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Spurious correlation #1,588 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and the second variable is Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands.  The chart goes from 1980 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count decreased, there was a corresponding decrease in fiery rookie performances. Without these intense heat sources on the court, the demand for kerosene, a fiery fuel, also decreased in the U.S. Pacific Islands. It seems the Celtics' draft picks really had a knack for igniting more than just the game!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a small Pacific Island village where a group of local basketball fans have gathered around a bonfire on the beach. The focal point is a young boy proudly wearing a Boston Celtics jersey, carefully placing a flaming torch into the bonfire. Nearby, a large wooden board with the count of the Celtics’ annual draft picks is chalked. The scene is illuminated by flickering flames and kerosene lamps lining the beach, casting a warm and inviting glow. The image should have a charcoal-style visual, capturing the warmth and atmosphere of the beach gathering. 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: Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands. 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: Futuristic Cutsy graphics Charcoal inspired by bauhaus Parallax art
ChatGPT: Charcoal

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 Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a small Pacific Island village, a group of local basketball fans gather around a bonfire on the beach. A young boy proudly wears a Boston Celtics jersey as he carefully places a flaming torch into the bonfire. The count of the Celtics’ annual draft picks is chalked on a large wooden board next to them. The flickering flames illuminate the kerosene lamps lining the beach, casting a warm glow on the scene.

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: [ Charcoal ] and depicting this scene: In a small Pacific Island village, a group of local basketball fans gather around a bonfire on the beach. A young boy proudly wears a Boston Celtics jersey as he carefully places a flaming torch into the bonfire. The count of the Celtics’ annual draft picks is chalked on a large wooden board next to them. The flickering flames illuminate the kerosene lamps lining the beach, casting a warm glow on the scene. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a small Pacific Island village where a group of local basketball fans have gathered around a bonfire on the beach. The focal point is a young boy proudly wearing a Boston Celtics jersey, carefully placing a flaming torch into the bonfire. Nearby, a large wooden board with the count of the Celtics’ annual draft picks is chalked. The scene is illuminated by flickering flames and kerosene lamps lining the beach, casting a warm and inviting glow. The image should have a charcoal-style visual, capturing the warmth and atmosphere of the beach gathering.

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how a decrease in Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count caused Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands to decrease.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands

The Journal of Sports Analytics and Cultural Geography

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Make the title seem clever.

Your research team used data from Basketball Refererence and Energy Information Administration to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 and p < 0.01 for 1980 to 2021.

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

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
"Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands might seem like comparing apples and oranges, but our research sheds light on this curious phenomenon. We mined data from Basketball Reference and the Energy Information Administration, defying the odds to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1980 to 2021. Our findings provoke contemplation on the elusive interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated events and urge further exploration into the whimsical dance of Celtics' draft fates and island illumination preferences. Gaining insights from basketball hardwood to the glowing outdoor light, our research presents an unexpected alley-oop of knowledge, weaving through the courts of statistical surprise and the winding pathways of kerosene consumption.


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands might seem like comparing apples and oranges, but our research sheds light on this curious phenomenon. We mined data from Basketball Reference and the Energy Information Administration, defying the odds to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1980 to 2021. Our findings provoke contemplation on the elusive interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated events and urge further exploration into the whimsical dance of Celtics' draft fates and island illumination preferences. Gaining insights from basketball hardwood to the glowing outdoor light, our research presents an unexpected alley-oop of knowledge, weaving through the courts of statistical surprise and the winding pathways of kerosene consumption.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
Introduction

In the riveting world of sports and statistical analysis, one does not typically expect to uncover a connection between the draft picks of a renowned basketball team and the kerosene consumption in the distant U.S. Pacific Islands. However, as the saying goes, "fortune favors the bold and statistically inclined." In this paper, we embark on a journey that takes us from the bustling arenas of basketball to the serene shores of the Pacific, all in pursuit of unraveling the enigmatic link between the Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and the consumption of kerosene in islands scattered across the vast ocean.

When delving into the analysis of seemingly disparate variables, one often encounters skeptics who are quick to dismiss the possibility of any meaningful relationship. Yet, armed with an arsenal of basketball statistics and energy consumption data, we wade into uncharted territory with the tenacity of a tenacious rebounder and the keen eye of a data analyst on a three-point shooting spree.

The underlying rationale for pursuing this outlandish inquiry, apart from our undying love for adventurous statistical escapades, stems from the intriguing nature of seemingly unrelated phenomena. It has long been recognized in the annals of scientific exploration that unlikely associations can hold within them the seeds of groundbreaking discoveries. As researchers, we are not afraid to journey to the statistical fringes, where the unexpected often lies in wait, ready to leap out like a crossover dribble that leaves defenders flailing.

In this day and age, where data reigns supreme and correlations dominate the realm of analysis, we hold firm to the belief that there are connections waiting to be unearthed, connections that may very well pop up like an unexpected half-court shot swishing through the net. So, brace yourselves for a tale of two worlds colliding, as we embark on an odyssey that traverses the hallowed halls of basketball lore and the tranquil evenings illuminated by the warm glow of kerosene lamps on distant islands.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.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 Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands. 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]]
"Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands might seem like comparing apples and oranges, but our research sheds light on this curious phenomenon. We mined data from Basketball Reference and the Energy Information Administration, defying the odds to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1980 to 2021. Our findings provoke contemplation on the elusive interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated events and urge further exploration into the whimsical dance of Celtics' draft fates and island illumination preferences. Gaining insights from basketball hardwood to the glowing outdoor light, our research presents an unexpected alley-oop of knowledge, weaving through the courts of statistical surprise and the winding pathways of kerosene consumption.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Introduction
In the riveting world of sports and statistical analysis, one does not typically expect to uncover a connection between the draft picks of a renowned basketball team and the kerosene consumption in the distant U.S. Pacific Islands. However, as the saying goes, "fortune favors the bold and statistically inclined." In this paper, we embark on a journey that takes us from the bustling arenas of basketball to the serene shores of the Pacific, all in pursuit of unraveling the enigmatic link between the Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and the consumption of kerosene in islands scattered across the vast ocean.
When delving into the analysis of seemingly disparate variables, one often encounters skeptics who are quick to dismiss the possibility of any meaningful relationship. Yet, armed with an arsenal of basketball statistics and energy consumption data, we wade into uncharted territory with the tenacity of a tenacious rebounder and the keen eye of a data analyst on a three-point shooting spree.
The underlying rationale for pursuing this outlandish inquiry, apart from our undying love for adventurous statistical escapades, stems from the intriguing nature of seemingly unrelated phenomena. It has long been recognized in the annals of scientific exploration that unlikely associations can hold within them the seeds of groundbreaking discoveries. As researchers, we are not afraid to journey to the statistical fringes, where the unexpected often lies in wait, ready to leap out like a crossover dribble that leaves defenders flailing.
In this day and age, where data reigns supreme and correlations dominate the realm of analysis, we hold firm to the belief that there are connections waiting to be unearthed, connections that may very well pop up like an unexpected half-court shot swishing through the net. So, brace yourselves for a tale of two worlds colliding, as we embark on an odyssey that traverses the hallowed halls of basketball lore and the tranquil evenings illuminated by the warm glow of kerosene lamps on distant islands.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

While the initial proposition of a correlation between the Boston Celtics' draft picks and kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands may elicit skepticism, one cannot discount the possibility of uncovering unexpected connections in the web of statistics and human behavior. Our investigation delves into an assortment of scholarly studies to contextualize the peculiar relationship between these seemingly disparate domains.

Smith et al. (2015) explore the intricate patterns of sports team performances and the ripple effects on societal norms in their work "Athletics and Societal Dynamics." However, while their analysis encompasses a wide array of sports phenomena, they regrettably overlook the offshore ramifications on kerosene utilization. Likewise, Doe and Jones (2018) present a comprehensive study of energy consumption in remote island communities in "Island Illumination: A Statistical Analysis." Although their insights shed light on the multifaceted nature of energy usage, the nuances of basketball draft dynamics are regrettably left in the shadows.

Expanding our scope beyond the realm of scholarly publications, we cast our analytical net wider to encompass works that may tangentially touch upon the curious duo of Celtics drafts and Pacific illumination. "Hoops and Flames: Basketball's Impact on Pacific Island Energy" by Lorem Ipsum (2020) provides a whimsical but surprisingly insightful exploration of the interplay between sporting events and energy trends in overlooked locales. On a more fanciful note, fantastic divergences into fictional realms yield tantalizing associations, with references to "Drafting Fire: Kerosene Chronicles" by J.K. Rowling and "The Basketball Diaries of Weasleys" by Herman Melville. While these volumes may be illusory in nature, their titles whimsically dance around the edges of our query.

Unveiling the intermission, we momentarily stray from the pages of literature to intersect with the digital sphere, where internet memes beckon. The viral "Kerosene Celtics" meme, featuring a comical fusion of a basketball dunk and a kerosene lamp, humorously captures the absurd yet thought-provoking convergence of our research focus areas. The internet proves to be a fertile ground for unexpected connections, transcending the boundaries of conventional academic inquiry.

As we stand at the intersection of athleticism and island illumination, our exploration branches into unsuspecting realms, beckoning us to embrace the zany, the unlikely, and the hitherto unexplored terrain with relentless curiosity. With a joie de vivre reminiscent of an underdog team's spirit, we march onward, prepared to observe the jocular interplay between the whims of the draft and the flickering radiance of kerosene in U.S. Pacific Islands.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.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 Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands. 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 Basketball Refererence and Energy Information Administration . You used data from 1980 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]]
"Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands might seem like comparing apples and oranges, but our research sheds light on this curious phenomenon. We mined data from Basketball Reference and the Energy Information Administration, defying the odds to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1980 to 2021. Our findings provoke contemplation on the elusive interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated events and urge further exploration into the whimsical dance of Celtics' draft fates and island illumination preferences. Gaining insights from basketball hardwood to the glowing outdoor light, our research presents an unexpected alley-oop of knowledge, weaving through the courts of statistical surprise and the winding pathways of kerosene consumption.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Introduction
In the riveting world of sports and statistical analysis, one does not typically expect to uncover a connection between the draft picks of a renowned basketball team and the kerosene consumption in the distant U.S. Pacific Islands. However, as the saying goes, "fortune favors the bold and statistically inclined." In this paper, we embark on a journey that takes us from the bustling arenas of basketball to the serene shores of the Pacific, all in pursuit of unraveling the enigmatic link between the Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and the consumption of kerosene in islands scattered across the vast ocean.
When delving into the analysis of seemingly disparate variables, one often encounters skeptics who are quick to dismiss the possibility of any meaningful relationship. Yet, armed with an arsenal of basketball statistics and energy consumption data, we wade into uncharted territory with the tenacity of a tenacious rebounder and the keen eye of a data analyst on a three-point shooting spree.
The underlying rationale for pursuing this outlandish inquiry, apart from our undying love for adventurous statistical escapades, stems from the intriguing nature of seemingly unrelated phenomena. It has long been recognized in the annals of scientific exploration that unlikely associations can hold within them the seeds of groundbreaking discoveries. As researchers, we are not afraid to journey to the statistical fringes, where the unexpected often lies in wait, ready to leap out like a crossover dribble that leaves defenders flailing.
In this day and age, where data reigns supreme and correlations dominate the realm of analysis, we hold firm to the belief that there are connections waiting to be unearthed, connections that may very well pop up like an unexpected half-court shot swishing through the net. So, brace yourselves for a tale of two worlds colliding, as we embark on an odyssey that traverses the hallowed halls of basketball lore and the tranquil evenings illuminated by the warm glow of kerosene lamps on distant islands.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

METHODOLOGY

Data Collection: Like intrepid explorers embarking on an epic treasure hunt, our research team scoured the digital terrain of the internet, armed with the finest data-mining tools and an arsenal of statistical savvy. We delved into the hallowed repositories of basketball lore, sifting through the archives of Basketball Reference with the determination of a power forward battling for a crucial rebound. Meanwhile, we waded into the ocean of energy statistics, navigating the digital waves of the Energy Information Administration's databases like seasoned sailors seeking the fabled connection between Celtics' draft picks and Pacific Island kerosene consumption.

Selection Criteria: Our quest for the elusive link between the Celtics' draft pick count and kerosene usage in U.S. Pacific Islands spanned the years from 1980 to 2021. We chose this extensive time frame to capture the full breadth of draft choices made by the Boston Celtics and the corresponding kerosene consumption patterns on the islands, hoping to capture every statistical gem and statistical longshot that might illuminate the mysterious relationship between these seemingly incongruent variables.

Analytical Approach: As any data explorer worth their salt would know, the unwieldy tangle of variables necessitated an innovative approach to statistical analysis. After sifting through the treasure trove of data, we harnessed the power of correlation analysis to quantify the relationship between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption on U.S. Pacific Islands. Wielding the almighty spear of statistical significance, we calculated the correlation coefficient and p-value with the precision of a seasoned archer aiming for the elusive bullseye of scientific significance.

Data Integrity: Every statistician knows that a data voyage is fraught with peril, with incomplete or erroneous data lurking like hidden reefs in uncharted waters. To navigate this treacherous sea, we meticulously verified and cross-referenced the data from multiple sources, ensuring that our findings were built upon a foundation as solid as the granite defense of a championship-winning team.

Limitations: In the spirit of full transparency, it must be acknowledged that our study is not without its limitations. The observed correlation does not imply causation, and our findings merely provide tantalizing evidence of a potential relationship, akin to a behind-the-back pass that invites further exploration but does not guarantee a scoring play.

Statistical Software: Our analysis was conducted using cutting-edge statistical software, harnessing the computational prowess of modern technology to sift through the vast seas of data and distill the essence of correlation between the Celtics' draft picks and kerosene usage in U.S. Pacific Islands.

Experimental Rigor: Despite the whimsical nature of our research question, we approached our analyses with the rigor and discipline of a championship-caliber team, ensuring that our statistical maneuvers were robust and our conclusions were grounded in the bedrock of empirical evidence.

In the next section, we will unveil the astonishing findings of our exploration, shedding light on the unexpected intersection of basketball draft strategies and the luminous glow of kerosene lamps in the Pacific realm.


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands. 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 Basketball Refererence and Energy Information Administration .

For the time period 1980 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.7414014, r-squared of 0.5496760, and p < 0.01.

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands might seem like comparing apples and oranges, but our research sheds light on this curious phenomenon. We mined data from Basketball Reference and the Energy Information Administration, defying the odds to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1980 to 2021. Our findings provoke contemplation on the elusive interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated events and urge further exploration into the whimsical dance of Celtics' draft fates and island illumination preferences. Gaining insights from basketball hardwood to the glowing outdoor light, our research presents an unexpected alley-oop of knowledge, weaving through the courts of statistical surprise and the winding pathways of kerosene consumption.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
Introduction
In the riveting world of sports and statistical analysis, one does not typically expect to uncover a connection between the draft picks of a renowned basketball team and the kerosene consumption in the distant U.S. Pacific Islands. However, as the saying goes, "fortune favors the bold and statistically inclined." In this paper, we embark on a journey that takes us from the bustling arenas of basketball to the serene shores of the Pacific, all in pursuit of unraveling the enigmatic link between the Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and the consumption of kerosene in islands scattered across the vast ocean.
When delving into the analysis of seemingly disparate variables, one often encounters skeptics who are quick to dismiss the possibility of any meaningful relationship. Yet, armed with an arsenal of basketball statistics and energy consumption data, we wade into uncharted territory with the tenacity of a tenacious rebounder and the keen eye of a data analyst on a three-point shooting spree.
The underlying rationale for pursuing this outlandish inquiry, apart from our undying love for adventurous statistical escapades, stems from the intriguing nature of seemingly unrelated phenomena. It has long been recognized in the annals of scientific exploration that unlikely associations can hold within them the seeds of groundbreaking discoveries. As researchers, we are not afraid to journey to the statistical fringes, where the unexpected often lies in wait, ready to leap out like a crossover dribble that leaves defenders flailing.
In this day and age, where data reigns supreme and correlations dominate the realm of analysis, we hold firm to the belief that there are connections waiting to be unearthed, connections that may very well pop up like an unexpected half-court shot swishing through the net. So, brace yourselves for a tale of two worlds colliding, as we embark on an odyssey that traverses the hallowed halls of basketball lore and the tranquil evenings illuminated by the warm glow of kerosene lamps on distant islands.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The results of our rigorous analysis revealed a surprising and robust correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands. The correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 signifies a strong positive relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables, indicating that as the Boston Celtics' draft pick count increased, so did the kerosene consumption in the U.S. Pacific Islands. This unlikely connection left us feeling as exhilarated as a buzzer-beating half-court shot!

The coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.5496760 adds further credence to the strength of this relationship, explaining approximately 55% of the variation in kerosene consumption based on the fluctuation of Boston Celtics' draft pick count. It's as though the basketball court and the Pacific Islands have formed an unexpected pick-and-roll play of their own, dazzling us with their statistical cohesion.

To top it off, the p-value of less than 0.01 indicates that this correlation is not due to mere chance or a statistical fluke, but rather a tangible and significant association. We were beside ourselves, feeling like we made a slam-dunk discovery in the world of empirical research.

Infused with excitement and reveling in the unexpected nature of our findings, we present Fig. 1, a scatterplot illustrating the dramatic correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands. It's like witnessing a perfect full-court pass connecting two seemingly distant players in the game of statistical association.

In conclusion, our results serve as a poignant reminder of the surprising interconnectedness that permeates our world, defying conventional wisdom and inviting us to explore the mysterious, whimsical, and often comically unexpected ways in which variables can interact. Our paper stands as a testament to the endless possibilities of uncovering statistical gems where one might least expect them, akin to finding a diamond in the rough of empirical analysis.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.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 Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands. 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]]
"Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands might seem like comparing apples and oranges, but our research sheds light on this curious phenomenon. We mined data from Basketball Reference and the Energy Information Administration, defying the odds to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1980 to 2021. Our findings provoke contemplation on the elusive interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated events and urge further exploration into the whimsical dance of Celtics' draft fates and island illumination preferences. Gaining insights from basketball hardwood to the glowing outdoor light, our research presents an unexpected alley-oop of knowledge, weaving through the courts of statistical surprise and the winding pathways of kerosene consumption.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
While the initial proposition of a correlation between the Boston Celtics' draft picks and kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands may elicit skepticism, one cannot discount the possibility of uncovering unexpected connections in the web of statistics and human behavior. Our investigation delves into an assortment of scholarly studies to contextualize the peculiar relationship between these seemingly disparate domains.
Smith et al. (2015) explore the intricate patterns of sports team performances and the ripple effects on societal norms in their work "Athletics and Societal Dynamics." However, while their analysis encompasses a wide array of sports phenomena, they regrettably overlook the offshore ramifications on kerosene utilization. Likewise, Doe and Jones (2018) present a comprehensive study of energy consumption in remote island communities in "Island Illumination: A Statistical Analysis." Although their insights shed light on the multifaceted nature of energy usage, the nuances of basketball draft dynamics are regrettably left in the shadows.
Expanding our scope beyond the realm of scholarly publications, we cast our analytical net wider to encompass works that may tangentially touch upon the curious duo of Celtics drafts and Pacific illumination. "Hoops and Flames: Basketball's Impact on Pacific Island Energy" by Lorem Ipsum (2020) provides a whimsical but surprisingly insightful exploration of the interplay between sporting events and energy trends in overlooked locales. On a more fanciful note, fantastic divergences into fictional realms yield tantalizing associations, with references to "Drafting Fire: Kerosene Chronicles" by J.K. Rowling and "The Basketball Diaries of Weasleys" by Herman Melville. While these volumes may be illusory in nature, their titles whimsically dance around the edges of our query.
Unveiling the intermission, we momentarily stray from the pages of literature to intersect with the digital sphere, where internet memes beckon. The viral "Kerosene Celtics" meme, featuring a comical fusion of a basketball dunk and a kerosene lamp, humorously captures the absurd yet thought-provoking convergence of our research focus areas. The internet proves to be a fertile ground for unexpected connections, transcending the boundaries of conventional academic inquiry.
As we stand at the intersection of athleticism and island illumination, our exploration branches into unsuspecting realms, beckoning us to embrace the zany, the unlikely, and the hitherto unexplored terrain with relentless curiosity. With a joie de vivre reminiscent of an underdog team's spirit, we march onward, prepared to observe the jocular interplay between the whims of the draft and the flickering radiance of kerosene in U.S. Pacific Islands.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our rigorous analysis revealed a surprising and robust correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands. The correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 signifies a strong positive relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables, indicating that as the Boston Celtics' draft pick count increased, so did the kerosene consumption in the U.S. Pacific Islands. This unlikely connection left us feeling as exhilarated as a buzzer-beating half-court shot!
The coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.5496760 adds further credence to the strength of this relationship, explaining approximately 55% of the variation in kerosene consumption based on the fluctuation of Boston Celtics' draft pick count. It's as though the basketball court and the Pacific Islands have formed an unexpected pick-and-roll play of their own, dazzling us with their statistical cohesion.
To top it off, the p-value of less than 0.01 indicates that this correlation is not due to mere chance or a statistical fluke, but rather a tangible and significant association. We were beside ourselves, feeling like we made a slam-dunk discovery in the world of empirical research.
Infused with excitement and reveling in the unexpected nature of our findings, we present Fig. 1, a scatterplot illustrating the dramatic correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands. It's like witnessing a perfect full-court pass connecting two seemingly distant players in the game of statistical association.
In conclusion, our results serve as a poignant reminder of the surprising interconnectedness that permeates our world, defying conventional wisdom and inviting us to explore the mysterious, whimsical, and often comically unexpected ways in which variables can interact. Our paper stands as a testament to the endless possibilities of uncovering statistical gems where one might least expect them, akin to finding a diamond in the rough of empirical analysis.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

It's easy to feel like a mad scientist when exploring the curious link between the Boston Celtics' draft picks and kerosene consumption in the U.S. Pacific Islands. But it turns out our whimsical investigation has not only unearthed a statistically significant correlation but also provided an unexpected alley-oop of insights into the mysterious dance of statistical surprise and island illumination preferences.

Our findings not only confirm those of Smith et al. (2015) but also slam-dunk Doe and Jones' (2018) insights. This robust correlation might seem as unlikely as finding a basketball in a bucket of kerosene, but it's as real as a Larry Bird three-pointer.

Expanding our scope, we can't help but marvel at the comedic fact that the comical "Kerosene Celtics" meme has turned into a seemingly prophetic representation of our results. It's almost as if the digital world was sending a playful nudge toward the uncovered statistical gem.

Now, as we revel in the unexpected correlation, it's as if we've found a statistical unicorn grazing on the basketball court, demonstrating the whimsical, mysterious, and often comically unexpected ways in which variables can interact.

Our paper stands as a glowing testament to the fact that, just like the famous Celtics' green, statistical gems can be found in the most unexpected places. It's like hitting a statistical half-court shot, and we remain forever in awe of the mysterious, interconnected dance of numbers and human behavior. Just when you think you've seen it all, surprise! The stats throw you a curveball—and we’re just glad we had our statistical mitts ready to catch it.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.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 Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands. 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]]
"Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands might seem like comparing apples and oranges, but our research sheds light on this curious phenomenon. We mined data from Basketball Reference and the Energy Information Administration, defying the odds to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1980 to 2021. Our findings provoke contemplation on the elusive interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated events and urge further exploration into the whimsical dance of Celtics' draft fates and island illumination preferences. Gaining insights from basketball hardwood to the glowing outdoor light, our research presents an unexpected alley-oop of knowledge, weaving through the courts of statistical surprise and the winding pathways of kerosene consumption.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Introduction
In the riveting world of sports and statistical analysis, one does not typically expect to uncover a connection between the draft picks of a renowned basketball team and the kerosene consumption in the distant U.S. Pacific Islands. However, as the saying goes, "fortune favors the bold and statistically inclined." In this paper, we embark on a journey that takes us from the bustling arenas of basketball to the serene shores of the Pacific, all in pursuit of unraveling the enigmatic link between the Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count and the consumption of kerosene in islands scattered across the vast ocean.
When delving into the analysis of seemingly disparate variables, one often encounters skeptics who are quick to dismiss the possibility of any meaningful relationship. Yet, armed with an arsenal of basketball statistics and energy consumption data, we wade into uncharted territory with the tenacity of a tenacious rebounder and the keen eye of a data analyst on a three-point shooting spree.
The underlying rationale for pursuing this outlandish inquiry, apart from our undying love for adventurous statistical escapades, stems from the intriguing nature of seemingly unrelated phenomena. It has long been recognized in the annals of scientific exploration that unlikely associations can hold within them the seeds of groundbreaking discoveries. As researchers, we are not afraid to journey to the statistical fringes, where the unexpected often lies in wait, ready to leap out like a crossover dribble that leaves defenders flailing.
In this day and age, where data reigns supreme and correlations dominate the realm of analysis, we hold firm to the belief that there are connections waiting to be unearthed, connections that may very well pop up like an unexpected half-court shot swishing through the net. So, brace yourselves for a tale of two worlds colliding, as we embark on an odyssey that traverses the hallowed halls of basketball lore and the tranquil evenings illuminated by the warm glow of kerosene lamps on distant islands.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our rigorous analysis revealed a surprising and robust correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands. The correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 signifies a strong positive relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables, indicating that as the Boston Celtics' draft pick count increased, so did the kerosene consumption in the U.S. Pacific Islands. This unlikely connection left us feeling as exhilarated as a buzzer-beating half-court shot!
The coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.5496760 adds further credence to the strength of this relationship, explaining approximately 55% of the variation in kerosene consumption based on the fluctuation of Boston Celtics' draft pick count. It's as though the basketball court and the Pacific Islands have formed an unexpected pick-and-roll play of their own, dazzling us with their statistical cohesion.
To top it off, the p-value of less than 0.01 indicates that this correlation is not due to mere chance or a statistical fluke, but rather a tangible and significant association. We were beside ourselves, feeling like we made a slam-dunk discovery in the world of empirical research.
Infused with excitement and reveling in the unexpected nature of our findings, we present Fig. 1, a scatterplot illustrating the dramatic correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands. It's like witnessing a perfect full-court pass connecting two seemingly distant players in the game of statistical association.
In conclusion, our results serve as a poignant reminder of the surprising interconnectedness that permeates our world, defying conventional wisdom and inviting us to explore the mysterious, whimsical, and often comically unexpected ways in which variables can interact. Our paper stands as a testament to the endless possibilities of uncovering statistical gems where one might least expect them, akin to finding a diamond in the rough of empirical analysis.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

As we conclude this whimsically wondrous odyssey through the statistical tapestry of the Boston Celtics' draft picks and the illuminating kerosene consumed in the enchanting U.S. Pacific Islands, we find ourselves exhilarated and bewildered, much like an overexcited fan after a miraculous game-winning shot. Our research has illuminated an unexpected pick-and-roll play between the hardwood courts of basketball and the luminous shores of the Pacific Islands.

The robust correlation coefficient, akin to a slam-dunk, and the statistically significant p-value, as dazzling as a perfectly executed alley-oop, leave us with little doubt that there is indeed a connection between these seemingly unrelated variables. It's as though statistical fate orchestrated an unanticipated half-court shot, swishing through the net of correlation, leaving us in awe of the inexplicable statistical dance unfolding before our eyes.

But, as much as we revel in the joy of this perplexing discovery, we must acknowledge the limits of our findings and resist the temptation to devour additional spatiotemporal data bites. While our paper has provided a deep dive into the unlikely interplay of Celtics draft picks and Pacific Island kerosene consumption, we assert in the spirit of statistical righteousness that further research in this realm would be akin to attempting a full-court shot blindfolded – a humorous endeavor with little chance of success.

As we bid adieu to this enthralling statistical journey, we urge future researchers to approach their studies with the same boldness and statistical curiosity. Our findings remind us that statistical association knows no bounds, popping up in the unlikeliest of places like an unexpected three-pointer. So, let us savor the surprise, relish in the quirky correlations, and remember that even in the world of empirical analysis, statistical whimsy and merriment abound.

And with that, we leave this unconventional tale, satisfied in the knowledge that sometimes the unlikeliest connections are the ones that illuminate our understanding of the statistical world. No more research is needed in this area; the Celtics and kerosene have already danced an unforgettable statistical tango!


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 Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Sports Analytics and Cultural Geography


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 Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Mysterious 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 Burning the Midnight Celtic Oil: An Unexpected Connection between Boston Celtics' Draft Picks and Kerosene Consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands with an abstract of The correlation between the annual draft pick count of the Boston Celtics and the kerosene consumption in U.S. Pacific Islands might seem like comparing apples and oranges, but our research sheds light on this curious phenomenon. We mined data from Basketball Reference and the Energy Information Administration, defying the odds to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.7414014 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning 1980 to 2021. Our findings provoke contemplation on the elusive interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated events and urge further exploration into the whimsical dance of Celtics' draft fates and island illumination preferences. Gaining insights from basketball hardwood to the glowing outdoor light, our research presents an unexpected alley-oop of knowledge, weaving through the courts of statistical surprise and the winding pathways of kerosene consumption.

ChatGPT:

Boston Celtics, draft picks, kerosene consumption, U.S. Pacific Islands, correlation, Basketball Reference, Energy Information Administration, correlation coefficient, statistical significance, interconnectedness, island illumination, statistical surprise

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



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Data details

Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count
Source: Basketball Refererence
See what else correlates with Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count

Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands
Detailed data title: Volume of kerosene used consumed in U.S. Pacific Islands in millions of barrels per day
Source: Energy Information Administration
See what else correlates with Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands

Correlation r = 0.7414014 (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 = 0.5496760 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 55% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count) over the 42 years from 1980 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.0E-8. 0.0000000195224241477211300000
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.74 in 2.0E-6% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 51,223,147 random variables You don't actually need 51 million 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 41 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 41 because we have two variables measured over a period of 42 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.

[ 0.56, 0.85 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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


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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count (Picks)111110101065722112122231113134312212231261371552
Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands (Million Barrels/Day)0.13750.13750.13750.13750.1250.11250.10.10.10.042350.042350.042350.042240.042350.042350.042350.042240.042350.042350.04235620.04224040.04235620.04235620.04235620.04224040.04235620.050.050.050.050.060.050.050.050.050.050.050.050.050.050.050.05




Why this works

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

    For the purposes of this project, I counted a point as an outlier if it the residual was two standard deviations from the mean.

    (This bullet point only shows up in the details page on charts that do, in fact, have outliers.)
    They stand out on the scatterplot above: notice the dots that are far away from any other dots. I intentionally mishandeled outliers, which makes the correlation look extra strong.




Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([11,11,10,10,10,6,5,7,2,2,1,1,2,1,2,2,2,3,1,1,1,3,1,3,4,3,1,2,2,1,2,2,3,1,2,6,13,7,1,5,5,2,])
array_2 = np.array([0.1375,0.1375,0.1375,0.1375,0.125,0.1125,0.1,0.1,0.1,0.04235,0.04235,0.04235,0.04224,0.04235,0.04235,0.04235,0.04224,0.04235,0.04235,0.0423562,0.0422404,0.0423562,0.0423562,0.0423562,0.0422404,0.0423562,0.05,0.05,0.05,0.05,0.06,0.05,0.05,0.05,0.05,0.05,0.05,0.05,0.05,0.05,0.05,0.05,])
array_1_name = "Boston Celtics' annual draft pick count"
array_2_name = "Kerosene used in U.S. Pacific Islands"

# 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)



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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.

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Correlation ID: 1588 · Black Variable ID: 248 · Red Variable ID: 25027
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