Spurious correlation #2,976 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Bachelor's degrees awarded in linguistics and the second variable is US birth rates of triplets or more. 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 Bachelor's degrees awarded in linguistics and the second variable is US birth rates of triplets or more. 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 number of Bachelor's degrees in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics decreased, there was a parallel decrease in the use of complex, triplet-inducing love poetry and multilingual baby lullabies, leading to a nationwide shortage of linguistic fertility magic. Triplets and more found it increasingly difficult to communicate their desires for synchronized napping and matching onesies, resulting in fewer instances of conception. It seems the language of love was finally lost in translation, leaving would-be triplet parents with just a single bun in the oven. So, it's not just baby talk - it's baby triplet talk that we need to brush up on!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Prompt: Generate an image that captures a futuristic classroom scene wherein a graduation ceremony for Bachelor's degrees in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics is happening. The students, donned in caps and gowns, hold their diplomas with pride. Simultaneously, a pregnant woman is having an ultrasound, with the doctor pointing to the screen displaying three baby fetuses. The woman is shown looking surprised, while the doctor is smiling. The visual should allude to the connection between the decline in foreign language degrees and the decrease in the likelihood of triplet births. 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: Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and US birth rates of triplets or more. 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: Cubism Scalar art Vaporwave Vaporwave Futuristic
ChatGPT: Futuristic

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 Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and US birth rates of triplets or more, in the following situation: Because as the number of Foreign language degrees awarded decreases, so too does the desire to play the field with multiple languages, resulting in a reduction in triplets or more. The linguistic monotony reduces the chances of tri-lingual births, leading to a decrease in triplet birth rates. Triplets? Mais non, merci!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a classroom, a graduation ceremony is taking place where students are receiving Bachelor's degrees in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics. The students are wearing caps and gowns and are holding their diplomas with pride. In the same room, a pregnant woman is having an ultrasound, and the doctor is pointing to the screen, showing three baby fetuses. The woman looks surprised, and the doctor is smiling. The visual depicts the link between the decrease in foreign language degrees and the reduction in the likelihood of triplet births.

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: [ Futuristic ] and depicting this scene: In a classroom, a graduation ceremony is taking place where students are receiving Bachelor's degrees in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics. The students are wearing caps and gowns and are holding their diplomas with pride. In the same room, a pregnant woman is having an ultrasound, and the doctor is pointing to the screen, showing three baby fetuses. The woman looks surprised, and the doctor is smiling. The visual depicts the link between the decrease in foreign language degrees and the reduction in the likelihood of triplet births. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Prompt: Generate an image that captures a futuristic classroom scene wherein a graduation ceremony for Bachelor's degrees in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics is happening. The students, donned in caps and gowns, hold their diplomas with pride. Simultaneously, a pregnant woman is having an ultrasound, with the doctor pointing to the screen displaying three baby fetuses. The woman is shown looking surprised, while the doctor is smiling. The visual should allude to the connection between the decline in foreign language degrees and the decrease in the likelihood of triplet births.

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

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.
^{Show prompt for explanation} Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how a decrease in Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics caused US birth rates of triplets or more to decrease.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Tongue-Twisters and Triplet Tales: Exploring the Correlation Between Foreign Language Degrees and Triplet Birth Rates in the US

The Journal of Linguistic Puzzles and Pedagogy

Jan 2024

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

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

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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and US birth rates of triplets or more. 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 cite some social media posts you read that seem to be related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Tongue-Twisters and Triplet Tales: Exploring the Correlation Between Foreign Language Degrees and Triplet Birth Rates in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing relationship between the number of Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States. While the subject matter may seem whimsical at first glance, our research team delved deep into the data to uncover any potential connections between linguistic proficiency and multiple births. Using information from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the period between 2012 and 2021, we applied statistical analysis to unravel this peculiar correlation.

With a correlation coefficient of 0.9729070 and a p-value less than 0.01, our findings demonstrate a surprisingly strong association between the two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Could it be that studying foreign languages stimulates the brain in such a way that it leads to an increased likelihood of conceiving triplets? Or perhaps the romanticism of foreign literature sparks a surge in family planning whimsy? While our investigation does not offer a definitive explanation for this unexpected correlation, it certainly invites a humorous speculation. This study sheds light on the playful side of statistical analysis and prompts further inquiry into the fantastical world of seemingly unrelated trends.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The pursuit of knowledge often leads researchers down unexpected paths, and none more whimsical than the exploration of the correlation between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States. While some may scoff at the notion of probing the link between linguistic studies and multiple births, our research endeavors to unravel the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of statistical data.
It is widely known that a foreign language can open doors to new cultures, literature, and, perhaps unsurprisingly, unexpected statistical trends. In our endeavor, we aim to offer a lighthearted yet rigorous examination of this unlikely pair, acknowledging the potential for tongue-in-cheek interpretations while upholding the fundamental principles of scientific inquiry. After all, as researchers, we must navigate through the labyrinth of statistical analysis with a sense of humor, lest we find ourselves lost in a maze of correlation coefficients and p-values.
As we embark on this scholarly escapade, we invite our readers to indulge in the peculiar intersections of research and levity, for who knew that foreign language degrees and triplet birth rates would find themselves entangled in such an unexpected waltz of statistics? This study stands as a testament to the unpredictable, yet undeniably amusing, nature of research, where the whimsical can intersect with the empirical with surprising frequency. So, dear reader, fasten your seatbelts and brace yourselves for a journey through the delightful and data-driven domains of linguistic studies and family planning, where statistical significance meets storytelling in an unlikely embrace.
With statistical software as our compass and academic rigor as our guiding star, let us venture forth to uncover the unexpected correlations that lie beneath the surface of seemingly disparate phenomena. For as Albert Einstein once quipped, "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." And what could be more mysterious and artful than the unexpectedly intertwined threads of foreign language degrees and triplet birth rates?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The curious correlation between Bachelor's degrees in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more has piqued the interest of scholars and enthusiasts alike. While many at first glance may question the plausibility of any connection between the majesty of multilingual mastery and the marvel of multiple births, the literature offers some surprising insights that we simply can't gloss over.

In "Smith et al.'s Linguistic Luminescence," the authors find that a deep dive into the world of foreign language studies can cultivate not only linguistic prowess but also an appreciation for the nuances of communication. As we wade into the linguistic ocean, we're struck by the inescapable realization that multiple births, much like the intricacies of language, are a marvel to behold. The link between the two becomes as clear as the grammar rules in a language with only seven irregular verbs - almost nonexistent, but not entirely absent.

Further shedding light on the subject, "Doe and Jones' Polyglot Paradox" delves into the possibility that the multitudinous nature of multiple births could potentially find a parallel in the complex tapestry of linguistic diversity. It appears that the more linguistic paths one treads, the greater the chance of stumbling upon unexpected correlations, much like stumbling upon a rare dialect spoken exclusively by left-handed individuals on a remote island.

Moving onto relevant non-fiction literature, "The Language Instinct" by Steven Pinker and "Babel: Around the World in 20 Languages" by Gaston Dorren provide a backdrop to our investigation, drawing attention to the vast array of languages and the fertility of linguistic diversity. And who can forget the timeless classics, "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, which offer a tantalizing glimpse into the world of foreign literatures that may have inadvertently birthed not only memorable stories but also unexpected statistical phenomena.

In a more unconventional turn, social media has also contributed its own unique perspectives. A tweet by @TripletTales muses, "Could the allure of linguistic allure lead to a trio of tiny tyrants terrorizing your tidy town? #TongueTwistersAndTripletTales," drawing attention to the potential consequences of dabbling in linguistic sorcery and its probable impact on family planning - a thought both whimsical and worryingly plausible.

As we immerse ourselves in the colorful tapestry of linguistic pursuits and curious childbirth statistics, it becomes increasingly evident that the intersection of these seemingly disparate realms holds the potential for amusement and insight. The literature, much like the unfolding chapters of an unexpected novel, invites us to embrace the delightful absurdity of this correlation, prompting a realization that statistical analysis, much like life itself, has a wondrous way of surprising us at every turn.

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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and US birth rates of triplets or more. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National Center for Education Statistics and CDC . 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]]
Tongue-Twisters and Triplet Tales: Exploring the Correlation Between Foreign Language Degrees and Triplet Birth Rates in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing relationship between the number of Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States. While the subject matter may seem whimsical at first glance, our research team delved deep into the data to uncover any potential connections between linguistic proficiency and multiple births. Using information from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the period between 2012 and 2021, we applied statistical analysis to unravel this peculiar correlation.

With a correlation coefficient of 0.9729070 and a p-value less than 0.01, our findings demonstrate a surprisingly strong association between the two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Could it be that studying foreign languages stimulates the brain in such a way that it leads to an increased likelihood of conceiving triplets? Or perhaps the romanticism of foreign literature sparks a surge in family planning whimsy? While our investigation does not offer a definitive explanation for this unexpected correlation, it certainly invites a humorous speculation. This study sheds light on the playful side of statistical analysis and prompts further inquiry into the fantastical world of seemingly unrelated trends.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The pursuit of knowledge often leads researchers down unexpected paths, and none more whimsical than the exploration of the correlation between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States. While some may scoff at the notion of probing the link between linguistic studies and multiple births, our research endeavors to unravel the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of statistical data.
It is widely known that a foreign language can open doors to new cultures, literature, and, perhaps unsurprisingly, unexpected statistical trends. In our endeavor, we aim to offer a lighthearted yet rigorous examination of this unlikely pair, acknowledging the potential for tongue-in-cheek interpretations while upholding the fundamental principles of scientific inquiry. After all, as researchers, we must navigate through the labyrinth of statistical analysis with a sense of humor, lest we find ourselves lost in a maze of correlation coefficients and p-values.
As we embark on this scholarly escapade, we invite our readers to indulge in the peculiar intersections of research and levity, for who knew that foreign language degrees and triplet birth rates would find themselves entangled in such an unexpected waltz of statistics? This study stands as a testament to the unpredictable, yet undeniably amusing, nature of research, where the whimsical can intersect with the empirical with surprising frequency. So, dear reader, fasten your seatbelts and brace yourselves for a journey through the delightful and data-driven domains of linguistic studies and family planning, where statistical significance meets storytelling in an unlikely embrace.
With statistical software as our compass and academic rigor as our guiding star, let us venture forth to uncover the unexpected correlations that lie beneath the surface of seemingly disparate phenomena. For as Albert Einstein once quipped, "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." And what could be more mysterious and artful than the unexpectedly intertwined threads of foreign language degrees and triplet birth rates?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To untangle the enigmatic relationship between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States, our research team embarked on a whimsical yet methodologically rigorous journey. Our data collection process involved mining the depths of the internet, navigating through a sea of websites and databases, and occasionally feeling like intrepid explorers in search of statistical treasure. We primarily sourced our information from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), embracing the digital age's bounty of data while resisting the temptation to fall into the information overload abyss (a perilous place where many a researcher has lost their way).

As we sifted through the data from 2012 to 2021, we faced the perennial challenge of distinguishing signal from noise, akin to separating pearls of statistical wisdom from the sand of arbitrary fluctuations. Our statistical analysis involved intricate dances with software tools designed to wrangle, massage, and scrutinize data with the precision of a linguistic aficionado parsing through intricate prose. We spared no effort in rigorously accounting for potential confounding variables, ensuring that our analysis remained as clear and unambiguous as a well-articulated foreign language sentence.

The data on Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics were scrutinized with the fervor of a language enthusiast dissecting the nuances of grammar, while the birth rates of triplets or more were carefully scrutinized with the attention to detail one might expect from a triplet birth announcement. Each dataset was treated with the respect and diligence it deserved, as we sought to uncover any subtle connections lurking beneath the surface.

After collating the data and performing the requisite data sorcery—also known as statistical analysis—we derived correlation coefficients and p-values with the singular focus of a codebreaker deciphering an encoded message. The correlations were scrutinized with the discerning eye of an editor examining a particularly complicated piece of literature, and we proudly emerged with a correlation coefficient of 0.9729070 and a p-value less than 0.01. We knew we were onto something remarkable, akin to stumbling upon a rare linguistic quirk in a foreign text.

Throughout the entire research process, we endeavored to maintain a lighthearted spirit, recognizing that scientific inquiry need not always be a solemn affair. Instead, we embraced the playful side of statistical analysis, all while upholding the hallowed tenets of sound research methodology. After all, who says statistical analyses can't have flair and pizzazz? It's not every day that one gets to marry the art of statistical inquiry with the whimsy of linguistic explorations, and we relished every moment of this peculiar intellectual waltz.

In conclusion, our methodology encompassed a blend of scholarly rigor and good-natured whimsy, akin to a well-versed polyglot playfully engaging with the nuances of language. This approach allowed us to embark on a scholarly escapade unlike any other, uncovering the unexpectedly delightful correlations that lie at the intersection of linguistic studies and family planning.

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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and US birth rates of triplets or more. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
Tongue-Twisters and Triplet Tales: Exploring the Correlation Between Foreign Language Degrees and Triplet Birth Rates in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing relationship between the number of Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States. While the subject matter may seem whimsical at first glance, our research team delved deep into the data to uncover any potential connections between linguistic proficiency and multiple births. Using information from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the period between 2012 and 2021, we applied statistical analysis to unravel this peculiar correlation.

With a correlation coefficient of 0.9729070 and a p-value less than 0.01, our findings demonstrate a surprisingly strong association between the two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Could it be that studying foreign languages stimulates the brain in such a way that it leads to an increased likelihood of conceiving triplets? Or perhaps the romanticism of foreign literature sparks a surge in family planning whimsy? While our investigation does not offer a definitive explanation for this unexpected correlation, it certainly invites a humorous speculation. This study sheds light on the playful side of statistical analysis and prompts further inquiry into the fantastical world of seemingly unrelated trends.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The curious correlation between Bachelor's degrees in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more has piqued the interest of scholars and enthusiasts alike. While many at first glance may question the plausibility of any connection between the majesty of multilingual mastery and the marvel of multiple births, the literature offers some surprising insights that we simply can't gloss over.
In "Smith et al.'s Linguistic Luminescence," the authors find that a deep dive into the world of foreign language studies can cultivate not only linguistic prowess but also an appreciation for the nuances of communication. As we wade into the linguistic ocean, we're struck by the inescapable realization that multiple births, much like the intricacies of language, are a marvel to behold. The link between the two becomes as clear as the grammar rules in a language with only seven irregular verbs - almost nonexistent, but not entirely absent.
Further shedding light on the subject, "Doe and Jones' Polyglot Paradox" delves into the possibility that the multitudinous nature of multiple births could potentially find a parallel in the complex tapestry of linguistic diversity. It appears that the more linguistic paths one treads, the greater the chance of stumbling upon unexpected correlations, much like stumbling upon a rare dialect spoken exclusively by left-handed individuals on a remote island.
Moving onto relevant non-fiction literature, "The Language Instinct" by Steven Pinker and "Babel: Around the World in 20 Languages" by Gaston Dorren provide a backdrop to our investigation, drawing attention to the vast array of languages and the fertility of linguistic diversity. And who can forget the timeless classics, "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, which offer a tantalizing glimpse into the world of foreign literatures that may have inadvertently birthed not only memorable stories but also unexpected statistical phenomena.
In a more unconventional turn, social media has also contributed its own unique perspectives. A tweet by @TripletTales muses, "Could the allure of linguistic allure lead to a trio of tiny tyrants terrorizing your tidy town? #TongueTwistersAndTripletTales," drawing attention to the potential consequences of dabbling in linguistic sorcery and its probable impact on family planning - a thought both whimsical and worryingly plausible.
As we immerse ourselves in the colorful tapestry of linguistic pursuits and curious childbirth statistics, it becomes increasingly evident that the intersection of these seemingly disparate realms holds the potential for amusement and insight. The literature, much like the unfolding chapters of an unexpected novel, invites us to embrace the delightful absurdity of this correlation, prompting a realization that statistical analysis, much like life itself, has a wondrous way of surprising us at every turn.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our investigation into the correlation between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States have left the research team both bewildered and bemused. The correlation coefficient of 0.9729070 suggests a robust relationship between these two seemingly incongruous variables, prompting a chorus of raised eyebrows and curious chuckles in the hallowed halls of academia. The r-squared value of 0.9465481 further supports the solidity of this connection, leaving us with the realization that truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
Fig. 1 offers a visual depiction of this unexpected dalliance between linguistic prowess and the proliferation of triplet bundles. The scatterplot resembles a whimsical work of art, with data points frolicking in a dance of statistical significance. As we gazed upon this graphical representation, we couldn't help but marvel at the unanticipated harmony between foreign language achievements and the joyous chaos of triplet births.
It is essential to note that a p-value of less than 0.01 underscores the statistical significance of our findings. This means that the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship between foreign language degrees and triplet birth rates by random chance alone is, well, less likely than finding a four-leaf clover in a field of statistical inquiries.
In conclusion, our research has brought to light a correlation that undoubtedly tickles the funny bone of statistical aficionados and linguaphiles alike. While we may not have unraveled the enigma behind this whimsical association, our findings serve as a testament to the delightful surprises that await those who dare to tread the path of scientific inquiry with a dash of humor and a twirl of curiosity.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our investigation into the correlation between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States has unveiled a connection that is as intriguing as it is unexpected. While some might wave off the idea of a linguistic lilt leading to a litter of triplets as sheer folly, our findings, much like a well-timed knock-knock joke, have left us pleasantly surprised.

It's rather comical how our results support the prior research that we initially treated as fanciful fodder for academic banter. Smith et al.'s "Linguistic Luminescence" seemed to metaphorically wave a semaphore signal in a sea of linguistic studies, beckoning us to recognize the possibility of a link between the eloquence of foreign languages and the eloquence of triplet births. Similarly, Doe and Jones' "Polyglot Paradox" played a figurative game of hopscotch with our minds, leading us to consider the strategic leaps of logic required to connect the complexities of linguistics with the complexities of multiple births. It's as if the punchline to a statistical joke has been revealed, and we find ourselves nodding in both amusement and awe.

The picturesque scatterplot presented in Fig. 1 is akin to a Monet painting of statistical intrigue, with data points dancing like mischievous sprites in a forest of hypothesis testing. The subtle nuances of statistical significance tease our senses much like the unexpected twist at the end of a suspenseful thriller. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9729070 and an r-squared value of 0.9465481, our findings not only support, but practically shout from the rooftops, the validity of this whimsical correlation.

The p-value of less than 0.01 is the exclamation mark at the end of a well-crafted pun, emphasizing the unlikelihood of this remarkable relationship being mere happenstance. This finding is more surprising than discovering that the square root of negative one had been secretly dating pi all along, hidden in the depths of number theory.

As we ponder the implications of our study, we find ourselves reminded of the age-old question: Which came first, the linguistic proficiency or the triplet conception? Could the eloquence of foreign languages be so alluring that it leads to a symphony of biological symmetries? Or perhaps there is a delightful, albeit statistically improbable, harmony between the intricacies of linguistic exploration and the wondrous chaos of triplet tales that our analysis has brought to light.

In conclusion, the correlations we have uncovered are a testament to the enchanting quirks that reside within the annals of statistical inquiry. This exploration, much like a carnival of curiosities, nudges us to embrace the vibrant unpredictability of statistical relationships, reminding us that sometimes the most fantastical connections are found in the unlikeliest of places. As we stand at this crossroads of linguistic wonderment and familial fascination, we are prompted to recognize that statistical analysis, much like the quirkiness of life, often holds a whimsical surprise or two for those willing to peer through the looking glass of data and dare to ask, "What if?"

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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and US birth rates of triplets or more. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Tongue-Twisters and Triplet Tales: Exploring the Correlation Between Foreign Language Degrees and Triplet Birth Rates in the US

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the intriguing relationship between the number of Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States. While the subject matter may seem whimsical at first glance, our research team delved deep into the data to uncover any potential connections between linguistic proficiency and multiple births. Using information from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the period between 2012 and 2021, we applied statistical analysis to unravel this peculiar correlation.

With a correlation coefficient of 0.9729070 and a p-value less than 0.01, our findings demonstrate a surprisingly strong association between the two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Could it be that studying foreign languages stimulates the brain in such a way that it leads to an increased likelihood of conceiving triplets? Or perhaps the romanticism of foreign literature sparks a surge in family planning whimsy? While our investigation does not offer a definitive explanation for this unexpected correlation, it certainly invites a humorous speculation. This study sheds light on the playful side of statistical analysis and prompts further inquiry into the fantastical world of seemingly unrelated trends.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The pursuit of knowledge often leads researchers down unexpected paths, and none more whimsical than the exploration of the correlation between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States. While some may scoff at the notion of probing the link between linguistic studies and multiple births, our research endeavors to unravel the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of statistical data.
It is widely known that a foreign language can open doors to new cultures, literature, and, perhaps unsurprisingly, unexpected statistical trends. In our endeavor, we aim to offer a lighthearted yet rigorous examination of this unlikely pair, acknowledging the potential for tongue-in-cheek interpretations while upholding the fundamental principles of scientific inquiry. After all, as researchers, we must navigate through the labyrinth of statistical analysis with a sense of humor, lest we find ourselves lost in a maze of correlation coefficients and p-values.
As we embark on this scholarly escapade, we invite our readers to indulge in the peculiar intersections of research and levity, for who knew that foreign language degrees and triplet birth rates would find themselves entangled in such an unexpected waltz of statistics? This study stands as a testament to the unpredictable, yet undeniably amusing, nature of research, where the whimsical can intersect with the empirical with surprising frequency. So, dear reader, fasten your seatbelts and brace yourselves for a journey through the delightful and data-driven domains of linguistic studies and family planning, where statistical significance meets storytelling in an unlikely embrace.
With statistical software as our compass and academic rigor as our guiding star, let us venture forth to uncover the unexpected correlations that lie beneath the surface of seemingly disparate phenomena. For as Albert Einstein once quipped, "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." And what could be more mysterious and artful than the unexpectedly intertwined threads of foreign language degrees and triplet birth rates?

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our investigation into the correlation between Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States have left the research team both bewildered and bemused. The correlation coefficient of 0.9729070 suggests a robust relationship between these two seemingly incongruous variables, prompting a chorus of raised eyebrows and curious chuckles in the hallowed halls of academia. The r-squared value of 0.9465481 further supports the solidity of this connection, leaving us with the realization that truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
Fig. 1 offers a visual depiction of this unexpected dalliance between linguistic prowess and the proliferation of triplet bundles. The scatterplot resembles a whimsical work of art, with data points frolicking in a dance of statistical significance. As we gazed upon this graphical representation, we couldn't help but marvel at the unanticipated harmony between foreign language achievements and the joyous chaos of triplet births.
It is essential to note that a p-value of less than 0.01 underscores the statistical significance of our findings. This means that the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship between foreign language degrees and triplet birth rates by random chance alone is, well, less likely than finding a four-leaf clover in a field of statistical inquiries.
In conclusion, our research has brought to light a correlation that undoubtedly tickles the funny bone of statistical aficionados and linguaphiles alike. While we may not have unraveled the enigma behind this whimsical association, our findings serve as a testament to the delightful surprises that await those who dare to tread the path of scientific inquiry with a dash of humor and a twirl of curiosity.

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Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In wrapping up our investigation into the perplexing interplay between Bachelor's degrees in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States, we find ourselves tickled by the whimsy of our findings. The robust correlation coefficient of 0.9729070 points to a connection that is as unexpected as finding Bigfoot sipping tea with the Loch Ness Monster in a statistically significant cafe. Our r-squared value of 0.9465481 further solidifies the notion that truth is indeed stranger than fiction, especially when it comes to the unanticipated alignment of linguistic expertise and the proliferation of triplet bundles.

As we contemplated our scatterplot, we couldn't help but envision a statistical ballet unfolding before our very eyes, with data points pirouetting with grace and aplomb. This visual representation is a testament to the harmonious chaos that arises when foreign language proficiency meets the joyous bedlam of triplet births.

Furthermore, our p-value of less than 0.01 acts as a neon sign highlighting the statistical significance of this quirky correlation. Essentially, the likelihood of stumbling upon such a strong relationship by mere chance is about as probable as finding a statistical unicorn galloping through a realm of correlation coefficients.

Where does this leave us, you may ask? Our investigation sheds light on the delightful surprises that await those who venture into the terrain of scientific inquiry with a sprinkle of light-heartedness and an ounce of curiosity. While we may not have unraveled the ultimate mystery behind this whimsical association, our findings invite a chuckle and a smirk, serving as a testament to the serendipitous twists and turns that permeate the realm of statistical analysis.

In conclusion, our research paints a portrait of the charming fusion of rigorous investigation and levity, reminding us that science need not always be solemn but can also embrace the joyous dance of the unexpected. And as for future research in this area, we assert with a wink and a nod that no further inquiry is needed—after all, some mysteries are best left to the whimsy of statistical whims.

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 Tongue-Twisters and Triplet Tales: Exploring the Correlation Between Foreign Language Degrees and Triplet Birth Rates in the US. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Linguistic Puzzles and Pedagogy

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 Tongue-Twisters and Triplet Tales: Exploring the Correlation Between Foreign Language Degrees and Triplet Birth Rates in the US. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

Linguistic Studies Institute

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 Tongue-Twisters and Triplet Tales: Exploring the Correlation Between Foreign Language Degrees and Triplet Birth Rates in the US with an abstract of This paper investigates the intriguing relationship between the number of Bachelor's degrees awarded in Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics and the birth rates of triplets or more in the United States. While the subject matter may seem whimsical at first glance, our research team delved deep into the data to uncover any potential connections between linguistic proficiency and multiple births. Using information from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the period between 2012 and 2021, we applied statistical analysis to unravel this peculiar correlation.
With a correlation coefficient of 0.9729070 and a p-value less than 0.01, our findings demonstrate a surprisingly strong association between the two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Could it be that studying foreign languages stimulates the brain in such a way that it leads to an increased likelihood of conceiving triplets? Or perhaps the romanticism of foreign literature sparks a surge in family planning whimsy? While our investigation does not offer a definitive explanation for this unexpected correlation, it certainly invites a humorous speculation. This study sheds light on the playful side of statistical analysis and prompts further inquiry into the fantastical world of seemingly unrelated trends.

ChatGPT:

foreign language degrees, linguistics degrees, triplet birth rates, correlation, United States, National Center for Education Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, statistical analysis, correlation coefficient, p-value, brain stimulation, family planning, whimsy, statistical analysis

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

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Data details

Bachelor's degrees awarded in linguistics
Detailed data title: Bachelor's degrees conferred by postsecondary institutions, in field of study: Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
See what else correlates with Bachelor's degrees awarded in linguistics

US birth rates of triplets or more
Source: CDC
See what else correlates with US birth rates of triplets or more

Correlation r = 0.9729070 (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 = 0.9465481 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 94.7% of the change in the one variable (i.e., US birth rates of triplets or more) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Bachelor's degrees awarded in linguistics) over the 10 years from 2012 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.3E-6.^Show 0.0000022814723786189450000000
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme.^Note More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.97 in 0.00023% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 438,313 random variables^Note You don't actually need 438 thousand variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

p-value calculations are useful for understanding the probability of a result happening by chance. They are most useful when used to highlight the risk of a fluke outcome. For example, if you calculate a p-value of 0.30, the risk that the result is a fluke is high. It is good to know that! But there are lots of ways to get a p-value of less than 0.01, as evidenced by this project.

In this particular case, the values are so extreme as to be meaningless. That's why no one reports p-values with specificity after they drop below 0.01.

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 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.

[ 0.89, 0.99 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
^{Read more about the confidence interval} The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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

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

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

	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Bachelor's degrees awarded in linguistics (Degrees awarded)	21756	21647	20332	19493	18436	17643	16957	16605	16309	15518
US birth rates of triplets or more (Birth rate per 100,000)	124.4	119.5	113.5	103.6	101.4	101.6	93	87.7	79.6	80

Why this works

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

Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([21756,21647,20332,19493,18436,17643,16957,16605,16309,15518,])
array_2 = np.array([124.4,119.5,113.5,103.6,101.4,101.6,93,87.7,79.6,80,])
array_1_name = "Bachelor's degrees awarded in linguistics"
array_2_name = "US birth rates of triplets or more"

# 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 Bachelor's degrees awarded in linguistics
Line chart for only US birth rates of triplets or more
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Tongue-Twisters and Triplet Tales: Exploring the Correlation Between Foreign Language Degrees and Triplet Birth Rates in the US

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Correlation ID: 2976 · Black Variable ID: 1277 · Red Variable ID: 55


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