Spurious correlation #1,716 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is UFO sightings in Massachusetts and the second variable is Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. The chart goes from 1979 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 UFO sightings in Massachusetts and the second variable is Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. The chart goes from 1979 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

The increase in UFO sightings in Massachusetts led to a surge in demand for aluminum foil, which in turn caused a shortage in the production of UFO-shaped balloons. This shortage prompted the state to host more hot air balloon festivals, leading to an increase in the availability of festival-style hotdogs. The reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, being a fan of festive hotdogs, found himself with a greater supply of his preferred competition fuel, ultimately contributing to his record-breaking hot dog consumption.

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a park in Massachusetts where people are gathered around Joey Chestnut, the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, as he savors hotdogs. In the sky, depict a hovering UFO, while a crowd of amazed onlookers watches in astonishment. Focus on the contrast of the mundane activity of eating hotdogs and the extraordinary sight of the mysterious UFO. Let the image express the surreal combination of the everyday and the otherworldly. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.

This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: UFO sightings in Massachusetts and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. 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: A scene from Skyrim Cutsy graphics Vaporwave Art nouveau Brutalism
ChatGPT: A scene from Skyrim

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both UFO sightings in Massachusetts and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a park in Massachusetts, people gather to watch the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, Joey Chestnut, enjoying hotdogs while a UFO hovers in the sky above. The crowd is amazed at both the incredible feat of hotdog consumption and the mysterious UFO sighting.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ A scene from Skyrim ] and depicting this scene: In a park in Massachusetts, people gather to watch the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, Joey Chestnut, enjoying hotdogs while a UFO hovers in the sky above. The crowd is amazed at both the incredible feat of hotdog consumption and the mysterious UFO sighting. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a park in Massachusetts where people are gathered around Joey Chestnut, the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, as he savors hotdogs. In the sky, depict a hovering UFO, while a crowd of amazed onlookers watches in astonishment. Focus on the contrast of the mundane activity of eating hotdogs and the extraordinary sight of the mysterious UFO. Let the image express the surreal combination of the everyday and the otherworldly.

*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 increases in UFO sightings in Massachusetts positively influenced Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion.\Make it sound serious until the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

UFOs, Hotdogs, and the Champion: Exploring the Surprising Connection Between Extraterrestrial Sightings in Massachusetts and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Gastronomy and Unexplained 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 UFO sightings in Massachusetts and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. 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 few real TV shows that sound like they might be relevant to the topic that you watched as research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
UFOs, Hotdogs, and the Champion: Exploring the Surprising Connection Between Extraterrestrial Sightings in Massachusetts and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the inexplicable correlation between UFO sightings in the state of Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Drawing on data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, our research team conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1979 to 2021. The notable correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 left our team in awe, just like encountering an unidentified flying object. We discuss various theories to explain this unusual connection, from cosmic hotdog cravings to extraterrestrial fascination with competitive eating. Our findings open up new avenues for interdisciplinary research and prompt a reconsideration of the cosmic implications of this earthly delight.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The mysterious allure of UFO sightings has captivated the public imagination for decades, much like the peculiar attraction of consuming an exorbitant amount of hotdogs in a mere ten minutes. While these two phenomena may appear unrelated on the surface, our study seeks to unravel the peculiar correlation between extraterrestrial sightings in the state of Massachusetts and the annual consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Combining the enigmatic world of unidentified flying objects with the carnivalesque realm of competitive eating, this research endeavors to shed light on a connection that has baffled both scientists and hotdog enthusiasts alike.
Both UFO sightings and hotdog eating competitions have garnered their fair share of attention. Conspiracy theorists and skeptics have engaged in a perpetual dance of claims and counterclaims surrounding the former, while the latter has become a staple of American culinary indulgence and the subject of countless bellyaching puns. However, it was only in recent years that the compelling correlation between these two seemingly disparate phenomena has come under scientific scrutiny.
The state of Massachusetts, with its rich history of UFO sightings and the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, provides an intriguing backdrop for our investigation. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, our study spanned from 1979 to 2021, yielding a trove of information to decipher this enigma. Our rigorous analysis of this data revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, a finding that left our team in disbelief akin to encountering a flying saucer.
The implications of this connection extend beyond the realms of traditional scientific inquiry, beckoning us to ponder the cosmic significance of earthly culinary indulgence. From cosmic hotdog cravings to the possibility of extraterrestrial intrigue in competitive eating spectacles, our paper delves into the realms of speculation and intrigue, opening up new avenues for interdisciplinary research and tickling the fancy of both astronomers and gastronomists. As we embark on this unusual scientific journey, we invite the reader to suspend disbelief and indulge in the quest to unravel this unexpected cosmic hotdog mystery.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The authors find that the correlation between UFO sightings in Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition is an enigmatic enigma that has confounded the scientific community. Initial studies by Smith (2010) and Doe (2015) delved into the societal impact of UFO sightings, and Jones (2018) explored the psychological effects of consuming an excessive quantity of hotdogs. However, none of these studies anticipated the zany connection that our research team has uncovered. As we embark on this unusual scientific journey, we invite the reader to suspend disbelief and indulge in the quest to unravel this unexpected cosmic hotdog mystery.

Turning to related literature, "The UFO Experience" by Hopkins and Jacobs (1975) provides a comprehensive overview of UFO sightings, offering profound insights into the otherworldly sightings that have captivated human imagination. Surprisingly, this book fails to mention the potential connection between UFOs and competitive eating, an omission that our study seeks to rectify. In a similar vein, "The Joy of Cooking" by Rombauer and Becker (1931) offers a comprehensive guide to culinary delights but overlooks the exhilarating experience of probing intergalactic visitors for their thoughts on devouring an abundance of franks in a confined timeframe. The nonsensical and pun-filled world of "Hot Dog Taste Test" by Lisa Hanawalt (2016) presents a humorous take on hotdog consumption but regrettably neglects to explore the extraterrestrial interest in this earthly delight.

In the realm of fiction, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams immerses readers in a whimsical universe teeming with absurdity, but even this intergalactic romp fails to touch upon the correlation between UFO sightings and competitive eating. Meanwhile, the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling captivates audiences with wizardry and wonder, yet overlooks the potential magical properties of hotdogs that might attract extraterrestrial beings. Lastly, the TV show "The X-Files" provides fictional insights into unexplained phenomena, but disappointingly shies away from the tantalizing link between UFO sightings and the astonishing hotdog consumption at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition.

As the authors gradually descend into the comical and nonsensical terrain of extraterrestrial culinary interests, it becomes evident that the gap in the literature on this peculiar correlation is as vast as the cosmos itself. This study endeavors to fill this gap and take a giant leap for both gastronomy and astrophysics, bringing to light the strange connection between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption that has evaded scholarly scrutiny for far too long.

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 UFO sightings in Massachusetts and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia . You used data from 1979 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]]
UFOs, Hotdogs, and the Champion: Exploring the Surprising Connection Between Extraterrestrial Sightings in Massachusetts and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the inexplicable correlation between UFO sightings in the state of Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Drawing on data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, our research team conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1979 to 2021. The notable correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 left our team in awe, just like encountering an unidentified flying object. We discuss various theories to explain this unusual connection, from cosmic hotdog cravings to extraterrestrial fascination with competitive eating. Our findings open up new avenues for interdisciplinary research and prompt a reconsideration of the cosmic implications of this earthly delight.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The mysterious allure of UFO sightings has captivated the public imagination for decades, much like the peculiar attraction of consuming an exorbitant amount of hotdogs in a mere ten minutes. While these two phenomena may appear unrelated on the surface, our study seeks to unravel the peculiar correlation between extraterrestrial sightings in the state of Massachusetts and the annual consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Combining the enigmatic world of unidentified flying objects with the carnivalesque realm of competitive eating, this research endeavors to shed light on a connection that has baffled both scientists and hotdog enthusiasts alike.
Both UFO sightings and hotdog eating competitions have garnered their fair share of attention. Conspiracy theorists and skeptics have engaged in a perpetual dance of claims and counterclaims surrounding the former, while the latter has become a staple of American culinary indulgence and the subject of countless bellyaching puns. However, it was only in recent years that the compelling correlation between these two seemingly disparate phenomena has come under scientific scrutiny.
The state of Massachusetts, with its rich history of UFO sightings and the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, provides an intriguing backdrop for our investigation. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, our study spanned from 1979 to 2021, yielding a trove of information to decipher this enigma. Our rigorous analysis of this data revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, a finding that left our team in disbelief akin to encountering a flying saucer.
The implications of this connection extend beyond the realms of traditional scientific inquiry, beckoning us to ponder the cosmic significance of earthly culinary indulgence. From cosmic hotdog cravings to the possibility of extraterrestrial intrigue in competitive eating spectacles, our paper delves into the realms of speculation and intrigue, opening up new avenues for interdisciplinary research and tickling the fancy of both astronomers and gastronomists. As we embark on this unusual scientific journey, we invite the reader to suspend disbelief and indulge in the quest to unravel this unexpected cosmic hotdog mystery.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

Data Collection:
The data for this study were amassed from a variety of sources, with particular emphasis placed on the National UFO Reporting Center and the venerable trove of knowledge that is Wikipedia. Yes, we know, citing Wikipedia may raise a few eyebrows among our academic colleagues, but fear not - we meticulously cross-referenced the information with other reputable sources to ensure its reliability. The data encompassed the period from 1979 to 2021, capturing a substantial chunk of UFO activity and hotdog consumption trends.

UFO Sightings:
Our approach to collating UFO sighting data involved sifting through an array of reports that spanned the skies above Massachusetts. We then filtered this data to capture sightings specifically within the state and excluded any reports that were more likely to be misidentified weather phenomena or peculiarly shaped balloons. Each reported sighting was scrutinized with the scrutiny of a dedicated skeptic, and only those that passed our rigorous evaluation made it into the final dataset.

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition:
When it came to cataloging the hotdog consumption patterns, we turned our attention to the celebrated event that is the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of competitive eating lore, we scoured the annals of this gastronomic spectacle to pinpoint the annual reigning champion's consumption figures. These figures were meticulously recorded and cross-checked, ensuring that errors in data transcription were as scarce as sightings of UFOs themselves.

Correlation Analysis:
With our datasets in hand, we performed a correlation analysis using the most sophisticated statistical tools at our disposal. The correlation coefficient yielded a tantalizing figure of 0.8194640, sending a ripple of astonishment through our team akin to the feeling of stumbling across a UFO sighting while munching on a hotdog. This substantial correlation was further bolstered by a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, indicating that the connection we unearthed was not merely a figment of statistical noise.

Limitations:
It is imperative to acknowledge the limitations of our methodology. While we made concerted efforts to compile comprehensive and accurate datasets, the inherent nature of UFO reports and competitive eating records introduces an element of subjectivity and potential reporting bias. Additionally, our analysis is inherently correlative in nature, and establishing a causal relationship between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption would require further investigation and perhaps a touch of cosmic intervention.

In conclusion, our methodology encompassed a thorough and at times whimsical exploration of the data, delivering results that beckon further inquiry into the cosmic confluence of UFO sightings and hotdog consumption by competitive eating champions.

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 UFO sightings in Massachusetts and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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]]
UFOs, Hotdogs, and the Champion: Exploring the Surprising Connection Between Extraterrestrial Sightings in Massachusetts and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the inexplicable correlation between UFO sightings in the state of Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Drawing on data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, our research team conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1979 to 2021. The notable correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 left our team in awe, just like encountering an unidentified flying object. We discuss various theories to explain this unusual connection, from cosmic hotdog cravings to extraterrestrial fascination with competitive eating. Our findings open up new avenues for interdisciplinary research and prompt a reconsideration of the cosmic implications of this earthly delight.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The authors find that the correlation between UFO sightings in Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition is an enigmatic enigma that has confounded the scientific community. Initial studies by Smith (2010) and Doe (2015) delved into the societal impact of UFO sightings, and Jones (2018) explored the psychological effects of consuming an excessive quantity of hotdogs. However, none of these studies anticipated the zany connection that our research team has uncovered. As we embark on this unusual scientific journey, we invite the reader to suspend disbelief and indulge in the quest to unravel this unexpected cosmic hotdog mystery.
Turning to related literature, "The UFO Experience" by Hopkins and Jacobs (1975) provides a comprehensive overview of UFO sightings, offering profound insights into the otherworldly sightings that have captivated human imagination. Surprisingly, this book fails to mention the potential connection between UFOs and competitive eating, an omission that our study seeks to rectify. In a similar vein, "The Joy of Cooking" by Rombauer and Becker (1931) offers a comprehensive guide to culinary delights but overlooks the exhilarating experience of probing intergalactic visitors for their thoughts on devouring an abundance of franks in a confined timeframe. The nonsensical and pun-filled world of "Hot Dog Taste Test" by Lisa Hanawalt (2016) presents a humorous take on hotdog consumption but regrettably neglects to explore the extraterrestrial interest in this earthly delight.
In the realm of fiction, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams immerses readers in a whimsical universe teeming with absurdity, but even this intergalactic romp fails to touch upon the correlation between UFO sightings and competitive eating. Meanwhile, the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling captivates audiences with wizardry and wonder, yet overlooks the potential magical properties of hotdogs that might attract extraterrestrial beings. Lastly, the TV show "The X-Files" provides fictional insights into unexplained phenomena, but disappointingly shies away from the tantalizing link between UFO sightings and the astonishing hotdog consumption at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition.
As the authors gradually descend into the comical and nonsensical terrain of extraterrestrial culinary interests, it becomes evident that the gap in the literature on this peculiar correlation is as vast as the cosmos itself. This study endeavors to fill this gap and take a giant leap for both gastronomy and astrophysics, bringing to light the strange connection between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption that has evaded scholarly scrutiny for far too long.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data collected from 1979 to 2021 revealed a rather astonishing correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 between UFO sightings in Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. This finding suggests a strong positive linear relationship between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena, leaving researchers scratching their heads in amazement, much like trying to decipher a cryptic extraterrestrial message.
Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.6715213 indicates that approximately 67.15% of the variation in hotdog consumption can be explained by the variation in UFO sightings, a figure that captivated our team's attention much like a far-off celestial body.
The p-value of less than 0.01 provides strong evidence against the null hypothesis of no correlation, underscoring the statistical significance of the relationship. This result left our team in sheer disbelief, akin to witnessing a close encounter with beings from another world, or perhaps experiencing a miraculous feat of devouring dozens of hotdogs in a matter of minutes.
As supported by the notable correlation coefficient, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually demonstrates the strong positive relationship between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption, portraying a narrative that is both baffling and intriguing, much like an unexplainable occurrence in the night sky.
The unexpected nature of this correlation prompts reflection on the extraordinary implications associated with this remarkable finding, inviting scientific scrutiny and speculation alike. This peculiar connection challenges conventional wisdom and may well usher in a new era of interdisciplinary inquiry that transcends the limits of traditional scientific exploration, evoking wonder and curiosity much like witnessing a UFO streak across the night sky.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The results of this study support and, indeed, contribute significantly to the existing literature exploring the inexplicable correlation between UFO sightings in Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. While the initial plausibility of such a connection may have raised eyebrows, the robust statistical analysis presented in this study leaves little room for doubt regarding the existence of this unexpected relationship.

It is worth harking back to the prior research on societal impacts of UFO sightings and the psychological effects of excessive hotdog consumption, which set the stage for our investigation. Our findings not only align with these previous studies but also shed light on an uncharted territory that opens up exciting discussions about celestial beings' potential interest in human gastronomy.

The substantial correlation coefficient of 0.8194640, along with the r-squared value of 0.6715213, underscores the strength and predictability of the relationship between these seemingly disparate phenomena. Indeed, the statistical significance of the p-value further cements the empirical support for this unusual connection. Such compelling statistical evidence underscores the need to seriously consider the potential cosmic implications of hotdog consumption and its allure to extraterrestrial beings.

Turning to the implications of these findings, it is essential to consider the broader implications for both the realms of astrophysics and competitive eating. This study not only addresses a gap in the literature but also prompts a rethinking of the cosmic and societal significance of this peculiar correlation. It is not merely a statistically quirky relationship, but rather a potential rendezvous point for interdisciplinary inquiry that transcends the boundaries of traditional scientific exploration.

As the scholarly community digests these findings, it is imperative to approach this unusual correlation with the same intellectual rigor applied to more conventional scientific phenomena. The tantalizing puzzle presented by the connection between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption invites researchers to ponder the theoretical underpinnings of this complex relationship. Additionally, these results may fuel new hypotheses and inspire researchers to venture into unexplored territories that lie at the intersection of gastronomy and astrophysics.

In conclusion, the unexpected correlation between UFO sightings in Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition defies traditional scientific explanations and challenges the boundaries of conventional wisdom. Our results lend empirical support to this extraordinary relationship, and open up possibilities for further examination of the cosmic and culinary implications of this enigmatic enigma.

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 UFO sightings in Massachusetts and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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]]
UFOs, Hotdogs, and the Champion: Exploring the Surprising Connection Between Extraterrestrial Sightings in Massachusetts and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the inexplicable correlation between UFO sightings in the state of Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Drawing on data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, our research team conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1979 to 2021. The notable correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 left our team in awe, just like encountering an unidentified flying object. We discuss various theories to explain this unusual connection, from cosmic hotdog cravings to extraterrestrial fascination with competitive eating. Our findings open up new avenues for interdisciplinary research and prompt a reconsideration of the cosmic implications of this earthly delight.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The mysterious allure of UFO sightings has captivated the public imagination for decades, much like the peculiar attraction of consuming an exorbitant amount of hotdogs in a mere ten minutes. While these two phenomena may appear unrelated on the surface, our study seeks to unravel the peculiar correlation between extraterrestrial sightings in the state of Massachusetts and the annual consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Combining the enigmatic world of unidentified flying objects with the carnivalesque realm of competitive eating, this research endeavors to shed light on a connection that has baffled both scientists and hotdog enthusiasts alike.
Both UFO sightings and hotdog eating competitions have garnered their fair share of attention. Conspiracy theorists and skeptics have engaged in a perpetual dance of claims and counterclaims surrounding the former, while the latter has become a staple of American culinary indulgence and the subject of countless bellyaching puns. However, it was only in recent years that the compelling correlation between these two seemingly disparate phenomena has come under scientific scrutiny.
The state of Massachusetts, with its rich history of UFO sightings and the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, provides an intriguing backdrop for our investigation. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, our study spanned from 1979 to 2021, yielding a trove of information to decipher this enigma. Our rigorous analysis of this data revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, a finding that left our team in disbelief akin to encountering a flying saucer.
The implications of this connection extend beyond the realms of traditional scientific inquiry, beckoning us to ponder the cosmic significance of earthly culinary indulgence. From cosmic hotdog cravings to the possibility of extraterrestrial intrigue in competitive eating spectacles, our paper delves into the realms of speculation and intrigue, opening up new avenues for interdisciplinary research and tickling the fancy of both astronomers and gastronomists. As we embark on this unusual scientific journey, we invite the reader to suspend disbelief and indulge in the quest to unravel this unexpected cosmic hotdog mystery.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data collected from 1979 to 2021 revealed a rather astonishing correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 between UFO sightings in Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. This finding suggests a strong positive linear relationship between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena, leaving researchers scratching their heads in amazement, much like trying to decipher a cryptic extraterrestrial message.
Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.6715213 indicates that approximately 67.15% of the variation in hotdog consumption can be explained by the variation in UFO sightings, a figure that captivated our team's attention much like a far-off celestial body.
The p-value of less than 0.01 provides strong evidence against the null hypothesis of no correlation, underscoring the statistical significance of the relationship. This result left our team in sheer disbelief, akin to witnessing a close encounter with beings from another world, or perhaps experiencing a miraculous feat of devouring dozens of hotdogs in a matter of minutes.
As supported by the notable correlation coefficient, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually demonstrates the strong positive relationship between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption, portraying a narrative that is both baffling and intriguing, much like an unexplainable occurrence in the night sky.
The unexpected nature of this correlation prompts reflection on the extraordinary implications associated with this remarkable finding, inviting scientific scrutiny and speculation alike. This peculiar connection challenges conventional wisdom and may well usher in a new era of interdisciplinary inquiry that transcends the limits of traditional scientific exploration, evoking wonder and curiosity much like witnessing a UFO streak across the night sky.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, the compelling correlation between UFO sightings in Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition has left our research team in a state of both perplexity and amusement, much like witnessing an otherworldly trick. The notable correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 and the statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 serve as a testament to the robustness of this inexplicable relationship, evoking reactions reminiscent of a mind-boggling cosmic encounter.

Our findings lay bare an intriguing connection that transcends the boundaries of conventional scientific inquiry, beckoning us to contemplate the cosmic implications of this earthly indulgence. Perhaps there exists a parallel universe where extraterrestrial beings gather to marvel at competitive eating spectacles, or where cosmic forces conspire to influence the cravings of hotdog champions. The possibilities are as tantalizing as the aroma of a sizzling frankfurter on a summer day.

As we reflect on the implications of this extraordinary correlation, we are reminded of the adage, "The truth is out there, and it may have a penchant for mustard and relish." Our study paves the way for further interdisciplinary exploration, transcending the ordinary confines of academic pursuits to delve into the beguiling enigma of cosmic hotdog cravings and intergalactic gustatory fascinations.

In light of these findings, we assert with confidence that no further research in this unusual realm is required. The charming peculiarity of this correlation beckons us to embrace the delight of the unknown and revel in the quirky mysteries that pepper our universe.

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 UFOs, Hotdogs, and the Champion: Exploring the Surprising Connection Between Extraterrestrial Sightings in Massachusetts and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Gastronomy and Unexplained 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 UFOs, Hotdogs, and the Champion: Exploring the Surprising Connection Between Extraterrestrial Sightings in Massachusetts and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Unexplained Phenomena Research and Analysis

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 UFOs, Hotdogs, and the Champion: Exploring the Surprising Connection Between Extraterrestrial Sightings in Massachusetts and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition with an abstract of This study delves into the inexplicable correlation between UFO sightings in the state of Massachusetts and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Drawing on data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, our research team conducted a rigorous analysis spanning from 1979 to 2021. The notable correlation coefficient of 0.8194640 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 left our team in awe, just like encountering an unidentified flying object. We discuss various theories to explain this unusual connection, from cosmic hotdog cravings to extraterrestrial fascination with competitive eating. Our findings open up new avenues for interdisciplinary research and prompt a reconsideration of the cosmic implications of this earthly delight.

ChatGPT:

UFO sightings, Massachusetts, hotdog consumption, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, correlation analysis, National UFO Reporting Center, Wikipedia, cosmic hotdog cravings, extraterrestrial fascination, competitive eating, interdisciplinary research, cosmic implications

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

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Data details

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

Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion
Detailed data title: Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion
Source: Wikipedia
See what else correlates with Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

Correlation r = 0.8194640 (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 = 0.6715213 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 67.2% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., UFO sightings in Massachusetts) over the 43 years from 1979 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.8E-11.^Show 0.0000000000183212660161255300
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 0.82 in 1.8E-9% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 54,581,380,955 random variables^Note You don't actually need 54 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 42 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 42 because we have two variables measured over a period of 43 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.

[ 0.69, 0.9 ] 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.

	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
UFO sightings in Massachusetts (UFO sightings)	6	6	8	8	5	3	3	3	8	5	3	8	4	5	6	10	13	11	17	24	27	41	40	48	63	61	58	57	67	73	75	101	101	149	189	197	137	112	93	57	102	120	43
Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion (Hotdogs eaten)	9	9.5	11	11	10.5	9.5	11.75	15.5	13.5	10	15.5	16	21.5	19	17	20	19.5	22.25	24.5	19	20.25	25	50	50.5	44.5	53.33	49	53.75	66	59	68	54	62	68	69	61	62	70	72	74	71	75	76

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([6,6,8,8,5,3,3,3,8,5,3,8,4,5,6,10,13,11,17,24,27,41,40,48,63,61,58,57,67,73,75,101,101,149,189,197,137,112,93,57,102,120,43,])
array_2 = np.array([9,9.5,11,11,10.5,9.5,11.75,15.5,13.5,10,15.5,16,21.5,19,17,20,19.5,22.25,24.5,19,20.25,25,50,50.5,44.5,53.33,49,53.75,66,59,68,54,62,68,69,61,62,70,72,74,71,75,76,])
array_1_name = "UFO sightings in Massachusetts"
array_2_name = "Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion"

# Perform the calculation
print(f"Calculating the correlation between {array_1_name} and {array_2_name}...")
correlation, r_squared, p_value = calculate_correlation(array_1, array_2)

# Print the results
print("Correlation Coefficient:", correlation)
print("R-squared:", r_squared)
print("P-value:", p_value)

Reuseable content

You may re-use the images on this page for any purpose, even commercial purposes, without asking for permission. The only requirement is that you attribute Tyler Vigen. ^Note Attribution can take many different forms. If you leave the "tylervigen.com" link in the image, that satisfies it just fine. If you remove it and move it to a footnote, that's fine too. You can also just write "Charts courtesy of Tyler Vigen" at the bottom of an article.

You do not need to attribute "the spurious correlations website," and you don't even need to link here if you don't want to. I don't gain anything from pageviews. There are no ads on this site, there is nothing for sale, and I am not for hire.

For the record, I am just one person. Tyler Vigen, he/him/his. I do have degrees, but they should not go after my name unless you want to annoy my wife. If that is your goal, then go ahead and cite me as "Tyler Vigen, A.A. A.A.S. B.A. J.D." Otherwise it is just "Tyler Vigen."

When spoken, my last name is pronounced "vegan," like I don't eat meat.

Full license details.
For more on re-use permissions, or to get a signed release form, see tylervigen.com/permission.

Download images for these variables:

High resolution line chart ^Note The image linked here is a Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG). It is the highest resolution that is possible to achieve. It scales up beyond the size of the observable universe without pixelating. You do not need to email me asking if I have a higher resolution image. I do not. The physical limitations of our universe prevent me from providing you with an image that is any higher resolution than this one.

If you insert it into a PowerPoint presentation (a tool well-known for managing things that are the scale of the universe), you can right-click > "Ungroup" or "Create Shape" and then edit the lines and text directly. You can also change the colors this way.

Alternatively you can use a tool like Inkscape.
High resolution line chart, optimized for mobile
Alternative high resolution line chart
Scatterplot
Portable line chart (png)
Portable line chart (png), optimized for mobile
Line chart for only UFO sightings in Massachusetts
Line chart for only Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: UFOs, Hotdogs, and the Champion: Exploring the Surprising Connection Between Extraterrestrial Sightings in Massachusetts and Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

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Correlation ID: 1716 · Black Variable ID: 1165 · Red Variable ID: 500


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