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Spurious correlation #2,060 · 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 Virginia 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. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As UFO sightings increased in Virginia, the aliens couldn't resist beaming down to sample some classic American cuisine. Their favorite? You guessed it - the humble hotdog. Little did they know, their secret visits were adding an otherworldly flavor to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. It seems these UFOs weren't just flying saucers, but also flying condiment dispensers! Who knew that the key to winning the competition was to have some truly 'out of this world' hotdogs.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Create an image that captures the bustling scene of a Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, with the reigning champion ecstatically devouring a towering stack of hotdogs, while a UFO hovers mysteriously in the sky above the Virginia state flag. The crowd and surrounding atmosphere should reflect the competitive and celebratory spirit of the event, with a focus on the champion's impressive hot dog consumption. The UFO should add an element of intrigue and wonder to the scene. 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 Virginia 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: Cutsy graphics Oragami Cubism A Discovery magazine cover image a Polaroid photo
ChatGPT: A Discovery magazine cover image

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 Virginia and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a crowded Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, a UFO hovers in the sky above the Virginia state flag, while the reigning champion joyfully consumes a towering stack of hotdogs.

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 Discovery magazine cover image ] and depicting this scene: In a crowded Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, a UFO hovers in the sky above the Virginia state flag, while the reigning champion joyfully consumes a towering stack of hotdogs. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Create an image that captures the bustling scene of a Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, with the reigning champion ecstatically devouring a towering stack of hotdogs, while a UFO hovers mysteriously in the sky above the Virginia state flag. The crowd and surrounding atmosphere should reflect the competitive and celebratory spirit of the event, with a focus on the champion's impressive hot dog consumption. The UFO should add an element of intrigue and wonder to the scene.

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how increases in UFO sightings in Virginia positively influenced Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Culinary Research

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Virginia and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Include a pun in the title.

Your research team used data from National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and p < 0.01 for 1979 to 2021.

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

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the surprising relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and historical records from Wikipedia, we delved into this unconventional area of research. Our statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and a significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021. It seems that the truth is out there when it comes to a celestial connection to hotdog consumption, or perhaps these findings are just "out of this world." Stay tuned for our out-of-this-world findings and hotdog-related puns!


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Virginia and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the surprising relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and historical records from Wikipedia, we delved into this unconventional area of research. Our statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and a significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021. It seems that the truth is out there when it comes to a celestial connection to hotdog consumption, or perhaps these findings are just "out of this world." Stay tuned for our out-of-this-world findings and hotdog-related puns!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The celestial mysteries of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have long captivated the human imagination, often prompting enthusiasts to search for connections and explanations in the unlikeliest of places. In a similar vein, the quintessentially American pastime of consuming hotdogs has been the subject of fascination for many, particularly in the revered Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. What could possibly link these seemingly disparate phenomena? As we embark on this cosmic journey of statistical analysis, we aim to shed light on the unexpected correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition.

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition has been a staple of Fourth of July celebrations, drawing crowds and inspiring culinary feats that boggle the mind. The competition has also raised pressing questions, such as: "How did the hot dog get its $5 bill? It was change!" Amidst the cheers and ravenous consumption, there lies an opportunity to explore the consumption patterns of the champion and its potential cosmic correlation.

At the same time, Virginia has played host to numerous reported UFO sightings, sparking speculation and curiosity. These unexplained aerial phenomena have tantalized the public, leaving them to ponder, "Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny." The statistical relationship between these sightings and the consumption of hotdogs by a certain champion may seem tenuous or even whimsical, yet our findings reveal a surprisingly robust association.

Our study seeks to unravel this enigma by employing rigorous statistical analyses to scrutinize the UFO sighting data collected by the National UFO Reporting Center and pairing it with historical records of hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Through our investigation, we aim to provide a data-driven exploration of this peculiar relationship, shedding light on what may be a truly cosmic connection. As we unravel the mystery, let us not forget that whether it's UFO sightings or hotdog consumption, statistical scrutiny is the key to demystifying the seemingly inexplicable.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Virginia and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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 some cartoons and childrens' shows that you watched that are related to the topic.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the surprising relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and historical records from Wikipedia, we delved into this unconventional area of research. Our statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and a significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021. It seems that the truth is out there when it comes to a celestial connection to hotdog consumption, or perhaps these findings are just "out of this world." Stay tuned for our out-of-this-world findings and hotdog-related puns!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The celestial mysteries of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have long captivated the human imagination, often prompting enthusiasts to search for connections and explanations in the unlikeliest of places. In a similar vein, the quintessentially American pastime of consuming hotdogs has been the subject of fascination for many, particularly in the revered Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. What could possibly link these seemingly disparate phenomena? As we embark on this cosmic journey of statistical analysis, we aim to shed light on the unexpected correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition.
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition has been a staple of Fourth of July celebrations, drawing crowds and inspiring culinary feats that boggle the mind. The competition has also raised pressing questions, such as: "How did the hot dog get its $5 bill? It was change!" Amidst the cheers and ravenous consumption, there lies an opportunity to explore the consumption patterns of the champion and its potential cosmic correlation.
At the same time, Virginia has played host to numerous reported UFO sightings, sparking speculation and curiosity. These unexplained aerial phenomena have tantalized the public, leaving them to ponder, "Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny." The statistical relationship between these sightings and the consumption of hotdogs by a certain champion may seem tenuous or even whimsical, yet our findings reveal a surprisingly robust association.
Our study seeks to unravel this enigma by employing rigorous statistical analyses to scrutinize the UFO sighting data collected by the National UFO Reporting Center and pairing it with historical records of hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Through our investigation, we aim to provide a data-driven exploration of this peculiar relationship, shedding light on what may be a truly cosmic connection. As we unravel the mystery, let us not forget that whether it's UFO sightings or hotdog consumption, statistical scrutiny is the key to demystifying the seemingly inexplicable.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Smith and Doe (2010) examined the correlation between UFO sightings and unusual eating habits in the United States, but their study did not specifically focus on the consumption of hotdogs by competitive eaters. Similarly, Jones et al. (2015) explored the cultural resonance of UFO sightings, but failed to investigate potential links with competitive eating events. These studies laid the groundwork for our investigation into the correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, and provided the perfect segue for some wacky theories and quirky statistical findings.

In "UFOs and Hotdogs: A Statistical Love Story," the authors find that a positive correlation exists between the number of UFO sightings in Virginia and the amount of hotdogs consumed by the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. It’s truly a case of "extraterrestrial cravings" driving the statistical connection.

As a departure from conventional statistical inquiries, "Cosmic Consumption: A Galactic Gastronomic Gobbling" by Lorem Ipsum (2018) introduces the concept of celestial culinary preferences influencing competitive eating champions. This notion tickles the funny bone as much as witnessing a hotdog "ketchup" to the champion's gastronomic victories.

In the realm of fiction, “Close Encounters of the Cookout Kind” by Ali N. (2005) playfully weaves a tale of cosmic visitors with a penchant for Earth’s culinary delights, providing a whimsical backdrop for the unfathomable connection discovered in our empirical analysis. It’s a spacey twist to the classic tale of intergalactic epicurean adventures!

In terms of television, the popular animated series "Scooby-Doo" does not directly address UFOs and hotdogs, but the mystery-solving gang certainly encountered their fair share of unexplained phenomena while munching on the occasional hotdog. This is a reminder that even the most outlandish correlations can be as entertaining as an episode of Scooby and the gang unmasking a UFO disguised as a giant hotdog.

Going back to astronomical literature, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams may not mention UFOs specifically, but it certainly takes readers on a whimsical journey through the cosmos, highlighting the undeniable allure and mystery of the unknown. Perhaps it's no coincidence that the number 42 also holds cosmic significance in relation to the hotdog consumption at Nathan’s!

In the vein of children's entertainment, "Invader Zim" introduces a comically inept alien trying to conquer Earth and its peculiar food customs. While the hotdog remains a mere side note in this animated series, the humorous take on extraterrestrial antics intertwines with our investigation, bringing a lighthearted twist to the celestial culinary conundrum.

These sources, while appearing lighthearted, share a common thread of unearthing the unexpected and adding a dash of humor to our cosmic culinary investigation. As we move forward with our statistical analysis, let us not lose sight of the fact that even the most inconceivable connections can provide a deliciously amusing insight into the world of data analysis – it's a statistical space odyssey that is sure to leave us all craving more.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Virginia and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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]]
Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the surprising relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and historical records from Wikipedia, we delved into this unconventional area of research. Our statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and a significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021. It seems that the truth is out there when it comes to a celestial connection to hotdog consumption, or perhaps these findings are just "out of this world." Stay tuned for our out-of-this-world findings and hotdog-related puns!

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The celestial mysteries of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have long captivated the human imagination, often prompting enthusiasts to search for connections and explanations in the unlikeliest of places. In a similar vein, the quintessentially American pastime of consuming hotdogs has been the subject of fascination for many, particularly in the revered Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. What could possibly link these seemingly disparate phenomena? As we embark on this cosmic journey of statistical analysis, we aim to shed light on the unexpected correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition.
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition has been a staple of Fourth of July celebrations, drawing crowds and inspiring culinary feats that boggle the mind. The competition has also raised pressing questions, such as: "How did the hot dog get its $5 bill? It was change!" Amidst the cheers and ravenous consumption, there lies an opportunity to explore the consumption patterns of the champion and its potential cosmic correlation.
At the same time, Virginia has played host to numerous reported UFO sightings, sparking speculation and curiosity. These unexplained aerial phenomena have tantalized the public, leaving them to ponder, "Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny." The statistical relationship between these sightings and the consumption of hotdogs by a certain champion may seem tenuous or even whimsical, yet our findings reveal a surprisingly robust association.
Our study seeks to unravel this enigma by employing rigorous statistical analyses to scrutinize the UFO sighting data collected by the National UFO Reporting Center and pairing it with historical records of hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Through our investigation, we aim to provide a data-driven exploration of this peculiar relationship, shedding light on what may be a truly cosmic connection. As we unravel the mystery, let us not forget that whether it's UFO sightings or hotdog consumption, statistical scrutiny is the key to demystifying the seemingly inexplicable.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To investigate the purported link between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, a comprehensive and, some might say, otherworldly methodology was employed. The data utilized for this study spanned the years 1979 to 2021 and comprised reports obtained from the National UFO Reporting Center and historical records from the renowned source of knowledge, Wikipedia.

Our approach veered to the extraterrestrial, as we first meticulously compiled all reported UFO sightings in Virginia for the aforementioned timeframe. "Astronomers always work within their methods; that's why I'm into statistical data, I find it to be 'out of this world,'" we remarked as we sifted through these reported sightings. Each record was scrutinized with meticulous care, ensuring that no unidentified flying saucer or alien visitor was overlooked. Our team was truly dedicated, often exclaiming, "We've really been seeing a lot of 'out of this world' data!"

Simultaneously, in a nod to terrestrial culinary delight, we diligently charted the hotdog consumption by the revered champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. As we delved into this area of research, the topic of discussion often turned to puns and quips relating to hotdogs. "I relish the opportunity to delve into this analysis," one of our team members chuckled, unable to resist a dab of mustard and a dash of humor.

The statistical analysis began with an exploration of patterns and probability, searching for cosmic correlations and hotdog consumption trends. Once the data was in hand, our team adopted stringent analysis methods, carefully employing regression models and correlation coefficients to assess the association between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption. "We're reaching for the stars with our statistical analyses," quipped one of our statisticians, eliciting an appreciative chuckle from the team.

The resultant statistical measures were then employed to determine the strength and significance of the purported relationship, with the correlation coefficient yielding a notable value of 0.8438871. "It seems that not only do our findings defy gravity, but they also defy statistical probability," one particularly wry member of our team joked, clearly pleased with the results.

Furthermore, a critical element of our methodology involved taking into account potential confounding variables. While we marveled at the spectacle of hotdog consumption and peered into the great beyond of UFO sightings, we were mindful of the need to control for external factors that might influence these phenomena. "It's crucial to ensure that no 'mysterious forces' are at play in our analysis," we quipped, relishing the opportunity to integrate a cosmic pun into our scientific discourse.

Ultimately, our rigorous methodology crafted an unconventional yet robust framework to explore the strange and delightful correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the consumption of hotdogs by the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition champion. As we conducted our analysis, our team couldn't help but appreciate the cosmic irony that underpinned our research—a delightful reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected connections are just waiting to be uncovered.


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Virginia and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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 .

For the time period 1979 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.8438871, r-squared of 0.7121454, and p < 0.01.

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the surprising relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and historical records from Wikipedia, we delved into this unconventional area of research. Our statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and a significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021. It seems that the truth is out there when it comes to a celestial connection to hotdog consumption, or perhaps these findings are just "out of this world." Stay tuned for our out-of-this-world findings and hotdog-related puns!

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The celestial mysteries of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have long captivated the human imagination, often prompting enthusiasts to search for connections and explanations in the unlikeliest of places. In a similar vein, the quintessentially American pastime of consuming hotdogs has been the subject of fascination for many, particularly in the revered Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. What could possibly link these seemingly disparate phenomena? As we embark on this cosmic journey of statistical analysis, we aim to shed light on the unexpected correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition.
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition has been a staple of Fourth of July celebrations, drawing crowds and inspiring culinary feats that boggle the mind. The competition has also raised pressing questions, such as: "How did the hot dog get its $5 bill? It was change!" Amidst the cheers and ravenous consumption, there lies an opportunity to explore the consumption patterns of the champion and its potential cosmic correlation.
At the same time, Virginia has played host to numerous reported UFO sightings, sparking speculation and curiosity. These unexplained aerial phenomena have tantalized the public, leaving them to ponder, "Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny." The statistical relationship between these sightings and the consumption of hotdogs by a certain champion may seem tenuous or even whimsical, yet our findings reveal a surprisingly robust association.
Our study seeks to unravel this enigma by employing rigorous statistical analyses to scrutinize the UFO sighting data collected by the National UFO Reporting Center and pairing it with historical records of hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Through our investigation, we aim to provide a data-driven exploration of this peculiar relationship, shedding light on what may be a truly cosmic connection. As we unravel the mystery, let us not forget that whether it's UFO sightings or hotdog consumption, statistical scrutiny is the key to demystifying the seemingly inexplicable.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

We found a strong positive correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition from 1979 to 2021. The correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and an r-squared of 0.7121454 indicate a robust relationship between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena. This association is statistically significant, with a p-value of less than 0.01, providing compelling evidence that cannot be dismissed as mere "pie in the sky."

Fig. 1 showcases the scatterplot illustrating the pronounced correlation between the variables. The data points form a clear trend line, emphasizing the surprising link between UFO sightings in Virginia and the champion's hotdog consumption. It's as if our findings are "wieners" in the sky, connecting the extraterrestrial with the culinary in a most unexpected way!

These results challenge conventional wisdom and beckon us to contemplate the cosmic conundrum underlying UFO sightings and hotdog consumption. It's as if the universe is sending a clear message that there is more to this earthly culinary obsession than meets the eye, or perhaps, the probing eye of an intergalactic visitor.

Our findings not only reveal an intriguing correlation but also call for further investigation into the cosmic forces at play. As we unravel the mysteries of the universe, we may find that the truth behind UFO sightings and hotdog consumption is more than just a mere "sausage-ty" correlation. It could be a revelation that transcends our understanding, leaving us pondering the possibility that we are indeed not alone in our love for hotdogs.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Virginia and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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]]
Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the surprising relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and historical records from Wikipedia, we delved into this unconventional area of research. Our statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and a significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021. It seems that the truth is out there when it comes to a celestial connection to hotdog consumption, or perhaps these findings are just "out of this world." Stay tuned for our out-of-this-world findings and hotdog-related puns!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Smith and Doe (2010) examined the correlation between UFO sightings and unusual eating habits in the United States, but their study did not specifically focus on the consumption of hotdogs by competitive eaters. Similarly, Jones et al. (2015) explored the cultural resonance of UFO sightings, but failed to investigate potential links with competitive eating events. These studies laid the groundwork for our investigation into the correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, and provided the perfect segue for some wacky theories and quirky statistical findings.
In "UFOs and Hotdogs: A Statistical Love Story," the authors find that a positive correlation exists between the number of UFO sightings in Virginia and the amount of hotdogs consumed by the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. It’s truly a case of "extraterrestrial cravings" driving the statistical connection.
As a departure from conventional statistical inquiries, "Cosmic Consumption: A Galactic Gastronomic Gobbling" by Lorem Ipsum (2018) introduces the concept of celestial culinary preferences influencing competitive eating champions. This notion tickles the funny bone as much as witnessing a hotdog "ketchup" to the champion's gastronomic victories.
In the realm of fiction, “Close Encounters of the Cookout Kind” by Ali N. (2005) playfully weaves a tale of cosmic visitors with a penchant for Earth’s culinary delights, providing a whimsical backdrop for the unfathomable connection discovered in our empirical analysis. It’s a spacey twist to the classic tale of intergalactic epicurean adventures!
In terms of television, the popular animated series "Scooby-Doo" does not directly address UFOs and hotdogs, but the mystery-solving gang certainly encountered their fair share of unexplained phenomena while munching on the occasional hotdog. This is a reminder that even the most outlandish correlations can be as entertaining as an episode of Scooby and the gang unmasking a UFO disguised as a giant hotdog.
Going back to astronomical literature, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams may not mention UFOs specifically, but it certainly takes readers on a whimsical journey through the cosmos, highlighting the undeniable allure and mystery of the unknown. Perhaps it's no coincidence that the number 42 also holds cosmic significance in relation to the hotdog consumption at Nathan’s!
In the vein of children's entertainment, "Invader Zim" introduces a comically inept alien trying to conquer Earth and its peculiar food customs. While the hotdog remains a mere side note in this animated series, the humorous take on extraterrestrial antics intertwines with our investigation, bringing a lighthearted twist to the celestial culinary conundrum.
These sources, while appearing lighthearted, share a common thread of unearthing the unexpected and adding a dash of humor to our cosmic culinary investigation. As we move forward with our statistical analysis, let us not lose sight of the fact that even the most inconceivable connections can provide a deliciously amusing insight into the world of data analysis – it's a statistical space odyssey that is sure to leave us all craving more.

[[RESULTS]]
We found a strong positive correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition from 1979 to 2021. The correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and an r-squared of 0.7121454 indicate a robust relationship between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena. This association is statistically significant, with a p-value of less than 0.01, providing compelling evidence that cannot be dismissed as mere "pie in the sky."
Fig. 1 showcases the scatterplot illustrating the pronounced correlation between the variables. The data points form a clear trend line, emphasizing the surprising link between UFO sightings in Virginia and the champion's hotdog consumption. It's as if our findings are "wieners" in the sky, connecting the extraterrestrial with the culinary in a most unexpected way!
These results challenge conventional wisdom and beckon us to contemplate the cosmic conundrum underlying UFO sightings and hotdog consumption. It's as if the universe is sending a clear message that there is more to this earthly culinary obsession than meets the eye, or perhaps, the probing eye of an intergalactic visitor.
Our findings not only reveal an intriguing correlation but also call for further investigation into the cosmic forces at play. As we unravel the mysteries of the universe, we may find that the truth behind UFO sightings and hotdog consumption is more than just a mere "sausage-ty" correlation. It could be a revelation that transcends our understanding, leaving us pondering the possibility that we are indeed not alone in our love for hotdogs.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The findings of our study present a compelling case for the correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. We have uncovered a statistically significant positive association between these seemingly disparate phenomena, thus adding a new dimension to the cosmic culinary landscape. As the saying goes, "when it comes to UFOs and hotdogs, the truth is out there."

Our results not only support the existing body of literature on UFOs and unusual eating habits but also bring to light the unexpected connection between celestial sightings and competitive eating events. It appears that the allure of hotdogs extends beyond earthly boundaries, prompting us to consider whether extraterrestrial influence may be afoot. One cannot help but wonder if aliens have developed a taste for hotdogs after observing our culinary antics from afar.

The robust correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and a significant p-value of less than 0.01 validate the relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the champion eater. These statistical indicators cannot be dismissed lightly and stand as a testament to the cosmic forces at play. It's as if the universe is sending a cosmic wink, nudging us to explore the intersection of celestial phenomena and earthly gastronomic feats.

Indeed, our findings shed light on the far-reaching implications of UFO sightings, hinting at a potential cosmic influence on the eating preferences of competitive champions. It is as if the stars have aligned to reveal that there may be more to the champion's voracious appetite than meets the eye, or perhaps more than meets the probing eye of an extraterrestrial visitor. It is a statistical marvel, or as some may quip, a "bun-derful" discovery in the realm of unexplained correlations.

As we move forward in unraveling the mysteries of the universe, it is imperative to recognize the profound implications of our findings. Our study opens the door to a whole new realm of inquiry, inviting us to explore the cosmic forces shaping earthly culinary indulgences. It is a reminder that statistical inquiry can tread into unexpected territory, leaving us pondering the cosmic conundrum of sausages and saucers.

In conclusion, our study presents a compelling case for the correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. It is a testament to the interconnectedness of earthly events and celestial phenomena, challenging our understanding of statistical relationships in the most unexpected ways. As we continue to probe the cosmos for answers, may we approach our findings with an open mind and a healthy dose of humor, for in the realm of statistical marvels, there's always room for a good old-fashioned dad joke or two.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Virginia and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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]]
Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the surprising relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and historical records from Wikipedia, we delved into this unconventional area of research. Our statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and a significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021. It seems that the truth is out there when it comes to a celestial connection to hotdog consumption, or perhaps these findings are just "out of this world." Stay tuned for our out-of-this-world findings and hotdog-related puns!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The celestial mysteries of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have long captivated the human imagination, often prompting enthusiasts to search for connections and explanations in the unlikeliest of places. In a similar vein, the quintessentially American pastime of consuming hotdogs has been the subject of fascination for many, particularly in the revered Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. What could possibly link these seemingly disparate phenomena? As we embark on this cosmic journey of statistical analysis, we aim to shed light on the unexpected correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition.
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition has been a staple of Fourth of July celebrations, drawing crowds and inspiring culinary feats that boggle the mind. The competition has also raised pressing questions, such as: "How did the hot dog get its $5 bill? It was change!" Amidst the cheers and ravenous consumption, there lies an opportunity to explore the consumption patterns of the champion and its potential cosmic correlation.
At the same time, Virginia has played host to numerous reported UFO sightings, sparking speculation and curiosity. These unexplained aerial phenomena have tantalized the public, leaving them to ponder, "Why don't aliens eat clowns? Because they taste funny." The statistical relationship between these sightings and the consumption of hotdogs by a certain champion may seem tenuous or even whimsical, yet our findings reveal a surprisingly robust association.
Our study seeks to unravel this enigma by employing rigorous statistical analyses to scrutinize the UFO sighting data collected by the National UFO Reporting Center and pairing it with historical records of hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Through our investigation, we aim to provide a data-driven exploration of this peculiar relationship, shedding light on what may be a truly cosmic connection. As we unravel the mystery, let us not forget that whether it's UFO sightings or hotdog consumption, statistical scrutiny is the key to demystifying the seemingly inexplicable.

[[RESULTS]]
We found a strong positive correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition from 1979 to 2021. The correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and an r-squared of 0.7121454 indicate a robust relationship between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena. This association is statistically significant, with a p-value of less than 0.01, providing compelling evidence that cannot be dismissed as mere "pie in the sky."
Fig. 1 showcases the scatterplot illustrating the pronounced correlation between the variables. The data points form a clear trend line, emphasizing the surprising link between UFO sightings in Virginia and the champion's hotdog consumption. It's as if our findings are "wieners" in the sky, connecting the extraterrestrial with the culinary in a most unexpected way!
These results challenge conventional wisdom and beckon us to contemplate the cosmic conundrum underlying UFO sightings and hotdog consumption. It's as if the universe is sending a clear message that there is more to this earthly culinary obsession than meets the eye, or perhaps, the probing eye of an intergalactic visitor.
Our findings not only reveal an intriguing correlation but also call for further investigation into the cosmic forces at play. As we unravel the mysteries of the universe, we may find that the truth behind UFO sightings and hotdog consumption is more than just a mere "sausage-ty" correlation. It could be a revelation that transcends our understanding, leaving us pondering the possibility that we are indeed not alone in our love for hotdogs.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has unearthed a surprising and statistically significant correlation between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. The robust relationship, illustrated by a correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and a significant p-value of < 0.01, cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. It appears that there is indeed a cosmic connection between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Our findings may leave some scratching their heads, wondering if there's more to the universe than meets the eye. It's as if the UFOs have a craving for hotdogs, or perhaps the champion's consumption is fueled by celestial inspiration. One thing is for sure: this correlation is not just a "fluke," but rather a cosmic mystery waiting to be explored further.

As we wrap up our cosmic culinary adventure, let's keep in mind that while our findings may seem "out of this world," they warrant serious consideration. However, we must also remember that when it comes to hotdog-related mysteries, the journey is just as delightful as the destination. It's truly a "doggone" intriguing correlation, if you ask us.

While this study sheds light on an unconventional relationship, it also raises more questions than it answers. Are UFO sightings influencing hotdog consumption, or is it the other way around? These questions, like a hotdog without mustard, simply cannot be left unattended.

In light of our findings, we assert that further research in this area is not necessary. After all, there's only so much time we can dedicate to unraveling the cosmic ties of hotdog consumption. As they say, "let sleeping dogs lie."


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 Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Culinary Research


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 Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

Association for Extraterrestrial Gastronomy 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 Unidentified Feeding Objects: Linking UFO Sightings in Virginia to Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion with an abstract of This paper examines the surprising relationship between UFO sightings in Virginia and the hotdog consumption by the reigning champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. Leveraging data from the National UFO Reporting Center and historical records from Wikipedia, we delved into this unconventional area of research. Our statistical analysis revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.8438871 and a significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021. It seems that the truth is out there when it comes to a celestial connection to hotdog consumption, or perhaps these findings are just "out of this world." Stay tuned for our out-of-this-world findings and hotdog-related puns!

ChatGPT:

UFO sightings Virginia, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, correlation between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption, National UFO Reporting Center data, statistical analysis hotdog consumption UFO sightings

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

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 = 0.8438871 (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 = 0.7121454 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 71.2% 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 Virginia) over the 43 years from 1979 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.2E-12. 0.0000000000011903376515811511
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.84 in 1.2E-10% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 840,097,764,421 random variables You don't actually need 840 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, 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.

[ 0.73, 0.91 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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


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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
1979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
UFO sightings in Virginia (UFO sightings)57258555257528759112027382461576251715969968075100142200177141115101701339842
Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion (Hotdogs eaten)99.5111110.59.511.7515.513.51015.51621.519172019.522.2524.51920.25255050.544.553.334953.75665968546268696162707274717576




Why this works

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

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

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




Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([5,7,2,5,8,5,5,5,2,5,7,5,2,8,7,5,9,11,20,27,38,24,61,57,62,51,71,59,69,96,80,75,100,142,200,177,141,115,101,70,133,98,42,])
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 Virginia"
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. 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.

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Correlation ID: 2060 · Black Variable ID: 1164 · Red Variable ID: 500
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