from the Field" by Imaginary Author D, though clearly works of fiction, may hold hidden wisdom that can inform this enigmatic relationship.

In an unexpected turn, the authors delved into alternative sources, exploring the absurd to seek unsuspected perspectives. The back of shampoo bottles, though not renowned for their scientific rigor, provided insights into the mundane lives of bathroom users, raising eyebrows and questions in equal measure.

As the authors wade into the lighthearted world of speculation and unexpected connections, it becomes evident that the correlation between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts is a conundrum that invites playful contemplation. The next section will further unveil the findings derived from this captivating juxtaposition, shedding light on the unexpectedly intertwined worlds of reptilian aggression and human officiating.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the methodology section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Wikipedia and Bureau of Larbor Statistics . You used data from 2007 to 2014

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]]
"Chomp Calls: An Examination of the Relationship Between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the Number of Umpires and Referees in Massachusetts"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study investigates the curious connection between the frequency of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the employment levels of umpires and referees in the state of Massachusetts. Utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 and p < 0.01 was observed for the years 2007 to 2014. The findings suggest an unexpectedly strong relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena, opening the floodgates for further investigation into the whimsically intertwined worlds of human labor forces and reptilian aggression.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The world is full of mysteries, and sometimes the most unlikely pairings can yield surprisingly robust relationships. In this study, we delve into the enigmatic and seemingly incongruous link between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the number of umpires and referees employed in the state of Massachusetts. At first glance, one might be forgiven for thinking that these two phenomena are as unrelated as a crocodile is to a penalty kick. However, our investigation has uncovered a perplexing correlation that demands further scrutiny.
The specter of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia has long been a source of dread and fascination. These apex predators, with their formidable jaws and stealthy hunting prowess, strike fear into both residents and visitors of the affected regions. In contrast, the world of umpires and referees in the context of Massachusetts conjures images of sports fields, whistle-blowing, and the occasional dispute over a close call. How could these disparate worlds possibly collide in a meaningful way? Well, it seems that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.
To unravel this tangled web of statistical quirks, our study harnesses data from Wikipedia (famed for its at-times-questionable reliability, but a treasure trove of information nonetheless) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Through meticulous data analysis, a notable correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 was unearthed over the years 2007 to 2014, with a confidence level of p < 0.01. The very statistical significance of this relationship is as surprising as finding an alligator in a ball pit – unexpected yet undeniably present.
This remarkable correlation compels us to peer further into the abyss of seemingly unrelated phenomena. Indeed, it raises the perplexing question: could the labor force of human referees in Massachusetts be inadvertently influencing the predilection of crocodiles to engage in acts of aggression on the other side of the world? One is tempted to imagine crocodiles lurking in the water, closely monitoring the decisions of referees from afar, waiting for a particularly contentious call to pounce with a terrifying chomp.
In shedding light on this improbable relationship, our study not only provides fodder for light-hearted speculation but also underlines the intricate and sometimes whimsical intertwining of the natural world and human activities. With this tantalizing revelation, we invite readers to embark on a journey with us – a journey into the bizarre, the unexpected, and the inconceivable. For who could have thought that a crocodile's penchant for mayhem and the duties of a sports official in Massachusetts could be entangled in such a compelling manner? The intersection of seemingly unrelated phenomena, it seems, can be as unpredictable as the capricious movements of a reptilian predator.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To investigate the uncanny connection between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the employment levels of umpires and referees in Massachusetts, a combination of whimsy and rigor was employed in the formulation of our research methods. First, extensive data collection was conducted from various sources, including but not limited to Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While Wikipedia is a wellspring of information ranging from the reliable to the whimsical, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provided more grounded employment data. The time frame for data collection spanned the years 2007 to 2014, allowing for a comprehensive examination of patterns and trends in both crocodile-related incidents and referee employment.

The data collected were then subjected to meticulous statistical analysis, which included but was not limited to correlation calculations and regression modeling. This process involved employing an assortment of statistical software and tools, ensuring a judicious and thorough exploration of the relationship between these seemingly disparate phenomena. The use of various statistical methods allowed for a robust assessment of the correlation between crocodile attacks and the employment levels of umpires and referees, leaving no stone unturned in our pursuit of understanding this unexpected association.

Furthermore, to safeguard against spurious correlations and provide a more nuanced understanding of the observed relationship, additional sensitivity analyses and control variables were considered. These measures aimed to tease apart any potential confounding factors and nuances that might influence the observed correlation, ensuring that the crux of the connection between reptilian aggression and human officiation in the realm of sports was not lost in the shuffle.

Moreover, to address the inherent complexities and possible limitations of such an unusual investigation, a multidisciplinary approach was adopted. This involved leveraging perspectives from fields as diverse as wildlife biology, labor economics, and sports management, providing a comprehensive framework for interpreting the findings and their broader implications.

By employing this methodical and, at times, playfully unconventional approach, our methodology captured the essence of the surprising correlation between crocodile attacks and the presence of umpires and referees in Massachusetts, shedding light on an improbable yet compelling association in the tapestry of human labor and reptilian behavior.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the 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 Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Wikipedia and Bureau of Larbor Statistics .

For the time period 2007 to 2014, you found a correlation 0.8775096, r-squared of 0.7700232, 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]]
"Chomp Calls: An Examination of the Relationship Between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the Number of Umpires and Referees in Massachusetts"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study investigates the curious connection between the frequency of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the employment levels of umpires and referees in the state of Massachusetts. Utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 and p < 0.01 was observed for the years 2007 to 2014. The findings suggest an unexpectedly strong relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena, opening the floodgates for further investigation into the whimsically intertwined worlds of human labor forces and reptilian aggression.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The world is full of mysteries, and sometimes the most unlikely pairings can yield surprisingly robust relationships. In this study, we delve into the enigmatic and seemingly incongruous link between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the number of umpires and referees employed in the state of Massachusetts. At first glance, one might be forgiven for thinking that these two phenomena are as unrelated as a crocodile is to a penalty kick. However, our investigation has uncovered a perplexing correlation that demands further scrutiny.
The specter of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia has long been a source of dread and fascination. These apex predators, with their formidable jaws and stealthy hunting prowess, strike fear into both residents and visitors of the affected regions. In contrast, the world of umpires and referees in the context of Massachusetts conjures images of sports fields, whistle-blowing, and the occasional dispute over a close call. How could these disparate worlds possibly collide in a meaningful way? Well, it seems that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.
To unravel this tangled web of statistical quirks, our study harnesses data from Wikipedia (famed for its at-times-questionable reliability, but a treasure trove of information nonetheless) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Through meticulous data analysis, a notable correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 was unearthed over the years 2007 to 2014, with a confidence level of p < 0.01. The very statistical significance of this relationship is as surprising as finding an alligator in a ball pit – unexpected yet undeniably present.
This remarkable correlation compels us to peer further into the abyss of seemingly unrelated phenomena. Indeed, it raises the perplexing question: could the labor force of human referees in Massachusetts be inadvertently influencing the predilection of crocodiles to engage in acts of aggression on the other side of the world? One is tempted to imagine crocodiles lurking in the water, closely monitoring the decisions of referees from afar, waiting for a particularly contentious call to pounce with a terrifying chomp.
In shedding light on this improbable relationship, our study not only provides fodder for light-hearted speculation but also underlines the intricate and sometimes whimsical intertwining of the natural world and human activities. With this tantalizing revelation, we invite readers to embark on a journey with us – a journey into the bizarre, the unexpected, and the inconceivable. For who could have thought that a crocodile's penchant for mayhem and the duties of a sports official in Massachusetts could be entangled in such a compelling manner? The intersection of seemingly unrelated phenomena, it seems, can be as unpredictable as the capricious movements of a reptilian predator.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]

ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the employment levels of umpires and referees in Massachusetts during the years 2007 to 2014. The correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 suggests a remarkably robust relationship, akin to the surprisingly strong grip of a crocodile's jaws. The r-squared value of 0.7700232 further underscores the substantial degree of association between these seemingly disparate variables.

The significance level of p < 0.01 provides compelling evidence that the observed correlation is not merely a fluke, much like stumbling upon a crocodile while searching for referee statistics. These findings challenge conventional wisdom and beckon further exploration into the whimsically intertwined realms of human labor forces and reptilian aggression.

Figure 1 visually encapsulates the strong correlation unearthed by our analysis, acting as a visual testament to the unexpected affinity between crocodile attacks and the oversight of sports conduct in Massachusetts. The scatterplot graphically elucidates the extent of the relationship, rendering it as clear as a crocodile basking in the sun.

These findings defy traditional expectations and compel a reevaluation of the interactions between human activities and the natural world. While the implications of this relationship remain shrouded in mystery, it is evident that the world of statistical analysis is a jungle, rife with surprises and unexpected encounters.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the discussion section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
"Chomp Calls: An Examination of the Relationship Between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the Number of Umpires and Referees in Massachusetts"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study investigates the curious connection between the frequency of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the employment levels of umpires and referees in the state of Massachusetts. Utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 and p < 0.01 was observed for the years 2007 to 2014. The findings suggest an unexpectedly strong relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena, opening the floodgates for further investigation into the whimsically intertwined worlds of human labor forces and reptilian aggression.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The authors find light on the seemingly convoluted and whimsically intertwined relationship between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. Several studies have addressed the gravity of crocodile attacks and the duties of sports officials, shedding some speculative illumination on a correlation that is as unexpected as finding a crocodile in a fruit basket.
Smith et al. (2017) examine the ecological factors leading to crocodile attacks, emphasizing the territorial behavior and hunting patterns of these apex predators. Meanwhile, Doe and Jones (2015) delve into the world of umpires and referees, highlighting the subtle nuances of sports officiating and its impact on game dynamics. Both studies provide solid ground for the disparate realms of reptilian aggression and human adjudication, and yet, they fail to anticipate the peculiar confluence that seemingly unites these seemingly unrelated phenomena.
Moving beyond the realm of academic investigations, pertinent non-fiction literature presents a spectrum of thought-provoking perspectives. "The Crocodiles of the World" by Wildlife Expert A and "Refereeing: The Unseen Heroes of Sports" by Rules Enthusiast B offer insightful narratives that, while ostensibly unrelated, may form the building blocks of understanding this odd correlation.
Expanding further into the realm of literature, fictional works also provide intriguing, if not fantastical, insights. "Crocodile Cove Chronicles" by Fictional Storyteller C and "Whistleblowers: Tales from the Field" by Imaginary Author D, though clearly works of fiction, may hold hidden wisdom that can inform this enigmatic relationship.
In an unexpected turn, the authors delved into alternative sources, exploring the absurd to seek unsuspected perspectives. The back of shampoo bottles, though not renowned for their scientific rigor, provided insights into the mundane lives of bathroom users, raising eyebrows and questions in equal measure.
As the authors wade into the lighthearted world of speculation and unexpected connections, it becomes evident that the correlation between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts is a conundrum that invites playful contemplation. The next section will further unveil the findings derived from this captivating juxtaposition, shedding light on the unexpectedly intertwined worlds of reptilian aggression and human officiating.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the employment levels of umpires and referees in Massachusetts during the years 2007 to 2014. The correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 suggests a remarkably robust relationship, akin to the surprisingly strong grip of a crocodile's jaws. The r-squared value of 0.7700232 further underscores the substantial degree of association between these seemingly disparate variables.
The significance level of p < 0.01 provides compelling evidence that the observed correlation is not merely a fluke, much like stumbling upon a crocodile while searching for referee statistics. These findings challenge conventional wisdom and beckon further exploration into the whimsically intertwined realms of human labor forces and reptilian aggression.
Figure 1 visually encapsulates the strong correlation unearthed by our analysis, acting as a visual testament to the unexpected affinity between crocodile attacks and the oversight of sports conduct in Massachusetts. The scatterplot graphically elucidates the extent of the relationship, rendering it as clear as a crocodile basking in the sun.
These findings defy traditional expectations and compel a reevaluation of the interactions between human activities and the natural world. While the implications of this relationship remain shrouded in mystery, it is evident that the world of statistical analysis is a jungle, rife with surprises and unexpected encounters.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The results of this study reveal a compelling and robust correlation between the frequency of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts, providing surprising support for the initial whimsically perceived connection. In a manner as unexpected as coming across a crocodile in a game of baseball, the relationship has proved to be statistically significant, challenging conventional wisdom and inviting further inquiry.

The findings of this study resonate with previous research that has attempted to shed light on the peculiar confluence of reptilian aggression and human labor forces. Smith et al. (2017) and Doe and Jones (2015) provided solid groundwork in their analyses of crocodile behavior and sports officiating, respectively. Although neither study anticipated the tangled association between these seemingly unrelated phenomena, our results align closely with their emphasis on establishing the unexpected. The unexpected mutual interactions between the ecological factors of crocodile attacks and the oversight of sports conduct have been elucidated through our statistical analysis, akin to a crocodile revealing itself in the marshlands.

Furthermore, our study aligns with the speculative illumination provided in the literature review, especially the offhand mention of insights gleaned from the back of shampoo bottles and the curious reference to fictional works. These references, while playful in nature, underscore the equally whimsical nature of the correlation uncovered in this study. Analogously, our findings support the assertion that the correlation between these seemingly disparate variables is a subject of playful contemplation, as anticipated in the literature review.

The statistically significant association uncovered in this study challenges traditional modes of inquiry, much like a crocodile surfacing unexpectedly in a calm river. While the practical implications of this relationship remain shrouded in the vague mists of the wetlands, its unexpected nature has added depth to our understanding of the whimsically intertwined worlds of reptilian aggression and human officiating, akin to a crocodile's stealthy movements beneath the water's surface.

The present study serves as a testament to the unpredictability of statistical relationships and offers a lighthearted viewpoint on the intersection of seemingly unrelated phenomena, much like the whimsical surprises one encounters in the depths of a marsh. Future research could explore potential mechanisms underlying this intriguing correlation, much like one would delve into the murky waters of a crocodile-infested swamp, to further enrich our understanding of these enigmatic relationships.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the discussion section of goofy academic research papers that sounds like it belongs based on the title and abstract provided.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
"Chomp Calls: An Examination of the Relationship Between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the Number of Umpires and Referees in Massachusetts"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study investigates the curious connection between the frequency of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the employment levels of umpires and referees in the state of Massachusetts. Utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 and p < 0.01 was observed for the years 2007 to 2014. The findings suggest an unexpectedly strong relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena, opening the floodgates for further investigation into the whimsically intertwined worlds of human labor forces and reptilian aggression.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The world is full of mysteries, and sometimes the most unlikely pairings can yield surprisingly robust relationships. In this study, we delve into the enigmatic and seemingly incongruous link between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the number of umpires and referees employed in the state of Massachusetts. At first glance, one might be forgiven for thinking that these two phenomena are as unrelated as a crocodile is to a penalty kick. However, our investigation has uncovered a perplexing correlation that demands further scrutiny.
The specter of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia has long been a source of dread and fascination. These apex predators, with their formidable jaws and stealthy hunting prowess, strike fear into both residents and visitors of the affected regions. In contrast, the world of umpires and referees in the context of Massachusetts conjures images of sports fields, whistle-blowing, and the occasional dispute over a close call. How could these disparate worlds possibly collide in a meaningful way? Well, it seems that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.
To unravel this tangled web of statistical quirks, our study harnesses data from Wikipedia (famed for its at-times-questionable reliability, but a treasure trove of information nonetheless) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Through meticulous data analysis, a notable correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 was unearthed over the years 2007 to 2014, with a confidence level of p < 0.01. The very statistical significance of this relationship is as surprising as finding an alligator in a ball pit – unexpected yet undeniably present.
This remarkable correlation compels us to peer further into the abyss of seemingly unrelated phenomena. Indeed, it raises the perplexing question: could the labor force of human referees in Massachusetts be inadvertently influencing the predilection of crocodiles to engage in acts of aggression on the other side of the world? One is tempted to imagine crocodiles lurking in the water, closely monitoring the decisions of referees from afar, waiting for a particularly contentious call to pounce with a terrifying chomp.
In shedding light on this improbable relationship, our study not only provides fodder for light-hearted speculation but also underlines the intricate and sometimes whimsical intertwining of the natural world and human activities. With this tantalizing revelation, we invite readers to embark on a journey with us – a journey into the bizarre, the unexpected, and the inconceivable. For who could have thought that a crocodile's penchant for mayhem and the duties of a sports official in Massachusetts could be entangled in such a compelling manner? The intersection of seemingly unrelated phenomena, it seems, can be as unpredictable as the capricious movements of a reptilian predator.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation between crocodile attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the employment levels of umpires and referees in Massachusetts during the years 2007 to 2014. The correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 suggests a remarkably robust relationship, akin to the surprisingly strong grip of a crocodile's jaws. The r-squared value of 0.7700232 further underscores the substantial degree of association between these seemingly disparate variables.
The significance level of p < 0.01 provides compelling evidence that the observed correlation is not merely a fluke, much like stumbling upon a crocodile while searching for referee statistics. These findings challenge conventional wisdom and beckon further exploration into the whimsically intertwined realms of human labor forces and reptilian aggression.
Figure 1 visually encapsulates the strong correlation unearthed by our analysis, acting as a visual testament to the unexpected affinity between crocodile attacks and the oversight of sports conduct in Massachusetts. The scatterplot graphically elucidates the extent of the relationship, rendering it as clear as a crocodile basking in the sun.
These findings defy traditional expectations and compel a reevaluation of the interactions between human activities and the natural world. While the implications of this relationship remain shrouded in mystery, it is evident that the world of statistical analysis is a jungle, rife with surprises and unexpected encounters.

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Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has brought to light an intriguing and unexpected connection between the frequency of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts. Our findings, with a correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 and a significance level of p < 0.01, highlight the remarkably strong relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. It is as though the labor force in Massachusetts and the hunting behavior of crocodiles are engaged in a game of their own, with an uncertain outcome and potentially high stakes.

The unexpected nature of this correlation underscores the need for further investigation into the serendipitous interplay of human labor forces and reptilian aggression. However, our findings may also prompt one to wonder if perhaps these crocodile attacks are not just a case of hunter versus prey, but also a manifestation of some crocodile conspiracy, with the umpires and referees in Massachusetts unwittingly holding sway over the distant actions of these apex predators.

Nonetheless, it must be acknowledged that our study has some limitations. We cannot definitively establish causation, and the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain a puzzle. Additionally, the limitations of using Wikipedia as a data source, while a rich repository of information, cannot be overlooked.

Nevertheless, these limitations do not detract from the novelty and significance of our findings. They serve as a source of amusement and astonishment, a testament to the unexpected and fascinating connections that can emerge in the realm of statistical analysis. As such, we assert that no further research is necessary in this area, as the allure of the inexplicable relationship between crocodile attacks and the number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts should stand as a monument to the quirkiness of our world. After all, as the saying goes, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and statistical correlations are certainly no exception.

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 Chomp Calls: An Examination of the Relationship Between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the Number of Umpires and Referees in Massachusetts. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Comparative Zoological Paradoxes

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 Chomp Calls: An Examination of the Relationship Between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the Number of Umpires and Referees in Massachusetts. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Zoological Sports Studies

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled Chomp Calls: An Examination of the Relationship Between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the Number of Umpires and Referees in Massachusetts with an abstract of This study investigates the curious connection between the frequency of crocodile attacks in South-East Asia and Australia and the employment levels of umpires and referees in the state of Massachusetts. Utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.8775096 and p < 0.01 was observed for the years 2007 to 2014. The findings suggest an unexpectedly strong relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena, opening the floodgates for further investigation into the whimsically intertwined worlds of human labor forces and reptilian aggression.

ChatGPT:

Crocodile attacks, South-East Asia, Australia, umpires, referees, Massachusetts, employment levels, correlation coefficient, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wikipedia, reptilian aggression, human labor forces

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

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Data details

Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia
Source: Wikipedia
See what else correlates with Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia

The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of umpires, referees, and other sports officials in Massachusetts
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts

Correlation r = 0.8775096 (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 = 0.7700232 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 77% of the change in the one variable (i.e., The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia) over the 8 years from 2007 through 2014.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 0.0042.^Show 0.0041828268117545200000000000
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 0.88 in 0.42% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 239 random variables^Note Which I absolutely did.
with the same 7 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 7 because we have two variables measured over a period of 8 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.

[ 0.45, 0.98 ] 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.

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia (Number of Attacks)	1	1	3	2	2	1	1	2
The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts (Laborers)	190	170	520	450	450	300	300	330

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.
Very low n: There are not many data points included in this analysis. Even if the p-value is high, we should be suspicious of using so few datapoints in a correlation.

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([1,1,3,2,2,1,1,2,])
array_2 = np.array([190,170,520,450,450,300,300,330,])
array_1_name = "Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia"
array_2_name = "The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts"

# 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)
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Line chart for only Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia
Line chart for only The number of umpires and referees in Massachusetts
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Chomp Calls: An Examination of the Relationship Between Crocodile Attacks in South-East Asia & Australia and the Number of Umpires and Referees in Massachusetts

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Correlation ID: 1392 · Black Variable ID: 422 · Red Variable ID: 17722


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