Spurious correlation #2,505 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas and the second variable is Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. The chart goes from 2004 to 2023, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas and the second variable is Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. The chart goes from 2004 to 2023, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As the air quality improved, the squirrels in San Antonio were no longer feeling so "squirrelly" and aggressive. With cleaner air to breathe, they were just nuts about spreading peace and harmony instead of launching surprise acorn-attacks on unsuspecting residents. This proves that when it comes to reducing squirrel-related incidents, a breath of fresh air in the city can truly work wonders. As the old saying goes, "Cleaner air leads to fewer beware-of-squirrel scares!"

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a serene park in San Antonio, Texas, on a clear day. In the foreground, a group of elegant, sleek squirrels with flowing tails playfully frolic across the vibrant green grass. The paved pathways wind through the park, with people leisurely strolling and smiling as they enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. The atmosphere exudes peace and tranquility, with a noticeable harmony between the squirrels and locals as they coexist peacefully. The improved air quality is evident in the clear skies and the sense of serenity throughout the park. 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: Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. 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: inspired by bauhaus Glitch art Concept art Woodblock painting High-tech
ChatGPT: High-tech

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 Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel', in the following situation: As air quality improved, the squirrels' behavior became less 'nutty' and they no longer felt the need to 'branch' out and attack humans. With cleaner air, the squirrels were no longer feeling 'squirrelly' and were able to 'clear the air' of any aggressive tendencies. Plus, with fresher air, maybe they just decided to 'acorn' their aggressive ways and 'leaf' people alone. It seems like the decrease in air pollution really helped to 'squirrel away' the problem of squirrel attacks!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a serene park in San Antonio, Texas, the air is crisp and fresh. A group of squirrels playfully scurry across the green grass, their tails elegantly swaying in the gentle breeze. People leisurely stroll along the paved pathways, smiling and enjoying the clear skies and sunshine. The atmosphere is noticeably peaceful, as the squirrels no longer exhibit any aggressive behavior. It's a harmonious scene, with the once "nutty" squirrels now peacefully coexisting with the locals, all thanks to the improved air quality.

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: [ High-tech ] and depicting this scene: In a serene park in San Antonio, Texas, the air is crisp and fresh. A group of squirrels playfully scurry across the green grass, their tails elegantly swaying in the gentle breeze. People leisurely stroll along the paved pathways, smiling and enjoying the clear skies and sunshine. The atmosphere is noticeably peaceful, as the squirrels no longer exhibit any aggressive behavior. It's a harmonious scene, with the once "nutty" squirrels now peacefully coexisting with the locals, all thanks to the improved air quality. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a serene park in San Antonio, Texas, on a clear day. In the foreground, a group of elegant, sleek squirrels with flowing tails playfully frolic across the vibrant green grass. The paved pathways wind through the park, with people leisurely strolling and smiling as they enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. The atmosphere exudes peace and tranquility, with a noticeable harmony between the squirrels and locals as they coexist peacefully. The improved air quality is evident in the clear skies and the sense of serenity throughout the park.

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

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.
^{Show prompt for explanation} Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how a decrease in Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas caused attacked by a squirrel (Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel') to decrease. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Nut-so Clean Air: The Squirrelly Connection Between Air Pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google Searches for 'Attacked by a Squirrel'

The Journal of Ecological Quirks and Curiosities

Jan 2024

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. 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 a few real TV shows that sound like they might be relevant to the topic that you watched as research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Nut-so Clean Air: The Squirrelly Connection Between Air Pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google Searches for 'Attacked by a Squirrel'"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to investigate the curious correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for the peculiar phrase 'attacked by a squirrel'. With the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality data and Google Trends at our fingertips, we embarked on a nutty journey to uncover the potential relationship between the two seemingly unrelated variables.

Our findings revealed a statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.7786686 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period spanning from 2004 to 2023, indicating a robust association. Coincidentally, much like squirrels hoarding nuts, we found that air pollution levels in the San Antonio area were positively hoarding the attention of Google searchers looking for squirrel-related calamities.

This unexpected discovery begs the question: are San Antonians more prone to squirrel encounters when the air quality takes a nosedive, or are they simply more inclined to blame their furry foes during hazy days? Perhaps they're simply nuts about environmental quality puns, but we digress. The implications of these findings may shed light on the interplay between urban wildlife behavior and anthropogenic environmental disturbances, providing both ecological and comedic insight into the dynamics of human-animal interactions.

Our research not only adds a touch of levity to the otherwise grave topic of air pollution but also beckons us to ponder the whimsical and bizarre ways in which our online behavior mirrors the atmospheric conditions in our midst. As the old saying goes, "Inhaling clean air is no joke, but the correlation between air pollution and squirrel-related searches? That's just nuts!"

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The past few decades have seen a growing interest in understanding the complex interplay between environmental factors and human behavior. As researchers continue to explore the far-reaching impacts of air pollution on public health and well-being, our study delves into a rather unconventional realm—the correlation between air pollution in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of online searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. This inquiry, while lighthearted on the surface, holds the potential to unearth valuable insights into the quirky ways in which human behavior reflects environmental conditions.
The concept of air pollution as a topic of grave concern is nothing to sneeze at, but when the search for understanding has us transitioning from smog to squirrels, it's clear this study has taken an unexpected turn—much like a startled squirrel evading a bewildered pedestrian. Cue the cringe-worthy dad joke: "Who knew that air pollution and squirrel encounters had so much in common? They both leave you breathless!"
San Antonio, nestled in the heart of Texas, serves as an ideal setting for our investigation. The city's dynamic urban landscape, alongside its diverse population, presents a microcosm for examining the potential correlations between environmental stressors and human responses. Moreover, the region’s rich tapestry of flora and fauna, including its squirrel population, adds a whimsical yet relevant dimension to our exploration. It's as if the squirrels in San Antonio have taken a page out of the city's history book and declared, "Remember the Alamo? We'll make this research memorable, too!"
Our research builds upon the burgeoning field of digital epidemiology, where unconventional data sources, such as internet search queries, offer unique insights into public sentiment and behavior. By leveraging Google Trends data, we aim to unravel the subtle yet curious relationship between air quality disturbances and the public’s peculiar interest in squirrel skirmishes. It's almost as if the digital age has ushered in a new era—the one where understanding environmental impacts is just a few clicks away. And in this case, those clicks are sending us straight into the unexpected realm of squirrel-related mayhem.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The connection between environmental factors and human behavior has long intrigued researchers, and our study on the correlation between air pollution in San Antonio, Texas, and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel' adds a touch of whimsy to this scholarly pursuit. In "Smith and Doe's Air Pollution and Public Health," the authors highlight the detrimental effects of air pollution on human health, emphasizing the urgency of addressing environmental quality. Similarly, "Jones et al.'s Urban Wildlife Behavior in Metropolitan Areas" delves into the interactions between urban wildlife and human populations, shedding light on the complexities of cohabitation in bustling cities.

But when it comes to our investigation, we can't help but ask, "What's the squirrel's favorite carol during the holiday season?" - "Nuts roasting on an open fire!" In a similar vein, our research takes a lighthearted approach to a serious topic, aiming to bring levity to the correlation between air pollution and squirrel-related online searches in San Antonio.

As we tread further into this unexpected territory, we draw inspiration from non-fiction works such as "The Air We Breathe: A Comprehensive Analysis of Air Quality" and "Wildlife Encounters in Urban Landscapes," providing valuable insights into the multifaceted aspects of our study. On the fictional front, titles like "Squirrels in the City" and "The Polluted Nut: A Squirrel's Tale" offer a playful nod to the intersection of environmental disturbances and urban wildlife, infusing our research with a dash of literary amusement.

And speaking of urban wildlife, we found ourselves binge-watching episodes of "Nature's Uninvited Guests" and "Squirrel Wars" for research purposes, of course. The juxtaposition of real-life encounters with cheeky critters and the serious implications of air pollution creates a narrative that's as captivating as it is unexpected. Just like a well-timed squirrel joke, our literature review seeks to entertain while shedding light on the intriguing correlation between seemingly disparate phenomena.

But what do you call a squirrel with no nuts? "A squirrel!" - because nuts are just one part of their nutty behavior, much like how air pollution is just one aspect of our in-depth exploration. We're nuts about our research, and we hope to impart a playful yet insightful perspective on the relationship between air quality and the online antics of our furry, tree-dwelling friends.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. 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 Environmental Protection Agency and Google Trends . You used data from 2004 to 2023

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]]
"Nut-so Clean Air: The Squirrelly Connection Between Air Pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google Searches for 'Attacked by a Squirrel'"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to investigate the curious correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for the peculiar phrase 'attacked by a squirrel'. With the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality data and Google Trends at our fingertips, we embarked on a nutty journey to uncover the potential relationship between the two seemingly unrelated variables.

Our findings revealed a statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.7786686 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period spanning from 2004 to 2023, indicating a robust association. Coincidentally, much like squirrels hoarding nuts, we found that air pollution levels in the San Antonio area were positively hoarding the attention of Google searchers looking for squirrel-related calamities.

This unexpected discovery begs the question: are San Antonians more prone to squirrel encounters when the air quality takes a nosedive, or are they simply more inclined to blame their furry foes during hazy days? Perhaps they're simply nuts about environmental quality puns, but we digress. The implications of these findings may shed light on the interplay between urban wildlife behavior and anthropogenic environmental disturbances, providing both ecological and comedic insight into the dynamics of human-animal interactions.

Our research not only adds a touch of levity to the otherwise grave topic of air pollution but also beckons us to ponder the whimsical and bizarre ways in which our online behavior mirrors the atmospheric conditions in our midst. As the old saying goes, "Inhaling clean air is no joke, but the correlation between air pollution and squirrel-related searches? That's just nuts!"

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The past few decades have seen a growing interest in understanding the complex interplay between environmental factors and human behavior. As researchers continue to explore the far-reaching impacts of air pollution on public health and well-being, our study delves into a rather unconventional realm—the correlation between air pollution in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of online searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. This inquiry, while lighthearted on the surface, holds the potential to unearth valuable insights into the quirky ways in which human behavior reflects environmental conditions.
The concept of air pollution as a topic of grave concern is nothing to sneeze at, but when the search for understanding has us transitioning from smog to squirrels, it's clear this study has taken an unexpected turn—much like a startled squirrel evading a bewildered pedestrian. Cue the cringe-worthy dad joke: "Who knew that air pollution and squirrel encounters had so much in common? They both leave you breathless!"
San Antonio, nestled in the heart of Texas, serves as an ideal setting for our investigation. The city's dynamic urban landscape, alongside its diverse population, presents a microcosm for examining the potential correlations between environmental stressors and human responses. Moreover, the region’s rich tapestry of flora and fauna, including its squirrel population, adds a whimsical yet relevant dimension to our exploration. It's as if the squirrels in San Antonio have taken a page out of the city's history book and declared, "Remember the Alamo? We'll make this research memorable, too!"
Our research builds upon the burgeoning field of digital epidemiology, where unconventional data sources, such as internet search queries, offer unique insights into public sentiment and behavior. By leveraging Google Trends data, we aim to unravel the subtle yet curious relationship between air quality disturbances and the public’s peculiar interest in squirrel skirmishes. It's almost as if the digital age has ushered in a new era—the one where understanding environmental impacts is just a few clicks away. And in this case, those clicks are sending us straight into the unexpected realm of squirrel-related mayhem.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To investigate the correlation between air pollution in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel', we employed a multifaceted approach that blended environmental data analysis with digital behavioral metrics. Our research team harnessed data spanning from 2004 to 2023, sourced primarily from the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality measurements and Google Trends search query data. The confluence of these diverse datasets allowed us to untangle the nutty relationship between airborne particulate matter and human fascination with squirrel-related shenanigans.

First, we aggregated air quality indices, including levels of particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, from various monitoring stations across the San Antonio metropolitan area. As we dug deep into the realm of environmental pollutants, we couldn't help but ponder: is there a correlation between air pollution and squirrel-related searches because both leave you breathless? Though we straddle the line between levity and scientific rigor, this inquiry fueled our commitment to unraveling this puzzling phenomenon.

Next, we turned our attention to the digital landscape, utilizing Google Trends to quantify the relative search interest in the phrase 'attacked by a squirrel' within the geographic bounds of San Antonio. By mining this treasure trove of search query data, we navigated through the virtual jungle, much like industrious squirrels foraging for unsuspecting acorns. The robustness of the data allowed us to scrutinize temporal patterns, identify peak search periods, and ascertain any discernible oscillations in public curiosity that aligned with fluctuations in air quality metrics.

In a meta-twist, much like the squirrels we were studying, our research involved an element of data hoarding, but instead of stockpiling nuts, we amassed copious amounts of information to fuel our investigation. Peppered amidst the serious pursuit of scientific inquiry, we couldn't resist the temptation to crack jokes that would make even the most stoic of colleagues groan, much like the echo of a dad joke in an empty office.

To complement our quantitative analyses, we conducted qualitative interviews with San Antonians, seeking anecdotal evidence to contextualize the statistical trends. This human element added depth to our exploration, shedding light on the personal experiences and perceptions related to squirrel encounters amidst hazy skies. The blend of quantitative and qualitative approaches ensured a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between urban environmental stressors and curious online behaviors, much like a harmonious fusion of peanut butter and jelly—albeit in a less palatable context.

Lastly, we bolstered our methodology with advanced statistical techniques, including time series analyses and correlation tests, to disentangle the interwoven threads of air pollution and squirrel-related searches. The excavations into statistical significance were as earnest as they were whimsical, underscoring our commitment to rigorous inquiry while injecting a touch of lightheartedness into an otherwise staid scientific pursuit.

In essence, our methodology emboldened us to tread the line between scientific rigor and resonant humor, offering a holistic understanding of the esoteric relationship between airborne pollutants and the enigmatic allure of squirrel duels. As we ventured deeper into the labyrinth of data analysis, we acknowledged that, much like a squirrel at a crossroads, our approach veered toward the unexpected, leading us to uncharted territories of ecological and digital intersectionality. With the dust of data analysis settling, we emerged with findings that mirrored the intricate dance of statistical significance and quirky human proclivities, affirming that the nexus between air pollution and squirrel-themed internet searches is not only palpable but also chuckle-worthy.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. 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 Environmental Protection Agency and Google Trends .

For the time period 2004 to 2023, you found a correlation 0.7786686, r-squared of 0.6063248, 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]]
"Nut-so Clean Air: The Squirrelly Connection Between Air Pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google Searches for 'Attacked by a Squirrel'"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to investigate the curious correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for the peculiar phrase 'attacked by a squirrel'. With the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality data and Google Trends at our fingertips, we embarked on a nutty journey to uncover the potential relationship between the two seemingly unrelated variables.

Our findings revealed a statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.7786686 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period spanning from 2004 to 2023, indicating a robust association. Coincidentally, much like squirrels hoarding nuts, we found that air pollution levels in the San Antonio area were positively hoarding the attention of Google searchers looking for squirrel-related calamities.

This unexpected discovery begs the question: are San Antonians more prone to squirrel encounters when the air quality takes a nosedive, or are they simply more inclined to blame their furry foes during hazy days? Perhaps they're simply nuts about environmental quality puns, but we digress. The implications of these findings may shed light on the interplay between urban wildlife behavior and anthropogenic environmental disturbances, providing both ecological and comedic insight into the dynamics of human-animal interactions.

Our research not only adds a touch of levity to the otherwise grave topic of air pollution but also beckons us to ponder the whimsical and bizarre ways in which our online behavior mirrors the atmospheric conditions in our midst. As the old saying goes, "Inhaling clean air is no joke, but the correlation between air pollution and squirrel-related searches? That's just nuts!"

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The past few decades have seen a growing interest in understanding the complex interplay between environmental factors and human behavior. As researchers continue to explore the far-reaching impacts of air pollution on public health and well-being, our study delves into a rather unconventional realm—the correlation between air pollution in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of online searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. This inquiry, while lighthearted on the surface, holds the potential to unearth valuable insights into the quirky ways in which human behavior reflects environmental conditions.
The concept of air pollution as a topic of grave concern is nothing to sneeze at, but when the search for understanding has us transitioning from smog to squirrels, it's clear this study has taken an unexpected turn—much like a startled squirrel evading a bewildered pedestrian. Cue the cringe-worthy dad joke: "Who knew that air pollution and squirrel encounters had so much in common? They both leave you breathless!"
San Antonio, nestled in the heart of Texas, serves as an ideal setting for our investigation. The city's dynamic urban landscape, alongside its diverse population, presents a microcosm for examining the potential correlations between environmental stressors and human responses. Moreover, the region’s rich tapestry of flora and fauna, including its squirrel population, adds a whimsical yet relevant dimension to our exploration. It's as if the squirrels in San Antonio have taken a page out of the city's history book and declared, "Remember the Alamo? We'll make this research memorable, too!"
Our research builds upon the burgeoning field of digital epidemiology, where unconventional data sources, such as internet search queries, offer unique insights into public sentiment and behavior. By leveraging Google Trends data, we aim to unravel the subtle yet curious relationship between air quality disturbances and the public’s peculiar interest in squirrel skirmishes. It's almost as if the digital age has ushered in a new era—the one where understanding environmental impacts is just a few clicks away. And in this case, those clicks are sending us straight into the unexpected realm of squirrel-related mayhem.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]

ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The statistical analysis of the data revealed a strong positive correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for the term 'attacked by a squirrel'. The correlation coefficient, calculated to be 0.7786686, indicated a robust association between these seemingly disparate variables. This finding suggests that as air pollution levels rose, so did the virtual inquiries into squirrel-related skirmishes. It's almost as if the squirrels were coordinating their attacks with every spike in air pollution – a rather "air-raising" discovery, if you will.

The coefficient of determination (r-squared) was calculated to be 0.6063248, signifying that approximately 60.63% of the variability in the frequency of 'attacked by a squirrel' searches can be explained by the variation in air pollution levels. In other words, the model we developed can capture a notable portion of the squirrely behavior in response to air pollution, with the remaining variability perhaps attributable to random squirrel antics or rogue online searches. It's a bit like trying to predict a squirrel's next move – a fun challenge with a touch of unpredictability.

Furthermore, the p-value obtained from the analysis was less than 0.01, providing strong evidence against the null hypothesis of no relationship between air pollution and squirrel-related searches. This result suggests that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred solely by chance. It's as if the statistical tests were saying, "This squirrelly business is no fluke!"

The scatterplot (Fig. 1) depicting the relationship between air pollution levels and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel' visually reinforces the significant positive correlation identified in our analysis. The data points form a discernible upward trend, illustrating the tendency for increased air pollution to coincide with heightened interest in squirrel-related incidents. The scatterplot effectively captures the "upwardly mobile" nature of both air pollution and squirrel-centric online queries. It's almost as if the squirrels were feeding off the air pollution data, although we assure you no actual squirrels were harmed in the making of this research.

Overall, our findings highlight the unexpected interplay between environmental factors and online behavior, offering a glimpse into the lively, if not slightly nutty, dynamics between human society and the natural world. These results pique curiosity and beckon further exploration into the whimsical and sometimes bewildering relationship between environmental disturbances and internet search trends, reminding us that in the realm of research, as in life, expect the unexpected, especially when it involves squirrels.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. 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]]
"Nut-so Clean Air: The Squirrelly Connection Between Air Pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google Searches for 'Attacked by a Squirrel'"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to investigate the curious correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for the peculiar phrase 'attacked by a squirrel'. With the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality data and Google Trends at our fingertips, we embarked on a nutty journey to uncover the potential relationship between the two seemingly unrelated variables.

Our findings revealed a statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.7786686 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period spanning from 2004 to 2023, indicating a robust association. Coincidentally, much like squirrels hoarding nuts, we found that air pollution levels in the San Antonio area were positively hoarding the attention of Google searchers looking for squirrel-related calamities.

This unexpected discovery begs the question: are San Antonians more prone to squirrel encounters when the air quality takes a nosedive, or are they simply more inclined to blame their furry foes during hazy days? Perhaps they're simply nuts about environmental quality puns, but we digress. The implications of these findings may shed light on the interplay between urban wildlife behavior and anthropogenic environmental disturbances, providing both ecological and comedic insight into the dynamics of human-animal interactions.

Our research not only adds a touch of levity to the otherwise grave topic of air pollution but also beckons us to ponder the whimsical and bizarre ways in which our online behavior mirrors the atmospheric conditions in our midst. As the old saying goes, "Inhaling clean air is no joke, but the correlation between air pollution and squirrel-related searches? That's just nuts!"

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The connection between environmental factors and human behavior has long intrigued researchers, and our study on the correlation between air pollution in San Antonio, Texas, and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel' adds a touch of whimsy to this scholarly pursuit. In "Smith and Doe's Air Pollution and Public Health," the authors highlight the detrimental effects of air pollution on human health, emphasizing the urgency of addressing environmental quality. Similarly, "Jones et al.'s Urban Wildlife Behavior in Metropolitan Areas" delves into the interactions between urban wildlife and human populations, shedding light on the complexities of cohabitation in bustling cities.
But when it comes to our investigation, we can't help but ask, "What's the squirrel's favorite carol during the holiday season?" - "Nuts roasting on an open fire!" In a similar vein, our research takes a lighthearted approach to a serious topic, aiming to bring levity to the correlation between air pollution and squirrel-related online searches in San Antonio.
As we tread further into this unexpected territory, we draw inspiration from non-fiction works such as "The Air We Breathe: A Comprehensive Analysis of Air Quality" and "Wildlife Encounters in Urban Landscapes," providing valuable insights into the multifaceted aspects of our study. On the fictional front, titles like "Squirrels in the City" and "The Polluted Nut: A Squirrel's Tale" offer a playful nod to the intersection of environmental disturbances and urban wildlife, infusing our research with a dash of literary amusement.
And speaking of urban wildlife, we found ourselves binge-watching episodes of "Nature's Uninvited Guests" and "Squirrel Wars" for research purposes, of course. The juxtaposition of real-life encounters with cheeky critters and the serious implications of air pollution creates a narrative that's as captivating as it is unexpected. Just like a well-timed squirrel joke, our literature review seeks to entertain while shedding light on the intriguing correlation between seemingly disparate phenomena.
But what do you call a squirrel with no nuts? "A squirrel!" - because nuts are just one part of their nutty behavior, much like how air pollution is just one aspect of our in-depth exploration. We're nuts about our research, and we hope to impart a playful yet insightful perspective on the relationship between air quality and the online antics of our furry, tree-dwelling friends.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis of the data revealed a strong positive correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for the term 'attacked by a squirrel'. The correlation coefficient, calculated to be 0.7786686, indicated a robust association between these seemingly disparate variables. This finding suggests that as air pollution levels rose, so did the virtual inquiries into squirrel-related skirmishes. It's almost as if the squirrels were coordinating their attacks with every spike in air pollution – a rather "air-raising" discovery, if you will.
The coefficient of determination (r-squared) was calculated to be 0.6063248, signifying that approximately 60.63% of the variability in the frequency of 'attacked by a squirrel' searches can be explained by the variation in air pollution levels. In other words, the model we developed can capture a notable portion of the squirrely behavior in response to air pollution, with the remaining variability perhaps attributable to random squirrel antics or rogue online searches. It's a bit like trying to predict a squirrel's next move – a fun challenge with a touch of unpredictability.
Furthermore, the p-value obtained from the analysis was less than 0.01, providing strong evidence against the null hypothesis of no relationship between air pollution and squirrel-related searches. This result suggests that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred solely by chance. It's as if the statistical tests were saying, "This squirrelly business is no fluke!"
The scatterplot (Fig. 1) depicting the relationship between air pollution levels and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel' visually reinforces the significant positive correlation identified in our analysis. The data points form a discernible upward trend, illustrating the tendency for increased air pollution to coincide with heightened interest in squirrel-related incidents. The scatterplot effectively captures the "upwardly mobile" nature of both air pollution and squirrel-centric online queries. It's almost as if the squirrels were feeding off the air pollution data, although we assure you no actual squirrels were harmed in the making of this research.
Overall, our findings highlight the unexpected interplay between environmental factors and online behavior, offering a glimpse into the lively, if not slightly nutty, dynamics between human society and the natural world. These results pique curiosity and beckon further exploration into the whimsical and sometimes bewildering relationship between environmental disturbances and internet search trends, reminding us that in the realm of research, as in life, expect the unexpected, especially when it involves squirrels.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our study delved into the seemingly whimsical but remarkably compelling correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for the phrase 'attacked by a squirrel'. It's safe to say that our findings indeed "raised some eyebrows" and "squirrelled" their way into the annals of environmental and search behavior research. The statistically significant correlation coefficient and p-value, akin to an elusive squirrel finally emerging from its hideaway, shed light on the unexpected relationship between air pollution and squirrel-related searches.

Building on the "nutty" literature review, which, if we may say, was quite the "page-turner" as we navigated the serious and not-so-serious work on urban wildlife and air quality, our results lend support to the previous research that emphasized the intricate interplay between environmental disturbances and human behavior. Just like a well-timed dad joke, our findings "punchline" the importance of considering the broader implications of air pollution on both ecological and online spheres.

The statistical evidence supporting a robust positive correlation between air pollution levels and 'attacked by a squirrel' searches reaffirms the "earnest nuttiness" present in our hypothesis. The coefficient of determination, capturing over 60% of the variability in squirrel-related searches, suggests that a substantial portion of the virtual squirrel frenzy can be linked to fluctuations in air quality. This aspect resonates well with previous works that mused about the unpredictability inherent in urban wildlife behavior—much like trying to predict the next move of a squirrel: a mix of calculated probability and unexpected antics. You might even say it's like predicting which punchline will land in a dad joke – a mix of anticipation and surprise.

Moreover, the remarkably low p-value, signaling a strong rejection of the null hypothesis, further solidifies the credibility and peculiarity of the observed correlation. Our statistical findings certainly "squirrel away" any doubts about the reliability of the relationship between air pollution and online squirrel-related searches. It's as if the statistical tests whispered, "This is serious business, not just a mere flight of squirrel fancy!"

The visual representation of the relationship between air pollution levels and 'attacked by a squirrel' searches in the scatterplot further emphasizes the noteworthy correlation. It's akin to watching the plot of a comedic movie unfold – each data point adding to the quirky narrative of air pollution and squirrel escapades, albeit in a statistical rather than cinematic context. And just as the scatterplot "maps out" this correlation, we hope our study has "mapped out" a new avenue for exploring the connections between environmental factors and digital behavior in the research arena.

As we eagerly anticipate the implications of our findings, one could say we're on the lookout for the "squirrelly next chapter" in this nutty research journey. And in the spirit of dad jokes, we must always remember that when it comes to research, especially involving unexpected correlations, sometimes it's best to just go "nuts" and embrace the "quirkiness" of our findings.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. 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]]
"Nut-so Clean Air: The Squirrelly Connection Between Air Pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google Searches for 'Attacked by a Squirrel'"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to investigate the curious correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for the peculiar phrase 'attacked by a squirrel'. With the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality data and Google Trends at our fingertips, we embarked on a nutty journey to uncover the potential relationship between the two seemingly unrelated variables.

Our findings revealed a statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.7786686 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period spanning from 2004 to 2023, indicating a robust association. Coincidentally, much like squirrels hoarding nuts, we found that air pollution levels in the San Antonio area were positively hoarding the attention of Google searchers looking for squirrel-related calamities.

This unexpected discovery begs the question: are San Antonians more prone to squirrel encounters when the air quality takes a nosedive, or are they simply more inclined to blame their furry foes during hazy days? Perhaps they're simply nuts about environmental quality puns, but we digress. The implications of these findings may shed light on the interplay between urban wildlife behavior and anthropogenic environmental disturbances, providing both ecological and comedic insight into the dynamics of human-animal interactions.

Our research not only adds a touch of levity to the otherwise grave topic of air pollution but also beckons us to ponder the whimsical and bizarre ways in which our online behavior mirrors the atmospheric conditions in our midst. As the old saying goes, "Inhaling clean air is no joke, but the correlation between air pollution and squirrel-related searches? That's just nuts!"

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The past few decades have seen a growing interest in understanding the complex interplay between environmental factors and human behavior. As researchers continue to explore the far-reaching impacts of air pollution on public health and well-being, our study delves into a rather unconventional realm—the correlation between air pollution in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of online searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'. This inquiry, while lighthearted on the surface, holds the potential to unearth valuable insights into the quirky ways in which human behavior reflects environmental conditions.
The concept of air pollution as a topic of grave concern is nothing to sneeze at, but when the search for understanding has us transitioning from smog to squirrels, it's clear this study has taken an unexpected turn—much like a startled squirrel evading a bewildered pedestrian. Cue the cringe-worthy dad joke: "Who knew that air pollution and squirrel encounters had so much in common? They both leave you breathless!"
San Antonio, nestled in the heart of Texas, serves as an ideal setting for our investigation. The city's dynamic urban landscape, alongside its diverse population, presents a microcosm for examining the potential correlations between environmental stressors and human responses. Moreover, the region’s rich tapestry of flora and fauna, including its squirrel population, adds a whimsical yet relevant dimension to our exploration. It's as if the squirrels in San Antonio have taken a page out of the city's history book and declared, "Remember the Alamo? We'll make this research memorable, too!"
Our research builds upon the burgeoning field of digital epidemiology, where unconventional data sources, such as internet search queries, offer unique insights into public sentiment and behavior. By leveraging Google Trends data, we aim to unravel the subtle yet curious relationship between air quality disturbances and the public’s peculiar interest in squirrel skirmishes. It's almost as if the digital age has ushered in a new era—the one where understanding environmental impacts is just a few clicks away. And in this case, those clicks are sending us straight into the unexpected realm of squirrel-related mayhem.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis of the data revealed a strong positive correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for the term 'attacked by a squirrel'. The correlation coefficient, calculated to be 0.7786686, indicated a robust association between these seemingly disparate variables. This finding suggests that as air pollution levels rose, so did the virtual inquiries into squirrel-related skirmishes. It's almost as if the squirrels were coordinating their attacks with every spike in air pollution – a rather "air-raising" discovery, if you will.
The coefficient of determination (r-squared) was calculated to be 0.6063248, signifying that approximately 60.63% of the variability in the frequency of 'attacked by a squirrel' searches can be explained by the variation in air pollution levels. In other words, the model we developed can capture a notable portion of the squirrely behavior in response to air pollution, with the remaining variability perhaps attributable to random squirrel antics or rogue online searches. It's a bit like trying to predict a squirrel's next move – a fun challenge with a touch of unpredictability.
Furthermore, the p-value obtained from the analysis was less than 0.01, providing strong evidence against the null hypothesis of no relationship between air pollution and squirrel-related searches. This result suggests that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred solely by chance. It's as if the statistical tests were saying, "This squirrelly business is no fluke!"
The scatterplot (Fig. 1) depicting the relationship between air pollution levels and Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel' visually reinforces the significant positive correlation identified in our analysis. The data points form a discernible upward trend, illustrating the tendency for increased air pollution to coincide with heightened interest in squirrel-related incidents. The scatterplot effectively captures the "upwardly mobile" nature of both air pollution and squirrel-centric online queries. It's almost as if the squirrels were feeding off the air pollution data, although we assure you no actual squirrels were harmed in the making of this research.
Overall, our findings highlight the unexpected interplay between environmental factors and online behavior, offering a glimpse into the lively, if not slightly nutty, dynamics between human society and the natural world. These results pique curiosity and beckon further exploration into the whimsical and sometimes bewildering relationship between environmental disturbances and internet search trends, reminding us that in the realm of research, as in life, expect the unexpected, especially when it involves squirrels.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has uncovered a statistically significant correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel', shedding light on the surprisingly squirrelly side effects of environmental disruptions. It appears that when the air quality takes a dip, the citizens of San Antonio turn to the internet, not for solutions to pollution but for tales of tailed terrors – those pesky squirrels! One might say that the air pollution brings with it an unexpected flurry of squirrelly curiosity – a real 'breath of fresh air' for the enigmatic world of online searches.

Our research challenges the conventional narrative of human responses to environmental stressors, showcasing the whimsical and often unpredictable ways in which individuals interact with their natural surroundings. After all, who would have thought that air pollution and squirrel encounters could form such a dynamic duo? They're like the odd couple of environmental research, with the squirrels providing the unexpected plot twists in an otherwise serious storyline. It's almost as if the squirrels themselves are saying, "We're just here for the acorny jokes!"

Therefore, we assert that further exploration into this correlation may provide not only scientific insights into the intricate dance between human behavior and environmental factors but also a good chuckle or two. As for the relevance of our findings in the practical sense, one could argue that they are as practical as a squirrel with a nut allergy – not very. Hence, we believe no further research in this area is needed. After all, we've likely reached the apex of squirrel-related scientific investigation. It's time to let those furry little researchers take center stage, or should I say center squirrel next time?

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 Nut-so Clean Air: The Squirrelly Connection Between Air Pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google Searches for 'Attacked by a Squirrel'. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Ecological Quirks and Curiosities

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 Nut-so Clean Air: The Squirrelly Connection Between Air Pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google Searches for 'Attacked by a Squirrel'. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Center for Urban Wildlife 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 Nut-so Clean Air: The Squirrelly Connection Between Air Pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google Searches for 'Attacked by a Squirrel' with an abstract of In this study, we set out to investigate the curious correlation between air pollution levels in San Antonio, Texas, and the frequency of Google searches for the peculiar phrase 'attacked by a squirrel'. With the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality data and Google Trends at our fingertips, we embarked on a nutty journey to uncover the potential relationship between the two seemingly unrelated variables.
Our findings revealed a statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.7786686 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period spanning from 2004 to 2023, indicating a robust association. Coincidentally, much like squirrels hoarding nuts, we found that air pollution levels in the San Antonio area were positively hoarding the attention of Google searchers looking for squirrel-related calamities.
This unexpected discovery begs the question: are San Antonians more prone to squirrel encounters when the air quality takes a nosedive, or are they simply more inclined to blame their furry foes during hazy days? Perhaps they're simply nuts about environmental quality puns, but we digress. The implications of these findings may shed light on the interplay between urban wildlife behavior and anthropogenic environmental disturbances, providing both ecological and comedic insight into the dynamics of human-animal interactions.
Our research not only adds a touch of levity to the otherwise grave topic of air pollution but also beckons us to ponder the whimsical and bizarre ways in which our online behavior mirrors the atmospheric conditions in our midst. As the old saying goes, "Inhaling clean air is no joke, but the correlation between air pollution and squirrel-related searches? That's just nuts!

ChatGPT:

San Antonio, Texas, air pollution, correlation, Google searches, attacked by a squirrel, association, statistical significance, urban wildlife behavior, anthropogenic environmental disturbances, ecological insight, human-animal interactions, air quality data, Google Trends, environmental quality, atmospheric conditions, online behavior, Environmental Protection Agency, correlation coefficient

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

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Data details

Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas
Detailed data title: Percentage of days with air quality at 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' or worse in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas

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

See what else correlates with Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'

Correlation r = 0.7786686 (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 = 0.6063248 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 60.6% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel') is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas) over the 20 years from 2004 through 2023.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 5.2E-5.^Show 0.0000524772546538287850000000
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme.^Note More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.78 in 0.0052% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 19,056 random variables^Note Which I absolutely did.
with the same 19 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 19 because we have two variables measured over a period of 20 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.

[ 0.51, 0.91 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
^{Read more about the confidence interval} The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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

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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.

	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas (Bad air quality days)	6.28415	7.39726	8.76712	2.19178	3.82514	2.19178	3.0137	6.0274	4.37158	4.65753	1.64384	3.83562	1.63934	1.65289	3.0137	1.64384	2.73224	3.28767	3.56164	1.0989
Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel' (Rel. search volume)	12.25	12	11.75	2.41667	0	3.33333	4.75	2.5	4.33333	3.91667	2	0.916667	2.58333	0.75	0.416667	1.16667	1.41667	3.58333	4.16667	2.8

Why this works

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

Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([6.28415,7.39726,8.76712,2.19178,3.82514,2.19178,3.0137,6.0274,4.37158,4.65753,1.64384,3.83562,1.63934,1.65289,3.0137,1.64384,2.73224,3.28767,3.56164,1.0989,])
array_2 = np.array([12.25,12,11.75,2.41667,0,3.33333,4.75,2.5,4.33333,3.91667,2,0.916667,2.58333,0.75,0.416667,1.16667,1.41667,3.58333,4.16667,2.8,])
array_1_name = "Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas"
array_2_name = "Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'"

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

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

Reuseable content

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

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

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

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

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

Download images for these variables:

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

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

Alternatively you can use a tool like Inkscape.
High resolution line chart, optimized for mobile
Alternative high resolution line chart
Scatterplot
Portable line chart (png)
Portable line chart (png), optimized for mobile
Line chart for only Air pollution in San Antonio, Texas
Line chart for only Google searches for 'attacked by a squirrel'
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Nut-so Clean Air: The Squirrelly Connection Between Air Pollution in San Antonio, Texas and Google Searches for 'Attacked by a Squirrel'

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Correlation ID: 2505 · Black Variable ID: 21201 · Red Variable ID: 1354


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