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Spurious correlation #2,861 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in Chicago and the second variable is Arson in United States.  The chart goes from 1985 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the smog cleared, the art of pyromania lost its spark in the Windy City. With cleaner air, it seems the urge to add smoky accents to buildings went up in smoke all across the nation! It's like the arsonists looked around and thought, "Hey, let's not burn down stuff today. The air is nice and crisp. Let's just, you know, not light fires and stuff." Or maybe the former pollution particles were the real fire starters, and without them, the flames just couldn't ignite the same way. It's a conundrum wrapped in a mystery, surrounded by cleaner air.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image inspired by the following scene: In downtown Chicago, a thick layer of smog hangs heavily in the air, obscuring the skyline and casting an eerie red tint over the city. As the pollution worsens, tensions rise, and people become visibly agitated. In the background, several buildings are ablaze, their fiery glow contrasting starkly against the polluted atmosphere. The combination of air pollution and arson has created a scene of chaos and destruction. The cover image should reflect the intense atmosphere of the city with the smog-filled skyline and the fiery buildings. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Air pollution in Chicago and Arson in United States. 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: Surrealism Low poly An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' Oragami A Discovery magazine cover image
ChatGPT: A Discovery magazine cover image

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Air pollution in Chicago and Arson in United States, in the following situation: Because as the air got dirtier in Chicago, it made everyone see red and feel fired up, leading to a spike in arson across the United States. The smog-filled skies caused people to lose their cool and ignite heated conflicts, resulting in a fiery situation. It’s like the pollution was literally adding fuel to the fire of criminal activity, creating a perfect storm of smoke and flame.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In downtown Chicago, a thick layer of smog hangs heavily in the air, obscuring the skyline and casting an eerie red tint over the city. As the pollution worsens, tensions rise, and people become visibly agitated. In the background, several buildings are ablaze, their fiery glow contrasting starkly against the polluted atmosphere. The combination of air pollution and arson has created a scene of chaos and destruction.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ A Discovery magazine cover image ] and depicting this scene: In downtown Chicago, a thick layer of smog hangs heavily in the air, obscuring the skyline and casting an eerie red tint over the city. As the pollution worsens, tensions rise, and people become visibly agitated. In the background, several buildings are ablaze, their fiery glow contrasting starkly against the polluted atmosphere. The combination of air pollution and arson has created a scene of chaos and destruction. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image inspired by the following scene: In downtown Chicago, a thick layer of smog hangs heavily in the air, obscuring the skyline and casting an eerie red tint over the city. As the pollution worsens, tensions rise, and people become visibly agitated. In the background, several buildings are ablaze, their fiery glow contrasting starkly against the polluted atmosphere. The combination of air pollution and arson has created a scene of chaos and destruction. The cover image should reflect the intense atmosphere of the city with the smog-filled skyline and the fiery buildings.

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how a decrease in Air pollution in Chicago caused Arson in United States to decrease.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation

The Journal of Ecological Crime Studies

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Chicago and Arson in United States. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

Your research team used data from Environmental Protection Agency and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.7128637 and p < 0.01 for 1985 to 2022.

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

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
"Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we explore the striking correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson throughout the United States. Our research team adopted a hands-on approach to collect and analyze data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. The statistical analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with p < 0.01, spanning from 1985 to 2022.

Our findings suggest that there is a positive association between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson in various regions of the country. We delved into this smoky mystery, leaving no stone unturned. It appears that the Windy City's pollution might be fanning the flames of criminal activity in other parts of the nation, creating quite the "hot" topic for discussion.

The implications of this research are significant. It raises questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and highlights the need for further investigation into this fiery relationship. As we strive to shed light on this volatile connection, we also couldn't resist cracking a joke or two to lighten the mood. After all, when it comes to exploring the link between air pollution and arson, we refuse to let our enthusiasm "burn out."


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Chicago and Arson in United States. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we explore the striking correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson throughout the United States. Our research team adopted a hands-on approach to collect and analyze data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. The statistical analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with p < 0.01, spanning from 1985 to 2022.

Our findings suggest that there is a positive association between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson in various regions of the country. We delved into this smoky mystery, leaving no stone unturned. It appears that the Windy City's pollution might be fanning the flames of criminal activity in other parts of the nation, creating quite the "hot" topic for discussion.

The implications of this research are significant. It raises questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and highlights the need for further investigation into this fiery relationship. As we strive to shed light on this volatile connection, we also couldn't resist cracking a joke or two to lighten the mood. After all, when it comes to exploring the link between air pollution and arson, we refuse to let our enthusiasm "burn out."

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The alarming rise in arson cases across the United States has captured the attention of law enforcement, policymakers, and researchers alike. Arson, defined as the intentional setting of fires for malicious purposes, poses significant risks to public safety and property. As researchers, our team sought to unravel the complex web of factors contributing to this destructive behavior, leading us to an unexpected source of intrigue: air pollution in the Windy City, Chicago.

Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: What did the firefighter name his two sons? Jose and Hose B!

While the link between air pollution and respiratory illnesses has been extensively studied, the potential connection between air quality and criminal behavior has received less attention. Our investigation aims to bridge this gap by examining the relationship between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidences of arson across the United States.

As we set out on our research journey, we couldn't help but be struck by the notion that the phrase "hot air" might carry more than just a figurative meaning in the context of criminal activity. It became clear to us that there might be a "spark" of truth in the possibility of a tangible link between environmental factors and arson.

Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: What did the match say to the marshmallow? Time to "spark" up a conversation!

Our interdisciplinary approach to this investigation involved the meticulous analysis of extensive datasets from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. By examining air pollution data and arson incidents over a span of nearly four decades, we uncovered a surprising correlation that ignited our curiosity.

The statistical analysis yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with a p-value less than 0.01, signifying a strong and statistically significant relationship between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson across different regions of the United States.

Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: Why did the arsonist break up with his girlfriend? He just needed some "space"!

What emerged from our data-driven investigation was a picture of potential influence, not unlike the way a gust of wind can carry smoke from one place to another. Our findings suggest that the impact of air pollution in Chicago may extend beyond its immediate surroundings, quite literally "fuelling the fire" of criminal activity in other parts of the country.

This revelation has ignited fervent discussions and kindled a newfound interest in the interplay between environmental conditions and human behavior. As we unveil the implications of our findings in the following sections, we invite you to join us in navigating through the "smoke and mirrors" of this interconnected puzzle. After all, in the realm of research and academic exploration, it never hurts to "fire up" some spirited discourse.


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Chicago and Arson in United States. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then name a couple popular internet memes that are related to one of the topics.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we explore the striking correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson throughout the United States. Our research team adopted a hands-on approach to collect and analyze data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. The statistical analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with p < 0.01, spanning from 1985 to 2022.

Our findings suggest that there is a positive association between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson in various regions of the country. We delved into this smoky mystery, leaving no stone unturned. It appears that the Windy City's pollution might be fanning the flames of criminal activity in other parts of the nation, creating quite the "hot" topic for discussion.

The implications of this research are significant. It raises questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and highlights the need for further investigation into this fiery relationship. As we strive to shed light on this volatile connection, we also couldn't resist cracking a joke or two to lighten the mood. After all, when it comes to exploring the link between air pollution and arson, we refuse to let our enthusiasm "burn out."

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The alarming rise in arson cases across the United States has captured the attention of law enforcement, policymakers, and researchers alike. Arson, defined as the intentional setting of fires for malicious purposes, poses significant risks to public safety and property. As researchers, our team sought to unravel the complex web of factors contributing to this destructive behavior, leading us to an unexpected source of intrigue: air pollution in the Windy City, Chicago.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: What did the firefighter name his two sons? Jose and Hose B!
While the link between air pollution and respiratory illnesses has been extensively studied, the potential connection between air quality and criminal behavior has received less attention. Our investigation aims to bridge this gap by examining the relationship between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidences of arson across the United States.
As we set out on our research journey, we couldn't help but be struck by the notion that the phrase "hot air" might carry more than just a figurative meaning in the context of criminal activity. It became clear to us that there might be a "spark" of truth in the possibility of a tangible link between environmental factors and arson.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: What did the match say to the marshmallow? Time to "spark" up a conversation!
Our interdisciplinary approach to this investigation involved the meticulous analysis of extensive datasets from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. By examining air pollution data and arson incidents over a span of nearly four decades, we uncovered a surprising correlation that ignited our curiosity.
The statistical analysis yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with a p-value less than 0.01, signifying a strong and statistically significant relationship between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson across different regions of the United States.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: Why did the arsonist break up with his girlfriend? He just needed some "space"!
What emerged from our data-driven investigation was a picture of potential influence, not unlike the way a gust of wind can carry smoke from one place to another. Our findings suggest that the impact of air pollution in Chicago may extend beyond its immediate surroundings, quite literally "fuelling the fire" of criminal activity in other parts of the country.
This revelation has ignited fervent discussions and kindled a newfound interest in the interplay between environmental conditions and human behavior. As we unveil the implications of our findings in the following sections, we invite you to join us in navigating through the "smoke and mirrors" of this interconnected puzzle. After all, in the realm of research and academic exploration, it never hurts to "fire up" some spirited discourse.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Several studies have investigated the impact of air pollution on public health and the environment. Smith (2015) highlighted the detrimental effects of air pollutants on respiratory health, while Doe (2018) explored the widespread implications of poor air quality on urban ecosystems. In a similar vein, Jones (2020) delved into the economic costs associated with air pollution and its ramifications for societal well-being. However, the potential relationship between air pollution and criminal behavior has remained relatively uncharted territory.

Turning to non-fiction sources, "The Air Pollution Primer" by Green (2009) and "Arson: The Mind of Fire" by Red (2016) provide comprehensive insights into the individual topics, yet fail to address their potential interconnection. On the other hand, fictional works such as "Smoke and Mirrors" by Silver (2014) and "The Arsonist's Handbook" by Gold (2017) seem eerily relevant to our research, even if they are not scholarly works.

Memes such as the "This is fine" dog surrounded by fire, and the "Arsonist Firestarter Kit" image macro, may appear comical on the surface, but they inadvertently allude to the serious implications of the relationship between air pollution and arson at the cultural level.

This literature review demonstrates the scarcity of research pertaining to the connection between air pollution and criminal behavior. As we embark on our exploration of this uncharted territory, we are committed to shedding light on this fiery relationship, all the while ensuring that the flames of curiosity are kept burning "bright" throughout our academic endeavors.


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Chicago and Arson in United States. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services . You used data from 1985 to 2022

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

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we explore the striking correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson throughout the United States. Our research team adopted a hands-on approach to collect and analyze data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. The statistical analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with p < 0.01, spanning from 1985 to 2022.

Our findings suggest that there is a positive association between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson in various regions of the country. We delved into this smoky mystery, leaving no stone unturned. It appears that the Windy City's pollution might be fanning the flames of criminal activity in other parts of the nation, creating quite the "hot" topic for discussion.

The implications of this research are significant. It raises questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and highlights the need for further investigation into this fiery relationship. As we strive to shed light on this volatile connection, we also couldn't resist cracking a joke or two to lighten the mood. After all, when it comes to exploring the link between air pollution and arson, we refuse to let our enthusiasm "burn out."

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The alarming rise in arson cases across the United States has captured the attention of law enforcement, policymakers, and researchers alike. Arson, defined as the intentional setting of fires for malicious purposes, poses significant risks to public safety and property. As researchers, our team sought to unravel the complex web of factors contributing to this destructive behavior, leading us to an unexpected source of intrigue: air pollution in the Windy City, Chicago.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: What did the firefighter name his two sons? Jose and Hose B!
While the link between air pollution and respiratory illnesses has been extensively studied, the potential connection between air quality and criminal behavior has received less attention. Our investigation aims to bridge this gap by examining the relationship between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidences of arson across the United States.
As we set out on our research journey, we couldn't help but be struck by the notion that the phrase "hot air" might carry more than just a figurative meaning in the context of criminal activity. It became clear to us that there might be a "spark" of truth in the possibility of a tangible link between environmental factors and arson.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: What did the match say to the marshmallow? Time to "spark" up a conversation!
Our interdisciplinary approach to this investigation involved the meticulous analysis of extensive datasets from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. By examining air pollution data and arson incidents over a span of nearly four decades, we uncovered a surprising correlation that ignited our curiosity.
The statistical analysis yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with a p-value less than 0.01, signifying a strong and statistically significant relationship between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson across different regions of the United States.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: Why did the arsonist break up with his girlfriend? He just needed some "space"!
What emerged from our data-driven investigation was a picture of potential influence, not unlike the way a gust of wind can carry smoke from one place to another. Our findings suggest that the impact of air pollution in Chicago may extend beyond its immediate surroundings, quite literally "fuelling the fire" of criminal activity in other parts of the country.
This revelation has ignited fervent discussions and kindled a newfound interest in the interplay between environmental conditions and human behavior. As we unveil the implications of our findings in the following sections, we invite you to join us in navigating through the "smoke and mirrors" of this interconnected puzzle. After all, in the realm of research and academic exploration, it never hurts to "fire up" some spirited discourse.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

"[[METHODOLOGY]]"

To investigate the potential link between air pollution in Chicago and incidents of arson across the United States, our research team employed a multifaceted approach that combined quantitative analysis with a sprinkle of creative thinking. We delved into the sea of data available from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, surfing the waves of information from 1985 to 2022 in search of the elusive connection between air quality and criminal acts.

Our data collection process was meticulous, akin to navigating through a smokescreen of information. We compiled air pollution data from various monitoring stations in Chicago and surrounding areas, utilizing a variety of measurement parameters to capture the nuances of atmospheric contamination. As for arson incidents, we sifted through the FBI's comprehensive database, carefully selecting and categorizing cases with precision and care.

With the sheer volume of data at our disposal, we employed statistical methods that would make even the most seasoned mathematician raise an eyebrow. The correlation analysis was a critical component of our methodology, allowing us to quantify the strength and direction of the relationship between air pollution levels in Chicago and the occurrence of arson throughout the United States. We used advanced statistical software to crunch the numbers and uncover the hidden patterns lurking within the datasets, illuminating the enigmatic dance between pollution and incendiary acts.

In line with our commitment to thoroughness, we also conducted spatial and temporal analyses to discern whether the purported association between air pollution and arson extended beyond mere coincidence. Mapping the geographical distribution of arson incidents against the backdrop of air pollution hotspots in the Windy City provided us with a visual representation of the potential reach of environmental influences on criminal behavior. Additionally, time-series analyses allowed us to investigate temporal trends and fluctuations, painting a dynamic portrait of the interplay between atmospheric conditions and fire-related offenses.

Recognizing the need for a nuanced understanding of the factors at play, we also considered demographic and socioeconomic variables that might act as confounding factors. By incorporating relevant contextual data, we sought to tease apart the intricate web of influences that intertwine with air pollution and arson, ensuring that our conclusions were grounded in a comprehensive evaluation of the multidimensional landscape of criminal activity and environmental factors.

Throughout our methodology, we embraced the challenge of unraveling this complex interrelationship with a dash of humor and a touch of whimsy, reminding ourselves that even in the pursuit of scholarly inquiry, there's always room for a well-placed pun. After all, as researchers, it's important to maintain a lighthearted perspective, especially when grappling with weighty subjects such as air pollution and arson. For as we've learned, sometimes the best way to clear the air is with a hearty laugh – but not too hearty, lest we contribute to the pollution ourselves!


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Chicago and Arson in United States. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services .

For the time period 1985 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.7128637, r-squared of 0.5081747, 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]]
"Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we explore the striking correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson throughout the United States. Our research team adopted a hands-on approach to collect and analyze data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. The statistical analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with p < 0.01, spanning from 1985 to 2022.

Our findings suggest that there is a positive association between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson in various regions of the country. We delved into this smoky mystery, leaving no stone unturned. It appears that the Windy City's pollution might be fanning the flames of criminal activity in other parts of the nation, creating quite the "hot" topic for discussion.

The implications of this research are significant. It raises questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and highlights the need for further investigation into this fiery relationship. As we strive to shed light on this volatile connection, we also couldn't resist cracking a joke or two to lighten the mood. After all, when it comes to exploring the link between air pollution and arson, we refuse to let our enthusiasm "burn out."

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The alarming rise in arson cases across the United States has captured the attention of law enforcement, policymakers, and researchers alike. Arson, defined as the intentional setting of fires for malicious purposes, poses significant risks to public safety and property. As researchers, our team sought to unravel the complex web of factors contributing to this destructive behavior, leading us to an unexpected source of intrigue: air pollution in the Windy City, Chicago.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: What did the firefighter name his two sons? Jose and Hose B!
While the link between air pollution and respiratory illnesses has been extensively studied, the potential connection between air quality and criminal behavior has received less attention. Our investigation aims to bridge this gap by examining the relationship between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidences of arson across the United States.
As we set out on our research journey, we couldn't help but be struck by the notion that the phrase "hot air" might carry more than just a figurative meaning in the context of criminal activity. It became clear to us that there might be a "spark" of truth in the possibility of a tangible link between environmental factors and arson.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: What did the match say to the marshmallow? Time to "spark" up a conversation!
Our interdisciplinary approach to this investigation involved the meticulous analysis of extensive datasets from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. By examining air pollution data and arson incidents over a span of nearly four decades, we uncovered a surprising correlation that ignited our curiosity.
The statistical analysis yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with a p-value less than 0.01, signifying a strong and statistically significant relationship between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson across different regions of the United States.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: Why did the arsonist break up with his girlfriend? He just needed some "space"!
What emerged from our data-driven investigation was a picture of potential influence, not unlike the way a gust of wind can carry smoke from one place to another. Our findings suggest that the impact of air pollution in Chicago may extend beyond its immediate surroundings, quite literally "fuelling the fire" of criminal activity in other parts of the country.
This revelation has ignited fervent discussions and kindled a newfound interest in the interplay between environmental conditions and human behavior. As we unveil the implications of our findings in the following sections, we invite you to join us in navigating through the "smoke and mirrors" of this interconnected puzzle. After all, in the realm of research and academic exploration, it never hurts to "fire up" some spirited discourse.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The analysis of the data collected from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services revealed a strong and significant correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson across the United States. The correlation coefficient of 0.7128637 and the r-squared value of 0.5081747 indicate a noteworthy relationship between these two variables, with a p-value of less than 0.01 further affirming the statistical significance of the findings.

Figure 1 depicts the scatterplot illustrating the robust positive correlation between air pollution in Chicago and arson occurrences in the United States. The visual representation of the data provides a compelling snapshot of the association discovered in our analysis.

Our results suggest that as air pollution levels in Chicago increased, there was a corresponding rise in the number of arson incidents reported across the nation. This intriguing finding raises thought-provoking questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and its broader implications for public safety and crime prevention strategies.

Our study sheds light on an unexpected connection that may have significant implications for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and researchers alike. As we unravel the intricacies of this intriguing relationship, the significance of considering environmental variables in the context of criminal behavior becomes increasingly apparent.

This unexpected linkage between air pollution in the Windy City and arson nationwide has ignited fervent discussions and sparked a newfound interest in understanding the complex interplay between environmental conditions and criminal activity. The implications of our findings extend beyond the boundaries of traditional crime research, signaling the need to further explore the impact of environmental factors on human behavior.

In unraveling this enigmatic correlation, we have illuminated a path for future research to delve deeper into the influence of air quality on criminal activities. Our findings serve as a catalyst for continued exploration and inquiry into the multifaceted dynamics of environmental influences on human behavior, igniting a fervor for further investigation in this uncharted territory.

Dad Joke: How does an arsonist get to work? By "fire truck"!


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Chicago and Arson in United States. 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]]
"Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we explore the striking correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson throughout the United States. Our research team adopted a hands-on approach to collect and analyze data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. The statistical analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with p < 0.01, spanning from 1985 to 2022.

Our findings suggest that there is a positive association between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson in various regions of the country. We delved into this smoky mystery, leaving no stone unturned. It appears that the Windy City's pollution might be fanning the flames of criminal activity in other parts of the nation, creating quite the "hot" topic for discussion.

The implications of this research are significant. It raises questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and highlights the need for further investigation into this fiery relationship. As we strive to shed light on this volatile connection, we also couldn't resist cracking a joke or two to lighten the mood. After all, when it comes to exploring the link between air pollution and arson, we refuse to let our enthusiasm "burn out."

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Several studies have investigated the impact of air pollution on public health and the environment. Smith (2015) highlighted the detrimental effects of air pollutants on respiratory health, while Doe (2018) explored the widespread implications of poor air quality on urban ecosystems. In a similar vein, Jones (2020) delved into the economic costs associated with air pollution and its ramifications for societal well-being. However, the potential relationship between air pollution and criminal behavior has remained relatively uncharted territory.
Turning to non-fiction sources, "The Air Pollution Primer" by Green (2009) and "Arson: The Mind of Fire" by Red (2016) provide comprehensive insights into the individual topics, yet fail to address their potential interconnection. On the other hand, fictional works such as "Smoke and Mirrors" by Silver (2014) and "The Arsonist's Handbook" by Gold (2017) seem eerily relevant to our research, even if they are not scholarly works.
Memes such as the "This is fine" dog surrounded by fire, and the "Arsonist Firestarter Kit" image macro, may appear comical on the surface, but they inadvertently allude to the serious implications of the relationship between air pollution and arson at the cultural level.
This literature review demonstrates the scarcity of research pertaining to the connection between air pollution and criminal behavior. As we embark on our exploration of this uncharted territory, we are committed to shedding light on this fiery relationship, all the while ensuring that the flames of curiosity are kept burning "bright" throughout our academic endeavors.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data collected from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services revealed a strong and significant correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson across the United States. The correlation coefficient of 0.7128637 and the r-squared value of 0.5081747 indicate a noteworthy relationship between these two variables, with a p-value of less than 0.01 further affirming the statistical significance of the findings.
Figure 1 depicts the scatterplot illustrating the robust positive correlation between air pollution in Chicago and arson occurrences in the United States. The visual representation of the data provides a compelling snapshot of the association discovered in our analysis.
Our results suggest that as air pollution levels in Chicago increased, there was a corresponding rise in the number of arson incidents reported across the nation. This intriguing finding raises thought-provoking questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and its broader implications for public safety and crime prevention strategies.
Our study sheds light on an unexpected connection that may have significant implications for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and researchers alike. As we unravel the intricacies of this intriguing relationship, the significance of considering environmental variables in the context of criminal behavior becomes increasingly apparent.
This unexpected linkage between air pollution in the Windy City and arson nationwide has ignited fervent discussions and sparked a newfound interest in understanding the complex interplay between environmental conditions and criminal activity. The implications of our findings extend beyond the boundaries of traditional crime research, signaling the need to further explore the impact of environmental factors on human behavior.
In unraveling this enigmatic correlation, we have illuminated a path for future research to delve deeper into the influence of air quality on criminal activities. Our findings serve as a catalyst for continued exploration and inquiry into the multifaceted dynamics of environmental influences on human behavior, igniting a fervor for further investigation in this uncharted territory.
Dad Joke: How does an arsonist get to work? By "fire truck"!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our investigation into the relationship between air pollution in Chicago and incidents of arson nationwide has uncovered intriguing findings. The statistically significant correlation coefficient and r-squared value provide substantial evidence supporting the notion that as air pollution levels in the Windy City soared, so did the number of arson cases across the United States. This unexpected connection lacks a clear explanation, igniting further interest in understanding the underlying mechanisms of this fiery relationship.

Expanding on the light shed by our study, it appears that the intertwining of environmental factors and criminal behavior is far from a minor brush fire in the realm of criminology. As we glean from the previous research by Smith (2015), poor air quality has been linked to detrimental effects on respiratory health, but our findings suggest that its influence may extend far beyond physical well-being, touching upon behavioral patterns as well. This revelation highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between environmental scientists and criminologists to fully grasp the extent of this "criminal air affair."

Furthermore, the connection we have unearthed provides additional reinforcement for the significance of environmental variables in the context of criminal behavior, amplifying the impact of previous works such as Doe (2018) and Jones (2020) in illustrating the repercussions of environmental neglect. The "hot" topic of discussion posed by our findings serves as a glowing example of how multifaceted dynamics in our urban ecosystems can inadvertently kindle an uptick in criminal activities.

Our research has not only illuminated the need for further exploration but has also sparked a newfound interest in understanding the complex interplay between environmental conditions and criminal activity. The "This is fine" meme, though comical in nature, inadvertently alluded to the serious implications of our findings and the need for urgent attention on the environmental front.

In laying the groundwork for future research, our study demands a deeper understanding of the complex interplay of environmental influences on arson and potentially other criminal activities. The lingering mystery of this relationship serves as a compelling catalyst for continued exploration and inquiry into this uncharted territory, keeping the flames of curiosity "burning" bright for researchers to come.

Dad Joke: Have you heard about the guy who got cooled off by air pollution in Chicago? He had "windy" gases indeed!


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Chicago and Arson in United States. 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]]
"Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this paper, we explore the striking correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson throughout the United States. Our research team adopted a hands-on approach to collect and analyze data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. The statistical analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with p < 0.01, spanning from 1985 to 2022.

Our findings suggest that there is a positive association between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson in various regions of the country. We delved into this smoky mystery, leaving no stone unturned. It appears that the Windy City's pollution might be fanning the flames of criminal activity in other parts of the nation, creating quite the "hot" topic for discussion.

The implications of this research are significant. It raises questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and highlights the need for further investigation into this fiery relationship. As we strive to shed light on this volatile connection, we also couldn't resist cracking a joke or two to lighten the mood. After all, when it comes to exploring the link between air pollution and arson, we refuse to let our enthusiasm "burn out."

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The alarming rise in arson cases across the United States has captured the attention of law enforcement, policymakers, and researchers alike. Arson, defined as the intentional setting of fires for malicious purposes, poses significant risks to public safety and property. As researchers, our team sought to unravel the complex web of factors contributing to this destructive behavior, leading us to an unexpected source of intrigue: air pollution in the Windy City, Chicago.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: What did the firefighter name his two sons? Jose and Hose B!
While the link between air pollution and respiratory illnesses has been extensively studied, the potential connection between air quality and criminal behavior has received less attention. Our investigation aims to bridge this gap by examining the relationship between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidences of arson across the United States.
As we set out on our research journey, we couldn't help but be struck by the notion that the phrase "hot air" might carry more than just a figurative meaning in the context of criminal activity. It became clear to us that there might be a "spark" of truth in the possibility of a tangible link between environmental factors and arson.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: What did the match say to the marshmallow? Time to "spark" up a conversation!
Our interdisciplinary approach to this investigation involved the meticulous analysis of extensive datasets from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. By examining air pollution data and arson incidents over a span of nearly four decades, we uncovered a surprising correlation that ignited our curiosity.
The statistical analysis yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with a p-value less than 0.01, signifying a strong and statistically significant relationship between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson across different regions of the United States.
Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: Why did the arsonist break up with his girlfriend? He just needed some "space"!
What emerged from our data-driven investigation was a picture of potential influence, not unlike the way a gust of wind can carry smoke from one place to another. Our findings suggest that the impact of air pollution in Chicago may extend beyond its immediate surroundings, quite literally "fuelling the fire" of criminal activity in other parts of the country.
This revelation has ignited fervent discussions and kindled a newfound interest in the interplay between environmental conditions and human behavior. As we unveil the implications of our findings in the following sections, we invite you to join us in navigating through the "smoke and mirrors" of this interconnected puzzle. After all, in the realm of research and academic exploration, it never hurts to "fire up" some spirited discourse.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data collected from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services revealed a strong and significant correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson across the United States. The correlation coefficient of 0.7128637 and the r-squared value of 0.5081747 indicate a noteworthy relationship between these two variables, with a p-value of less than 0.01 further affirming the statistical significance of the findings.
Figure 1 depicts the scatterplot illustrating the robust positive correlation between air pollution in Chicago and arson occurrences in the United States. The visual representation of the data provides a compelling snapshot of the association discovered in our analysis.
Our results suggest that as air pollution levels in Chicago increased, there was a corresponding rise in the number of arson incidents reported across the nation. This intriguing finding raises thought-provoking questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and its broader implications for public safety and crime prevention strategies.
Our study sheds light on an unexpected connection that may have significant implications for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and researchers alike. As we unravel the intricacies of this intriguing relationship, the significance of considering environmental variables in the context of criminal behavior becomes increasingly apparent.
This unexpected linkage between air pollution in the Windy City and arson nationwide has ignited fervent discussions and sparked a newfound interest in understanding the complex interplay between environmental conditions and criminal activity. The implications of our findings extend beyond the boundaries of traditional crime research, signaling the need to further explore the impact of environmental factors on human behavior.
In unraveling this enigmatic correlation, we have illuminated a path for future research to delve deeper into the influence of air quality on criminal activities. Our findings serve as a catalyst for continued exploration and inquiry into the multifaceted dynamics of environmental influences on human behavior, igniting a fervor for further investigation in this uncharted territory.
Dad Joke: How does an arsonist get to work? By "fire truck"!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has uncovered a compelling and statistically significant relationship between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson across the United States. The robust correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, coupled with a p-value of less than 0.01, illuminates an intriguing association that has kindled a fervor for further exploration into the interplay between environmental factors and criminal behavior.

Our findings suggest that the impact of air pollution in the Windy City may extend beyond its immediate vicinity, metaphorically "fanning the flames" of criminal activity across the nation. As we contemplate the potential implications of this unexpected linkage, one cannot help but wonder whether certain individuals were simply "blowing smoke" when denying a connection between environmental conditions and criminal behavior.

Our study not only highlights the need for a paradigm shift in understanding the multifaceted influences on criminal activities but also serves as a "spark" for future investigations in this intriguing domain. The potential for environmental conditions to "ignite" criminal behavior necessitates a more comprehensive examination, challenging researchers to "fan the flames" of inquiry and delve into the mechanisms underlying this fiery correlation.

In the grand scheme of research endeavors, our findings have set ablaze a new frontier for exploration, igniting a fervor for further investigation in this uncharted terrain. As we embark on this journey, we stand at the precipice of a smoky yet illuminating path, ready to "fire up" the engines of inquiry and blaze a trail towards a deeper understanding of the tangled web of environmental influences on human behavior.

Dad Joke πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!

In light of the "fiery" implications of our findings, we confidently assert that no further research is needed in this area. After all, when it comes to the connection between air pollution in Chicago and arson nationwide, our work has indeed "set the world on fire" with knowledge.


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 Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Ecological Crime Studies


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 Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Environmental Criminology and Atmospheric Anomalies


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 Up in Smoke: The Connection Between Air Pollution in the Windy City and Arsons Across the Nation with an abstract of In this paper, we explore the striking correlation between air pollution levels in Chicago and incidents of arson throughout the United States. Our research team adopted a hands-on approach to collect and analyze data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. The statistical analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.7128637, with p < 0.01, spanning from 1985 to 2022.
Our findings suggest that there is a positive association between air pollution in Chicago and the occurrence of arson in various regions of the country. We delved into this smoky mystery, leaving no stone unturned. It appears that the Windy City's pollution might be fanning the flames of criminal activity in other parts of the nation, creating quite the "hot" topic for discussion.
The implications of this research are significant. It raises questions about the potential influence of environmental factors on criminal behavior and highlights the need for further investigation into this fiery relationship. As we strive to shed light on this volatile connection, we also couldn't resist cracking a joke or two to lighten the mood. After all, when it comes to exploring the link between air pollution and arson, we refuse to let our enthusiasm "burn out.

ChatGPT:

Chicago, air pollution, arson, correlation, environmental factors, criminal behavior, FBI data, EPA data, statistical analysis, pollution levels, criminal activity, Windy City, United States, association, hot topic, investigation, environmental influence, volatile connection

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



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Data details

Air pollution in Chicago
Detailed data title: Percentage of days with air quality at 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' or worse in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in Chicago

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

Correlation r = 0.7128637 (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 = 0.5081747 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 50.8% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Arson in United States) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Air pollution in Chicago) over the 38 years from 1985 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 5.1E-7. 0.0000005127415377101443000000
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.71 in 5.1E-5% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 1,950,300 random variables 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 37 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 37 because we have two variables measured over a period of 38 years. It's just the number of years minus ( the number of variables minus one ), which in this case simplifies to the number of years minus one.
you would randomly expect to find a correlation as strong as this one.

[ 0.51, 0.84 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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


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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
19851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Air pollution in Chicago (Bad air quality days)16.164426.301418.630129.508223.013724.383620.82199.289628.4931512.602716.438411.74869.8630117.260321.095916.939924.383618.082215.890411.202220.2746.5753415.890412.29516.02749.589046.5753413.66124.657534.931513.835627.650276.849327.123293.561646.557387.671234.10959
Arson in United States (Arson rate)43.646.342.54141.441.74140.837.339.636.734.632.629.728.824.727.726.82523.623.124.422.621.619.518.117.517.614.914.513.714.113.2121113.98.911.6




Why this works

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




Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([16.1644,26.3014,18.6301,29.5082,23.0137,24.3836,20.8219,9.28962,8.49315,12.6027,16.4384,11.7486,9.86301,17.2603,21.0959,16.9399,24.3836,18.0822,15.8904,11.2022,20.274,6.57534,15.8904,12.2951,6.0274,9.58904,6.57534,13.6612,4.65753,4.93151,3.83562,7.65027,6.84932,7.12329,3.56164,6.55738,7.67123,4.10959,])
array_2 = np.array([43.6,46.3,42.5,41,41.4,41.7,41,40.8,37.3,39.6,36.7,34.6,32.6,29.7,28.8,24.7,27.7,26.8,25,23.6,23.1,24.4,22.6,21.6,19.5,18.1,17.5,17.6,14.9,14.5,13.7,14.1,13.2,12,11,13.9,8.9,11.6,])
array_1_name = "Air pollution in Chicago"
array_2_name = "Arson in United States"

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

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



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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."

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Correlation ID: 2861 · Black Variable ID: 20456 · Red Variable ID: 20038
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