Spurious correlation #1,542 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Butter consumption and the second variable is Wind power generated in New Zealand. The chart goes from 1992 to 2021, 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 Butter consumption and the second variable is Wind power generated in New Zealand. The chart goes from 1992 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As butter consumption increased, people became more gaseous, leading to an uptick in wind power in New Zealand as a result of the increased flatulence levels. It's a case of dairy air leading to a surge in renewable energy!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image that evokes a serene woodblock painting style to depict a scenic New Zealand countryside. In the foreground, a family is gathered around a rustic table enjoying a breakfast spread. The focus is on the toast slathered in creamy butter from a local dairy farm. In the background, graceful wind turbines spin in the breeze, symbolizing clean and sustainable energy for the surrounding homes and communities. Capture the essence of peaceful and sustainable country living in a simple and elegant woodblock style. 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: Butter consumption and Wind power generated in New Zealand. 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: Oragami Symbolism A comic-book-style illustration with muted colors and a dotted halftone pattern from the 1960s Parallax art Woodblock painting
ChatGPT: Woodblock painting

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 Butter consumption and Wind power generated in New Zealand together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a scenic countryside in New Zealand, a family is gathered around a table enjoying a delicious breakfast spread with toast slathered in creamy butter from a local dairy farm. In the background, wind turbines spin gracefully in the breeze, generating clean and sustainable energy to power the surrounding homes and communities.

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: [ Woodblock painting ] and depicting this scene: In a scenic countryside in New Zealand, a family is gathered around a table enjoying a delicious breakfast spread with toast slathered in creamy butter from a local dairy farm. In the background, wind turbines spin gracefully in the breeze, generating clean and sustainable energy to power the surrounding homes and communities. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image that evokes a serene woodblock painting style to depict a scenic New Zealand countryside. In the foreground, a family is gathered around a rustic table enjoying a breakfast spread. The focus is on the toast slathered in creamy butter from a local dairy farm. In the background, graceful wind turbines spin in the breeze, symbolizing clean and sustainable energy for the surrounding homes and communities. Capture the essence of peaceful and sustainable country living in a simple and elegant woodblock style.

*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 Butter consumption caused Wind power generated in New Zealand to increase. Add a funny one-liner at the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Spreading the Wind: A Butterly Connection between Consumption and Generation in New Zealand

Journal of Ecological Causation and Correlation

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 Butter consumption and Wind power generated in New Zealand. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then name a couple popular internet memes that are related to one of the topics.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Spreading the Wind: A Butterly Connection between Consumption and Generation in New Zealand

[[ABSTRACT]]
In the realm of unconventional research inquiries, we set out to investigate the potential link between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand. With a churning curiosity, our research team delved into a trove of data from the USDA and Energy Information Administration, analyzing figures spanning nearly three decades from 1992 to 2021. Contrary to our initial skepticism, our findings revealed a strong positive correlation coefficient of 0.9277891 and a p-value < 0.01, indicating a noteworthy association between these seemingly incongruous elements. This discovery not only adds a gust of whimsy to the world of research but also opens the door to further exploration of the unique interplay between dietary habits and renewable energy sources. Our findings may butter up new discussions in sustainable energy and dietary practices, offering food for thought to both researchers and enthusiasts with a taste for quirky scholarly pursuits.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Buckle up, readers, as we embark on a journey through the gusty world of butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand. While this research may initially seem as mismatched as trying to spread butter on a balloon, our investigation uncovered some fascinating connections that are worth churning over.
When pondering the link between butter and wind power, one might wonder if we were simply blowing hot air. However, armed with a determination as strong as the whiff of freshly baked croissants, we plunged into the depths of data, aiming to whip up some insights that could butter our understanding of these seemingly disparate domains.
In the annals of scientific exploration, it's not uncommon to encounter eyebrow-raising hypotheses, but the correlation between butter and wind power may just take the cake. The thought of measuring the relationship between dairy delights and renewable energy sources might lead one to believe that we've gone completely crackers. Nonetheless, our research team could not resist the temptation to slice through the data and churn out some intriguing findings.
As we dive into this curious inquiry, it's important to acknowledge that correlation does not necessarily imply causation, but it certainly provides food for thought. With our findings hinting at an unexpected link, one might wonder if there's more to this buttery tale than meets the eye - or the taste buds.
With the stage set and our butter knives sharpened, we invite you to join us on this delightful, slightly unconventional journey through the seemingly unrelated realms of dairy and renewable energy. So, let's roll up our sleeves, not to knead dough, but to knead through the data, and explore the intriguing connection between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand.
Stay tuned as we churn through the statistics, butter up some insightful discussions, and whisk you away into the quirky intersection of food and energy - because, as it turns out, there's more than just a bit of butter in this hot air.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
**[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]**

The link between butter consumption and wind power generation may initially seem like a far-fetched idea, akin to trying to spread butter on the winds of change. However, as we unearth the scholarly landscape surrounding these unconventional bedfellows, we encounter a whirlwind of diverse perspectives and surprising insights.

In the study by Smith et al. (2015), "Dairy Delights and Sustainable Energy: Unveiling Unexpected Connections," the authors find insightful trends in the dairy industry's impact on renewable energy generation, shedding light on the potential influence of butter consumption on wind power. Building on this foundation, Doe and Jones (2018) present a comprehensive analysis of "Gusty Gastronomy: Exploring the Intersection of Dairy and Wind Energy" in which they delve into the gustatory and environmental implications of butter consumption in relation to wind power generation.

Venturing beyond the traditional academic realms, we turn to non-fiction works that hint at the tangential links between butter and wind. In "The Butter Manifesto" by John Spread, the author offers a philosophical exploration of human connection to natural elements, including an intriguing chapter on the "buttery resistance" against conventional energy paradigms. Similarly, "Windmills and Churned Mills: A Culinary Perspective" by Margarine Wheat uncovers historical anecdotes of windmills and churned butter, hinting at the potential synergies in their modern-day counterparts.

Turning to the world of fiction, we encounter titles that, while not explicitly exploring our research topic, exude an air of mysterious relevance. In Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," the unexpected journey of the hobbits parallels the unexpected link we have uncovered, reminding us that even the smallest element can have a significant impact, just like butter on toast. Meanwhile, in Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," the oppressive wind echoes the resistance faced by butter in its journey from farm to table, offering a narrative parallel that tickles the imagination.

Bringing a digital twist to our whimsical exploration, we stumble upon the "Distracted Boyfriend" meme, serving as a lighthearted reminder that unexpected allure can lead us down uncharted paths - much like the surprising bond between butter and wind power generation.

As we navigate this gusty amalgamation of scholarly works, fictional allusions, and internet humor, we find ourselves at the cusp of a buttery revelation – a delightful intersection of culinary habits and sustainable energy that may just churn out new vistas of exploration. So, buckle up for a buoyant journey as we unveil the butterly connection between consumption and generation in New Zealand, because when it comes to uncovering unexpected correlations, there’s no need to be a "butterfingers" - we've got a firm grasp on the winds of change.

Check out our "Brie-fly" reviewed papers and prepare for a "Bay of Plenty" of surprises in the next section. So, grab a slice of toast and let's spread the fun.

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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Butter consumption and Wind power generated in New Zealand. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from USDA and Energy Information Administration . You used data from 1992 to 2021

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]]
Spreading the Wind: A Butterly Connection between Consumption and Generation in New Zealand

[[ABSTRACT]]
In the realm of unconventional research inquiries, we set out to investigate the potential link between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand. With a churning curiosity, our research team delved into a trove of data from the USDA and Energy Information Administration, analyzing figures spanning nearly three decades from 1992 to 2021. Contrary to our initial skepticism, our findings revealed a strong positive correlation coefficient of 0.9277891 and a p-value < 0.01, indicating a noteworthy association between these seemingly incongruous elements. This discovery not only adds a gust of whimsy to the world of research but also opens the door to further exploration of the unique interplay between dietary habits and renewable energy sources. Our findings may butter up new discussions in sustainable energy and dietary practices, offering food for thought to both researchers and enthusiasts with a taste for quirky scholarly pursuits.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Buckle up, readers, as we embark on a journey through the gusty world of butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand. While this research may initially seem as mismatched as trying to spread butter on a balloon, our investigation uncovered some fascinating connections that are worth churning over.
When pondering the link between butter and wind power, one might wonder if we were simply blowing hot air. However, armed with a determination as strong as the whiff of freshly baked croissants, we plunged into the depths of data, aiming to whip up some insights that could butter our understanding of these seemingly disparate domains.
In the annals of scientific exploration, it's not uncommon to encounter eyebrow-raising hypotheses, but the correlation between butter and wind power may just take the cake. The thought of measuring the relationship between dairy delights and renewable energy sources might lead one to believe that we've gone completely crackers. Nonetheless, our research team could not resist the temptation to slice through the data and churn out some intriguing findings.
As we dive into this curious inquiry, it's important to acknowledge that correlation does not necessarily imply causation, but it certainly provides food for thought. With our findings hinting at an unexpected link, one might wonder if there's more to this buttery tale than meets the eye - or the taste buds.
With the stage set and our butter knives sharpened, we invite you to join us on this delightful, slightly unconventional journey through the seemingly unrelated realms of dairy and renewable energy. So, let's roll up our sleeves, not to knead dough, but to knead through the data, and explore the intriguing connection between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand.
Stay tuned as we churn through the statistics, butter up some insightful discussions, and whisk you away into the quirky intersection of food and energy - because, as it turns out, there's more than just a bit of butter in this hot air.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To uncover the mysterious link between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand, our research team embarked on a quest as full of twists and turns as a bowl of vigorously whipped cream. We meticulously gathered data from multiple sources, but mainly from the USDA and the Energy Information Administration, harnessing the power of the internet like a crafty sailor navigating the high seas of information.

For our data on butter consumption, we turned to the USDA's comprehensive records, which documented the annual per capita consumption of butter in New Zealand, giving us insights into the ebb and flow of the country's insatiable appetite for this creamy delight. Our eyes were glued to the screen, not unlike an eager baker monitoring the rise of his soufflé, as we scrutinized figures from every nook and cranny of the internet to ensure that our dataset was as rich and creamy as a pat of freshly churned butter.

On the other hand, the Energy Information Administration provided us with a whirlwind of information on wind power generation in the Land of the Long White Cloud. Like intrepid sailors navigating the choppy waters of statistical data, we meticulously charted the annual wind power capacity and generation in New Zealand, riding the waves of information to tease out any potential correlation with butter consumption.

With our dataset assembled, resembling a carefully crafted recipe for an experimental dish, we applied a range of statistical methods to churn out meaningful insights. We whipped out the trusty tools of correlation analysis to explore the relationship between butter consumption and wind power generation, leveraging the power of software more sophisticated than a master chef's kitchen to compute correlation coefficients and p-values.

We also conducted time series analysis to track the trends in butter consumption and wind power generation over the span of nearly three decades. Harnessing the magic of statistical software, we smoothed out the fluctuations in the data, not unlike a skilled baker patiently kneading dough to achieve the perfect consistency, in order to unveil any underlying patterns and trends.

Furthermore, in search of potential confounding variables that could cloud the creamy clarity of our findings, we also explored various demographic, economic, and environmental factors that might influence both butter consumption and wind power generation. Like a discerning sommelier selecting the perfect cheese to complement a fine wine, we scrutinized these factors to ensure that our analysis remained as buttery smooth as possible.

In sum, our research methodology combined the precision of a master chef, the tenacity of a seasoned sailor, and the analytical prowess of a statistical wizard, as we ventured into the uncharted territory where buttery indulgence meets the zephyrs of renewable energy. Through a blend of data collection, statistical analysis, and inquisitive exploration, we endeavored to unravel the whimsical connection between butter consumption and wind power generation, cooking up a recipe for scholarly discovery that's sure to leave a delightful aftertaste of scientific curiosity.

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 Butter consumption and Wind power generated in New Zealand. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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]]
Spreading the Wind: A Butterly Connection between Consumption and Generation in New Zealand

[[ABSTRACT]]
In the realm of unconventional research inquiries, we set out to investigate the potential link between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand. With a churning curiosity, our research team delved into a trove of data from the USDA and Energy Information Administration, analyzing figures spanning nearly three decades from 1992 to 2021. Contrary to our initial skepticism, our findings revealed a strong positive correlation coefficient of 0.9277891 and a p-value < 0.01, indicating a noteworthy association between these seemingly incongruous elements. This discovery not only adds a gust of whimsy to the world of research but also opens the door to further exploration of the unique interplay between dietary habits and renewable energy sources. Our findings may butter up new discussions in sustainable energy and dietary practices, offering food for thought to both researchers and enthusiasts with a taste for quirky scholarly pursuits.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The link between butter consumption and wind power generation may initially seem like a far-fetched idea, akin to trying to spread butter on the winds of change. However, as we unearth the scholarly landscape surrounding these unconventional bedfellows, we encounter a whirlwind of diverse perspectives and surprising insights.
In the study by Smith et al. (2015), "Dairy Delights and Sustainable Energy: Unveiling Unexpected Connections," the authors find insightful trends in the dairy industry's impact on renewable energy generation, shedding light on the potential influence of butter consumption on wind power. Building on this foundation, Doe and Jones (2018) present a comprehensive analysis of "Gusty Gastronomy: Exploring the Intersection of Dairy and Wind Energy" in which they delve into the gustatory and environmental implications of butter consumption in relation to wind power generation.
Venturing beyond the traditional academic realms, we turn to non-fiction works that hint at the tangential links between butter and wind. In "The Butter Manifesto" by John Spread, the author offers a philosophical exploration of human connection to natural elements, including an intriguing chapter on the "buttery resistance" against conventional energy paradigms. Similarly, "Windmills and Churned Mills: A Culinary Perspective" by Margarine Wheat uncovers historical anecdotes of windmills and churned butter, hinting at the potential synergies in their modern-day counterparts.
Turning to the world of fiction, we encounter titles that, while not explicitly exploring our research topic, exude an air of mysterious relevance. In Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," the unexpected journey of the hobbits parallels the unexpected link we have uncovered, reminding us that even the smallest element can have a significant impact, just like butter on toast. Meanwhile, in Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," the oppressive wind echoes the resistance faced by butter in its journey from farm to table, offering a narrative parallel that tickles the imagination.
Bringing a digital twist to our whimsical exploration, we stumble upon the "Distracted Boyfriend" meme, serving as a lighthearted reminder that unexpected allure can lead us down uncharted paths - much like the surprising bond between butter and wind power generation.
As we navigate this gusty amalgamation of scholarly works, fictional allusions, and internet humor, we find ourselves at the cusp of a buttery revelation – a delightful intersection of culinary habits and sustainable energy that may just churn out new vistas of exploration. So, buckle up for a buoyant journey as we unveil the butterly connection between consumption and generation in New Zealand, because when it comes to uncovering unexpected correlations, there’s no need to be a "butterfingers" - we've got a firm grasp on the winds of change.
Check out our "Brie-fly" reviewed papers and prepare for a "Bay of Plenty" of surprises in the next section. So, grab a slice of toast and let's spread the fun.

[[RESULTS]]
The correlation analysis conducted for butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand yielded some truly remarkable findings that are sure to butter up your appetite for unconventional research.
Our results revealed a robust correlation coefficient of 0.9277891, signifying a striking relationship between the consumption of butter and the generation of wind power. It's as if the winds of fate conspired with the creamy indulgence of butter to create a flavorful synergy that extends beyond the kitchen and into the realm of renewable energy.
Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.8607926 suggests that a substantial portion of the variability in wind power generation can be explained by changes in butter consumption. It's as if each pat of butter spread across toast is a tiny gust of wind contributing to the renewable energy landscape.
With a p-value of less than 0.01, our findings indicate a significant association between these seemingly unrelated variables, leaving us with a delightful taste of statistical significance that may just be the buttercream frosting on this surprising scientific cake.
To visually capture this harmonious relationship, we present Fig. 1, a scatterplot displaying the strong correlation between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand. It's a sight to behold, much like a perfectly executed swirl of butter on a warm scone, except in this case, the swirl represents the harmonious dance between dietary delight and sustainable energy.
In conclusion, our results not only sprinkle a touch of whimsy onto the staid landscape of scientific inquiry but also hint at the potential for a deeper exploration of the interconnectedness between dietary habits and renewable energy sources. So, let's continue to spread the butter and harness the wind, for this fascinating link is more than just a churn in the wind.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our investigation into the butterly connection between consumption and generation in New Zealand has churned out some truly fascinating findings that are sure to spread excitement within the scientific community. First and foremost, our results strikingly align with the prior research, affirming the unexpected link between butter consumption and wind power generation that was merely hinted at in previous scholarly works. It's like discovering a hidden recipe that not only tickles the taste buds but also powers the turbines of sustainable energy.

Harkening back to the literature review, the whimsical insights from Smith et al. (2015) and Doe and Jones (2018) about the potential influence of butter consumption on wind power generation have been substantiated by our robust correlation coefficient of 0.9277891. It's as if the dairy industry and renewable energy generation have been engaged in a clandestine tango, leaving behind a trail of buttery footprints that now lead us to a shimmering vat of statistical significance.

Furthermore, our findings affirm the tangible impact of butter consumption on wind power generation in New Zealand, echoing the implications hinted at in the non-fiction work "The Butter Manifesto." Just as John Spread philosophized about the "buttery resistance" against conventional energy paradigms, our results showcase how this culinary delight can indeed sway the winds of change in the renewable energy sector.

The surprising agreement between our results and prior research showcases that the connection between butter consumption and wind power generation is no flaky hypothesis. This correlation is as substantial as a well-baked croissant – crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and quite the attention-grabber.

To top off this discussion, our results not only contribute a dollop of whimsy to the scientific endeavor but also open new avenues for research that blend culinary habits with environmental sustainability. So, let's continue to spread the fun and keep our minds as open as a well-aired butter dish, for this butterly connection between consumption and generation has the potential to generate a gust of innovative insights deserving of a standing ovation.

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 Butter consumption and Wind power generated in New Zealand. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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]]
Spreading the Wind: A Butterly Connection between Consumption and Generation in New Zealand

[[ABSTRACT]]
In the realm of unconventional research inquiries, we set out to investigate the potential link between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand. With a churning curiosity, our research team delved into a trove of data from the USDA and Energy Information Administration, analyzing figures spanning nearly three decades from 1992 to 2021. Contrary to our initial skepticism, our findings revealed a strong positive correlation coefficient of 0.9277891 and a p-value < 0.01, indicating a noteworthy association between these seemingly incongruous elements. This discovery not only adds a gust of whimsy to the world of research but also opens the door to further exploration of the unique interplay between dietary habits and renewable energy sources. Our findings may butter up new discussions in sustainable energy and dietary practices, offering food for thought to both researchers and enthusiasts with a taste for quirky scholarly pursuits.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Buckle up, readers, as we embark on a journey through the gusty world of butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand. While this research may initially seem as mismatched as trying to spread butter on a balloon, our investigation uncovered some fascinating connections that are worth churning over.
When pondering the link between butter and wind power, one might wonder if we were simply blowing hot air. However, armed with a determination as strong as the whiff of freshly baked croissants, we plunged into the depths of data, aiming to whip up some insights that could butter our understanding of these seemingly disparate domains.
In the annals of scientific exploration, it's not uncommon to encounter eyebrow-raising hypotheses, but the correlation between butter and wind power may just take the cake. The thought of measuring the relationship between dairy delights and renewable energy sources might lead one to believe that we've gone completely crackers. Nonetheless, our research team could not resist the temptation to slice through the data and churn out some intriguing findings.
As we dive into this curious inquiry, it's important to acknowledge that correlation does not necessarily imply causation, but it certainly provides food for thought. With our findings hinting at an unexpected link, one might wonder if there's more to this buttery tale than meets the eye - or the taste buds.
With the stage set and our butter knives sharpened, we invite you to join us on this delightful, slightly unconventional journey through the seemingly unrelated realms of dairy and renewable energy. So, let's roll up our sleeves, not to knead dough, but to knead through the data, and explore the intriguing connection between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand.
Stay tuned as we churn through the statistics, butter up some insightful discussions, and whisk you away into the quirky intersection of food and energy - because, as it turns out, there's more than just a bit of butter in this hot air.

[[RESULTS]]
The correlation analysis conducted for butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand yielded some truly remarkable findings that are sure to butter up your appetite for unconventional research.
Our results revealed a robust correlation coefficient of 0.9277891, signifying a striking relationship between the consumption of butter and the generation of wind power. It's as if the winds of fate conspired with the creamy indulgence of butter to create a flavorful synergy that extends beyond the kitchen and into the realm of renewable energy.
Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.8607926 suggests that a substantial portion of the variability in wind power generation can be explained by changes in butter consumption. It's as if each pat of butter spread across toast is a tiny gust of wind contributing to the renewable energy landscape.
With a p-value of less than 0.01, our findings indicate a significant association between these seemingly unrelated variables, leaving us with a delightful taste of statistical significance that may just be the buttercream frosting on this surprising scientific cake.
To visually capture this harmonious relationship, we present Fig. 1, a scatterplot displaying the strong correlation between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand. It's a sight to behold, much like a perfectly executed swirl of butter on a warm scone, except in this case, the swirl represents the harmonious dance between dietary delight and sustainable energy.
In conclusion, our results not only sprinkle a touch of whimsy onto the staid landscape of scientific inquiry but also hint at the potential for a deeper exploration of the interconnectedness between dietary habits and renewable energy sources. So, let's continue to spread the butter and harness the wind, for this fascinating link is more than just a churn in the wind.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In wrapping up our buttery exploration of the winds of change in New Zealand, it's clear that our findings have churned up quite the commotion in the dairy and renewable energy spheres. The correlation coefficient of 0.9277891 that nearly buttered both sides of the statistical toast has left us marveling at the flavorful dance between butter consumption and wind power generation. It's as if the gentle zephyrs of wind whispered through the pastures, coaxing the cows to produce the creamiest of butter that, in turn, fueled the turbines with a gusty enthusiasm.

Our r-squared value of 0.8607926 has left us marveling at the extent to which changes in butter consumption can predict the variability in wind power generation. It's almost poetic, like each pat of butter on a slice of bread foretelling the strength of the next gust of wind. Our scatterplot, akin to a grand masterpiece of culinary art, has visually captured this unexpected harmony between dietary indulgence and sustainable energy, proving that there's more to this story than mere happenstance.

But let's not forget, correlation does not imply causation, though in this case, it's tempting to believe that maybe - just maybe - there's a direct link between sizzling pancakes and whirling windmills. As our study draws to a close, we are inclined to say that the connection between butter consumption and wind power generation has been well and truly buttered up, and there's no need to spread ourselves thin with further research in this quirky and delightful domain.

So, as we bid adieu to this curious concoction of agricultural delicacies and renewable energy, we urge fellow researchers to savor every unexpected twist in the world of scholarly inquiry, and to remember that amidst the serious pursuit of knowledge, there's always room for a dollop of whimsy.

The winds of change blow in mysterious ways, and it seems that in the case of butter and wind power, they've decided to churn up quite the unexpected tale. With that, we encourage you to spread the butter, harness the wind, and always be ready for the delightful surprises that may just be waiting around the corner, like a perfectly risen soufflé or a gusty new idea. Bon appétit, and may your winds be ever renewable!

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 Spreading the Wind: A Butterly Connection between Consumption and Generation in New Zealand. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Ecological Causation and Correlation

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 Spreading the Wind: A Butterly Connection between Consumption and Generation in New Zealand. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Ethereal Ecological 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 Spreading the Wind: A Butterly Connection between Consumption and Generation in New Zealand with an abstract of In the realm of unconventional research inquiries, we set out to investigate the potential link between butter consumption and wind power generation in New Zealand. With a churning curiosity, our research team delved into a trove of data from the USDA and Energy Information Administration, analyzing figures spanning nearly three decades from 1992 to 2021. Contrary to our initial skepticism, our findings revealed a strong positive correlation coefficient of 0.9277891 and a p-value < 0.01, indicating a noteworthy association between these seemingly incongruous elements. This discovery not only adds a gust of whimsy to the world of research but also opens the door to further exploration of the unique interplay between dietary habits and renewable energy sources. Our findings may butter up new discussions in sustainable energy and dietary practices, offering food for thought to both researchers and enthusiasts with a taste for quirky scholarly pursuits.

ChatGPT:

butter consumption, wind power generation, New Zealand, correlation coefficient, p-value, dietary habits, renewable energy sources, sustainable energy, USDA data, Energy Information Administration, quirky scholarly pursuits, whimsical research

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

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Data details

Butter consumption
Detailed data title: Per capita consumption of Butter in the US
Source: USDA
See what else correlates with Butter consumption

Wind power generated in New Zealand
Detailed data title: Total wind power generated in New Zealand in billion kWh
Source: Energy Information Administration
See what else correlates with Wind power generated in New Zealand

Correlation r = 0.9277891 (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 = 0.8607926 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 86.1% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Wind power generated in New Zealand) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Butter consumption) over the 30 years from 1992 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.6E-13.^Show 0.0000000000001644347229067112
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 0.93 in 1.6E-11% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 6,081,440,600,398 random variables^Note You don't actually need 6 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 29 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 29 because we have two variables measured over a period of 30 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.

[ 0.85, 0.97 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
^{Read more about the confidence interval} The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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

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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.

	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Butter consumption (Pounds per person)	4.3	4.7	4.7	4.6	4.3	4.2	4.3	4.6	4.5	4.3	4.4	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.7	4.7	5	5	4.9	5.4	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.6	5.7	5.7	6	6.2	6.3	6.5
Wind power generated in New Zealand (Billion kWh)	0.000684	0.000976	0.001	0.001	0.008243	0.0134576	0.021849	0.038603	0.119006	0.137598	0.153928	0.145076	0.357921	0.608242	0.615995	0.920581	1.04787	1.4617	1.6208	1.93765	2.0584	2.00165	2.18911	2.34049	2.31736	2.07014	2.04729	2.23311	2.28175	2.61567

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.
Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. ^Note Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.

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([4.3,4.7,4.7,4.6,4.3,4.2,4.3,4.6,4.5,4.3,4.4,4.5,4.5,4.5,4.7,4.7,5,5,4.9,5.4,5.5,5.5,5.5,5.6,5.7,5.7,6,6.2,6.3,6.5,])
array_2 = np.array([0.000684,0.000976,0.001,0.001,0.008243,0.0134576,0.021849,0.038603,0.119006,0.137598,0.153928,0.145076,0.357921,0.608242,0.615995,0.920581,1.04787,1.4617,1.6208,1.93765,2.0584,2.00165,2.18911,2.34049,2.31736,2.07014,2.04729,2.23311,2.28175,2.61567,])
array_1_name = "Butter consumption"
array_2_name = "Wind power generated in New Zealand"

# 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 Butter consumption
Line chart for only Wind power generated in New Zealand
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Spreading the Wind: A Butterly Connection between Consumption and Generation in New Zealand

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Correlation ID: 1542 · Black Variable ID: 557 · Red Variable ID: 23859


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