Spurious correlation #1,908 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The number of bailiffs in Alabama and the second variable is Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time'. The chart goes from 2004 to 2022, 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 The number of bailiffs in Alabama and the second variable is Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time'. The chart goes from 2004 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As the number of bailiffs in Alabama went up, so did the demand for official timekeeping. This led to a sudden realization that daylight was simply not pulling its weight in the economy. In an effort to hold daylight more accountable for its productivity, policymakers enacted daylight savings time. This shift in time management allowed for improved efficiency in the sunshine sector, ultimately leading to a brighter future for all. And that's why, when it comes to the clock, even daylight has to show up for work on time!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Create a charming 2D animation where a vibrant Alabama courthouse is brought to life. Render several adorable bailiffs standing at the entrance with welcoming smiles on their faces. Inside the courthouse, a group of endearing characters enthusiastically gather around a computer, engaging in a lively discussion about daylight savings time. The scene should burst with lively energy as the characters ponder the purpose of this concept, adding a sense of curiosity and wonder to the image. 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: The number of bailiffs in Alabama and Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time'. 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: 3D Pixar Style Pop art Art nouveau Cute 2D animation Cute 2D animation
ChatGPT: Cute 2D animation

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 The number of bailiffs in Alabama and Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time' together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a vibrant Alabama courthouse, several bailiffs stand at the entrance, ready to assist visitors. Inside the courthouse, a group of people enthusiastically gathers around a computer, typing in "why do we have daylight savings time" into Google and engaging in a lively discussion about the topic.

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: [ Cute 2D animation ] and depicting this scene: In a vibrant Alabama courthouse, several bailiffs stand at the entrance, ready to assist visitors. Inside the courthouse, a group of people enthusiastically gathers around a computer, typing in "why do we have daylight savings time" into Google and engaging in a lively discussion about the topic. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Create a charming 2D animation where a vibrant Alabama courthouse is brought to life. Render several adorable bailiffs standing at the entrance with welcoming smiles on their faces. Inside the courthouse, a group of endearing characters enthusiastically gather around a computer, engaging in a lively discussion about daylight savings time. The scene should burst with lively energy as the characters ponder the purpose of this concept, adding a sense of curiosity and wonder to the image.

*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 The number of bailiffs in Alabama caused why do we have daylight savings time (Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time') to increase.\Make it sound serious until the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Chasing Daylight: A Correlation Study Between Bailiffs in Alabama and Google Searches for 'Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time'

The Journal of Quirky Socio-Cultural 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 The number of bailiffs in Alabama and Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time'. 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]]
"Chasing Daylight: A Correlation Study Between Bailiffs in Alabama and Google Searches for 'Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time'"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The age-old question of "Why do we have daylight savings time?" has been the subject of much speculation, frustration, and a few too many late night Google searches. In this study, we investigated the surprising connection between the number of bailiffs in Alabama and the frequency of Google searches related to daylight savings time. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Google Trends, we sought to shed some light on this unexpected relationship. Our findings revealed a statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.7960955 with a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2004 to 2022. This correlation suggests that there may be a whimsical yet undeniable link between the presence of bailiffs and pondering the philosophical underpinnings of daylight savings time, or perhaps it simply highlights the quirkiness of human behavior. Our study inspires further investigation into the idiosyncrasies of human curiosity and the peculiar interplay between civic institutions and popular inquiries about time.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The investigation of seemingly unrelated phenomena has long fascinated researchers seeking to unravel the mysteries of human behavior and societal dynamics. In that vein, the juxtaposition of bailiffs in Alabama and Google searches for "Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time" presents an intriguing puzzle worthy of exploration. This study delves into the whimsical yet unexpected correlation between these two disparate factors, with the aim of shedding light on a curiously enigmatic relationship.
It is well-established that daylight saving time tends to provoke bewilderment, frustration, and the timeless question of "Why do we have it?" The annual ritual of adjusting clocks has led many to ponder the origins and necessity of this practice, often leading to late-night internet searches fueled by a mixture of curiosity, exasperation, and perhaps a hint of existential contemplation. However, what prompts individuals in Alabama, with its rich cultural heritage and lush landscapes, to embark on such quests for temporal enlightenment?
Furthermore, the presence of bailiffs, known for their role in maintaining order in courtrooms and upholding the law, seems an unlikely companion to the contemplation of clock-adjusting conventions. Nevertheless, the correlation between the number of bailiffs in Alabama and the frequency of Google searches related to daylight savings time has yielded a statistically significant coefficient, beckoning for a closer examination of this unexpected association.
As we embark on this unconventional inquiry, we are reminded of the charmingly capricious nature of human curiosity and the idiosyncrasies that govern our collective consciousness. This study aims not only to elucidate the correlation between these disparate factors but also to celebrate the endearing quirkiness of human behavior and the whimsical interplay between civic institutions and everyday ponderings on the passage of time.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The present literature review serves to elucidate the unexpected yet intriguing correlation between the number of bailiffs in Alabama and the frequency of Google searches related to the perpetual question of "Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time." The existing body of literature on the topic of bailiffs and temporal ponderings provides valuable insights into the quirky intersection of civic institutions and popular inquiries about the elusive nature of time.

Smith's seminal work, "The Role of Bailiffs in Modern Society," offers a comprehensive examination of the functions and responsibilities of bailiffs within the judicial system, shedding light on their traditional role in law enforcement and court operations. While the connection between this professional cohort and public interest in daylight saving time may seem perplexing at first, an in-depth analysis can unveil surprising correlations that transcend conventional expectations.

Doe's extensive survey on "Public Perceptions of Daylight Savings Time" contributes to the literature by elucidating the diverse range of attitudes and emotions evoked by the biannual tradition of adjusting clocks. The study delves into the spectrum of reactions – from bemusement to exasperation – that individuals experience when confronted with the temporal anomaly, offering a rich tapestry of human responses that underpin the perpetuity of the age-old inquiry.

Jones, in "Temporal Tumult: A Sociological Analysis of Time-Related Anxieties," examines the psychological underpinnings of public fascination with daylight savings time and its impact on the collective psyche. The author's exploration of societal anxieties surrounding temporal shifts provides a thought-provoking backdrop for the quirky correlation under investigation, offering a lens through which to comprehend the broader implications of the unexpected interplay between bailiffs and temporal musings.

Transitioning to a more unconventional domain, the non-fiction works of "Springing Forward: A Brief History of Timekeeping" and "Clock Confusion: Navigating Daylight Savings Time" offer informative insights into the historical antecedents and contemporary tribulations associated with temporal adjustments. While these texts provide valuable historical context and practical considerations, they also instigate an intellectual journey into the lighthearted absurdities of temporal conundrums.

On a more whimsical note, the fictional works of "The Time Traveler's Dilemma" and "Chronicles of Time: An Unconventional Adventure" present imaginative narratives that interweave the enigmatic allure of temporal exploration with the unexpected antics of fictional characters. These literary creations offer a delightful escape into the realm of speculative temporality, inspiring a playful contemplation of the peculiarities of human fascination with time-related paradoxes.

Moreover, the television programs "Timeless Tales" and "Temporal Tidings" provide experiential insights into the portrayal of temporal anomalies and societal musings on time within the realm of popular culture. As depictions of temporal intrigue permeate the media landscape, these shows not only entertain but also reflect the peculiar intersections of temporal curiosities, echoing the unconventional correlation under investigation.

In conclusion, the expansive array of literature, both factual and imaginative, surrounding the captivating dynamics of time and the unexpected link between bailiffs in Alabama and inquiries about daylight savings time underscores the multifaceted nature of human curiosity and the delightfully eccentric pathways through which societal phenomena intertwine. As this literature review demonstrates, the investigation of seemingly disparate elements can lead to whimsical revelations that transcend conventional expectations, inviting further contemplation of the delightful idiosyncrasies that color the tapestry of human experiences.

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 The number of bailiffs in Alabama and Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time'. 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]]
"Chasing Daylight: A Correlation Study Between Bailiffs in Alabama and Google Searches for 'Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time'"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The age-old question of "Why do we have daylight savings time?" has been the subject of much speculation, frustration, and a few too many late night Google searches. In this study, we investigated the surprising connection between the number of bailiffs in Alabama and the frequency of Google searches related to daylight savings time. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Google Trends, we sought to shed some light on this unexpected relationship. Our findings revealed a statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.7960955 with a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2004 to 2022. This correlation suggests that there may be a whimsical yet undeniable link between the presence of bailiffs and pondering the philosophical underpinnings of daylight savings time, or perhaps it simply highlights the quirkiness of human behavior. Our study inspires further investigation into the idiosyncrasies of human curiosity and the peculiar interplay between civic institutions and popular inquiries about time.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The present literature review serves to elucidate the unexpected yet intriguing correlation between the number of bailiffs in Alabama and the frequency of Google searches related to the perpetual question of "Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time." The existing body of literature on the topic of bailiffs and temporal ponderings provides valuable insights into the quirky intersection of civic institutions and popular inquiries about the elusive nature of time.
Smith's seminal work, "The Role of Bailiffs in Modern Society," offers a comprehensive examination of the functions and responsibilities of bailiffs within the judicial system, shedding light on their traditional role in law enforcement and court operations. While the connection between this professional cohort and public interest in daylight saving time may seem perplexing at first, an in-depth analysis can unveil surprising correlations that transcend conventional expectations.
Doe's extensive survey on "Public Perceptions of Daylight Savings Time" contributes to the literature by elucidating the diverse range of attitudes and emotions evoked by the biannual tradition of adjusting clocks. The study delves into the spectrum of reactions – from bemusement to exasperation – that individuals experience when confronted with the temporal anomaly, offering a rich tapestry of human responses that underpin the perpetuity of the age-old inquiry.
Jones, in "Temporal Tumult: A Sociological Analysis of Time-Related Anxieties," examines the psychological underpinnings of public fascination with daylight savings time and its impact on the collective psyche. The author's exploration of societal anxieties surrounding temporal shifts provides a thought-provoking backdrop for the quirky correlation under investigation, offering a lens through which to comprehend the broader implications of the unexpected interplay between bailiffs and temporal musings.
Transitioning to a more unconventional domain, the non-fiction works of "Springing Forward: A Brief History of Timekeeping" and "Clock Confusion: Navigating Daylight Savings Time" offer informative insights into the historical antecedents and contemporary tribulations associated with temporal adjustments. While these texts provide valuable historical context and practical considerations, they also instigate an intellectual journey into the lighthearted absurdities of temporal conundrums.
On a more whimsical note, the fictional works of "The Time Traveler's Dilemma" and "Chronicles of Time: An Unconventional Adventure" present imaginative narratives that interweave the enigmatic allure of temporal exploration with the unexpected antics of fictional characters. These literary creations offer a delightful escape into the realm of speculative temporality, inspiring a playful contemplation of the peculiarities of human fascination with time-related paradoxes.
Moreover, the television programs "Timeless Tales" and "Temporal Tidings" provide experiential insights into the portrayal of temporal anomalies and societal musings on time within the realm of popular culture. As depictions of temporal intrigue permeate the media landscape, these shows not only entertain but also reflect the peculiar intersections of temporal curiosities, echoing the unconventional correlation under investigation.
In conclusion, the expansive array of literature, both factual and imaginative, surrounding the captivating dynamics of time and the unexpected link between bailiffs in Alabama and inquiries about daylight savings time underscores the multifaceted nature of human curiosity and the delightfully eccentric pathways through which societal phenomena intertwine. As this literature review demonstrates, the investigation of seemingly disparate elements can lead to whimsical revelations that transcend conventional expectations, inviting further contemplation of the delightful idiosyncrasies that color the tapestry of human experiences.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the relationship between the number of bailiffs in Alabama and Google searches for "Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time" yielded a surprising and remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.7960955, with an r-squared value of 0.6337681 and a p-value less than 0.01 for the time period spanning 2004 to 2022. This robust correlation suggests a tantalizing link between the presence of bailiffs and the contemplation of the temporal intricacies surrounding the enigmatic practice of daylight savings time.
Figure 1 depicts the scatterplot illustrating the strong correlation between these seemingly unrelated variables. The scatterplot serves as a whimsical reminder of the unanticipated connections that can emerge from the most unexpected pairings, akin to discovering a hidden Easter egg in a complex statistical analysis.
However, it should be noted that correlation does not imply causation. While our findings hint at a statistical association between bailiffs in Alabama and the frequency of Google searches pertaining to daylight savings time, the underlying mechanisms and motivations driving this relationship remain as mysterious as the origins of the practice of changing our clocks twice a year.
These results provoke a sense of intrigue and amusement, prompting further investigation into the idiosyncrasies of human curiosity and the peculiar interplay between civic institutions and societal musings about time. This study offers a lighthearted yet thought-provoking lens through which to view the delightful eccentricities of human behavior and the unexpected correlations that lurk within the realm of empirical inquiry.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The unexpected revelation of a robust correlation between the number of bailiffs in Alabama and Google searches for "Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time" provides fertile ground for not only scholarly contemplation but also a touch of whimsy in the serious realm of empirical inquiry. Our findings, which bolster and amplify the eccentric yet compelling insights provided by the existing literature, evoke a sense of lighthearted astonishment as they underscore the serendipitous interplay between public curiosity and the presence of civic guardians.

Firstly, our study aligns with Smith's comprehensive analysis of the functions of bailiffs within the judicial system, highlighting the unconventional yet poignant connection between this professional cohort and the perpetuity of inquiries concerning daylight savings time. While Smith's work traditionally focuses on the law enforcement and court operations aspects of bailiffs, our study extends beyond conventional expectations to reveal an unexpected yet statistically significant correlation, offering a whimsical and enlightening departure from the usual discourse on civic institutions.

Moreover, Doe's exploration of public perceptions of daylight savings time resonates with our findings by shedding light on the diverse range of responses evoked by temporal adjustments. Our observed correlation amplifies the spectrum of reactions, from bemusement to existential pondering, attesting to the intimate interplay between societal musings about time and the idiosyncratic nature of public engagement with temporal anomalies. Our results, therefore, invite a playful yet insightful contemplation of the multifaceted dynamics that underpin human fascination with the enigmatic practice of daylight savings time.

Furthermore, Jones's sociological analysis of time-related anxieties provides a compelling backdrop for our study, elucidating the deeper psychological implications of the unexpected correlation uncovered. Our statistically significant association serves as a whimsical reflection of the societal anxieties surrounding temporal shifts, underscoring the peculiar interplay between civic institutions and public intrigue with temporal puzzles. Our study, therefore, unveils a delightful yet thought-provoking layer of human behavior that echoes the nuanced undercurrents of temporal musings expounded by Jones.

In addition, our robust correlation resonates with the imaginative narratives presented in "The Time Traveler's Dilemma" and "Chronicles of Time: An Unconventional Adventure," providing a lighthearted yet profound echo of the speculative temporality explored in fictional works. The unexpected link unearthed in our study offers a whimsical foray into the uncharted territories of empirical inquiry, inspiring a lens through which to view the delightful idiosyncrasies that characterize human fascination with time-related paradoxes.

As our study echoes, the correlation between bailiffs in Alabama and inquiries about daylight savings time sheds light on the multifaceted nature of human curiosity and the delightfully eccentric pathways through which societal phenomena intertwine. This delightful revelation not only reiterates the whimsical revelations that transpire when seemingly disparate elements are investigated but also invites further contemplation of the thought-provoking idiosyncrasies that color the tapestry of human experiences.

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 Chasing Daylight: A Correlation Study Between Bailiffs in Alabama and Google Searches for 'Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time'. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Quirky Socio-Cultural 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 Chasing Daylight: A Correlation Study Between Bailiffs in Alabama and Google Searches for 'Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time'. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Quirky Research and Social Studies

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled Chasing Daylight: A Correlation Study Between Bailiffs in Alabama and Google Searches for 'Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time' with an abstract of The age-old question of "Why do we have daylight savings time?" has been the subject of much speculation, frustration, and a few too many late night Google searches. In this study, we investigated the surprising connection between the number of bailiffs in Alabama and the frequency of Google searches related to daylight savings time. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Google Trends, we sought to shed some light on this unexpected relationship. Our findings revealed a statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.7960955 with a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2004 to 2022. This correlation suggests that there may be a whimsical yet undeniable link between the presence of bailiffs and pondering the philosophical underpinnings of daylight savings time, or perhaps it simply highlights the quirkiness of human behavior. Our study inspires further investigation into the idiosyncrasies of human curiosity and the peculiar interplay between civic institutions and popular inquiries about time.

ChatGPT:

Bailiffs, Alabama, Google searches, Daylight Savings Time, correlation study, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Google Trends, human behavior, civic institutions, popular inquiries, time, correlation coefficient, p-value, statistical significance

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

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Data details

The number of bailiffs in Alabama
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of bailiffs in Alabama
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of bailiffs in Alabama

Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time'
Detailed data title: Relative volume of Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time' (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 'why do we have daylight savings time'

Correlation r = 0.7960955 (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 = 0.6337681 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 63.4% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time') is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., The number of bailiffs in Alabama) over the 19 years from 2004 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 4.6E-5.^Show 0.0000455913687200776340000000
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 0.8 in 0.0046% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 21,934 random variables^Note You don't actually need 21 thousand variables to find a correlation like this one. 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.

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 18 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 18 because we have two variables measured over a period of 19 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.

[ 0.54, 0.92 ] 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	2022
The number of bailiffs in Alabama (Bailiffs)	40	50	50	50	40	50	50	50	130	60	60	90	80	100	90	100	100	90	90
Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time' (Rel. search volume)	6.33333	5.75	6.75	3.41667	5.5	7.08333	11.0833	11.5833	16.8333	9.66667	12.75	12.5	9.5	17.5833	16.3333	18.75	9.83333	16.6667	13.8333

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([40,50,50,50,40,50,50,50,130,60,60,90,80,100,90,100,100,90,90,])
array_2 = np.array([6.33333,5.75,6.75,3.41667,5.5,7.08333,11.0833,11.5833,16.8333,9.66667,12.75,12.5,9.5,17.5833,16.3333,18.75,9.83333,16.6667,13.8333,])
array_1_name = "The number of bailiffs in Alabama"
array_2_name = "Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time'"

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

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

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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 The number of bailiffs in Alabama
Line chart for only Google searches for 'why do we have daylight savings time'
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Chasing Daylight: A Correlation Study Between Bailiffs in Alabama and Google Searches for 'Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time'

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Correlation ID: 1908 · Black Variable ID: 4545 · Red Variable ID: 1353


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