Spurious correlation #1,708 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Solar power generated in Greece and the second variable is Google searches for 'ice bath'. The chart goes from 2004 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 Solar power generated in Greece and the second variable is Google searches for 'ice bath'. The chart goes from 2004 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

Some people in Greece were getting so charged up about solar power that they decided to cool down by taking more ice baths. It's like they were competing to see who could be the coolest renewable energy enthusiasts!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image that shows a bright, sunny courtyard in Greece teeming with vibrant greenery. In the center of the courtyard, a row of sleek, modern solar panels stand tall, soaking up the warm sunlight. Nearby, a person is sitting with a phone in one hand, scrolling through a Google search for "ice bath." The scene should exude a sense of tranquility and eco-friendliness, while also capturing the curiosity of the person learning about the refreshing practice of taking ice baths. 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: Solar power generated in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. 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: Photorealism A comic-book-style illustration with muted colors and a dotted halftone pattern from the 1960s Cute 2D animation Cubism Pop art
ChatGPT: Photorealism

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 Solar power generated in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath' together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a sunny courtyard in Greece, a row of solar panels bask in the sunlight, generating clean energy for the nearby buildings. Meanwhile, on a phone screen nearby, someone is seen searching on Google for "ice bath", curious about the benefits of this refreshing practice.

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: [ Photorealism ] and depicting this scene: In a sunny courtyard in Greece, a row of solar panels bask in the sunlight, generating clean energy for the nearby buildings. Meanwhile, on a phone screen nearby, someone is seen searching on Google for "ice bath", curious about the benefits of this refreshing practice. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image that shows a bright, sunny courtyard in Greece teeming with vibrant greenery. In the center of the courtyard, a row of sleek, modern solar panels stand tall, soaking up the warm sunlight. Nearby, a person is sitting with a phone in one hand, scrolling through a Google search for "ice bath." The scene should exude a sense of tranquility and eco-friendliness, while also capturing the curiosity of the person learning about the refreshing practice of taking ice baths.

*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 Solar power generated in Greece caused ice bath (Google searches for 'ice bath') to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Solar Folly or Google Jolly: Exploring the Correlation Between Solar Power in Greece and Google Searches for 'Ice Bath'

Journal of Solar Energetics and Internet Phenomena

Jan 2024

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

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

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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Solar power generated in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. 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 devolve ever further, and mention something completely ridiculous, like you conducted literature review by reading the backs of shampoo bottles.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Solar Folly or Google Jolly: Exploring the Correlation Between Solar Power in Greece and Google Searches for 'Ice Bath'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to shed light on the somewhat chilling relationship between solar power generation in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. Delving into the obscure and frosty connections between renewable energy and online queries for icy remedies, our research team utilized data from the Energy Information Administration and Google Trends. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9668866 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 2004 to 2021, our findings suggest a remarkably strong association between solar power output in Greece and the public's interest in taking an ice-cold plunge. These intriguing results spark further questions, such as whether individuals seek reprieve from the toasty Greek sun or if this phenomenon is simply a manifestation of a "cool" trend in online searching behavior.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The juxtaposition of solar power in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath' may seem as incongruous as mixing sunscreen and snow boots. However, the peculiar correlation between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena has captured the attention of our research team. As we embark on this frosty yet illuminating journey, we cannot help but marvel at the unexpected twists and turns of the data, much like a rollercoaster ride through a winter wonderland.
The notion of harnessing solar energy in a country known for its sunshine and picturesque landscapes seems like a natural fit, akin to pairing feta cheese with olives. Meanwhile, the concept of individuals turning to the internet to explore the benefits of an icy dip may strike some as curious as finding a penguin in the desert. Nevertheless, our preliminary analysis has uncovered a surprising parallel between the ebb and flow of solar power generation and the frequency of 'ice bath' searches, prompting the question: is there more to this chilly connection than meets the eye?
As we delve into this unusual correlation, we are reminded of the timeless adage, "opposites attract," leaving us to ponder whether the allure of solar energy and the appeal of embracing an icy plunge are intertwined in ways we have yet to comprehend. With this in mind, we cautiously take our first step onto the frozen lake of data analysis, armed with a sturdy set of statistical tools and a keen sense of curiosity. After all, what better way to make sense of this frosty fascination than to navigate through the twists and turns with good-natured wonder and a hint of scholarly skepticism?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Numerous studies have sought to elucidate the enigmatic connection between solar power and divergent topics, ranging from vitamin D supplementation to penguin behaviors in Antarctica. In "Smith et al.'s study," the authors find a significant positive correlation between solar power generation and increased public interest in ice-related activities, supporting the notion that sunlight may indeed inspire a penchant for chilly endeavors. Furthermore, Doe and Jones (2019) make salient observations regarding the impact of solar energy on human behavior, albeit not directly touching upon the specific relation to 'ice bath' searches.

Turning to the realm of non-fiction literature, "Sunlight and Its Surprising Influence on Human Behavior" by J. A. Griffin presents a comprehensive exploration of solar radiation's effects on psychological and physiological responses, which may provide insight into the allure of unconventional cooling methods. Additionally, "The Mediterranean Diet: A Scientific Approach" by M. G. Smith sheds light on the dietary and lifestyle practices prevalent in the region, indirectly hinting at the potential influence of Greek culture on the public's online search behaviors.

In the world of fiction, works such as "The Ice Queen's Secret" by K. Frost and "Solar Flares and Cold Affairs" by A. Snow offer imaginative narratives that, although not rooted in empirical evidence, provoke contemplation on the intersection of solar phenomena and icy inclinations.

Expanding beyond traditional scholarly sources, the researchers took a daring leap into uncharted territories, meticulously examining the backs of shampoo bottles in an attempt to uncover hidden messages or cryptic symbols that could hold the key to unraveling this frosty mystery. Alas, this unconventional approach yielded no actionable insights, though it did leave the research team with remarkably luscious and voluminous hair.

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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Solar power generated in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Energy Information Administration and Google Trends . You used data from 2004 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]]
Solar Folly or Google Jolly: Exploring the Correlation Between Solar Power in Greece and Google Searches for 'Ice Bath'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to shed light on the somewhat chilling relationship between solar power generation in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. Delving into the obscure and frosty connections between renewable energy and online queries for icy remedies, our research team utilized data from the Energy Information Administration and Google Trends. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9668866 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 2004 to 2021, our findings suggest a remarkably strong association between solar power output in Greece and the public's interest in taking an ice-cold plunge. These intriguing results spark further questions, such as whether individuals seek reprieve from the toasty Greek sun or if this phenomenon is simply a manifestation of a "cool" trend in online searching behavior.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The juxtaposition of solar power in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath' may seem as incongruous as mixing sunscreen and snow boots. However, the peculiar correlation between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena has captured the attention of our research team. As we embark on this frosty yet illuminating journey, we cannot help but marvel at the unexpected twists and turns of the data, much like a rollercoaster ride through a winter wonderland.
The notion of harnessing solar energy in a country known for its sunshine and picturesque landscapes seems like a natural fit, akin to pairing feta cheese with olives. Meanwhile, the concept of individuals turning to the internet to explore the benefits of an icy dip may strike some as curious as finding a penguin in the desert. Nevertheless, our preliminary analysis has uncovered a surprising parallel between the ebb and flow of solar power generation and the frequency of 'ice bath' searches, prompting the question: is there more to this chilly connection than meets the eye?
As we delve into this unusual correlation, we are reminded of the timeless adage, "opposites attract," leaving us to ponder whether the allure of solar energy and the appeal of embracing an icy plunge are intertwined in ways we have yet to comprehend. With this in mind, we cautiously take our first step onto the frozen lake of data analysis, armed with a sturdy set of statistical tools and a keen sense of curiosity. After all, what better way to make sense of this frosty fascination than to navigate through the twists and turns with good-natured wonder and a hint of scholarly skepticism?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unravel the enigmatic link between solar power generation in Greece and the surge of Google searches for the seemingly paradoxical 'ice bath', our research team undertook a multifaceted and, some might say, chillingly adventurous approach. We compiled data from an array of digital sources, including the Energy Information Administration and Google Trends, to conduct a meticulous investigation of the temporal relationship between these disparate yet intriguing phenomena.

The data gathering process commenced with a deep dive into the Energy Information Administration's treasure trove of solar power generation statistics in Greece from the years 2004 to 2021. Armed with an assortment of spreadsheets and an ardent appreciation for renewable energy data, our team set sail on the solar seas of statistical inquiry, navigating the waves of kilowatt-hours and photovoltaic technology with unwavering resolve. Mercilessly sifting through the ever-expanding data fields, we meticulously plotted the annual fluctuations in solar power output, akin to mapping the constellations in a sky filled with sparkling renewable energy potential.

Simultaneously, our intrepid researchers embarked on a digital expedition through the expansive realm of Google Trends, meticulously tracking the frequency of 'ice bath' searches among the digital denizens of the internet. With the precision of a snowflake descending to the ground, we scrutinized the peaks and valleys of search activity, seeking to discern any semblance of order amidst the seemingly random flurry of virtual snowflakes. Much like intrepid explorers navigating the treacherous terrain of an ice-covered landscape, we meticulously charted the temporal variations in 'ice bath' queries, exposing the underlying patterns hidden amidst the frosty labyrinth of online search behavior.

Subsequently, employing the versatile tools of statistical analysis, we executed a rigorous examination of the temporal relationship between solar power generation in Greece and the frequency of Google searches for 'ice bath'. Utilizing the distinguished correlation coefficient and the formidable p-value, we endeavored to unravel the icy mysteries concealed within the digital tapestries of data. Through the systematic application of time series analysis and cross-correlation functions, we sought to illuminate the subtle nuances of the association between solar energy and the public's fascination with submerging themselves in a bath of frigid water.

In summary, our methodological approach combined the analytical rigor of statistical inquiry with the unyielding perseverance of digital exploration, all in pursuit of uncovering the frozen threads that bind solar power in Greece to the captivating allure of the 'ice bath' search phenomenon. With the data collected and meticulously analyzed, we now turn to the illumination of our findings, shedding light on the unexpected correlation that has left us both bewildered and exhilarated by this frosty conundrum.

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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Solar power generated in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
Solar Folly or Google Jolly: Exploring the Correlation Between Solar Power in Greece and Google Searches for 'Ice Bath'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to shed light on the somewhat chilling relationship between solar power generation in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. Delving into the obscure and frosty connections between renewable energy and online queries for icy remedies, our research team utilized data from the Energy Information Administration and Google Trends. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9668866 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 2004 to 2021, our findings suggest a remarkably strong association between solar power output in Greece and the public's interest in taking an ice-cold plunge. These intriguing results spark further questions, such as whether individuals seek reprieve from the toasty Greek sun or if this phenomenon is simply a manifestation of a "cool" trend in online searching behavior.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Numerous studies have sought to elucidate the enigmatic connection between solar power and divergent topics, ranging from vitamin D supplementation to penguin behaviors in Antarctica. In "Smith et al.'s study," the authors find a significant positive correlation between solar power generation and increased public interest in ice-related activities, supporting the notion that sunlight may indeed inspire a penchant for chilly endeavors. Furthermore, Doe and Jones (2019) make salient observations regarding the impact of solar energy on human behavior, albeit not directly touching upon the specific relation to 'ice bath' searches.
Turning to the realm of non-fiction literature, "Sunlight and Its Surprising Influence on Human Behavior" by J. A. Griffin presents a comprehensive exploration of solar radiation's effects on psychological and physiological responses, which may provide insight into the allure of unconventional cooling methods. Additionally, "The Mediterranean Diet: A Scientific Approach" by M. G. Smith sheds light on the dietary and lifestyle practices prevalent in the region, indirectly hinting at the potential influence of Greek culture on the public's online search behaviors.
In the world of fiction, works such as "The Ice Queen's Secret" by K. Frost and "Solar Flares and Cold Affairs" by A. Snow offer imaginative narratives that, although not rooted in empirical evidence, provoke contemplation on the intersection of solar phenomena and icy inclinations.
Expanding beyond traditional scholarly sources, the researchers took a daring leap into uncharted territories, meticulously examining the backs of shampoo bottles in an attempt to uncover hidden messages or cryptic symbols that could hold the key to unraveling this frosty mystery. Alas, this unconventional approach yielded no actionable insights, though it did leave the research team with remarkably luscious and voluminous hair.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistically unlikely relationship between solar power generation in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath' yielded intriguing findings. The correlation coefficient of 0.9668866 indicated a remarkably strong positive association between these disparate variables. Additionally, the r-squared value of 0.9348697 suggested a high degree of variability in 'ice bath' searches that could be explained by fluctuations in solar power output. Notably, the p-value of less than 0.01 provided robust evidence against the null hypothesis of no association.
The Figure 1 scatterplot visually depicts the striking correlation, resembling a snowy landscape dotted with solar panels and 'ice bath' search queries. This visual representation captures the essence of our findings and serves as a testament to the unexpected symmetry between these unconventional phenomena.
These results raise amusing yet thought-provoking questions about the underlying motivations driving this peculiar relationship. Could it be that individuals are seeking respite from the Mediterranean sun by immersing themselves in icy contemplation? Or do these patterns reflect a broader trend in online search behavior, one that finds solace in the cool embrace of 'ice bath' queries amidst the Greek solar splendor? As we navigate this enigmatic union of solar power and frosty inquiries, we are reminded that the world of data analysis is not always black and white, sometimes it's expressed in shades of icy blue.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The remarkably robust association between solar power generation in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath', as revealed by our findings, lends credence to prior research that has postulated a connection between solar energy and cold-related activities. The correlation coefficient of 0.9668866 aligns with the observations made by Smith et al., who similarly identified a positive relationship between solar power output and heightened public interest in ice-related pursuits. While our study may not have directly explored penguin behaviors in Antarctica, it nonetheless contributes to the evolving discourse on the influence of solar phenomena on human behavior, albeit in a whimsically unexpected manner.

Venturing into the realm of non-fiction literature, the dietary and lifestyle practices prevalent in Greece, as expounded upon in "The Mediterranean Diet: A Scientific Approach" by M. G. Smith, likely play a role in shaping individuals' inclinations towards 'ice bath' searches. Indeed, the Mediterranean culture's emphasis on leisure and well-being may intertwine with the public's proclivity to seek unconventional cooling methods, perhaps indicating a collective yearning for chilly comfort amidst the warmth of the Grecian sunshine.

Furthermore, it is evident that our findings resonate with "Sunlight and Its Surprising Influence on Human Behavior" by J. A. Griffin, which underscores the intricate interplay between solar radiation and psychological responses. The proposition that sunlight may inspire a penchant for chilly endeavors gains impetus from our results, laying the groundwork for further exploration into the multifaceted ways in which solar energy permeates human consciousness and influences behavior.

In acknowledging the limitations of our study, it becomes evident that future research endeavors could delve deeper into the nuanced motivations driving the correlation between solar power generation in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. While our findings shed light on this chilling relationship, they also prompt whimsical contemplation about whether individuals seek reprieve from the toasty Greek sun or if this phenomenon is simply a manifestation of a "cool" trend in online searching behavior. The intersection of solar power and frosty inquiries remains an intriguing area ripe for further investigation, reminding us of the peculiar yet compelling intricacies underlying human behavior and the enigmatic dance of data. Thus, as we tarry in the frosty landscape of correlation, we must not forget to keep our metaphoric thermometers handy, as the temperature of discovery may drop even further into icy blue depths.

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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Solar power generated in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Solar Folly or Google Jolly: Exploring the Correlation Between Solar Power in Greece and Google Searches for 'Ice Bath'

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to shed light on the somewhat chilling relationship between solar power generation in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. Delving into the obscure and frosty connections between renewable energy and online queries for icy remedies, our research team utilized data from the Energy Information Administration and Google Trends. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9668866 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 2004 to 2021, our findings suggest a remarkably strong association between solar power output in Greece and the public's interest in taking an ice-cold plunge. These intriguing results spark further questions, such as whether individuals seek reprieve from the toasty Greek sun or if this phenomenon is simply a manifestation of a "cool" trend in online searching behavior.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The juxtaposition of solar power in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath' may seem as incongruous as mixing sunscreen and snow boots. However, the peculiar correlation between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena has captured the attention of our research team. As we embark on this frosty yet illuminating journey, we cannot help but marvel at the unexpected twists and turns of the data, much like a rollercoaster ride through a winter wonderland.
The notion of harnessing solar energy in a country known for its sunshine and picturesque landscapes seems like a natural fit, akin to pairing feta cheese with olives. Meanwhile, the concept of individuals turning to the internet to explore the benefits of an icy dip may strike some as curious as finding a penguin in the desert. Nevertheless, our preliminary analysis has uncovered a surprising parallel between the ebb and flow of solar power generation and the frequency of 'ice bath' searches, prompting the question: is there more to this chilly connection than meets the eye?
As we delve into this unusual correlation, we are reminded of the timeless adage, "opposites attract," leaving us to ponder whether the allure of solar energy and the appeal of embracing an icy plunge are intertwined in ways we have yet to comprehend. With this in mind, we cautiously take our first step onto the frozen lake of data analysis, armed with a sturdy set of statistical tools and a keen sense of curiosity. After all, what better way to make sense of this frosty fascination than to navigate through the twists and turns with good-natured wonder and a hint of scholarly skepticism?

[[RESULTS]]
The statistically unlikely relationship between solar power generation in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath' yielded intriguing findings. The correlation coefficient of 0.9668866 indicated a remarkably strong positive association between these disparate variables. Additionally, the r-squared value of 0.9348697 suggested a high degree of variability in 'ice bath' searches that could be explained by fluctuations in solar power output. Notably, the p-value of less than 0.01 provided robust evidence against the null hypothesis of no association.
The Figure 1 scatterplot visually depicts the striking correlation, resembling a snowy landscape dotted with solar panels and 'ice bath' search queries. This visual representation captures the essence of our findings and serves as a testament to the unexpected symmetry between these unconventional phenomena.
These results raise amusing yet thought-provoking questions about the underlying motivations driving this peculiar relationship. Could it be that individuals are seeking respite from the Mediterranean sun by immersing themselves in icy contemplation? Or do these patterns reflect a broader trend in online search behavior, one that finds solace in the cool embrace of 'ice bath' queries amidst the Greek solar splendor? As we navigate this enigmatic union of solar power and frosty inquiries, we are reminded that the world of data analysis is not always black and white, sometimes it's expressed in shades of icy blue.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our investigation into the interplay between solar power generation in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath' has revealed a correlation as surprising as stumbling upon a snowman in the Sahara. The remarkably strong association between these seemingly unrelated phenomena points to a connection that is as intriguing as finding a sizzling gyro in a freezer. The data, much like a mischievous snowball, has rolled into an unexpected alliance, leaving us to wonder whether this chilly behavior stems from a desire to cool off in the face of the scorching Greek sun or if it's merely a fashionable "cool" trend in online searching behavior.

While the results of our study have illuminated this frosty relationship, one might say that further research in this area is as futile as trying to shovel snow during a heatwave. The data has spoken, and it seems that we have unlocked the mystery of this unusual coupling. With that in mind, we assert that no further examination is needed in this realm of icy inquiry and solar intrigue.

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 Solar Folly or Google Jolly: Exploring the Correlation Between Solar Power in Greece and Google Searches for 'Ice Bath'. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Solar Energetics and Internet Phenomena

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 Solar Folly or Google Jolly: Exploring the Correlation Between Solar Power in Greece and Google Searches for 'Ice Bath'. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Association for Solar Power and Internet Search Behavior (ASPISB)

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 Solar Folly or Google Jolly: Exploring the Correlation Between Solar Power in Greece and Google Searches for 'Ice Bath' with an abstract of This study aims to shed light on the somewhat chilling relationship between solar power generation in Greece and Google searches for 'ice bath'. Delving into the obscure and frosty connections between renewable energy and online queries for icy remedies, our research team utilized data from the Energy Information Administration and Google Trends. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9668866 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 2004 to 2021, our findings suggest a remarkably strong association between solar power output in Greece and the public's interest in taking an ice-cold plunge. These intriguing results spark further questions, such as whether individuals seek reprieve from the toasty Greek sun or if this phenomenon is simply a manifestation of a "cool" trend in online searching behavior.

ChatGPT:

solar power, Greece, Google searches, ice bath, correlation, renewable energy, Energy Information Administration, Google Trends, solar power output

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

Random correlation

Discover a new correlation

View all correlations

View all research papers

Report an error

Data details

Solar power generated in Greece
Detailed data title: Total solar power generated in Greece in billion kWh
Source: Energy Information Administration
See what else correlates with Solar power generated in Greece

Google searches for 'ice bath'
Detailed data title: Relative volume of Google searches for 'ice bath' (Worldwide, without quotes)
Source: Google Trends
Additional Info: ^{See full details} Relative search volume (not absolute numbers)

See what else correlates with Google searches for 'ice bath'

Correlation r = 0.9668866 (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 = 0.9348697 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 93.5% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Google searches for 'ice bath') is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Solar power generated in Greece) over the 18 years from 2004 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 6.6E-11.^Show 0.0000000000655119085155355900
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 0.97 in 6.6E-9% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 15,264,400,361 random variables^Note You don't actually need 15 billion 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 17 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 17 because we have two variables measured over a period of 18 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.

[ 0.91, 0.99 ] 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.

	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Solar power generated in Greece (Billion kWh)	0.001	0.001	0.001	0.001	0.005	0.05	0.158004	0.610311	1.694	3.648	3.792	3.9	3.92971	3.99148	3.79065	4.42851	4.447	5.106
Google searches for 'ice bath' (Rel. search volume)	8.91667	8.75	8.08333	9	9.66667	9.83333	12.25	13.6667	17.1667	17.5	19	19.9167	20.3333	20.9167	21.8333	23.5	23.75	27.0833

Why this works

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

Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([0.001,0.001,0.001,0.001,0.005,0.05,0.158004,0.610311,1.694,3.648,3.792,3.9,3.92971,3.99148,3.79065,4.42851,4.447,5.106,])
array_2 = np.array([8.91667,8.75,8.08333,9,9.66667,9.83333,12.25,13.6667,17.1667,17.5,19,19.9167,20.3333,20.9167,21.8333,23.5,23.75,27.0833,])
array_1_name = "Solar power generated in Greece"
array_2_name = "Google searches for 'ice bath'"

# 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 Solar power generated in Greece
Line chart for only Google searches for 'ice bath'
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Solar Folly or Google Jolly: Exploring the Correlation Between Solar Power in Greece and Google Searches for 'Ice Bath'

View another random correlation

How fun was this correlation?

Your correlation inspection deserves a standing ovation!

Correlation ID: 1708 · Black Variable ID: 23696 · Red Variable ID: 1408


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