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Spurious correlation #2,497 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Arson in New Mexico and the second variable is xkcd comics published about romance.  The chart goes from 2007 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the number of intentionally set fires in New Mexico decreased, there was a corresponding drop in the atmospheric levels of smoke and ash. This unexpected environmental change seemed to coincide with a decrease in the production of xkcd comics about romance. It's possible that the absence of smoky air disrupted the artist's creative process, leading to a temporary shortage of romantically themed comics. Alternatively, perhaps the lack of fiery imagery subconsciously extinguished the passion for drawing such content. Or maybe it's just a coincidental correlation, but we're inclined to believe that in this case, less arson quite literally means less burning love in the world of xkcd.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a group of firefighters and their partners at a cozy New Mexico diner. The scene is set with muted colors and a dotted halftone pattern from the 1960s, reminiscent of a comic book illustration. The firefighters are shown smiling and chatting with their partners, conveying warmth and love. One firefighter holds a bouquet of flowers, sharing a tender moment. In the same illustration, an xkcd artist is sitting at a desk, looking at a blank canvas with a slight frown, struggling to find inspiration for their romance comics. The flames that once raged across the state are now subdued, allowing the firefighters to find solace in their relationships, while the xkcd artist seeks new sources of romantic humor. 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: Arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics published about romance. 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: Concept art A comic-book-style illustration with muted colors and a dotted halftone pattern from the 1960s a meme Voxel art Surrealism
ChatGPT: A comic-book-style illustration with muted colors and a dotted halftone pattern from the 1960s

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 Arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics published about romance, in the following situation: Firefighters had more time to focus on their personal lives instead of battling blazes, leading to a statewide surge in successful romantic relationships. Unfortunately, this meant less material for the xkcd artist to draw on for their romance comics. It seems love wasn't the only thing that stopped burning in New Mexico.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a cozy New Mexico town, firefighters relax together at a local diner, smiling and chatting with their partners. The air is filled with a sense of warmth and love, as a firefighter lovingly holds a bouquet of flowers. Meanwhile, an xkcd artist sits at a desk, looking at a blank canvas with a slight frown, unable to find inspiration for their romance comics. The flames that once raged across the state are now diminished, as the firefighters find comfort in their relationships, and the xkcd artist searches for new sources of romantic humor.

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 comic-book-style illustration with muted colors and a dotted halftone pattern from the 1960s ] and depicting this scene: In a cozy New Mexico town, firefighters relax together at a local diner, smiling and chatting with their partners. The air is filled with a sense of warmth and love, as a firefighter lovingly holds a bouquet of flowers. Meanwhile, an xkcd artist sits at a desk, looking at a blank canvas with a slight frown, unable to find inspiration for their romance comics. The flames that once raged across the state are now diminished, as the firefighters find comfort in their relationships, and the xkcd artist searches for new sources of romantic humor. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a group of firefighters and their partners at a cozy New Mexico diner. The scene is set with muted colors and a dotted halftone pattern from the 1960s, reminiscent of a comic book illustration. The firefighters are shown smiling and chatting with their partners, conveying warmth and love. One firefighter holds a bouquet of flowers, sharing a tender moment. In the same illustration, an xkcd artist is sitting at a desk, looking at a blank canvas with a slight frown, struggling to find inspiration for their romance comics. The flames that once raged across the state are now subdued, allowing the firefighters to find solace in their relationships, while the xkcd artist seeks new sources of romantic humor.

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how a decrease in Arson in New Mexico caused xkcd comics published about romance to decrease.\Make it sound serious until the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance

The Journal of Fire Dynamics and Romantic Entanglements

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics published about romance. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title punny if you can come up with clever pun. If not, make it sound serious.

Your research team used data from FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and AI analysis of xkcd comics to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 and p < 0.01 for 2007 to 2022.

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

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the intriguing and yet unexplored connection between instances of arson in the state of New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics centered around romance. As we ignited our curiosity, we utilized data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and harnessed the power of AI analysis to scrutinize the comic strips from xkcd. Our findings revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 2007 to 2022.

With tongues firmly in cheek and lab coats on, we embarked on this journey to separate the "heat of the moment" from the "spark of love." Our results, though blazingly remarkable, left us pondering: why are arson rates in New Mexico positively associated with the appearance of xkcd comics on matters of the heart? Perhaps there is a fiery passion for romantic math jokes that ignites an uncontrollable urge to set things ablaze – or maybe there's just something in the water. Better not to "brush fire" this aside, as these findings present a burning need for further investigation.

In conclusion, the fiery bond between the occurrence of arson in New Mexico and the wittily romantic xkcd comics deserves further scrutiny, and we hope this study kindles a fervor for further exploration in both the scientific and humorous communities. After all, when it comes to understanding love and fire, it's better to "roast" than to "smolder" in ignorance.



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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics published about romance. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the intriguing and yet unexplored connection between instances of arson in the state of New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics centered around romance. As we ignited our curiosity, we utilized data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and harnessed the power of AI analysis to scrutinize the comic strips from xkcd. Our findings revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 2007 to 2022.

With tongues firmly in cheek and lab coats on, we embarked on this journey to separate the "heat of the moment" from the "spark of love." Our results, though blazingly remarkable, left us pondering: why are arson rates in New Mexico positively associated with the appearance of xkcd comics on matters of the heart? Perhaps there is a fiery passion for romantic math jokes that ignites an uncontrollable urge to set things ablaze – or maybe there's just something in the water. Better not to "brush fire" this aside, as these findings present a burning need for further investigation.

In conclusion, the fiery bond between the occurrence of arson in New Mexico and the wittily romantic xkcd comics deserves further scrutiny, and we hope this study kindles a fervor for further exploration in both the scientific and humorous communities. After all, when it comes to understanding love and fire, it's better to "roast" than to "smolder" in ignorance.


-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The study of arson and its underlying factors has predominantly revolved around socioeconomic conditions, urban planning, and law enforcement strategies. However, an intriguing and perhaps combustible correlation has caught the attention of researchers in recent years – the relationship between instances of arson in New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics that depict themes of romance. This unexpected connection has left many scratching their heads and wondering "is there smoke without fire, or are we just fanning the flames of speculation?"

As the late-night comedy shows observe, "This research is heating up!" We found ourselves diving into a sea of data, armed with statistics, machine learning, and a hefty dose of humor. Our analysis spanned from the desert landscapes of New Mexico, where the heat can be truly infernal, to the internet's abundance of stick-figure-laden comic strips. The efforts resulted in a temperature-raising discovery that invites skepticism and perhaps a few chuckles – a correlation that could very well set the scientific community ablaze with discussion.

It's not every day that researchers get to explore smoky criminal statistics and playful webcomics in the same breath! One might say we ignited a blaze of curiosity that's spreading faster than a wildfire. But fear not, dear reader, for we have the extinguisher of skepticism and the fire blanket of rigorous analysis ready at hand. After all, the last thing we need is for our conclusions to go up in smoke!

The initial spark of this study was set ablaze by the awareness that xkcd, like the best of romantic relationships, has a knack for blending humor with intelligence. From the complexities of human emotions to the absurdity of life's mundane quirks, xkcd has navigated the countless twists and turns of romance with a comic-strip expertise that borders on the scientifically irresistible. The question then became, "Could these comics be igniting more than just laughter in the hearts of their readers?"

We realize that our findings might raise a few eyebrows, perhaps even prompt a groan or two. But we assure you, dear reader, that our intentions are as pure as the driven snow – although we can't promise the same for some of our puns. With all puns intended, this paper aims to light the way for future research into the unexpected connections that await exploration in both the dark alleys of criminology and the lighthearted amusements of internet culture. So, without further ado, let's fan the flames of inquiry and see where this scientific tinderbox may lead us.


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics published about romance. 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. Perhaps you also got inspiration from some board games that are vaugely related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the intriguing and yet unexplored connection between instances of arson in the state of New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics centered around romance. As we ignited our curiosity, we utilized data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and harnessed the power of AI analysis to scrutinize the comic strips from xkcd. Our findings revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 2007 to 2022.

With tongues firmly in cheek and lab coats on, we embarked on this journey to separate the "heat of the moment" from the "spark of love." Our results, though blazingly remarkable, left us pondering: why are arson rates in New Mexico positively associated with the appearance of xkcd comics on matters of the heart? Perhaps there is a fiery passion for romantic math jokes that ignites an uncontrollable urge to set things ablaze – or maybe there's just something in the water. Better not to "brush fire" this aside, as these findings present a burning need for further investigation.

In conclusion, the fiery bond between the occurrence of arson in New Mexico and the wittily romantic xkcd comics deserves further scrutiny, and we hope this study kindles a fervor for further exploration in both the scientific and humorous communities. After all, when it comes to understanding love and fire, it's better to "roast" than to "smolder" in ignorance.


-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The study of arson and its underlying factors has predominantly revolved around socioeconomic conditions, urban planning, and law enforcement strategies. However, an intriguing and perhaps combustible correlation has caught the attention of researchers in recent years – the relationship between instances of arson in New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics that depict themes of romance. This unexpected connection has left many scratching their heads and wondering "is there smoke without fire, or are we just fanning the flames of speculation?"
As the late-night comedy shows observe, "This research is heating up!" We found ourselves diving into a sea of data, armed with statistics, machine learning, and a hefty dose of humor. Our analysis spanned from the desert landscapes of New Mexico, where the heat can be truly infernal, to the internet's abundance of stick-figure-laden comic strips. The efforts resulted in a temperature-raising discovery that invites skepticism and perhaps a few chuckles – a correlation that could very well set the scientific community ablaze with discussion.
It's not every day that researchers get to explore smoky criminal statistics and playful webcomics in the same breath! One might say we ignited a blaze of curiosity that's spreading faster than a wildfire. But fear not, dear reader, for we have the extinguisher of skepticism and the fire blanket of rigorous analysis ready at hand. After all, the last thing we need is for our conclusions to go up in smoke!
The initial spark of this study was set ablaze by the awareness that xkcd, like the best of romantic relationships, has a knack for blending humor with intelligence. From the complexities of human emotions to the absurdity of life's mundane quirks, xkcd has navigated the countless twists and turns of romance with a comic-strip expertise that borders on the scientifically irresistible. The question then became, "Could these comics be igniting more than just laughter in the hearts of their readers?"
We realize that our findings might raise a few eyebrows, perhaps even prompt a groan or two. But we assure you, dear reader, that our intentions are as pure as the driven snow – although we can't promise the same for some of our puns. With all puns intended, this paper aims to light the way for future research into the unexpected connections that await exploration in both the dark alleys of criminology and the lighthearted amusements of internet culture. So, without further ado, let's fan the flames of inquiry and see where this scientific tinderbox may lead us.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The relationship between arson in New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics on romance may seem, at first glance, as improbable as a fire-breathing dragon attending a speed-dating event. Yet, as we scoured the depths of academia for insights, we found a flicker of evidence hinting at this unexpected correlation. In "The Journal of Unusual Correlations," Smith and Doe unearth a surprising parallel between the rise in arson incidents in New Mexico and the influx of xkcd comics centered around matters of the heart. This discovery, much like a campfire ghost story, left us both intrigued and bewildered.

Now, one might wonder, "What's the connection between arson and romantic webcomics? Are the perpetrators seeking to rekindle lost love, or are they simply hot-headed enthusiasts of stick-figure humor?" As we dived deeper into the literature, we stumbled upon "The Firestarter's Dilemma" by Jones, an intriguing dissertation that attempts to shed light on the psychological motivations behind arsonists. Despite its serious tone, we couldn't help but notice the author's sly references to spark-inducing romances and the fiery passions that drive individuals to unconventional acts of arson.

Speaking of heat, one cannot overlook the sizzling impact of xkcd comics on popular culture. In "Comic Strips and Their Unearthly Influence," author X investigates the cognitive effects of reading webcomics and concludes that exposure to witty, romantic stick-figure humor may trigger a surge of endorphins akin to a warm hug or a well-timed pun. Speaking of which, did you hear about the comic strip that got arrested? It was charged with "disturbing the peace" – the punchline landed it in "comic" conditions!

On the more lighthearted side, we couldn't resist delving into relevant fiction that might shed some light on this enigmatic connection. In "Flames of Destiny" by A. Novel, we find an intriguing tale of love, betrayal, and a particularly fiery phoenix – the mythological bird of flame. While not grounded in empirical research, this tale ignites the imagination and forces us to confront the timeless enigma of the human heart and its inexplicable attraction to all things fiery.

Turning our attention to the entertainment landscape, we stumbled across the board game "Flashpoint: Fire Rescue," which simulates the adrenaline-filled experiences of firefighting teams as they battle infernos to save lives and property. This game, much like our study's subject matter, combines the seriousness of firefighting with a thrilling, almost cinematic, portrayal of the fury of flames. It's clear that the allure of fire, be it in reality or in the world of entertainment, holds a curious fascination – and maybe a few singed eyebrows if caution isn't exercised!

In closing, as we navigate the labyrinth of literature in search of answers, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the connection between arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics on romance is both a burning question and a source of endless amusement. Our hope is that this literature review fans the flames of curiosity and ignites a vibrant discussion on this unexpected correlation. After all, who wouldn't want to explore the "sparks" of romance and arson in a single, scintillating research paper?


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics published about romance. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and AI analysis of xkcd comics . You used data from 2007 to 2022

Make up the research methods you don't know. Make them a bit goofy and convoluted.

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the intriguing and yet unexplored connection between instances of arson in the state of New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics centered around romance. As we ignited our curiosity, we utilized data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and harnessed the power of AI analysis to scrutinize the comic strips from xkcd. Our findings revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 2007 to 2022.

With tongues firmly in cheek and lab coats on, we embarked on this journey to separate the "heat of the moment" from the "spark of love." Our results, though blazingly remarkable, left us pondering: why are arson rates in New Mexico positively associated with the appearance of xkcd comics on matters of the heart? Perhaps there is a fiery passion for romantic math jokes that ignites an uncontrollable urge to set things ablaze – or maybe there's just something in the water. Better not to "brush fire" this aside, as these findings present a burning need for further investigation.

In conclusion, the fiery bond between the occurrence of arson in New Mexico and the wittily romantic xkcd comics deserves further scrutiny, and we hope this study kindles a fervor for further exploration in both the scientific and humorous communities. After all, when it comes to understanding love and fire, it's better to "roast" than to "smolder" in ignorance.


[[INTRODUCTION]]
The study of arson and its underlying factors has predominantly revolved around socioeconomic conditions, urban planning, and law enforcement strategies. However, an intriguing and perhaps combustible correlation has caught the attention of researchers in recent years – the relationship between instances of arson in New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics that depict themes of romance. This unexpected connection has left many scratching their heads and wondering "is there smoke without fire, or are we just fanning the flames of speculation?"
As the late-night comedy shows observe, "This research is heating up!" We found ourselves diving into a sea of data, armed with statistics, machine learning, and a hefty dose of humor. Our analysis spanned from the desert landscapes of New Mexico, where the heat can be truly infernal, to the internet's abundance of stick-figure-laden comic strips. The efforts resulted in a temperature-raising discovery that invites skepticism and perhaps a few chuckles – a correlation that could very well set the scientific community ablaze with discussion.
It's not every day that researchers get to explore smoky criminal statistics and playful webcomics in the same breath! One might say we ignited a blaze of curiosity that's spreading faster than a wildfire. But fear not, dear reader, for we have the extinguisher of skepticism and the fire blanket of rigorous analysis ready at hand. After all, the last thing we need is for our conclusions to go up in smoke!
The initial spark of this study was set ablaze by the awareness that xkcd, like the best of romantic relationships, has a knack for blending humor with intelligence. From the complexities of human emotions to the absurdity of life's mundane quirks, xkcd has navigated the countless twists and turns of romance with a comic-strip expertise that borders on the scientifically irresistible. The question then became, "Could these comics be igniting more than just laughter in the hearts of their readers?"
We realize that our findings might raise a few eyebrows, perhaps even prompt a groan or two. But we assure you, dear reader, that our intentions are as pure as the driven snow – although we can't promise the same for some of our puns. With all puns intended, this paper aims to light the way for future research into the unexpected connections that await exploration in both the dark alleys of criminology and the lighthearted amusements of internet culture. So, without further ado, let's fan the flames of inquiry and see where this scientific tinderbox may lead us.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To investigate the curious relationship between arson in New Mexico and romance-themed xkcd comics, we employed a multifaceted approach that blended traditional data collection methods with cutting-edge AI analysis and a sprinkle of dry humor. Our research journey can be summarized in three stages: data collection, statistical analysis, and comic scrutiny.

Firstly, to gather data on arson rates in New Mexico, we turned to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, seeking out reports of deliberately ignited flames in the Land of Enchantment. It was a "burning" desire to understand the geographical and temporal patterns of arson in this region. During this process, we rigorously sifted through the data to ensure that all information was as "smoking hot" as the subject matter at hand.

In our pursuit of uncovering correlations, we harnessed the power of AI to analyze xkcd comics published between 2007 and 2022, focusing specifically on those centered around themes of romance. This involved training the AI to recognize and categorize elements of romance depicted in the comics, ensuring that our data collection was as precise as Cupid's arrow. We then cross-referenced these findings with the timing of arson incidents, setting the stage for a statistical tango between love and fire.

With the data in hand, we then subjected our findings to rigorous statistical analysis, wielding regression models and correlation coefficients with the zeal of a fire-breathing dragon. The resulting analysis illuminated a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8782159, leaving us gasping for breath in the face of such scorching statistical significance. It's safe to say that our findings are "h-ot" stuff!

Of course, as we delved into the world of data analysis, we had to dodge a few statistical curveballs and embrace the occasional outlier. However, armed with solid methods and a keen eye for outliers that "spark joy," we navigated these statistical hurdles with the agility of a fire dancer, ensuring that our conclusions were as robust as a well-built fire shelter.

To further validate our findings, we also conducted a qualitative examination of the xkcd comics to ensure that our AI analysis truly captured the romantic essence of the selected comics. We laughed, we cried (mostly from laughing), and we studied these comics with the seriousness of scholars, ensuring that no potential inferno of insight was left unexamined.

In conclusion, our research method was as thorough and multifaceted as a diamond in the rough of statistical inquiry. With data collected from sources as diverse as the desert sands and the digital plains of the internet, we dared to embrace the unexpected and illuminate the obscure. Thus, armed with a spirit of inquiry and a penchant for puns, we present our findings to the scientific community, hoping to ignite further discussions and investigations into the fiery connection that dances between the realms of arson and romance-themed webcomics. After all, as we famously say in academia, you can't make a statistical omelet without collecting the data, rigorously analyzing the trends, and sprinkling in a dash of humor!


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics published about romance. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and AI analysis of xkcd comics .

For the time period 2007 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.8782159, r-squared of 0.7712631, and p < 0.01.

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the intriguing and yet unexplored connection between instances of arson in the state of New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics centered around romance. As we ignited our curiosity, we utilized data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and harnessed the power of AI analysis to scrutinize the comic strips from xkcd. Our findings revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 2007 to 2022.

With tongues firmly in cheek and lab coats on, we embarked on this journey to separate the "heat of the moment" from the "spark of love." Our results, though blazingly remarkable, left us pondering: why are arson rates in New Mexico positively associated with the appearance of xkcd comics on matters of the heart? Perhaps there is a fiery passion for romantic math jokes that ignites an uncontrollable urge to set things ablaze – or maybe there's just something in the water. Better not to "brush fire" this aside, as these findings present a burning need for further investigation.

In conclusion, the fiery bond between the occurrence of arson in New Mexico and the wittily romantic xkcd comics deserves further scrutiny, and we hope this study kindles a fervor for further exploration in both the scientific and humorous communities. After all, when it comes to understanding love and fire, it's better to "roast" than to "smolder" in ignorance.


-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The study of arson and its underlying factors has predominantly revolved around socioeconomic conditions, urban planning, and law enforcement strategies. However, an intriguing and perhaps combustible correlation has caught the attention of researchers in recent years – the relationship between instances of arson in New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics that depict themes of romance. This unexpected connection has left many scratching their heads and wondering "is there smoke without fire, or are we just fanning the flames of speculation?"
As the late-night comedy shows observe, "This research is heating up!" We found ourselves diving into a sea of data, armed with statistics, machine learning, and a hefty dose of humor. Our analysis spanned from the desert landscapes of New Mexico, where the heat can be truly infernal, to the internet's abundance of stick-figure-laden comic strips. The efforts resulted in a temperature-raising discovery that invites skepticism and perhaps a few chuckles – a correlation that could very well set the scientific community ablaze with discussion.
It's not every day that researchers get to explore smoky criminal statistics and playful webcomics in the same breath! One might say we ignited a blaze of curiosity that's spreading faster than a wildfire. But fear not, dear reader, for we have the extinguisher of skepticism and the fire blanket of rigorous analysis ready at hand. After all, the last thing we need is for our conclusions to go up in smoke!
The initial spark of this study was set ablaze by the awareness that xkcd, like the best of romantic relationships, has a knack for blending humor with intelligence. From the complexities of human emotions to the absurdity of life's mundane quirks, xkcd has navigated the countless twists and turns of romance with a comic-strip expertise that borders on the scientifically irresistible. The question then became, "Could these comics be igniting more than just laughter in the hearts of their readers?"
We realize that our findings might raise a few eyebrows, perhaps even prompt a groan or two. But we assure you, dear reader, that our intentions are as pure as the driven snow – although we can't promise the same for some of our puns. With all puns intended, this paper aims to light the way for future research into the unexpected connections that await exploration in both the dark alleys of criminology and the lighthearted amusements of internet culture. So, without further ado, let's fan the flames of inquiry and see where this scientific tinderbox may lead us.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The analysis of data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and AI scrutiny of xkcd comics from 2007 to 2022 revealed a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 between instances of arson in New Mexico and the appearance of romance-themed xkcd comics. This sizzling statistical relationship was accompanied by an r-squared value of 0.7712631, and a p-value of less than 0.01, leaving us with enough evidence to stoke the flames of curiosity.

With our findings in hand, we couldn't help but appreciate the "fireworks" of this correlation that's lit up our research. It seems that even in the realm of statistical analysis, there's always room for a "spark" of humor.

The robust correlation between arson instances and the publication of xkcd comics speaks to an unexpected link which has set our scientific hearts "aflame." It's almost as if the comics themselves are "fanning the flames" of criminal activity. Could it be that the mathematical wit and romantic musings within these webcomics are setting off metaphorical firecrackers in the hearts of their readers, sparking an urge to set the world around them ablaze? Or is New Mexico just experiencing some kind of "burning love" that the rest of us have yet to comprehend?

From a statistical standpoint, our findings have set the scientific community "on fire" with curiosity. It's not every day that a study uncovers a correlation this hot – pun intended!

To visually illustrate this scorching correlation, we present Figure 1, a scatterplot that beams with the intensity of our findings. As for the joke? Well, I'm glad you "arson" for one!


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics published about romance. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the intriguing and yet unexplored connection between instances of arson in the state of New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics centered around romance. As we ignited our curiosity, we utilized data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and harnessed the power of AI analysis to scrutinize the comic strips from xkcd. Our findings revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 2007 to 2022.

With tongues firmly in cheek and lab coats on, we embarked on this journey to separate the "heat of the moment" from the "spark of love." Our results, though blazingly remarkable, left us pondering: why are arson rates in New Mexico positively associated with the appearance of xkcd comics on matters of the heart? Perhaps there is a fiery passion for romantic math jokes that ignites an uncontrollable urge to set things ablaze – or maybe there's just something in the water. Better not to "brush fire" this aside, as these findings present a burning need for further investigation.

In conclusion, the fiery bond between the occurrence of arson in New Mexico and the wittily romantic xkcd comics deserves further scrutiny, and we hope this study kindles a fervor for further exploration in both the scientific and humorous communities. After all, when it comes to understanding love and fire, it's better to "roast" than to "smolder" in ignorance.


[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The relationship between arson in New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics on romance may seem, at first glance, as improbable as a fire-breathing dragon attending a speed-dating event. Yet, as we scoured the depths of academia for insights, we found a flicker of evidence hinting at this unexpected correlation. In "The Journal of Unusual Correlations," Smith and Doe unearth a surprising parallel between the rise in arson incidents in New Mexico and the influx of xkcd comics centered around matters of the heart. This discovery, much like a campfire ghost story, left us both intrigued and bewildered.
Now, one might wonder, "What's the connection between arson and romantic webcomics? Are the perpetrators seeking to rekindle lost love, or are they simply hot-headed enthusiasts of stick-figure humor?" As we dived deeper into the literature, we stumbled upon "The Firestarter's Dilemma" by Jones, an intriguing dissertation that attempts to shed light on the psychological motivations behind arsonists. Despite its serious tone, we couldn't help but notice the author's sly references to spark-inducing romances and the fiery passions that drive individuals to unconventional acts of arson.
Speaking of heat, one cannot overlook the sizzling impact of xkcd comics on popular culture. In "Comic Strips and Their Unearthly Influence," author X investigates the cognitive effects of reading webcomics and concludes that exposure to witty, romantic stick-figure humor may trigger a surge of endorphins akin to a warm hug or a well-timed pun. Speaking of which, did you hear about the comic strip that got arrested? It was charged with "disturbing the peace" – the punchline landed it in "comic" conditions!
On the more lighthearted side, we couldn't resist delving into relevant fiction that might shed some light on this enigmatic connection. In "Flames of Destiny" by A. Novel, we find an intriguing tale of love, betrayal, and a particularly fiery phoenix – the mythological bird of flame. While not grounded in empirical research, this tale ignites the imagination and forces us to confront the timeless enigma of the human heart and its inexplicable attraction to all things fiery.
Turning our attention to the entertainment landscape, we stumbled across the board game "Flashpoint: Fire Rescue," which simulates the adrenaline-filled experiences of firefighting teams as they battle infernos to save lives and property. This game, much like our study's subject matter, combines the seriousness of firefighting with a thrilling, almost cinematic, portrayal of the fury of flames. It's clear that the allure of fire, be it in reality or in the world of entertainment, holds a curious fascination – and maybe a few singed eyebrows if caution isn't exercised!
In closing, as we navigate the labyrinth of literature in search of answers, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the connection between arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics on romance is both a burning question and a source of endless amusement. Our hope is that this literature review fans the flames of curiosity and ignites a vibrant discussion on this unexpected correlation. After all, who wouldn't want to explore the "sparks" of romance and arson in a single, scintillating research paper?

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and AI scrutiny of xkcd comics from 2007 to 2022 revealed a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 between instances of arson in New Mexico and the appearance of romance-themed xkcd comics. This sizzling statistical relationship was accompanied by an r-squared value of 0.7712631, and a p-value of less than 0.01, leaving us with enough evidence to stoke the flames of curiosity.
With our findings in hand, we couldn't help but appreciate the "fireworks" of this correlation that's lit up our research. It seems that even in the realm of statistical analysis, there's always room for a "spark" of humor.
The robust correlation between arson instances and the publication of xkcd comics speaks to an unexpected link which has set our scientific hearts "aflame." It's almost as if the comics themselves are "fanning the flames" of criminal activity. Could it be that the mathematical wit and romantic musings within these webcomics are setting off metaphorical firecrackers in the hearts of their readers, sparking an urge to set the world around them ablaze? Or is New Mexico just experiencing some kind of "burning love" that the rest of us have yet to comprehend?
From a statistical standpoint, our findings have set the scientific community "on fire" with curiosity. It's not every day that a study uncovers a correlation this hot – pun intended!
To visually illustrate this scorching correlation, we present Figure 1, a scatterplot that beams with the intensity of our findings. As for the joke? Well, I'm glad you "arson" for one!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our scorching findings have set the scientific community ablaze with curiosity, as we've unearthed a correlation hotter than a desert summer day between instances of arson in New Mexico and the appearance of xkcd comics on romance. The statistical relationship we've uncovered lends itself to some burning questions as to the underlying mechanisms fueling this unexpected correlation. It seems that love isn't the only thing capable of igniting flames, as our results indicate a fiery connection between these seemingly disparate phenomena.

While it might seem like we're merely "fanning the flames" of whimsy, our findings align with prior research, such as the work of Smith and Doe, who unearthed a surprising parallel between the rise in arson incidents in New Mexico and the influx of romance-themed xkcd comics. This unexpected connection leaves us pondering whether the spark of love in these comics is somehow kindling a literal spark in the hearts of New Mexicans.

These results have left us "hot under the collar" with excitement, especially given the impressive correlation coefficient and the statistically significant p-value, which all serve to indicate a strong relationship between these fiery variables. It's almost as if the xkcd comics themselves are "fueling the fire" of criminal activity, as readers are inspired to bring their metaphorical torches and pitchforks to the real world.

To visualize this fiery association, we've presented a scorching scatterplot in Figure 1 that blazes with the intensity of our findings. It's clear that our results have set the scientific community "on fire" with curiosity, as this correlation "burns" away any doubts about the significance of this unexpected relationship.

It's not every day that a study ignites such fervent interest, but we hope our findings inspire further research and discussion. After all, as we navigate through the sparks of science, it's important to remember that sometimes the most unexpected correlations can light the way to new discoveries. As for future research, we can't help but wonder – what other fiery connections are waiting to be unearthed? And will this passion for pursuit ignite a newfound interest in the intersection of crime and culturally resonant comics? We're burning to find out!


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd comics published about romance. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the intriguing and yet unexplored connection between instances of arson in the state of New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics centered around romance. As we ignited our curiosity, we utilized data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and harnessed the power of AI analysis to scrutinize the comic strips from xkcd. Our findings revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 2007 to 2022.

With tongues firmly in cheek and lab coats on, we embarked on this journey to separate the "heat of the moment" from the "spark of love." Our results, though blazingly remarkable, left us pondering: why are arson rates in New Mexico positively associated with the appearance of xkcd comics on matters of the heart? Perhaps there is a fiery passion for romantic math jokes that ignites an uncontrollable urge to set things ablaze – or maybe there's just something in the water. Better not to "brush fire" this aside, as these findings present a burning need for further investigation.

In conclusion, the fiery bond between the occurrence of arson in New Mexico and the wittily romantic xkcd comics deserves further scrutiny, and we hope this study kindles a fervor for further exploration in both the scientific and humorous communities. After all, when it comes to understanding love and fire, it's better to "roast" than to "smolder" in ignorance.


[[INTRDUCTION]]
The study of arson and its underlying factors has predominantly revolved around socioeconomic conditions, urban planning, and law enforcement strategies. However, an intriguing and perhaps combustible correlation has caught the attention of researchers in recent years – the relationship between instances of arson in New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics that depict themes of romance. This unexpected connection has left many scratching their heads and wondering "is there smoke without fire, or are we just fanning the flames of speculation?"
As the late-night comedy shows observe, "This research is heating up!" We found ourselves diving into a sea of data, armed with statistics, machine learning, and a hefty dose of humor. Our analysis spanned from the desert landscapes of New Mexico, where the heat can be truly infernal, to the internet's abundance of stick-figure-laden comic strips. The efforts resulted in a temperature-raising discovery that invites skepticism and perhaps a few chuckles – a correlation that could very well set the scientific community ablaze with discussion.
It's not every day that researchers get to explore smoky criminal statistics and playful webcomics in the same breath! One might say we ignited a blaze of curiosity that's spreading faster than a wildfire. But fear not, dear reader, for we have the extinguisher of skepticism and the fire blanket of rigorous analysis ready at hand. After all, the last thing we need is for our conclusions to go up in smoke!
The initial spark of this study was set ablaze by the awareness that xkcd, like the best of romantic relationships, has a knack for blending humor with intelligence. From the complexities of human emotions to the absurdity of life's mundane quirks, xkcd has navigated the countless twists and turns of romance with a comic-strip expertise that borders on the scientifically irresistible. The question then became, "Could these comics be igniting more than just laughter in the hearts of their readers?"
We realize that our findings might raise a few eyebrows, perhaps even prompt a groan or two. But we assure you, dear reader, that our intentions are as pure as the driven snow – although we can't promise the same for some of our puns. With all puns intended, this paper aims to light the way for future research into the unexpected connections that await exploration in both the dark alleys of criminology and the lighthearted amusements of internet culture. So, without further ado, let's fan the flames of inquiry and see where this scientific tinderbox may lead us.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and AI scrutiny of xkcd comics from 2007 to 2022 revealed a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 between instances of arson in New Mexico and the appearance of romance-themed xkcd comics. This sizzling statistical relationship was accompanied by an r-squared value of 0.7712631, and a p-value of less than 0.01, leaving us with enough evidence to stoke the flames of curiosity.
With our findings in hand, we couldn't help but appreciate the "fireworks" of this correlation that's lit up our research. It seems that even in the realm of statistical analysis, there's always room for a "spark" of humor.
The robust correlation between arson instances and the publication of xkcd comics speaks to an unexpected link which has set our scientific hearts "aflame." It's almost as if the comics themselves are "fanning the flames" of criminal activity. Could it be that the mathematical wit and romantic musings within these webcomics are setting off metaphorical firecrackers in the hearts of their readers, sparking an urge to set the world around them ablaze? Or is New Mexico just experiencing some kind of "burning love" that the rest of us have yet to comprehend?
From a statistical standpoint, our findings have set the scientific community "on fire" with curiosity. It's not every day that a study uncovers a correlation this hot – pun intended!
To visually illustrate this scorching correlation, we present Figure 1, a scatterplot that beams with the intensity of our findings. As for the joke? Well, I'm glad you "arson" for one!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has not only illuminated the surprising correlation between instances of arson in New Mexico and the publication of romance-themed xkcd comics, but it has also ignited a fervent interest in the interplay of humor, science, and criminal behavior. As we douse ourselves in the refreshing waters of knowledge, we can't help but reflect on the paradox of how something as heartwarming as romance-themed comics could fuel such a heated response.

Our findings have certainly added some fuel to the fiery debate surrounding the factors influencing arson rates, and it's clear that there's more to this "burning" issue than meets the eye. It seems that these comics carry a flame that ignites not only laughter but also an unexpected statistical relationship. As the saying goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire," and our research has indeed uncovered a flaming-hot connection.

As we extinguish the flames of speculation and wrap up this burning discourse, we assert with confidence that no more research is needed in this area. After all, when it comes to the proximity of arson and romantic webcomics, we've already sparked enough interest to keep this conclusion smoldering for years to come.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of academic journals. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding research, scientific, or academic journal that would publish a paper entited Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Fire Dynamics and Romantic Entanglements


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for the Advancement of Quirky Research (SAQR)


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled Burning Love: Exploring the Relationship Between Arson in New Mexico and xkcd Comics on Romance with an abstract of In this study, we delve into the intriguing and yet unexplored connection between instances of arson in the state of New Mexico and the publication of xkcd comics centered around romance. As we ignited our curiosity, we utilized data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and harnessed the power of AI analysis to scrutinize the comic strips from xkcd. Our findings revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8782159 and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 for the years 2007 to 2022.
With tongues firmly in cheek and lab coats on, we embarked on this journey to separate the "heat of the moment" from the "spark of love." Our results, though blazingly remarkable, left us pondering: why are arson rates in New Mexico positively associated with the appearance of xkcd comics on matters of the heart? Perhaps there is a fiery passion for romantic math jokes that ignites an uncontrollable urge to set things ablaze – or maybe there's just something in the water. Better not to "brush fire" this aside, as these findings present a burning need for further investigation.
In conclusion, the fiery bond between the occurrence of arson in New Mexico and the wittily romantic xkcd comics deserves further scrutiny, and we hope this study kindles a fervor for further exploration in both the scientific and humorous communities. After all, when it comes to understanding love and fire, it's better to "roast" than to "smolder" in ignorance.

ChatGPT:

arson rates, New Mexico, xkcd comics, romance comics, FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, AI analysis, correlation coefficient, statistically significant, romantic math jokes, fiery passion, humorous communities, correlation between arson and xkcd comics

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



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Data details

Arson in New Mexico
Detailed data title: The arson rate per 100,000 residents in New Mexico
Source: FBI Criminal Justice Information Services
See what else correlates with Arson in New Mexico

xkcd comics published about romance
Detailed data title: The number of xkcd comics published each year about romance
Source: AI analysis of xkcd comics
Additional Info: I designed a Python workflow to perform OCR on every xkcd comic, feed that text into a large language model, and ask the model whether this comic was about the category named in the title.

See what else correlates with xkcd comics published about romance

Correlation r = 0.8782159 (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 = 0.7712631 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 77.1% of the change in the one variable (i.e., xkcd comics published about romance) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Arson in New Mexico) over the 16 years from 2007 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 7.7E-6. 0.0000076759381554994500000000
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 0.88 in 0.00077% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 130,277 random variables You don't actually need 130 thousand 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 15 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 15 because we have two variables measured over a period of 16 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.

[ 0.68, 0.96 ] 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.
2007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Arson in New Mexico (Arson rate)2728.822.320.320.921.418.219.915.820.215.914.614.818.816.615.6
xkcd comics published about romance (xkcd comics)3835212811183432311563




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. Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.




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([27,28.8,22.3,20.3,20.9,21.4,18.2,19.9,15.8,20.2,15.9,14.6,14.8,18.8,16.6,15.6,])
array_2 = np.array([38,35,21,28,11,18,3,4,3,2,3,1,1,5,6,3,])
array_1_name = "Arson in New Mexico"
array_2_name = "xkcd comics published about romance"

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

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



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You 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.

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

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Correlation ID: 2497 · Black Variable ID: 20058 · Red Variable ID: 20013
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