Spurious correlation #2,743 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Associates degrees awarded in Business administration and the second variable is Google searches for 'reddit'. The chart goes from 2011 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Associates degrees awarded in Business administration and the second variable is Google searches for 'reddit'. The chart goes from 2011 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

The increase in Associates degrees awarded in Business administration has led to a surge in the creation of overly detailed and excessively organized Reddit posts, causing a spike in Google searches for 'reddit' as people desperately try to find a more laid-back and procrastination-friendly corner of the internet. After all, when it comes to scrolling through memes and cat videos, who needs a business degree?

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Prompt: Generate an image depicting a lighthearted scene from a graduation ceremony. Numerous enthusiastic graduates hold up their Associates degrees in Business Administration while engrossed in their smartphones, eagerly connecting with fellow graduates on the popular online platform, Reddit. The atmosphere is buzzing with the energy of new connections and shared career advice. 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: Associates degrees awarded in Business administration and Google searches for 'reddit'. 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: Scalar art Psychedelic Glitch art a funny image you would see on reddit Magic realism
ChatGPT: a funny image you would see on reddit

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 Associates degrees awarded in Business administration and Google searches for 'reddit', in the following situation: Because as more people graduate with business degrees, they realize the key to success is networking. And where's the best place to network? Reddit, of course! So, they flock to the platform to share memes, seek career advice, and network with fellow business-savvy individuals. It's all about the numbers and connections, baby!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a bustling graduation ceremony, countless students proudly hold up their Associates degrees in Business Administration while simultaneously tapping away on their smartphones, googling 'reddit' to connect with like-minded peers and share career tips. The excitement in the air is palpable as the graduates eagerly anticipate the digital networking opportunities awaiting them on the popular online platform.

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 funny image you would see on reddit ] and depicting this scene: In a bustling graduation ceremony, countless students proudly hold up their Associates degrees in Business Administration while simultaneously tapping away on their smartphones, googling 'reddit' to connect with like-minded peers and share career tips. The excitement in the air is palpable as the graduates eagerly anticipate the digital networking opportunities awaiting them on the popular online platform. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Prompt: Generate an image depicting a lighthearted scene from a graduation ceremony. Numerous enthusiastic graduates hold up their Associates degrees in Business Administration while engrossed in their smartphones, eagerly connecting with fellow graduates on the popular online platform, Reddit. The atmosphere is buzzing with the energy of new connections and shared career advice.

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

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.
^{Show prompt for explanation} Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in Associates degrees awarded in Business administration caused reddit (Google searches for 'reddit') to increase. Add a funny one-liner at the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

A Degree in Business Administration: The Gateway to Reddit's Heart

Journal of Social Media Psychology

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 Associates degrees awarded in Business administration and Google searches for 'reddit'. 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 devolve ever further, and mention something completely ridiculous, like you conducted literature review by reading the backs of shampoo bottles.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
A Degree in Business Administration: The Gateway to Reddit's Heart

[[ABSTRACT]]
In our study, we set out to uncover the mysterious connection between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the beloved platform, Reddit. As part of our quest to delve into the digital universe, we harnessed data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, hoping to shed light on this enigmatic correlation.

With bated breath (not to mention a copious amount of coffee), our research team crunched the numbers, and what we discovered may just make you chuckle like a dad telling a classic joke at the family barbecue. The correlation coefficient we unearthed was a staggering 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 2011 to 2021. That's right – it appears that the pursuit of an Associate degree in Business Administration is intimately linked to the online proclivities of Reddit enthusiasts.

Why the connection, you ask? Well, we're not entirely sure yet, but we'd like to think that perhaps these savvy business-oriented individuals are drawn to Reddit for the wealth of knowledge and endless opportunities for engaging discussions. Or maybe they're just looking for some business-themed dad jokes to share in the comments section. Regardless, this paper aims to provide a light-hearted yet insightful look into the unexpected ties between academic pursuits and internet browsing habits, all with a touch of whimsy and a sprinkle of statistical significance.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of academia and internet culture has long been a topic of curiosity for researchers and meme enthusiasts alike. In this study, we endeavor to shine a light on an unexpected connection – the relationship between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the online community darling, Reddit. Now, this may seem like an odd pairing, like trying to mix business with pleasure (cue the dad joke eye-rolls), but our analysis suggests that there might be more to this correlation than meets the eye.
As we delved into the treasure troves of data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we couldn't help but wonder: what could possibly link the pursuit of a business degree to the virtual rabbit hole that is Reddit? It's like trying to find the common ground between spreadsheets and cat videos – a challenging feat indeed.
Our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 2011 to 2021. Now, if this doesn't make you do a double take like a dad hearing his own punchline, we don't know what will. This strong correlation suggests that there's more to this connection than mere happenstance. It's like finding the perfect balance sheet – the numbers just add up.
So, what could be the underlying reason for this unexpected kinship between business education and Reddit? We can only speculate at this point, but perhaps business students are seeking out Reddit for insights into market trends and entrepreneurial advice. Or maybe they're just looking for a break from their textbooks and diving into some quality memes to lighten the mood – talk about finding a balance between serious study and lighthearted laughs.
This paper seeks to bridge the gap between the seemingly disparate realms of academia and internet culture, all while maintaining a sense of curiosity and, dare we say it, a touch of humor. After all, who said academic research can't have a fun side?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

In "Smith et al.," the authors find a significant increase in the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration over the past decade. This rise prompts an exploration of the potential factors influencing students' academic pursuits in the field of business. Likewise, "Doe and Jones" delve into the realm of online search trends, identifying Reddit as a prominent platform for internet users seeking diverse, user-generated content and community engagement. The juxtaposition of these findings sets the stage for an examination of the curious correlation between the pursuit of business education and the virtual landscape of Reddit.

Turning to more theoretical approaches, "The Business of Business" provides insights into the foundational principles and practices of business administration, shedding light on the academic journey of aspiring business professionals. Complementing this, "The Digital Domain" presents a comprehensive analysis of internet culture and its impact on contemporary society, laying the groundwork for understanding the allure of online communities like Reddit.

On a more fiction-oriented note, "The Reddit Chronicles" and "The Business Adventures of Internet Explorers" offer imaginative narratives that, while not grounded in empirical research, capture the essence of the intersection between business acumen and internet escapades. These literary works invite readers to ponder the potential whimsical threads weaving these seemingly disparate realms into a cohesive tapestry of academic curiosity and digital allure.

In a rather unconventional turn, our research team expanded our literature review by perusing the intriguing accounts found on the backs of shampoo bottles. While not directly related to business administration or internet phenomena, these lighthearted cleanser musings provided a refreshing perspective that underscored the need for a playful approach in our exploration of the unexpected connection between academic pursuits and online indulgences. After all, who knew that a shampoo bottle could offer both voluminous hair tips and a striking metaphor for the intertwining paths of business education and Reddit exploration?

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 Associates degrees awarded in Business administration and Google searches for 'reddit'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends . You used data from 2011 to 2021

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

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
A Degree in Business Administration: The Gateway to Reddit's Heart

[[ABSTRACT]]
In our study, we set out to uncover the mysterious connection between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the beloved platform, Reddit. As part of our quest to delve into the digital universe, we harnessed data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, hoping to shed light on this enigmatic correlation.

With bated breath (not to mention a copious amount of coffee), our research team crunched the numbers, and what we discovered may just make you chuckle like a dad telling a classic joke at the family barbecue. The correlation coefficient we unearthed was a staggering 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 2011 to 2021. That's right – it appears that the pursuit of an Associate degree in Business Administration is intimately linked to the online proclivities of Reddit enthusiasts.

Why the connection, you ask? Well, we're not entirely sure yet, but we'd like to think that perhaps these savvy business-oriented individuals are drawn to Reddit for the wealth of knowledge and endless opportunities for engaging discussions. Or maybe they're just looking for some business-themed dad jokes to share in the comments section. Regardless, this paper aims to provide a light-hearted yet insightful look into the unexpected ties between academic pursuits and internet browsing habits, all with a touch of whimsy and a sprinkle of statistical significance.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of academia and internet culture has long been a topic of curiosity for researchers and meme enthusiasts alike. In this study, we endeavor to shine a light on an unexpected connection – the relationship between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the online community darling, Reddit. Now, this may seem like an odd pairing, like trying to mix business with pleasure (cue the dad joke eye-rolls), but our analysis suggests that there might be more to this correlation than meets the eye.
As we delved into the treasure troves of data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we couldn't help but wonder: what could possibly link the pursuit of a business degree to the virtual rabbit hole that is Reddit? It's like trying to find the common ground between spreadsheets and cat videos – a challenging feat indeed.
Our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 2011 to 2021. Now, if this doesn't make you do a double take like a dad hearing his own punchline, we don't know what will. This strong correlation suggests that there's more to this connection than mere happenstance. It's like finding the perfect balance sheet – the numbers just add up.
So, what could be the underlying reason for this unexpected kinship between business education and Reddit? We can only speculate at this point, but perhaps business students are seeking out Reddit for insights into market trends and entrepreneurial advice. Or maybe they're just looking for a break from their textbooks and diving into some quality memes to lighten the mood – talk about finding a balance between serious study and lighthearted laughs.
This paper seeks to bridge the gap between the seemingly disparate realms of academia and internet culture, all while maintaining a sense of curiosity and, dare we say it, a touch of humor. After all, who said academic research can't have a fun side?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unravel the mystery behind the correlation between Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for 'Reddit', our research team employed a mix of traditional statistical analysis and a healthy dose of online sleuthing. First, we gathered data on the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration from the National Center for Education Statistics, covering the years 2011 to 2021. This information served as the bedrock for our investigation into the academic side of the equation. It's like sifting through a treasure trove of numerical gold – or in this case, business degrees.

Next, we turned our attention to the digital realm, specifically Google Trends, to track the frequency and intensity of searches related to the term 'Reddit'. This allowed us to capture the ebb and flow of Reddit-related online activity over the same time period. Surfing the waves of internet data, we navigated through the peaks and valleys of Reddit searches like seasoned digital adventurers searching for buried memes.

With our datasets in hand, we dove headfirst into the world of statistical analysis. Employing sophisticated software and a fair amount of caffeinated beverages, we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient between the awarded degrees in Business Administration and the Google search interest for 'Reddit'. It's like watching a dance between numbers – need I remind you, those digits really know how to cha-cha.

To assess the robustness of the observed correlation, we conducted a hypothesis test with a p-value of less than 0.01, ensuring that our findings weren't simply the result of random chance. This rigorous statistical approach is akin to ensuring that the punchline of a dad joke lands just right – it's all about precision and timing.

Finally, in a more unconventional twist, our team engaged in qualitative analysis of Reddit posts, seeking out any references, discussions, or memes related to business education. We meticulously combed through the digital forums, deciphering the online musings of business-minded Redditors. It's like shadowing a herd of digital cats – you never know what you'll find, but it's sure to be entertaining.

Through this multidimensional methodology, we endeavored to shed light on the relationship between academic pursuits in business education and the digitized escapades of Reddit users, all with a wink and a nod to the unexpected quirks of statistical exploration.

Stay tuned for the next chapter where we uncover some surprising relationships between MBA programs and cat videos on YouTube.

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 Associates degrees awarded in Business administration and Google searches for 'reddit'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends .

For the time period 2011 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.9717618, r-squared of 0.9443210, 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]]
A Degree in Business Administration: The Gateway to Reddit's Heart

[[ABSTRACT]]
In our study, we set out to uncover the mysterious connection between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the beloved platform, Reddit. As part of our quest to delve into the digital universe, we harnessed data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, hoping to shed light on this enigmatic correlation.

With bated breath (not to mention a copious amount of coffee), our research team crunched the numbers, and what we discovered may just make you chuckle like a dad telling a classic joke at the family barbecue. The correlation coefficient we unearthed was a staggering 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 2011 to 2021. That's right – it appears that the pursuit of an Associate degree in Business Administration is intimately linked to the online proclivities of Reddit enthusiasts.

Why the connection, you ask? Well, we're not entirely sure yet, but we'd like to think that perhaps these savvy business-oriented individuals are drawn to Reddit for the wealth of knowledge and endless opportunities for engaging discussions. Or maybe they're just looking for some business-themed dad jokes to share in the comments section. Regardless, this paper aims to provide a light-hearted yet insightful look into the unexpected ties between academic pursuits and internet browsing habits, all with a touch of whimsy and a sprinkle of statistical significance.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The intersection of academia and internet culture has long been a topic of curiosity for researchers and meme enthusiasts alike. In this study, we endeavor to shine a light on an unexpected connection – the relationship between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the online community darling, Reddit. Now, this may seem like an odd pairing, like trying to mix business with pleasure (cue the dad joke eye-rolls), but our analysis suggests that there might be more to this correlation than meets the eye.
As we delved into the treasure troves of data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we couldn't help but wonder: what could possibly link the pursuit of a business degree to the virtual rabbit hole that is Reddit? It's like trying to find the common ground between spreadsheets and cat videos – a challenging feat indeed.
Our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 2011 to 2021. Now, if this doesn't make you do a double take like a dad hearing his own punchline, we don't know what will. This strong correlation suggests that there's more to this connection than mere happenstance. It's like finding the perfect balance sheet – the numbers just add up.
So, what could be the underlying reason for this unexpected kinship between business education and Reddit? We can only speculate at this point, but perhaps business students are seeking out Reddit for insights into market trends and entrepreneurial advice. Or maybe they're just looking for a break from their textbooks and diving into some quality memes to lighten the mood – talk about finding a balance between serious study and lighthearted laughs.
This paper seeks to bridge the gap between the seemingly disparate realms of academia and internet culture, all while maintaining a sense of curiosity and, dare we say it, a touch of humor. After all, who said academic research can't have a fun side?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]

ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The results of our analysis revealed a robust correlation between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the online platform, Reddit. The correlation coefficient of 0.9717618 and an r-squared value of 0.9443210 for the time period of 2011 to 2021 demonstrated a striking relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. It's as though we stumbled upon a meme that perfectly encapsulates the connection between business acumen and internet browsing habits.

The scatterplot (Fig. 1) showcases the tight clustering of data points, emphasizing the strong linear relationship between the two variables. It's like a perfectly executed business strategy – everything just falls neatly into place.

In light of these findings, it's clear that there is more to this correlation than mere chance. It's like uncovering a hidden gem in the depths of Reddit's comment section – unexpected, yet strangely compelling. While we can't definitively attribute causation, our results indicate a compelling association between the pursuit of a Business Administration degree and the virtual wanderings of Reddit users.

This unexpected correlation prompts further inquiry into the motivations that drive individuals with a penchant for business education to traverse the digital landscapes of Reddit. Is it a quest for entrepreneurial inspiration, a search for industry insights, or merely a desire to take a break and share a lighthearted joke or two? The answers are as elusive as catching a clever pun at a witty dad's dinner table – you never quite know what you'll find, but it's always amusing.

In conclusion, our research sheds light on the intriguing link between academic pursuits in Business Administration and online interactions on Reddit, offering a refreshing perspective on the intersection of education and internet culture. It's a bit like finding a nugget of wisdom in a sea of memes – unexpected, but undeniably delightful. As we continue to unravel the intricacies of this correlation, one thing is certain: there's more to this connection than meets the eye, and it's certainly worth more than just a fleeting chuckle at a dad's humorous quip.

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 Associates degrees awarded in Business administration and Google searches for 'reddit'. 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]]
A Degree in Business Administration: The Gateway to Reddit's Heart

[[ABSTRACT]]
In our study, we set out to uncover the mysterious connection between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the beloved platform, Reddit. As part of our quest to delve into the digital universe, we harnessed data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, hoping to shed light on this enigmatic correlation.

With bated breath (not to mention a copious amount of coffee), our research team crunched the numbers, and what we discovered may just make you chuckle like a dad telling a classic joke at the family barbecue. The correlation coefficient we unearthed was a staggering 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 2011 to 2021. That's right – it appears that the pursuit of an Associate degree in Business Administration is intimately linked to the online proclivities of Reddit enthusiasts.

Why the connection, you ask? Well, we're not entirely sure yet, but we'd like to think that perhaps these savvy business-oriented individuals are drawn to Reddit for the wealth of knowledge and endless opportunities for engaging discussions. Or maybe they're just looking for some business-themed dad jokes to share in the comments section. Regardless, this paper aims to provide a light-hearted yet insightful look into the unexpected ties between academic pursuits and internet browsing habits, all with a touch of whimsy and a sprinkle of statistical significance.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
In "Smith et al.," the authors find a significant increase in the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration over the past decade. This rise prompts an exploration of the potential factors influencing students' academic pursuits in the field of business. Likewise, "Doe and Jones" delve into the realm of online search trends, identifying Reddit as a prominent platform for internet users seeking diverse, user-generated content and community engagement. The juxtaposition of these findings sets the stage for an examination of the curious correlation between the pursuit of business education and the virtual landscape of Reddit.
Turning to more theoretical approaches, "The Business of Business" provides insights into the foundational principles and practices of business administration, shedding light on the academic journey of aspiring business professionals. Complementing this, "The Digital Domain" presents a comprehensive analysis of internet culture and its impact on contemporary society, laying the groundwork for understanding the allure of online communities like Reddit.
On a more fiction-oriented note, "The Reddit Chronicles" and "The Business Adventures of Internet Explorers" offer imaginative narratives that, while not grounded in empirical research, capture the essence of the intersection between business acumen and internet escapades. These literary works invite readers to ponder the potential whimsical threads weaving these seemingly disparate realms into a cohesive tapestry of academic curiosity and digital allure.
In a rather unconventional turn, our research team expanded our literature review by perusing the intriguing accounts found on the backs of shampoo bottles. While not directly related to business administration or internet phenomena, these lighthearted cleanser musings provided a refreshing perspective that underscored the need for a playful approach in our exploration of the unexpected connection between academic pursuits and online indulgences. After all, who knew that a shampoo bottle could offer both voluminous hair tips and a striking metaphor for the intertwining paths of business education and Reddit exploration?

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our analysis revealed a robust correlation between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the online platform, Reddit. The correlation coefficient of 0.9717618 and an r-squared value of 0.9443210 for the time period of 2011 to 2021 demonstrated a striking relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. It's as though we stumbled upon a meme that perfectly encapsulates the connection between business acumen and internet browsing habits.
The scatterplot (Fig. 1) showcases the tight clustering of data points, emphasizing the strong linear relationship between the two variables. It's like a perfectly executed business strategy – everything just falls neatly into place.
In light of these findings, it's clear that there is more to this correlation than mere chance. It's like uncovering a hidden gem in the depths of Reddit's comment section – unexpected, yet strangely compelling. While we can't definitively attribute causation, our results indicate a compelling association between the pursuit of a Business Administration degree and the virtual wanderings of Reddit users.
This unexpected correlation prompts further inquiry into the motivations that drive individuals with a penchant for business education to traverse the digital landscapes of Reddit. Is it a quest for entrepreneurial inspiration, a search for industry insights, or merely a desire to take a break and share a lighthearted joke or two? The answers are as elusive as catching a clever pun at a witty dad's dinner table – you never quite know what you'll find, but it's always amusing.
In conclusion, our research sheds light on the intriguing link between academic pursuits in Business Administration and online interactions on Reddit, offering a refreshing perspective on the intersection of education and internet culture. It's a bit like finding a nugget of wisdom in a sea of memes – unexpected, but undeniably delightful. As we continue to unravel the intricacies of this correlation, one thing is certain: there's more to this connection than meets the eye, and it's certainly worth more than just a fleeting chuckle at a dad's humorous quip.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our study has uncovered a surprisingly robust correlation between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the online platform, Reddit. Our findings mesh seamlessly with prior research, as we turned our attention to exploring the digital universe and teased out a connection that's as uncanny as finding a business-related pun hidden in a Reddit thread.

The literature review laid the groundwork for our investigation, harnessing the unconventional wisdom found on the backs of shampoo bottles and synthesizing it with the more conventional insights from academic and fictional sources. Our findings not only affirm the rise in Associate degrees in Business Administration but also expand on "Doe and Jones's" identification of Reddit as a prominent platform. It's like connecting the dots between business education and internet escapades – unexpectedly delightful.

It's as if our results are the punchline to a long-winded dad joke – surprising, yet oddly fitting. The striking correlation coefficient and r-squared value of our analysis further support the veracity of the connection, much like stumbling upon a perfectly timed pun. Our findings not only build on previous research but also offer a light-hearted yet insightful look into the unexpected ties between academic pursuits and internet browsing habits.

In essence, our study has not only provided statistical significance to the relationship between pursuing a degree in Business Administration and engaging with Reddit but also added a touch of whimsy to the scholarly discourse. It's like finding a treasure trove of business-themed dad jokes in the midst of serious literature – unexpected and utterly charming.

As we delve deeper into understanding the motivations driving this correlation, much like unraveling the punchline to a particularly convoluted dad joke, we recognize the potential for further insights into the intertwining paths of academic pursuits and online indulgences. The unexpected nature of this correlation serves as a reminder that even in the realm of academia, there's always room for a touch of humor and delight.

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 Associates degrees awarded in Business administration and Google searches for 'reddit'. 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]]
A Degree in Business Administration: The Gateway to Reddit's Heart

[[ABSTRACT]]
In our study, we set out to uncover the mysterious connection between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the beloved platform, Reddit. As part of our quest to delve into the digital universe, we harnessed data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, hoping to shed light on this enigmatic correlation.

With bated breath (not to mention a copious amount of coffee), our research team crunched the numbers, and what we discovered may just make you chuckle like a dad telling a classic joke at the family barbecue. The correlation coefficient we unearthed was a staggering 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 2011 to 2021. That's right – it appears that the pursuit of an Associate degree in Business Administration is intimately linked to the online proclivities of Reddit enthusiasts.

Why the connection, you ask? Well, we're not entirely sure yet, but we'd like to think that perhaps these savvy business-oriented individuals are drawn to Reddit for the wealth of knowledge and endless opportunities for engaging discussions. Or maybe they're just looking for some business-themed dad jokes to share in the comments section. Regardless, this paper aims to provide a light-hearted yet insightful look into the unexpected ties between academic pursuits and internet browsing habits, all with a touch of whimsy and a sprinkle of statistical significance.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The intersection of academia and internet culture has long been a topic of curiosity for researchers and meme enthusiasts alike. In this study, we endeavor to shine a light on an unexpected connection – the relationship between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the online community darling, Reddit. Now, this may seem like an odd pairing, like trying to mix business with pleasure (cue the dad joke eye-rolls), but our analysis suggests that there might be more to this correlation than meets the eye.
As we delved into the treasure troves of data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, we couldn't help but wonder: what could possibly link the pursuit of a business degree to the virtual rabbit hole that is Reddit? It's like trying to find the common ground between spreadsheets and cat videos – a challenging feat indeed.
Our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 2011 to 2021. Now, if this doesn't make you do a double take like a dad hearing his own punchline, we don't know what will. This strong correlation suggests that there's more to this connection than mere happenstance. It's like finding the perfect balance sheet – the numbers just add up.
So, what could be the underlying reason for this unexpected kinship between business education and Reddit? We can only speculate at this point, but perhaps business students are seeking out Reddit for insights into market trends and entrepreneurial advice. Or maybe they're just looking for a break from their textbooks and diving into some quality memes to lighten the mood – talk about finding a balance between serious study and lighthearted laughs.
This paper seeks to bridge the gap between the seemingly disparate realms of academia and internet culture, all while maintaining a sense of curiosity and, dare we say it, a touch of humor. After all, who said academic research can't have a fun side?

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our analysis revealed a robust correlation between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the online platform, Reddit. The correlation coefficient of 0.9717618 and an r-squared value of 0.9443210 for the time period of 2011 to 2021 demonstrated a striking relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. It's as though we stumbled upon a meme that perfectly encapsulates the connection between business acumen and internet browsing habits.
The scatterplot (Fig. 1) showcases the tight clustering of data points, emphasizing the strong linear relationship between the two variables. It's like a perfectly executed business strategy – everything just falls neatly into place.
In light of these findings, it's clear that there is more to this correlation than mere chance. It's like uncovering a hidden gem in the depths of Reddit's comment section – unexpected, yet strangely compelling. While we can't definitively attribute causation, our results indicate a compelling association between the pursuit of a Business Administration degree and the virtual wanderings of Reddit users.
This unexpected correlation prompts further inquiry into the motivations that drive individuals with a penchant for business education to traverse the digital landscapes of Reddit. Is it a quest for entrepreneurial inspiration, a search for industry insights, or merely a desire to take a break and share a lighthearted joke or two? The answers are as elusive as catching a clever pun at a witty dad's dinner table – you never quite know what you'll find, but it's always amusing.
In conclusion, our research sheds light on the intriguing link between academic pursuits in Business Administration and online interactions on Reddit, offering a refreshing perspective on the intersection of education and internet culture. It's a bit like finding a nugget of wisdom in a sea of memes – unexpected, but undeniably delightful. As we continue to unravel the intricacies of this correlation, one thing is certain: there's more to this connection than meets the eye, and it's certainly worth more than just a fleeting chuckle at a dad's humorous quip.

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Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In wrapping up our investigation into the curious connection between the awarding of Associate degrees in Business Administration and Google searches for the ever-entertaining Reddit, the results have certainly raised an eyebrow or two, much like a dad hearing his own corny joke. The robust correlation coefficient of 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the time period from 2011 to 2021 has confirmed what we suspected all along – there's more to this pairing than meets the eye.

These findings provide a unique perspective on the crossover between academia and internet culture, akin to stumbling upon a surprising punchline in the realm of statistical analysis. It's clear that the pursuit of business acumen and the allure of Reddit's virtual playground share a stronger bond than we initially imagined, much like finding common ground between a balance sheet and a cat meme – unexpected, yet oddly fitting.

Now, what's the punchline to this statistical joke, you ask? Well, it seems that business-minded individuals might just be searching for the perfect balance between serious knowledge acquisition and lighthearted digital escapades. Or perhaps they're secretly seeking out some business-themed dad jokes to sprinkle into their virtual conversations – after all, who can resist a good pun, especially when it's financially sound?

As we wrap up our study, it's clear that the unexpected ties between educational pursuits and internet behavior have more depth than a classic dad joke, and although we always appreciate a good dad joke, we can safely conclude that no further research is needed in this specific area. Time to close the statistical books and let the memes and puns on Reddit take over!

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 A Degree in Business Administration: The Gateway to Reddit's Heart. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Social Media Psychology

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 A Degree in Business Administration: The Gateway to Reddit's Heart. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Business and Internet Culture 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 A Degree in Business Administration: The Gateway to Reddit's Heart with an abstract of In our study, we set out to uncover the mysterious connection between the number of Associate degrees awarded in Business Administration and Google searches for the beloved platform, Reddit. As part of our quest to delve into the digital universe, we harnessed data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Google Trends, hoping to shed light on this enigmatic correlation.
With bated breath (not to mention a copious amount of coffee), our research team crunched the numbers, and what we discovered may just make you chuckle like a dad telling a classic joke at the family barbecue. The correlation coefficient we unearthed was a staggering 0.9717618 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 2011 to 2021. That's right – it appears that the pursuit of an Associate degree in Business Administration is intimately linked to the online proclivities of Reddit enthusiasts.
Why the connection, you ask? Well, we're not entirely sure yet, but we'd like to think that perhaps these savvy business-oriented individuals are drawn to Reddit for the wealth of knowledge and endless opportunities for engaging discussions. Or maybe they're just looking for some business-themed dad jokes to share in the comments section. Regardless, this paper aims to provide a light-hearted yet insightful look into the unexpected ties between academic pursuits and internet browsing habits, all with a touch of whimsy and a sprinkle of statistical significance.

ChatGPT:

Business Administration degree, Associate degree, National Center for Education Statistics, Google Trends, correlation coefficient, online behavior, Reddit, internet browsing habits

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

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Data details

Associates degrees awarded in Business administration
Detailed data title: Associate's degrees conferred by postsecondary institutions with a field of study of Business administration, management, and operations
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
See what else correlates with Associates degrees awarded in Business administration

Google searches for 'reddit'
Detailed data title: Relative volume of Google searches for 'reddit' (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 'reddit'

Correlation r = 0.9717618 (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 = 0.9443210 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 94.4% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Google searches for 'reddit') is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Associates degrees awarded in Business administration) over the 11 years from 2011 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 6.005E-7.^Show 0.0000006005200304269352000000
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 0.97 in 6.005E-5% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 1,665,223 random variables^Note You don't actually need 1 million 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 10 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 10 because we have two variables measured over a period of 11 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.

[ 0.89, 0.99 ] 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.

	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Associates degrees awarded in Business administration (Degrees awarded)	46253	45879	49816	50121	52668	52758	53930	55404	56307	56291	59628
Google searches for 'reddit' (Rel. search volume)	5.08333	11	16.3333	23.75	29.8333	34.3333	42.25	47.5	53.25	57.0833	58.1667

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.
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. ^Note 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. ^{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([46253,45879,49816,50121,52668,52758,53930,55404,56307,56291,59628,])
array_2 = np.array([5.08333,11,16.3333,23.75,29.8333,34.3333,42.25,47.5,53.25,57.0833,58.1667,])
array_1_name = "Associates degrees awarded in Business administration"
array_2_name = "Google searches for 'reddit'"

# 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 Associates degrees awarded in Business administration
Line chart for only Google searches for 'reddit'
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: A Degree in Business Administration: The Gateway to Reddit's Heart

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Correlation ID: 2743 · Black Variable ID: 1215 · Red Variable ID: 1482


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