Spurious correlation #2,832 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Wind power generated in Mauritania and the second variable is The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho. The chart goes from 2012 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 Wind power generated in Mauritania and the second variable is The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho. The chart goes from 2012 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As the winds of change blew in Mauritania, it sparked a surge in renewable energy enthusiasm worldwide. This newfound interest in sustainability somehow led to a strange but undeniable connection with the field of accounting in Idaho. Perhaps the accountants and auditors were simply drawn to the idea of balancing more than just the books - they wanted to be a part of a different kind of green revolution, where the real power was in the wind, and the only audit trail led to a brighter, breezier future. Or maybe they just really liked the idea of making some windfall profits.

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image with the style of a humorous illustration that you'd find on Reddit. Depict a vast desert in Mauritania, where rows of sleek wind turbines harness the strong gusts to generate renewable energy. In contrast, show a scene in tranquil Idaho where a group of accountants and auditors struggle to keep their paperwork under control as it is blown away by the powerful winds from Mauritania. The chaos leads to a surge in the demand for their services to audit the burgeoning wind power industry, creating a comedic "windfall" of new jobs. 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: Wind power generated in Mauritania and The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho. Given these, which of the following image style descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: Concept art Art nouveau Magic realism a funny image you would see on reddit Low poly
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 Wind power generated in Mauritania and The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho, in the following situation: The increase in Wind power in Mauritania caused a surge in accountant numbers in Idaho because the strong gusts "blew" them over, leading to a "windfall" of new jobs to "audit" the renewable energy sector.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: Picture a vast expanse of desert in Mauritania, where rows of sleek wind turbines spin steadily, harnessing the strong gusts to generate renewable Wind power. Meanwhile, in the tranquil state of Idaho, a group of accountants and auditors are flurried about, their paperwork being blown away by the powerful winds from Mauritania. As the wind carries their documents in a whirl, it leads to a surge in the need for their services to audit the burgeoning Wind power industry, creating a "windfall" of new jobs.

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: Picture a vast expanse of desert in Mauritania, where rows of sleek wind turbines spin steadily, harnessing the strong gusts to generate renewable Wind power. Meanwhile, in the tranquil state of Idaho, a group of accountants and auditors are flurried about, their paperwork being blown away by the powerful winds from Mauritania. As the wind carries their documents in a whirl, it leads to a surge in the need for their services to audit the burgeoning Wind power industry, creating a "windfall" of new jobs. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image with the style of a humorous illustration that you'd find on Reddit. Depict a vast desert in Mauritania, where rows of sleek wind turbines harness the strong gusts to generate renewable energy. In contrast, show a scene in tranquil Idaho where a group of accountants and auditors struggle to keep their paperwork under control as it is blown away by the powerful winds from Mauritania. The chaos leads to a surge in the demand for their services to audit the burgeoning wind power industry, creating a comedic "windfall" of new jobs.

*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 Wind power generated in Mauritania caused The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Blown Away: Uncovering the Zephyrous Link Between Mauritanian Wind Power and Idaho's Accounting Population

The Journal of Transcontinental Aerodynamic Connections

Jan 2024

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

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

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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Wind power generated in Mauritania and The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Speak in the present tense for this section (the authors find...), as is common in academic research paper literature reviews. Name the sources in a format similar to this: In "Book," the authors find lorem and ipsum.

Make up the lorem and ipsum part, but make it sound related to the topic at hand.

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then you might move on to cartoons and children's shows that you watched for research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Blown Away: Uncovering the Zephyrous Link Between Mauritanian Wind Power and Idaho's Accounting Population

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper explores the seemingly improbable relationship between the wind power generated in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors located in the charming state of Idaho. Utilizing data from the Energy Information Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our research team delved into this uncharted territory, seeking to unravel the web of intricate connections between seemingly unrelated entities. To our surprise, a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9890657 and p < 0.01 emerged for the years 2012 to 2021, leaving us windswept by the unexpected coherence. Join us on this scientific escapade as we navigate the gusts of empirical evidence and draw parallels between the ethereal forces of wind and the steadfast presence of number-crunching professionals in the Gem State.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
INTRODUCTION
The intersection of wind power in Mauritania and the population of accountants and auditors in Idaho may seem like the punchline of a convoluted joke, but our research endeavors to uncover the serious and surprising links between these ostensibly disparate variables. As we venture into the labyrinth of quantitative analysis, we aim to shed light on the gusty influence of wind power thousands of miles away on the number-crunching professionals nestled in the heart of the American Northwest. Although it may seem like a tall tale spun by the winds of whimsy, our findings provide compelling evidence of a robust and enigmatic relationship between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena.
The field of energy economics has long been preoccupied with the intricate dance of supply and demand, the ebb and flow of prices, and the pursuit of sustainable power sources. Likewise, the domain of labor economics has been fixated on the distribution of workforce, the dynamics of employment, and the demographic composition of various professions. Rarely do these realms converge in such an improbable and captivating manner, prompting us to investigate this paradoxical correspondence.
While the idea of wind currents in Mauritania dictating the occupational choices of accountants and auditors in Idaho may initially provoke quizzical amusement, our empirical analysis has unearthed a remarkably robust association, urging us to cast aside our preconceived notions and embrace the zephyrous enigma that binds these remote entities together. Thus, our investigation serves as a testament to the unexpected and often whimsical intricacies of the world we seek to understand. Our research illuminates the cryptic pathways through which the ethereal forces of wind power and the meticulous calculations of accounting professionals intertwine, shaping the economic landscapes in ways hitherto unexplored.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Empirical inquiries into the correlation between wind power in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors in Idaho are scant but yield intriguing insights. Smith et al. (2015) in "The Windy Affair: Unveiling Mysterious Connections" noted a tentative association between atmospheric conditions and professional career choices, although their analysis did not extend to specific regions. Similarly, Doe and Jones (2018) in "Accounting for the Unseen: Invisible Forces in Labor Dynamics" hinted at the influence of intangible elements on employment patterns but did not explicitly address the impact of transcontinental gales on occupational preferences in Idaho.

Turning to non-fiction literature relevant to our investigation, "Wind Power Essentials: From Zephyrs to Megawatts" (Johnson, 2017) and "The Accounting Almanac: Numbers Speak Louder than Words" (Garcia, 2019) provided theoretical frameworks for our exploration. On the more fictional front, "The Wind Whisperer's Chronicles" (Smith, 2005) and "The Auditing Adventures of Alice" (Carroll, 1865) offered imaginative parallels to the journey of correlation discovery. We also gleaned valuable insights from animated series such as "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "SpongeBob SquarePants," as their portrayals of wind currents and numerical escapades parallel the themes of our study, albeit in a more whimsical manner.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the 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 Wind power generated in Mauritania and The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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 Energy Information Administration and Bureau of Larbor Statistics . You used data from 2012 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]]
Blown Away: Uncovering the Zephyrous Link Between Mauritanian Wind Power and Idaho's Accounting Population

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper explores the seemingly improbable relationship between the wind power generated in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors located in the charming state of Idaho. Utilizing data from the Energy Information Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our research team delved into this uncharted territory, seeking to unravel the web of intricate connections between seemingly unrelated entities. To our surprise, a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9890657 and p < 0.01 emerged for the years 2012 to 2021, leaving us windswept by the unexpected coherence. Join us on this scientific escapade as we navigate the gusts of empirical evidence and draw parallels between the ethereal forces of wind and the steadfast presence of number-crunching professionals in the Gem State.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
INTRODUCTION
The intersection of wind power in Mauritania and the population of accountants and auditors in Idaho may seem like the punchline of a convoluted joke, but our research endeavors to uncover the serious and surprising links between these ostensibly disparate variables. As we venture into the labyrinth of quantitative analysis, we aim to shed light on the gusty influence of wind power thousands of miles away on the number-crunching professionals nestled in the heart of the American Northwest. Although it may seem like a tall tale spun by the winds of whimsy, our findings provide compelling evidence of a robust and enigmatic relationship between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena.
The field of energy economics has long been preoccupied with the intricate dance of supply and demand, the ebb and flow of prices, and the pursuit of sustainable power sources. Likewise, the domain of labor economics has been fixated on the distribution of workforce, the dynamics of employment, and the demographic composition of various professions. Rarely do these realms converge in such an improbable and captivating manner, prompting us to investigate this paradoxical correspondence.
While the idea of wind currents in Mauritania dictating the occupational choices of accountants and auditors in Idaho may initially provoke quizzical amusement, our empirical analysis has unearthed a remarkably robust association, urging us to cast aside our preconceived notions and embrace the zephyrous enigma that binds these remote entities together. Thus, our investigation serves as a testament to the unexpected and often whimsical intricacies of the world we seek to understand. Our research illuminates the cryptic pathways through which the ethereal forces of wind power and the meticulous calculations of accounting professionals intertwine, shaping the economic landscapes in ways hitherto unexplored.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

METHODOLOGY

Data Collection:
The data for wind power generation in Mauritania was sourced from the Energy Information Administration, providing a comprehensive repository of wind energy production from 2012 to 2021. Utilizing this data, the research team navigated the virtual gusts of information to capture the fluctuations in wind power output over the specified timeframe. Mental imagery of sailing through the virtual winds of data may seem fanciful, but the integrity of the process remained steadfast.

In parallel, the number of accountants and auditors in Idaho was obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, offering a detailed account of the occupational demographics within the state. The meticulous counting and categorization of these professionals may not involve wind instruments, but the choreography of data collection danced to the rhythm of statistical precision.

Data Analysis:
As the collected data spanned a period of ten years, a time series analysis was employed to explore the temporal dynamics of wind power generation in Mauritania and the population of accountants and auditors in Idaho. The sailing analogy from data collection persists, as we navigated the turbulent waves of statistical variability through the calm seas of modeling techniques.

Subsequently, a cross-correlation analysis was conducted to unveil the potential linkages between these seemingly incongruous variables. The integration of these quantitative methods provided a compass for charting the uncharted territory of cross-continental atmospheric and occupational interactions.

Multivariate Regression:
To further dissect the nuanced relationships, multivariate regression models were employed to disentangle the influence of confounding factors and isolate the impact of Mauritanian wind power on the accounting workforce in Idaho. These models upheld the analytical scrutiny, akin to untangling a meticulous knot under the capricious winds of empirical complexity.

Controlling for potential economic, demographic, and policy variables, the multivariate regression allowed for a comprehensive examination of the intertwined influences exerted by gusts of wind power and the professional aspirations of accountants and auditors. The intricate dance of variables in the regression models paralleled the orchestrated movements of ballet dancers, portraying the harmonious yet intricate relationship between seemingly contrasting elements.

Robustness Checks:
To ensure the reliability and robustness of the findings, sensitivity analyses and robustness checks were performed, akin to unfurling the sails of empirical inquiry to ascertain the stability of our discoveries in the face of varying conditions. The resounding echoes of statistical validation reverberated through the halls of rigorous scrutiny, underscoring the steadfastness of our research endeavor.

Sensitivity to model specifications, outliers, and alternative functional forms was addressed with meticulous attention, akin to fine-tuning the trajectory of a weather vane to capture the subtleties of cross-continental winds. The quest for reliability and validity in the face of empirical tempests underscored the resilience of our analytical approach.

Conclusion:
Through the careful navigation of data, the employment of advanced statistical methods, and the resilience in the face of empirical perturbations, our research endeavored to illuminate the zephyrous interplay between Mauritanian wind power and the flourishing population of accounting professionals in Idaho. The winds of empirical evidence, though whimsical in their trajectory, guided us towards a remarkable coherence, challenging our expectations and beckoning us to embrace the serendipitous dance of atmospheric forces and occupational pursuits.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the 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 Wind power generated in Mauritania and The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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 Energy Information Administration and Bureau of Larbor Statistics .

For the time period 2012 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.9890657, r-squared of 0.9782510, 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]]
Blown Away: Uncovering the Zephyrous Link Between Mauritanian Wind Power and Idaho's Accounting Population

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper explores the seemingly improbable relationship between the wind power generated in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors located in the charming state of Idaho. Utilizing data from the Energy Information Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our research team delved into this uncharted territory, seeking to unravel the web of intricate connections between seemingly unrelated entities. To our surprise, a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9890657 and p < 0.01 emerged for the years 2012 to 2021, leaving us windswept by the unexpected coherence. Join us on this scientific escapade as we navigate the gusts of empirical evidence and draw parallels between the ethereal forces of wind and the steadfast presence of number-crunching professionals in the Gem State.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
INTRODUCTION
The intersection of wind power in Mauritania and the population of accountants and auditors in Idaho may seem like the punchline of a convoluted joke, but our research endeavors to uncover the serious and surprising links between these ostensibly disparate variables. As we venture into the labyrinth of quantitative analysis, we aim to shed light on the gusty influence of wind power thousands of miles away on the number-crunching professionals nestled in the heart of the American Northwest. Although it may seem like a tall tale spun by the winds of whimsy, our findings provide compelling evidence of a robust and enigmatic relationship between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena.
The field of energy economics has long been preoccupied with the intricate dance of supply and demand, the ebb and flow of prices, and the pursuit of sustainable power sources. Likewise, the domain of labor economics has been fixated on the distribution of workforce, the dynamics of employment, and the demographic composition of various professions. Rarely do these realms converge in such an improbable and captivating manner, prompting us to investigate this paradoxical correspondence.
While the idea of wind currents in Mauritania dictating the occupational choices of accountants and auditors in Idaho may initially provoke quizzical amusement, our empirical analysis has unearthed a remarkably robust association, urging us to cast aside our preconceived notions and embrace the zephyrous enigma that binds these remote entities together. Thus, our investigation serves as a testament to the unexpected and often whimsical intricacies of the world we seek to understand. Our research illuminates the cryptic pathways through which the ethereal forces of wind power and the meticulous calculations of accounting professionals intertwine, shaping the economic landscapes in ways hitherto unexplored.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]

ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The quantitative analysis of the relationship between wind power generated in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors in Idaho yielded a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9890657, an r-squared value of 0.9782510, and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 over the period from 2012 to 2021.

It is intriguing to note that despite the geographic, cultural, and occupational chasm that separates the windswept dunes of Mauritania from the tranquil plains of Idaho, our findings reveal a remarkably strong association between these distant phenomena. This unexpected coherence prompts us to consider the whimsical ways in which the invisible hand of wind power may sway the tangible careers of number-crunching professionals.

Our research team's keen eye for patterns and our tenacious pursuit of empirical evidence culminated in the creation of a compelling visual representation of this enigmatic relationship. The Figure 1 scatterplot graphically illustrates the tight-knit connection between the two variables, daring the beholder to dismiss the interplay of wind power and accounting prowess as a mere flight of fancy.

While our methodology endeavored to unravel this zephyrous enigma with utmost rigor, we are left exhilarated and captivated by the gusty influence that transcends continents and disciplines. This unexpected pairing of ethereal wind currents and the grounded realm of accounting and auditing has left us breathless, as we grapple with the winds of empirical evidence and navigate the uncharted territory of this improbable correlation.

In the words of Shakespeare, "Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't." Our research stands as a testament to the convoluted yet captivating nature of the connections we uncover in the world of empirical inquiry, challenging us to embrace the unexpected coherence that we unearth in our pursuit of knowledge.

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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Wind power generated in Mauritania and The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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]]
Blown Away: Uncovering the Zephyrous Link Between Mauritanian Wind Power and Idaho's Accounting Population

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper explores the seemingly improbable relationship between the wind power generated in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors located in the charming state of Idaho. Utilizing data from the Energy Information Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our research team delved into this uncharted territory, seeking to unravel the web of intricate connections between seemingly unrelated entities. To our surprise, a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9890657 and p < 0.01 emerged for the years 2012 to 2021, leaving us windswept by the unexpected coherence. Join us on this scientific escapade as we navigate the gusts of empirical evidence and draw parallels between the ethereal forces of wind and the steadfast presence of number-crunching professionals in the Gem State.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Empirical inquiries into the correlation between wind power in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors in Idaho are scant but yield intriguing insights. Smith et al. (2015) in "The Windy Affair: Unveiling Mysterious Connections" noted a tentative association between atmospheric conditions and professional career choices, although their analysis did not extend to specific regions. Similarly, Doe and Jones (2018) in "Accounting for the Unseen: Invisible Forces in Labor Dynamics" hinted at the influence of intangible elements on employment patterns but did not explicitly address the impact of transcontinental gales on occupational preferences in Idaho.
Turning to non-fiction literature relevant to our investigation, "Wind Power Essentials: From Zephyrs to Megawatts" (Johnson, 2017) and "The Accounting Almanac: Numbers Speak Louder than Words" (Garcia, 2019) provided theoretical frameworks for our exploration. On the more fictional front, "The Wind Whisperer's Chronicles" (Smith, 2005) and "The Auditing Adventures of Alice" (Carroll, 1865) offered imaginative parallels to the journey of correlation discovery. We also gleaned valuable insights from animated series such as "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "SpongeBob SquarePants," as their portrayals of wind currents and numerical escapades parallel the themes of our study, albeit in a more whimsical manner.

[[RESULTS]]
The quantitative analysis of the relationship between wind power generated in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors in Idaho yielded a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9890657, an r-squared value of 0.9782510, and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 over the period from 2012 to 2021.
It is intriguing to note that despite the geographic, cultural, and occupational chasm that separates the windswept dunes of Mauritania from the tranquil plains of Idaho, our findings reveal a remarkably strong association between these distant phenomena. This unexpected coherence prompts us to consider the whimsical ways in which the invisible hand of wind power may sway the tangible careers of number-crunching professionals.
Our research team's keen eye for patterns and our tenacious pursuit of empirical evidence culminated in the creation of a compelling visual representation of this enigmatic relationship. The Figure 1 scatterplot graphically illustrates the tight-knit connection between the two variables, daring the beholder to dismiss the interplay of wind power and accounting prowess as a mere flight of fancy.
While our methodology endeavored to unravel this zephyrous enigma with utmost rigor, we are left exhilarated and captivated by the gusty influence that transcends continents and disciplines. This unexpected pairing of ethereal wind currents and the grounded realm of accounting and auditing has left us breathless, as we grapple with the winds of empirical evidence and navigate the uncharted territory of this improbable correlation.
In the words of Shakespeare, "Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't." Our research stands as a testament to the convoluted yet captivating nature of the connections we uncover in the world of empirical inquiry, challenging us to embrace the unexpected coherence that we unearth in our pursuit of knowledge.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The prodigious correlation coefficient uncovered in our investigation substantiates the earlier suggestions of Smith et al. (2015) and Doe and Jones (2018), both of whom hinted at the mysterious allure of atmospheric conditions on career paths. While these notions may have initially seemed as elusive as the wind itself, our findings firmly anchor them in empirical reality. The quantitative evidence not only aligns with the concept of wind power as an influential force but also underscores the indispensable role of accountants and auditors in Idaho's economic landscape. This resonance between the ethereal and the pragmatic evokes the whimsical ways in which unseen forces shape the tangible realities of professional occupations.

Our results lend credence to the notion that winds originating thousands of miles away may possess an uncanny ability to influence the meticulous number-crunching activities in the Gem State. This unexpected coherence echoes the fantastical parallels drawn in literary works, mirroring the improbable yet indubitable connections we have uncovered. Indeed, much like the wind, the subtle but compelling influence of atmospheric conditions on human behavior goes unnoticed until rigorously examined.

The visual representation of our findings in the form of the scatterplot Figure 1 illustrates the conspicuous coupling of these diverse elements, leaving little room for doubt regarding the tenacity of the relationship. The tight clustering of data points in the graph mirrors the intricacy of this correlation, daring skeptics to dismiss it as a mere gust of imagination. On the contrary, our diligent methodology and rigorous analysis substantiate the validity of this zephyrous enigma, dispelling doubts as effectively as a gust of wind disperses autumn leaves.

As we grapple with the winds of empirical evidence, we are left breathless by the unexpected coherence uncovered in our pursuit of knowledge. This unexpected pairing of ethereal wind currents and the grounded realm of accounting and auditing stands as a testament to the convoluted yet captivating nature of the connections we uncover in the world of empirical inquiry—a realization that may prompt even the most steadfast skeptic to acknowledge the unexpected whims of fate, or perhaps, the unexpected whims of wind.

These findings not only enrich our understanding of the intricate web of interconnections that shape the fabric of our world but also underscore the whimsically unexpected paths that empirical inquiry may traverse. With each discovery, we are left to marvel at the uncharted territory we traverse, where the very air we breathe may hold secrets yet to be uncovered.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the discussion section of 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 Wind power generated in Mauritania and The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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]]
Blown Away: Uncovering the Zephyrous Link Between Mauritanian Wind Power and Idaho's Accounting Population

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper explores the seemingly improbable relationship between the wind power generated in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors located in the charming state of Idaho. Utilizing data from the Energy Information Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our research team delved into this uncharted territory, seeking to unravel the web of intricate connections between seemingly unrelated entities. To our surprise, a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9890657 and p < 0.01 emerged for the years 2012 to 2021, leaving us windswept by the unexpected coherence. Join us on this scientific escapade as we navigate the gusts of empirical evidence and draw parallels between the ethereal forces of wind and the steadfast presence of number-crunching professionals in the Gem State.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
INTRODUCTION
The intersection of wind power in Mauritania and the population of accountants and auditors in Idaho may seem like the punchline of a convoluted joke, but our research endeavors to uncover the serious and surprising links between these ostensibly disparate variables. As we venture into the labyrinth of quantitative analysis, we aim to shed light on the gusty influence of wind power thousands of miles away on the number-crunching professionals nestled in the heart of the American Northwest. Although it may seem like a tall tale spun by the winds of whimsy, our findings provide compelling evidence of a robust and enigmatic relationship between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena.
The field of energy economics has long been preoccupied with the intricate dance of supply and demand, the ebb and flow of prices, and the pursuit of sustainable power sources. Likewise, the domain of labor economics has been fixated on the distribution of workforce, the dynamics of employment, and the demographic composition of various professions. Rarely do these realms converge in such an improbable and captivating manner, prompting us to investigate this paradoxical correspondence.
While the idea of wind currents in Mauritania dictating the occupational choices of accountants and auditors in Idaho may initially provoke quizzical amusement, our empirical analysis has unearthed a remarkably robust association, urging us to cast aside our preconceived notions and embrace the zephyrous enigma that binds these remote entities together. Thus, our investigation serves as a testament to the unexpected and often whimsical intricacies of the world we seek to understand. Our research illuminates the cryptic pathways through which the ethereal forces of wind power and the meticulous calculations of accounting professionals intertwine, shaping the economic landscapes in ways hitherto unexplored.

[[RESULTS]]
The quantitative analysis of the relationship between wind power generated in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors in Idaho yielded a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9890657, an r-squared value of 0.9782510, and a statistically significant p-value of < 0.01 over the period from 2012 to 2021.
It is intriguing to note that despite the geographic, cultural, and occupational chasm that separates the windswept dunes of Mauritania from the tranquil plains of Idaho, our findings reveal a remarkably strong association between these distant phenomena. This unexpected coherence prompts us to consider the whimsical ways in which the invisible hand of wind power may sway the tangible careers of number-crunching professionals.
Our research team's keen eye for patterns and our tenacious pursuit of empirical evidence culminated in the creation of a compelling visual representation of this enigmatic relationship. The Figure 1 scatterplot graphically illustrates the tight-knit connection between the two variables, daring the beholder to dismiss the interplay of wind power and accounting prowess as a mere flight of fancy.
While our methodology endeavored to unravel this zephyrous enigma with utmost rigor, we are left exhilarated and captivated by the gusty influence that transcends continents and disciplines. This unexpected pairing of ethereal wind currents and the grounded realm of accounting and auditing has left us breathless, as we grapple with the winds of empirical evidence and navigate the uncharted territory of this improbable correlation.
In the words of Shakespeare, "Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't." Our research stands as a testament to the convoluted yet captivating nature of the connections we uncover in the world of empirical inquiry, challenging us to embrace the unexpected coherence that we unearth in our pursuit of knowledge.

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Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]
In conclusion, our investigation into the baffling interplay between Mauritanian wind power and Idaho's accounting professionals has unraveled a quixotic tapestry of unexpected coherence. The winds of empirical evidence have blown us away, revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.9890657 and a p-value of < 0.01, leaving us more windswept than a tumbleweed in a storm. The tight-knit association between these seemingly disparate entities defies conventional wisdom, challenging us to reconsider the whimsical ways in which unseen forces shape tangible outcomes.

As we ponder the improbable linkage between the ethereal zephyrs and the steadfast number-crunchers, it becomes evident that the winds of change may indeed whisper unexpected career advice across continents. Our findings prompt a reevaluation of the winds of economic influence, urging us to contemplate the unseen gusts that shape the professional landscape in ways hitherto unexplored.

While one may be tempted to dismiss this correlation as a mere flight of fancy, our rigorous analysis and compelling visual representation in Figure 1 attest to the robustness of this enigmatic relationship. It seems that even the winds of Mauritania can't resist a good accountant joke - they just keep blowing in to make their presence felt in the Gem State.

Nevertheless, as we wax lyrical about the enigmatic allure of this cross-continental correlation, it is time to acknowledge that our windswept journey must come to an end. Our research stands as a testament to the whimsical intricacies of the world we seek to understand, and we assert that no further investigation is required in this area. As the saying goes, "when the wind blows, let it whirl" - and let our findings stand as a testament to the capricious dance of empirical inquiry.

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 Blown Away: Uncovering the Zephyrous Link Between Mauritanian Wind Power and Idaho's Accounting Population. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Transcontinental Aerodynamic Connections

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 Blown Away: Uncovering the Zephyrous Link Between Mauritanian Wind Power and Idaho's Accounting Population. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Wind and Number Association

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 Blown Away: Uncovering the Zephyrous Link Between Mauritanian Wind Power and Idaho's Accounting Population with an abstract of This paper explores the seemingly improbable relationship between the wind power generated in Mauritania and the number of accountants and auditors located in the charming state of Idaho. Utilizing data from the Energy Information Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our research team delved into this uncharted territory, seeking to unravel the web of intricate connections between seemingly unrelated entities. To our surprise, a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9890657 and p < 0.01 emerged for the years 2012 to 2021, leaving us windswept by the unexpected coherence. Join us on this scientific escapade as we navigate the gusts of empirical evidence and draw parallels between the ethereal forces of wind and the steadfast presence of number-crunching professionals in the Gem State.

ChatGPT:

Mauritania wind power, Idaho accountants, wind power correlation with accountants, wind power influence on accounting population, empirical evidence wind power accountants, wind power effect on Idaho auditors, wind power and accounting correlation, energy information administration data, bureau of labor statistics accounting, wind power statistical correlation, wind power and employment trends, Mauritanian wind energy impact, Idaho accounting professionals, correlation coefficient wind power accountants

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

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Data details

Wind power generated in Mauritania
Detailed data title: Total wind power generated in Mauritania in billion kWh
Source: Energy Information Administration
See what else correlates with Wind power generated in Mauritania

The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of accountants and auditors in Idaho
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho

Correlation r = 0.9890657 (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 = 0.9782510 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 97.8% of the change in the one variable (i.e., The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Wind power generated in Mauritania) over the 10 years from 2012 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 6.2E-8.^Show 0.0000000617203330681811300000
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 0.99 in 6.2E-6% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 16,202,116 random variables^Note You don't actually need 16 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 9 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 9 because we have two variables measured over a period of 10 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.

[ 0.95, 1 ] 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.

	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Wind power generated in Mauritania (Billion kWh)	0.001	0.013	0.013	0.1043	0.1043	0.1043	0.1043	0.115	0.131	0.148913
The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho (Accountants And Auditors)	3340	3350	3470	3890	3970	3960	3900	3940	4130	4250

Why this works

Data dredging: I have 25,237 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 636,906,169 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([0.001,0.013,0.013,0.1043,0.1043,0.1043,0.1043,0.115,0.131,0.148913,])
array_2 = np.array([3340,3350,3470,3890,3970,3960,3900,3940,4130,4250,])
array_1_name = "Wind power generated in Mauritania"
array_2_name = "The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho"

# 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 Wind power generated in Mauritania
Line chart for only The number of accountants and auditors in Idaho
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Blown Away: Uncovering the Zephyrous Link Between Mauritanian Wind Power and Idaho's Accounting Population

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Correlation ID: 2832 · Black Variable ID: 23818 · Red Variable ID: 7129


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