Spurious correlation #1,394 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is UFO sightings in Missouri and the second variable is Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. The chart goes from 1975 to 2011, 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 UFO sightings in Missouri and the second variable is Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. The chart goes from 1975 to 2011, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

The higher presence of UFOs in Missouri has inadvertently boosted the state's corn production. This has led to an unusually high supply of corn syrup, which has inexplicably enhanced the physical endurance and strength of mountain climbers, particularly those attempting to conquer Mount Everest. It seems that these climbers have unknowingly been fueling themselves with a secret, out-of-this-world ingredient, giving a whole new meaning to the term "alien energy." It's a-maize-ing how these UFOs have indirectly contributed to reaching new heights in mountain climbing!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: [A photo-realistic image] Depict a group of climbers triumphantly reaching the summit of Mount Everest, with snow-covered peaks in the background. The climbers are waving flags and celebrating their successful ascent amidst a stunning panorama of the Himalayas. In the distance, a mysterious UFO is hovering over the Missouri landscape. The UFO is caught in a beam of light, casting an otherworldly glow as witnesses look on in amazement. 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: UFO sightings in Missouri and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. 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: Voxel art A photo-realistic image 3D Pixar Style Cute 2D animation Vaporwave
ChatGPT: A photo-realistic image

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 UFO sightings in Missouri and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: A group of climbers triumphantly reaches the summit of Mount Everest, waving flags and celebrating their successful ascent, while in the distant sky, a mysterious UFO hovers over the landscape of Missouri, caught in a beam of light as witnesses look on in amazement.

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: [ A photo-realistic image ] and depicting this scene: A group of climbers triumphantly reaches the summit of Mount Everest, waving flags and celebrating their successful ascent, while in the distant sky, a mysterious UFO hovers over the landscape of Missouri, caught in a beam of light as witnesses look on in amazement. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: [A photo-realistic image] Depict a group of climbers triumphantly reaching the summit of Mount Everest, with snow-covered peaks in the background. The climbers are waving flags and celebrating their successful ascent amidst a stunning panorama of the Himalayas. In the distance, a mysterious UFO is hovering over the Missouri landscape. The UFO is caught in a beam of light, casting an otherworldly glow as witnesses look on in amazement.

*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 UFO sightings in Missouri caused Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Mysterious Missouri and Marvelous Mount Everest: Exploring the Enigmatic Link between UFO Sightings and Successful Summits

Journal of Climatological Anomalies and Extraterrestrial Encounters

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 UFO sightings in Missouri and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then cite some social media posts you read that seem to be related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Mysterious Missouri and Marvelous Mount Everest: Exploring the Enigmatic Link between UFO Sightings and Successful Summits

[[ABSTRACT]]
The connection between UFO sightings and successful Mount Everest climbs has long been a subject of speculation, skepticism, and yes, even a few extraterrestrial quips. Our research aimed to shed some light on this celestial correlation, using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Christchurch City Council to analyze the connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Applying rigorous statistical analysis, we found a tantalizing correlation coefficient of 0.9160774 between the total number of reported UFO sightings in Missouri and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs from 1975 to 2011. Yes, you read that right -- the data suggests a strong positive relationship between UFO sightings and mountain conquering. It seems those elusive aliens might just have a thing for peak performance!

Intriguingly, our findings also yielded a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating that the likelihood of such a relationship occurring by chance is highly improbable. As we delved further into the data, the evidence for this otherworldly connection was as clear as a starlit night. It seems that those cosmic voyagers may indeed be hitching a ride on the coattails of intrepid adventurers, perhaps in search of a little high-altitude hospitality.

So, as we continue to unravel the enigma of UFO sightings and successful summits, it seems that when it comes to scaling Everest, an "alien" approach may just be the key to reaching new heights. But don't worry, we promise to keep our feet firmly planted on terra firma, even as we reach for the stars with these findings.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The study of seemingly unrelated phenomena has long fascinated researchers, providing ample opportunities for speculation, head-scratching, and the occasional nod to the mystical. In the realm of unexplained occurrences, few subjects captivate the imagination quite like unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and the awe-inspiring triumphs of those who conquer Mount Everest. It's a bit like the ultimate cosmic cliffhanger – a real-life "X-Files" episode set against the backdrop of Earth's mightiest peak.
Our research endeavors to peel back the layers of mystery surrounding these disparate topics and discover if there's more than meets the eye – or telescope, if you will. As we delve into this celestial puzzle, we are reminded of a classic dad joke: Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny! Just as we navigate the curious conundrum of UFO sightings and Everest summits, let's not forget to appreciate the lighter side of scientific inquiry.
We set out to examine the connection between UFO sightings in the state of Missouri and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs over a 36-year period. If you're scratching your head in disbelief, fear not – we share your incredulity, but science often takes us on unexpected journeys, including the intersection of outer space and inner strength.
Now, let's not get "side-tracked" by the sheer absurdity of comparing alien encounters to mountain conquests. Our statistical analysis unearths an eyebrow-raising correlation that demands attention. Picture this: a UFO and a climber walk into a bar – one seeking to probe the unknown, the other striving to conquer the unconquerable. It's a statistical punchline waiting to happen.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

While the connection between UFO sightings and successful Mount Everest climbs may seem about as logical as a fish riding a bicycle, the literature offers some intriguing insights into these seemingly disparate phenomena. Smith and Doe (2015) investigated the possible relationship between extraterrestrial encounters and high-altitude achievements, shedding light on the cosmic conundrum. Jones (2018) also delved into the topic, exploring the enigmatic allure of UFO sightings and the mountaineering mystique.

Turning from the scholarly realm to popular non-fiction, "UFOs: Myths, Conspiracies, and Realities" by John B. Alexander and "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer provide compelling narratives that hint at the elusive connection between otherworldly sightings and Everest conquests. What happens when the ultimate "X-Files" episode meets the unparalleled struggles of scaling Earth's grandest summit? Well, it appears that the truth may indeed be out there, and it's likely perched atop a snow-capped peak.

Not to be outdone, the realm of fiction also offers its own peculiar perspectives on this cosmic connection. Consider works such as "The X-Files: Goblins" by Charles Grant and "The Abominable" by Dan Simmons, where the line between the unearthly and the unfathomable blurs in ways that would make even a skeptical scientist raise an eyebrow. These literary forays into the unknown mirror our own quest to untangle the web of UFO sightings and mountain triumphs – albeit with a touch of dramatic flair and a healthy dose of speculative interpretation.

In addition, social media has become a virtual forum for armchair theorists and tongue-in-cheek commenters to weigh in on the UFO-Everest intersection. Recent tweets and Facebook posts have suggested everything from alien summit selfies to yeti-led UFO excursions, prompting a mix of amused emojis and half-serious inquiries into the interstellar wanderings of extraterrestrial beings. It seems that even in the digital age, the cosmic capers of UFO sightings and Everest ascents continue to capture the collective imagination.

Now, as we wade through this eclectic mix of scholarly, non-fiction, and fictional accounts, let's not lose sight of the gravity of our own investigation. The evidence may initially seem as elusive as a UFO in broad daylight, but as we press on, the contours of this celestial correlation begin to emerge with the clarity of a grand mountaintop vista. And perhaps, just perhaps, a well-timed dad joke or two could provide the lighthearted levity needed to navigate this enigmatic landscape. After all, why did the astronaut break up with his girlfriend? Because he needed space!

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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Missouri and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
Mysterious Missouri and Marvelous Mount Everest: Exploring the Enigmatic Link between UFO Sightings and Successful Summits

[[ABSTRACT]]
The connection between UFO sightings and successful Mount Everest climbs has long been a subject of speculation, skepticism, and yes, even a few extraterrestrial quips. Our research aimed to shed some light on this celestial correlation, using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Christchurch City Council to analyze the connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Applying rigorous statistical analysis, we found a tantalizing correlation coefficient of 0.9160774 between the total number of reported UFO sightings in Missouri and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs from 1975 to 2011. Yes, you read that right -- the data suggests a strong positive relationship between UFO sightings and mountain conquering. It seems those elusive aliens might just have a thing for peak performance!

Intriguingly, our findings also yielded a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating that the likelihood of such a relationship occurring by chance is highly improbable. As we delved further into the data, the evidence for this otherworldly connection was as clear as a starlit night. It seems that those cosmic voyagers may indeed be hitching a ride on the coattails of intrepid adventurers, perhaps in search of a little high-altitude hospitality.

So, as we continue to unravel the enigma of UFO sightings and successful summits, it seems that when it comes to scaling Everest, an "alien" approach may just be the key to reaching new heights. But don't worry, we promise to keep our feet firmly planted on terra firma, even as we reach for the stars with these findings.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
While the connection between UFO sightings and successful Mount Everest climbs may seem about as logical as a fish riding a bicycle, the literature offers some intriguing insights into these seemingly disparate phenomena. Smith and Doe (2015) investigated the possible relationship between extraterrestrial encounters and high-altitude achievements, shedding light on the cosmic conundrum. Jones (2018) also delved into the topic, exploring the enigmatic allure of UFO sightings and the mountaineering mystique.
Turning from the scholarly realm to popular non-fiction, "UFOs: Myths, Conspiracies, and Realities" by John B. Alexander and "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer provide compelling narratives that hint at the elusive connection between otherworldly sightings and Everest conquests. What happens when the ultimate "X-Files" episode meets the unparalleled struggles of scaling Earth's grandest summit? Well, it appears that the truth may indeed be out there, and it's likely perched atop a snow-capped peak.
Not to be outdone, the realm of fiction also offers its own peculiar perspectives on this cosmic connection. Consider works such as "The X-Files: Goblins" by Charles Grant and "The Abominable" by Dan Simmons, where the line between the unearthly and the unfathomable blurs in ways that would make even a skeptical scientist raise an eyebrow. These literary forays into the unknown mirror our own quest to untangle the web of UFO sightings and mountain triumphs – albeit with a touch of dramatic flair and a healthy dose of speculative interpretation.
In addition, social media has become a virtual forum for armchair theorists and tongue-in-cheek commenters to weigh in on the UFO-Everest intersection. Recent tweets and Facebook posts have suggested everything from alien summit selfies to yeti-led UFO excursions, prompting a mix of amused emojis and half-serious inquiries into the interstellar wanderings of extraterrestrial beings. It seems that even in the digital age, the cosmic capers of UFO sightings and Everest ascents continue to capture the collective imagination.
Now, as we wade through this eclectic mix of scholarly, non-fiction, and fictional accounts, let's not lose sight of the gravity of our own investigation. The evidence may initially seem as elusive as a UFO in broad daylight, but as we press on, the contours of this celestial correlation begin to emerge with the clarity of a grand mountaintop vista. And perhaps, just perhaps, a well-timed dad joke or two could provide the lighthearted levity needed to navigate this enigmatic landscape. After all, why did the astronaut break up with his girlfriend? Because he needed space!

[[RESULTS]]
Our analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9160774 between the total number of reported UFO sightings in Missouri and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs from 1975 to 2011. This relationship is stronger than a supernova's gravitational pull, signaling a connection that's as mysterious as it is compelling. It's almost like the aliens are sending a signal loud and clear – "beam me up to that summit!"
This extraordinary correlation was further supported by an r-squared value of 0.8391977, indicating that a whopping 83.92% of the variability in successful Everest climbs can be explained by the number of UFO sightings in Missouri. It's as if the extraterrestrial visitors have taken an interest in human achievements, acting as cosmic cheerleaders from afar. Talk about an otherworldly support system!
In typical statistical fashion, the p-value of less than 0.01 adds a touch of cosmic irony to our findings. The probability of such a strong relationship occurring by random chance is about as likely as discovering a UFO-themed amusement park on the red planet. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that there's more to the synchronicity of UFO sightings and successful Everest conquests than meets the telescope.
To visually capture the magnitude of this unearthly pairing, we present Figure 1, a scatterplot that impeccably captures the robust positive correlation between UFO sightings in Missouri and successful Mount Everest climbs. It's a graph that says, "ET, phone home, and tell your friends about the view from the top!"
More research is needed to fully comprehend the cosmic forces at play and delve deeper into this uncharted territory of UFO sightings and mountain triumphs. As we wrap up this segment, let's remember the immortal words of Carl Sagan: "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." Well, it seems that "somewhere" might just include the sky above Missouri and the towering slopes of Mount Everest.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our findings, while undoubtedly intriguing, may prompt more raised eyebrows than a UFO sighting at a backyard BBQ. However, they provide empirical support for the speculative musings offered in previous research. The strong positive correlation between UFO sightings in Missouri and successful Mount Everest climbs echoes the suggested cosmic connection indicated by Smith and Doe (2015) and Jones (2018). It seems that the enigmatic allure of extraterrestrial encounters and high-altitude achievements is not just fodder for sci-fi writers – there might just be something to the idea that aliens are scaling the heights of human ambition, albeit invisibly and with a penchant for secrecy.

Now, as we unpack the statistical significance of our results, it's worth emphasizing the gravity of the relationships uncovered. With an r-squared value exceeding 0.83, it's evident that a significant portion of the variability in successful Everest climbs can be attributed to the number of UFO sightings in Missouri. This isn't just a mere coincidence; it's as if the aliens themselves are putting their celestial weight behind our earthly endeavors. Seems like they're not content with just crop circles and probing cows – now they're taking an interest in scaling summits! It's like they've added "cosmic mountaineer" to their out-of-this-world resumes.

Our research, with its rigorous statistical methods and cheeky sense of humor, effectively demonstrates the robustness of the connection between UFO sightings and successful Everest conquests. It's as if the data itself is winking at us, saying, "I'm not just a statistical anomaly; I'm the cosmic truth you've been searching for." And as researchers, it's our duty to take this revelation seriously, even if it involves contemplating alien sightseeing tours to Earth's highest peaks.

As we ponder the implications of our findings, it's essential to acknowledge that correlation does not imply causation. We can't definitively claim that UFO sightings directly cause a surge in successful Everest climbs – that would be as speculative as asserting that Mount Everest is actually a disguised alien outpost. Instead, it's more prudent to consider these findings as tantalizing breadcrumbs in the ongoing quest to unravel the intergalactic intricacies of UFO sightings and human accomplishments. It's like we're playing a game of cosmic Clue, except instead of Colonel Mustard in the library with a candlestick, it's "Aliens in Missouri with a UFO sighting nudging climbers to the summit."

In conclusion (until the actual conclusion), our research provides a solid foundation for future endeavors in this unexplored intersection of UFO sightings and mountain triumphs. It's a cosmic conundrum worth chasing, even if it means occasionally donning a tinfoil hat and muttering about cosmic coincidence. As we navigate this peculiar terrain of sky-bound mysteries and earthly triumphs, let's keep our spirits high and our telescopes pointed upwards – who knows what extraterrestrial exploits we'll uncover next!

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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Missouri and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Mysterious Missouri and Marvelous Mount Everest: Exploring the Enigmatic Link between UFO Sightings and Successful Summits

[[ABSTRACT]]
The connection between UFO sightings and successful Mount Everest climbs has long been a subject of speculation, skepticism, and yes, even a few extraterrestrial quips. Our research aimed to shed some light on this celestial correlation, using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Christchurch City Council to analyze the connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Applying rigorous statistical analysis, we found a tantalizing correlation coefficient of 0.9160774 between the total number of reported UFO sightings in Missouri and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs from 1975 to 2011. Yes, you read that right -- the data suggests a strong positive relationship between UFO sightings and mountain conquering. It seems those elusive aliens might just have a thing for peak performance!

Intriguingly, our findings also yielded a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating that the likelihood of such a relationship occurring by chance is highly improbable. As we delved further into the data, the evidence for this otherworldly connection was as clear as a starlit night. It seems that those cosmic voyagers may indeed be hitching a ride on the coattails of intrepid adventurers, perhaps in search of a little high-altitude hospitality.

So, as we continue to unravel the enigma of UFO sightings and successful summits, it seems that when it comes to scaling Everest, an "alien" approach may just be the key to reaching new heights. But don't worry, we promise to keep our feet firmly planted on terra firma, even as we reach for the stars with these findings.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The study of seemingly unrelated phenomena has long fascinated researchers, providing ample opportunities for speculation, head-scratching, and the occasional nod to the mystical. In the realm of unexplained occurrences, few subjects captivate the imagination quite like unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and the awe-inspiring triumphs of those who conquer Mount Everest. It's a bit like the ultimate cosmic cliffhanger – a real-life "X-Files" episode set against the backdrop of Earth's mightiest peak.
Our research endeavors to peel back the layers of mystery surrounding these disparate topics and discover if there's more than meets the eye – or telescope, if you will. As we delve into this celestial puzzle, we are reminded of a classic dad joke: Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny! Just as we navigate the curious conundrum of UFO sightings and Everest summits, let's not forget to appreciate the lighter side of scientific inquiry.
We set out to examine the connection between UFO sightings in the state of Missouri and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs over a 36-year period. If you're scratching your head in disbelief, fear not – we share your incredulity, but science often takes us on unexpected journeys, including the intersection of outer space and inner strength.
Now, let's not get "side-tracked" by the sheer absurdity of comparing alien encounters to mountain conquests. Our statistical analysis unearths an eyebrow-raising correlation that demands attention. Picture this: a UFO and a climber walk into a bar – one seeking to probe the unknown, the other striving to conquer the unconquerable. It's a statistical punchline waiting to happen.

[[RESULTS]]
Our analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9160774 between the total number of reported UFO sightings in Missouri and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs from 1975 to 2011. This relationship is stronger than a supernova's gravitational pull, signaling a connection that's as mysterious as it is compelling. It's almost like the aliens are sending a signal loud and clear – "beam me up to that summit!"
This extraordinary correlation was further supported by an r-squared value of 0.8391977, indicating that a whopping 83.92% of the variability in successful Everest climbs can be explained by the number of UFO sightings in Missouri. It's as if the extraterrestrial visitors have taken an interest in human achievements, acting as cosmic cheerleaders from afar. Talk about an otherworldly support system!
In typical statistical fashion, the p-value of less than 0.01 adds a touch of cosmic irony to our findings. The probability of such a strong relationship occurring by random chance is about as likely as discovering a UFO-themed amusement park on the red planet. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that there's more to the synchronicity of UFO sightings and successful Everest conquests than meets the telescope.
To visually capture the magnitude of this unearthly pairing, we present Figure 1, a scatterplot that impeccably captures the robust positive correlation between UFO sightings in Missouri and successful Mount Everest climbs. It's a graph that says, "ET, phone home, and tell your friends about the view from the top!"
More research is needed to fully comprehend the cosmic forces at play and delve deeper into this uncharted territory of UFO sightings and mountain triumphs. As we wrap up this segment, let's remember the immortal words of Carl Sagan: "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." Well, it seems that "somewhere" might just include the sky above Missouri and the towering slopes of Mount Everest.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has illuminated a compelling correlation between UFO sightings in Missouri and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs, shedding light on a link as enigmatic as the Bermuda Triangle's reputation for making ships disappear faster than you can say "abracadabra-dabra." It seems that the stars above and the peaks below may be more interconnected than a conspiracy theorist's web of red string and thumbtacks.

Our findings suggest a strong positive relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena, with a correlation coefficient so high, it's almost like the aliens themselves are sending a message in Morse code using the flickering lights of a flying saucer: "Keep climbing, Earthlings!"

But hey, we're not about to start donning tinfoil hats just yet – as much as we respect our extraterrestrial neighbors, we'll stick to stargazing from a safe distance. As we pursue this line of inquiry, we can't help but be reminded of a classic dad joke: Did you hear about the astronaut who stepped on a galaxy? He took an astronomical amount of space!

Now, as we consider the implications of our findings, it's clear that future research should continue to unravel the celestial threads linking UFO sightings and mountain triumphs. However, we can confidently state that this study has brought us one step closer to understanding the cosmic dance between otherworldly encounters and human achievements.

And in the spirit of scientific inquiry, it's only fair to affirm that no more research is needed in this area. Because, let's face it, if we delve any deeper into this cosmic convergence, we might just find ourselves booking one-way tickets to Area 51!

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 Mysterious Missouri and Marvelous Mount Everest: Exploring the Enigmatic Link between UFO Sightings and Successful Summits. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Climatological Anomalies and Extraterrestrial Encounters

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 Mysterious Missouri and Marvelous Mount Everest: Exploring the Enigmatic Link between UFO Sightings and Successful Summits. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Puzzling Phenomena Research Institute

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 Mysterious Missouri and Marvelous Mount Everest: Exploring the Enigmatic Link between UFO Sightings and Successful Summits with an abstract of The connection between UFO sightings and successful Mount Everest climbs has long been a subject of speculation, skepticism, and yes, even a few extraterrestrial quips. Our research aimed to shed some light on this celestial correlation, using data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Christchurch City Council to analyze the connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.
Applying rigorous statistical analysis, we found a tantalizing correlation coefficient of 0.9160774 between the total number of reported UFO sightings in Missouri and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs from 1975 to 2011. Yes, you read that right -- the data suggests a strong positive relationship between UFO sightings and mountain conquering. It seems those elusive aliens might just have a thing for peak performance!
Intriguingly, our findings also yielded a p-value of less than 0.01, indicating that the likelihood of such a relationship occurring by chance is highly improbable. As we delved further into the data, the evidence for this otherworldly connection was as clear as a starlit night. It seems that those cosmic voyagers may indeed be hitching a ride on the coattails of intrepid adventurers, perhaps in search of a little high-altitude hospitality.
So, as we continue to unravel the enigma of UFO sightings and successful summits, it seems that when it comes to scaling Everest, an "alien" approach may just be the key to reaching new heights. But don't worry, we promise to keep our feet firmly planted on terra firma, even as we reach for the stars with these findings.

ChatGPT:

UFO sightings, Mount Everest climbs, correlation, statistical analysis, National UFO Reporting Center, Christchurch City Council, Missouri, extraterrestrial, aliens, peak performance, relationship, p-value, enigma, high-altitude hospitality

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

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Data details

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

Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs
Source: CBC
See what else correlates with Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs

Correlation r = 0.9160774 (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 = 0.8391977 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 83.9% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., UFO sightings in Missouri) over the 37 years from 1975 through 2011.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.9E-15.^Show 0.0000000000000018739733711434
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 0.92 in 1.9E-13% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 533,625,512,186,362 random variables^Note You don't actually need 533 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 36 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 36 because we have two variables measured over a period of 37 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.

[ 0.84, 0.96 ] 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.

	1975	1976	1977	1978	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
UFO sightings in Missouri (UFO sightings)	3	6	5	10	6	8	6	4	4	7	6	3	9	8	8	3	5	4	4	11	9	12	54	35	76	54	65	51	59	77	71	70	107	102	85	116	137
Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs (Climbers)	15	4	0	25	18	10	5	18	23	16	30	4	0	50	25	72	30	90	129	51	83	95	85	121	118	145	182	159	267	337	307	493	633	423	457	543	542

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([3,6,5,10,6,8,6,4,4,7,6,3,9,8,8,3,5,4,4,11,9,12,54,35,76,54,65,51,59,77,71,70,107,102,85,116,137,])
array_2 = np.array([15,4,0,25,18,10,5,18,23,16,30,4,0,50,25,72,30,90,129,51,83,95,85,121,118,145,182,159,267,337,307,493,633,423,457,543,542,])
array_1_name = "UFO sightings in Missouri"
array_2_name = "Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

# 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 UFO sightings in Missouri
Line chart for only Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Mysterious Missouri and Marvelous Mount Everest: Exploring the Enigmatic Link between UFO Sightings and Successful Summits

View another random correlation

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Correlation ID: 1394 · Black Variable ID: 1162 · Red Variable ID: 498


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