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Spurious correlation #3,055 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina and the second variable is The number of tax preparers in Mississippi.  The chart goes from 2005 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

Due to the sheer volume of games Messi played, the space-time continuum around him expanded, leading to a ripple effect that inexplicably drew more people into the tax preparation field in Mississippi. It seems even tax preparers couldn't resist the pull of Messi's mesmerizing play!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Prompt: Generate a futuristic scene set on a bustling street in Mississippi, where a crowd of eager soccer fans gathers around a large screen showing Lionel Messi playing for Argentina. As Messi's match count increases, the excitement grows, drawing more and more people into the world of soccer. In the background, a line forms outside a tax preparation office, with multiple tax preparers bustling about inside, ready to assist the new influx of sports enthusiasts with their financial needs. The scene is bathed in a neon glow, portraying a blend of sports enthusiasm and practical, everyday activities against a backdrop of futuristic architecture and technology. 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: Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina and The number of tax preparers in Mississippi. 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: A comic-book-style illustration with muted colors and a dotted halftone pattern from the 1960s a Polaroid photo Futuristic Art nouveau 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 Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina and The number of tax preparers in Mississippi, in the following situation: Because as Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina increases, more people become interested in soccer. This increased interest in the sport leads to a higher demand for tax preparers in Mississippi, as they need to be well-versed in handling the tax implications of sports-related income and investments. So, Messi's soccer prowess indirectly causes an uptick in tax preparers in Mississippi to ensure all the soccer fans are handling their finances properly.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: On a bustling street in Mississippi, a crowd of eager soccer fans gathers around a large screen showing Lionel Messi playing for Argentina. As Messi's match count increases, the excitement grows, drawing more and more people into the world of soccer. In the background, a line forms outside a tax preparation office, with multiple tax preparers bustling about inside, ready to assist the new influx of sports enthusiasts with their financial needs.

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: On a bustling street in Mississippi, a crowd of eager soccer fans gathers around a large screen showing Lionel Messi playing for Argentina. As Messi's match count increases, the excitement grows, drawing more and more people into the world of soccer. In the background, a line forms outside a tax preparation office, with multiple tax preparers bustling about inside, ready to assist the new influx of sports enthusiasts with their financial needs. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Prompt: Generate a futuristic scene set on a bustling street in Mississippi, where a crowd of eager soccer fans gathers around a large screen showing Lionel Messi playing for Argentina. As Messi's match count increases, the excitement grows, drawing more and more people into the world of soccer. In the background, a line forms outside a tax preparation office, with multiple tax preparers bustling about inside, ready to assist the new influx of sports enthusiasts with their financial needs. The scene is bathed in a neon glow, portraying a blend of sports enthusiasm and practical, everyday activities against a backdrop of futuristic architecture and technology.

*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 an increase in Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina caused The number of tax preparers in Mississippi to increase. Add a funny one-liner at the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi

The Journal of Sports Economics and Unlikely Correlations

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 dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You 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 Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina and The number of tax preparers in Mississippi. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

Your research team used data from Wikipedia and Bureau of Larbor Statistics to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 for 2005 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]]
The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to delve into the unexplored territory of the correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. By utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 was found for the years 2005 to 2022. This unexpected and seemingly absurd association prompted us to unleash our statistical prowess and delve into the comical, yet compelling world of sports and economics. The findings shed light on the potential influence of Messi's performance on the demand for tax preparers, raising eyebrows and prompting a chuckle or two among the scholarly community. While these results may seem whimsical at first glance, they underscore the importance of considering multifaceted influences on regional labor demands and the playful possibilities hidden within unexpected data relationships.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the 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 Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina and The number of tax preparers in Mississippi. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to delve into the unexplored territory of the correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. By utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 was found for the years 2005 to 2022. This unexpected and seemingly absurd association prompted us to unleash our statistical prowess and delve into the comical, yet compelling world of sports and economics. The findings shed light on the potential influence of Messi's performance on the demand for tax preparers, raising eyebrows and prompting a chuckle or two among the scholarly community. While these results may seem whimsical at first glance, they underscore the importance of considering multifaceted influences on regional labor demands and the playful possibilities hidden within unexpected data relationships.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
The relationship between sports and economics has been a topic of great intrigue and amusement for researchers and enthusiasts alike. The unexpected and often comical associations that can arise from exploring the interplay between athletic prowess and economic variables have provided a source of both amusement and intellectual stimulation. In the realm of football, the performance of legendary players such as Lionel Messi has captivated global audiences and sparked the curiosity of researchers seeking to uncover the multifaceted impacts of sports on various aspects of society. Similarly, the field of economics endeavors to unravel the complex web of factors that influence regional labor markets and economic activity.

In a curious juxtaposition of two seemingly unrelated domains, this study sets out to investigate the peculiar correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. The unorthodox nature of this inquiry embodies the spirit of scholarly exploration, as it delves into uncharted territory and challenges conventional notions of causality and correlation. Drawing from data obtained from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this investigation aims to shed light on the whimsical yet thought-provoking intersection of sports and economics.

The unexpected discovery of a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 for the years 2005 to 2022 has piqued our scientific curiosity and invoked a sense of lighthearted wonder. The seemingly absurd nature of this association beckons us to unleash our statistical prowess and venture into the realm of playful scientific inquiry. Indeed, the allure of using rigorous statistical methods to explore an ostensibly whimsical relationship is bound to elicit a wry smile from even the most stoic of researchers.

As we embark on this unlikely journey, it is crucial to recognize the potential implications of such findings. While the initial reaction to the revelation of the Messi Tax Conundrum may provoke a chuckle or two within the scholarly community, the broader implications underscore the significance of considering the intricate web of influences that shape regional labor demands. Therefore, this investigation not only serves as a lighthearted venture into the unexpected, but also underscores the pressing need to encompass diverse and unexpected sources of influence when examining economic phenomena.

In the subsequent sections of this paper, we shall expound upon the methodology employed to derive these unforeseen insights and delve into the underlying mechanisms that may underpin the perplexing correlation between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers. By doing so, we hope to unravel the nuanced interactions that underlie the integration of sports and economics, and to leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the remarkably improbable and humorously enlightening nature of scholarly inquiry.


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina and The number of tax preparers in Mississippi. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, 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 name some movies that you watched that are tangentially related to the topic.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to delve into the unexplored territory of the correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. By utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 was found for the years 2005 to 2022. This unexpected and seemingly absurd association prompted us to unleash our statistical prowess and delve into the comical, yet compelling world of sports and economics. The findings shed light on the potential influence of Messi's performance on the demand for tax preparers, raising eyebrows and prompting a chuckle or two among the scholarly community. While these results may seem whimsical at first glance, they underscore the importance of considering multifaceted influences on regional labor demands and the playful possibilities hidden within unexpected data relationships.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The relationship between sports and economics has been a topic of great intrigue and amusement for researchers and enthusiasts alike. The unexpected and often comical associations that can arise from exploring the interplay between athletic prowess and economic variables have provided a source of both amusement and intellectual stimulation. In the realm of football, the performance of legendary players such as Lionel Messi has captivated global audiences and sparked the curiosity of researchers seeking to uncover the multifaceted impacts of sports on various aspects of society. Similarly, the field of economics endeavors to unravel the complex web of factors that influence regional labor markets and economic activity.
In a curious juxtaposition of two seemingly unrelated domains, this study sets out to investigate the peculiar correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. The unorthodox nature of this inquiry embodies the spirit of scholarly exploration, as it delves into uncharted territory and challenges conventional notions of causality and correlation. Drawing from data obtained from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this investigation aims to shed light on the whimsical yet thought-provoking intersection of sports and economics.
The unexpected discovery of a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 for the years 2005 to 2022 has piqued our scientific curiosity and invoked a sense of lighthearted wonder. The seemingly absurd nature of this association beckons us to unleash our statistical prowess and venture into the realm of playful scientific inquiry. Indeed, the allure of using rigorous statistical methods to explore an ostensibly whimsical relationship is bound to elicit a wry smile from even the most stoic of researchers.
As we embark on this unlikely journey, it is crucial to recognize the potential implications of such findings. While the initial reaction to the revelation of the Messi Tax Conundrum may provoke a chuckle or two within the scholarly community, the broader implications underscore the significance of considering the intricate web of influences that shape regional labor demands. Therefore, this investigation not only serves as a lighthearted venture into the unexpected, but also underscores the pressing need to encompass diverse and unexpected sources of influence when examining economic phenomena.
In the subsequent sections of this paper, we shall expound upon the methodology employed to derive these unforeseen insights and delve into the underlying mechanisms that may underpin the perplexing correlation between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers. By doing so, we hope to unravel the nuanced interactions that underlie the integration of sports and economics, and to leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the remarkably improbable and humorously enlightening nature of scholarly inquiry.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

In "Smith et al. (2015)," the authors find a significant association between sports performance and regional labor demand, laying the groundwork for unconventional investigations into the intersection of athletic prowess and economic variables. Similarly, "Doe and Johnson (2018)" expound upon the intricate web of influencers that shape labor markets, heralding the importance of considering multifaceted influences in economic analyses.

Moving beyond traditional literature sources, the exploration of this unorthodox correlation implores us to seek inspiration from a variety of fields. For instance, "Moneyball" by Michael Lewis and "Freakonomics" by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner provide insights into the capricious nature of statistical relationships and the unexpected influences that underpin conventional phenomena. On the lighter side, Mark Manson's "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" reminds us to approach scholarly inquiry with a healthy dose of irreverence and humor.

In a similar vein, the world of fiction offers a smorgasbord of literature that may yield unexpected parallels to our inquiry. The fictional tale of "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald conjures notions of opulence and excess, much like the seemingly lavish association between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers. Additionally, the philosophical musings in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll prompt reflection on the whimsical and often absurd nature of correlations that elude conventional explanation.

Furthermore, our foray into unexpected correlations is complemented by cinematic encounters that provide unexpected insights. From the convoluted narratives in "Inception" to the slapstick comedy of "Dumb and Dumber," the intersection of sports and economics has been a recurring theme in popular culture, albeit often in a light-hearted and satirical manner.

In synthesizing the scholarly, fictional, and cinematic landscapes, we aim to infuse our investigation with a dash of levity and a pinch of whimsy, acknowledging the playful yet thought-provoking dynamics that underpin the Messi Tax Conundrum. This departure from traditional research endeavors not only challenges conventional notions of scholarly inquiry but also instills a sense of mirth and wonder into the fabric of academic exploration.


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina and The number of tax preparers in Mississippi. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, 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 Wikipedia and Bureau of Larbor Statistics . You used data from 2005 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]]
The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to delve into the unexplored territory of the correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. By utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 was found for the years 2005 to 2022. This unexpected and seemingly absurd association prompted us to unleash our statistical prowess and delve into the comical, yet compelling world of sports and economics. The findings shed light on the potential influence of Messi's performance on the demand for tax preparers, raising eyebrows and prompting a chuckle or two among the scholarly community. While these results may seem whimsical at first glance, they underscore the importance of considering multifaceted influences on regional labor demands and the playful possibilities hidden within unexpected data relationships.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The relationship between sports and economics has been a topic of great intrigue and amusement for researchers and enthusiasts alike. The unexpected and often comical associations that can arise from exploring the interplay between athletic prowess and economic variables have provided a source of both amusement and intellectual stimulation. In the realm of football, the performance of legendary players such as Lionel Messi has captivated global audiences and sparked the curiosity of researchers seeking to uncover the multifaceted impacts of sports on various aspects of society. Similarly, the field of economics endeavors to unravel the complex web of factors that influence regional labor markets and economic activity.
In a curious juxtaposition of two seemingly unrelated domains, this study sets out to investigate the peculiar correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. The unorthodox nature of this inquiry embodies the spirit of scholarly exploration, as it delves into uncharted territory and challenges conventional notions of causality and correlation. Drawing from data obtained from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this investigation aims to shed light on the whimsical yet thought-provoking intersection of sports and economics.
The unexpected discovery of a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 for the years 2005 to 2022 has piqued our scientific curiosity and invoked a sense of lighthearted wonder. The seemingly absurd nature of this association beckons us to unleash our statistical prowess and venture into the realm of playful scientific inquiry. Indeed, the allure of using rigorous statistical methods to explore an ostensibly whimsical relationship is bound to elicit a wry smile from even the most stoic of researchers.
As we embark on this unlikely journey, it is crucial to recognize the potential implications of such findings. While the initial reaction to the revelation of the Messi Tax Conundrum may provoke a chuckle or two within the scholarly community, the broader implications underscore the significance of considering the intricate web of influences that shape regional labor demands. Therefore, this investigation not only serves as a lighthearted venture into the unexpected, but also underscores the pressing need to encompass diverse and unexpected sources of influence when examining economic phenomena.
In the subsequent sections of this paper, we shall expound upon the methodology employed to derive these unforeseen insights and delve into the underlying mechanisms that may underpin the perplexing correlation between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers. By doing so, we hope to unravel the nuanced interactions that underlie the integration of sports and economics, and to leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the remarkably improbable and humorously enlightening nature of scholarly inquiry.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

The methodology employed in this research endeavor entailed a convoluted yet meticulously executed approach to unravel the enigmatic relationship between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. The utilization of data spanning the years 2005 to 2022 from sources including Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics formed the foundation upon which this exploration of the lighthearted yet compelling nexus of sports and economics rested.

First and foremost, our research team embarked on a digital odyssey across the vast expanse of the internet, where the fount of knowledge known as Wikipedia revealed meticulously cataloged records of Lionel Messi's match appearances with the Argentina national football team. The aggregation and verification of these data points provided the essential quantitative basis for our investigation into the whimsical intersection of Messi's athletic exploits and regional economic phenomena.

Simultaneously, the Bureau of Labor Statistics emerged as a stalwart bastion of empirical economic data, offering insightful glimpses into the labor market dynamics of the state of Mississippi. Through the perusal of occupational employment statistics and the employment and wage estimates for various professions, including tax preparers, our research team navigated the labyrinthine corridors of economic data to ascertain the trends and fluctuations in labor demand that underpin the captivating correlation at the heart of this inquiry.

Upon meticulously assembling the disparate yet complementary datasets from these sources, the subsequent steps of our methodological escapade beckoned the employment of robust statistical techniques to unearth the concealed interplay between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers. Utilizing the venerable statistical software, the data underwent rigorous scrutiny through correlation analyses and regression modeling, culminating in the revelation of a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and a p-value below 0.01. This unexpected and statistically robust finding cast a beguiling aura of amusement and intellectual intrigue over our research team, prompting a playful yet purposeful foray into the lighthearted realm of elucidating the Messi Tax Conundrum.

It is imperative to underscore the playful yet profound nature of our pursuit, as it underscores the captivating potential hidden within inexplicable data relationships and the unparalleled joy derived from unearthing the unexpected. As we journey forth into the subsequent sections of our scholarly exposition, the rich tapestry of statistical analyses and theoretical discourse shall unfurl, unveiling the kaleidoscopic array of whimsical yet thought-provoking insights awaiting discovery within the seemingly disparate realms of sports and economics.


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina and The number of tax preparers in Mississippi. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, 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 Wikipedia and Bureau of Larbor Statistics .

For the time period 2005 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.7968685, r-squared of 0.6349994, 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]]
The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to delve into the unexplored territory of the correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. By utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 was found for the years 2005 to 2022. This unexpected and seemingly absurd association prompted us to unleash our statistical prowess and delve into the comical, yet compelling world of sports and economics. The findings shed light on the potential influence of Messi's performance on the demand for tax preparers, raising eyebrows and prompting a chuckle or two among the scholarly community. While these results may seem whimsical at first glance, they underscore the importance of considering multifaceted influences on regional labor demands and the playful possibilities hidden within unexpected data relationships.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The relationship between sports and economics has been a topic of great intrigue and amusement for researchers and enthusiasts alike. The unexpected and often comical associations that can arise from exploring the interplay between athletic prowess and economic variables have provided a source of both amusement and intellectual stimulation. In the realm of football, the performance of legendary players such as Lionel Messi has captivated global audiences and sparked the curiosity of researchers seeking to uncover the multifaceted impacts of sports on various aspects of society. Similarly, the field of economics endeavors to unravel the complex web of factors that influence regional labor markets and economic activity.
In a curious juxtaposition of two seemingly unrelated domains, this study sets out to investigate the peculiar correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. The unorthodox nature of this inquiry embodies the spirit of scholarly exploration, as it delves into uncharted territory and challenges conventional notions of causality and correlation. Drawing from data obtained from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this investigation aims to shed light on the whimsical yet thought-provoking intersection of sports and economics.
The unexpected discovery of a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 for the years 2005 to 2022 has piqued our scientific curiosity and invoked a sense of lighthearted wonder. The seemingly absurd nature of this association beckons us to unleash our statistical prowess and venture into the realm of playful scientific inquiry. Indeed, the allure of using rigorous statistical methods to explore an ostensibly whimsical relationship is bound to elicit a wry smile from even the most stoic of researchers.
As we embark on this unlikely journey, it is crucial to recognize the potential implications of such findings. While the initial reaction to the revelation of the Messi Tax Conundrum may provoke a chuckle or two within the scholarly community, the broader implications underscore the significance of considering the intricate web of influences that shape regional labor demands. Therefore, this investigation not only serves as a lighthearted venture into the unexpected, but also underscores the pressing need to encompass diverse and unexpected sources of influence when examining economic phenomena.
In the subsequent sections of this paper, we shall expound upon the methodology employed to derive these unforeseen insights and delve into the underlying mechanisms that may underpin the perplexing correlation between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers. By doing so, we hope to unravel the nuanced interactions that underlie the integration of sports and economics, and to leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the remarkably improbable and humorously enlightening nature of scholarly inquiry.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

Upon conducting the correlation analysis between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in Mississippi for the period of 2005 to 2022, a remarkably robust correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 was unearthed. This finding, accompanied by an r-squared value of 0.6349994 and a p-value of less than 0.01, certainly raised a few eyebrows among the research team.

Figure 1 displays the scatterplot that visually encapsulates the strikingly strong relationship observed between the two seemingly disparate variables. One might say that the correlation is as clear as a crisp pass from Messi himself - a direct connection that cannot be denied.

The unexpected nature of this association has prompted an array of amused quips and lighthearted jests within the scholarly community, underscoring the delightful dualism of academic rigor and whimsical discovery. It appears that even in the realm of statistics and economic analysis, the playful hand of fate can guide us toward the most unlikely and amusing of revelations.

While one might be inclined to dismiss these findings as an odd coincidence, the robust statistical evidence challenges such hasty conclusions and beckons further exploration. The striking correlation between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers in Mississippi invites us to contemplate the multifaceted and often humorous influences that shape societal and economic phenomena. After all, who would have thought that the ebb and flow of football matches could potentially ripple through the intricate tapestry of regional labor markets?

The implications of this unexpected correlation, while initially amusing, serve as a whimsical reminder of the subtle and often surprising interconnections that permeate the fabric of our world. As we stand at the intersection of Messi's mesmerizing performances and the labor market demands of Mississippi, we are reminded that in the game of statistical inquiry, surprises and chuckles abound, offering a refreshing and albeit amusing twist to the rigors of scholarly exploration.


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina and The number of tax preparers in Mississippi. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, 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]]
The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to delve into the unexplored territory of the correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. By utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 was found for the years 2005 to 2022. This unexpected and seemingly absurd association prompted us to unleash our statistical prowess and delve into the comical, yet compelling world of sports and economics. The findings shed light on the potential influence of Messi's performance on the demand for tax preparers, raising eyebrows and prompting a chuckle or two among the scholarly community. While these results may seem whimsical at first glance, they underscore the importance of considering multifaceted influences on regional labor demands and the playful possibilities hidden within unexpected data relationships.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
In "Smith et al. (2015)," the authors find a significant association between sports performance and regional labor demand, laying the groundwork for unconventional investigations into the intersection of athletic prowess and economic variables. Similarly, "Doe and Johnson (2018)" expound upon the intricate web of influencers that shape labor markets, heralding the importance of considering multifaceted influences in economic analyses.
Moving beyond traditional literature sources, the exploration of this unorthodox correlation implores us to seek inspiration from a variety of fields. For instance, "Moneyball" by Michael Lewis and "Freakonomics" by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner provide insights into the capricious nature of statistical relationships and the unexpected influences that underpin conventional phenomena. On the lighter side, Mark Manson's "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" reminds us to approach scholarly inquiry with a healthy dose of irreverence and humor.
In a similar vein, the world of fiction offers a smorgasbord of literature that may yield unexpected parallels to our inquiry. The fictional tale of "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald conjures notions of opulence and excess, much like the seemingly lavish association between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers. Additionally, the philosophical musings in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll prompt reflection on the whimsical and often absurd nature of correlations that elude conventional explanation.
Furthermore, our foray into unexpected correlations is complemented by cinematic encounters that provide unexpected insights. From the convoluted narratives in "Inception" to the slapstick comedy of "Dumb and Dumber," the intersection of sports and economics has been a recurring theme in popular culture, albeit often in a light-hearted and satirical manner.
In synthesizing the scholarly, fictional, and cinematic landscapes, we aim to infuse our investigation with a dash of levity and a pinch of whimsy, acknowledging the playful yet thought-provoking dynamics that underpin the Messi Tax Conundrum. This departure from traditional research endeavors not only challenges conventional notions of scholarly inquiry but also instills a sense of mirth and wonder into the fabric of academic exploration.

[[RESULTS]]
Upon conducting the correlation analysis between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in Mississippi for the period of 2005 to 2022, a remarkably robust correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 was unearthed. This finding, accompanied by an r-squared value of 0.6349994 and a p-value of less than 0.01, certainly raised a few eyebrows among the research team.
Figure 1 displays the scatterplot that visually encapsulates the strikingly strong relationship observed between the two seemingly disparate variables. One might say that the correlation is as clear as a crisp pass from Messi himself - a direct connection that cannot be denied.
The unexpected nature of this association has prompted an array of amused quips and lighthearted jests within the scholarly community, underscoring the delightful dualism of academic rigor and whimsical discovery. It appears that even in the realm of statistics and economic analysis, the playful hand of fate can guide us toward the most unlikely and amusing of revelations.
While one might be inclined to dismiss these findings as an odd coincidence, the robust statistical evidence challenges such hasty conclusions and beckons further exploration. The striking correlation between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers in Mississippi invites us to contemplate the multifaceted and often humorous influences that shape societal and economic phenomena. After all, who would have thought that the ebb and flow of football matches could potentially ripple through the intricate tapestry of regional labor markets?
The implications of this unexpected correlation, while initially amusing, serve as a whimsical reminder of the subtle and often surprising interconnections that permeate the fabric of our world. As we stand at the intersection of Messi's mesmerizing performances and the labor market demands of Mississippi, we are reminded that in the game of statistical inquiry, surprises and chuckles abound, offering a refreshing and albeit amusing twist to the rigors of scholarly exploration.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The results of this study provide compelling evidence in support of the hitherto unexplored association between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in Mississippi. Our findings align with the prior research by Smith et al. (2015) and Doe and Johnson (2018), who highlighted the significance of considering unconventional influencers in labor market analyses. It appears that the whimsical nature of this correlation may not be so whimsical after all, as it reinforces the importance of acknowledging multifaceted influences in economic investigations.

The robust correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 signifies a strong relationship between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers in Mississippi, echoing the surprising yet credible results obtained by scholars before us. Seemingly, the enigmatic influence of Messi's athletic performances extends beyond the realm of sports and permeates the economic landscape, evoking contemplation akin to the sagacious musings in a Lewis Carroll novel.

The delightful yet rigorous analysis presented in this study invites us to ponder the capricious hand of statistical fate, highlighting the entertaining dualism of scholarly inquiry and playful revelation. It is as if, much like the convoluted narratives in "Inception," the essence of sports and economics interweaves in a synchrony that defies initial expectations, prompting lighthearted jests and mirthful contemplation within the scholarly community.

As researchers, we are compelled to acknowledge the subtle artistry of statistical exploration, for even in the most unexpected of correlations lies the potential for enlightening observations and delightful surprises. Our study, guided by the unlikely association between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers, reiterates the importance of embracing the whimsy in statistical investigations, for it is within this levity that groundbreaking insights may be found.

In our pursuit of scholarly inquiry, we must heed the guiding advice of Mark Manson and approach our statistical endeavors with a healthy dose of irreverence and humor, recognizing that the most perplexing of correlations may harbor unexpected and enlightening revelations. Indeed, the rigors of academic exploration are enriched by the unexpected intersections of peculiar variables, offering a charming and spirited twist to the labyrinthine journey of scientific discovery.


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina and The number of tax preparers in Mississippi. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, 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]]
The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study aims to delve into the unexplored territory of the correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. By utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 was found for the years 2005 to 2022. This unexpected and seemingly absurd association prompted us to unleash our statistical prowess and delve into the comical, yet compelling world of sports and economics. The findings shed light on the potential influence of Messi's performance on the demand for tax preparers, raising eyebrows and prompting a chuckle or two among the scholarly community. While these results may seem whimsical at first glance, they underscore the importance of considering multifaceted influences on regional labor demands and the playful possibilities hidden within unexpected data relationships.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The relationship between sports and economics has been a topic of great intrigue and amusement for researchers and enthusiasts alike. The unexpected and often comical associations that can arise from exploring the interplay between athletic prowess and economic variables have provided a source of both amusement and intellectual stimulation. In the realm of football, the performance of legendary players such as Lionel Messi has captivated global audiences and sparked the curiosity of researchers seeking to uncover the multifaceted impacts of sports on various aspects of society. Similarly, the field of economics endeavors to unravel the complex web of factors that influence regional labor markets and economic activity.
In a curious juxtaposition of two seemingly unrelated domains, this study sets out to investigate the peculiar correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. The unorthodox nature of this inquiry embodies the spirit of scholarly exploration, as it delves into uncharted territory and challenges conventional notions of causality and correlation. Drawing from data obtained from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this investigation aims to shed light on the whimsical yet thought-provoking intersection of sports and economics.
The unexpected discovery of a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 for the years 2005 to 2022 has piqued our scientific curiosity and invoked a sense of lighthearted wonder. The seemingly absurd nature of this association beckons us to unleash our statistical prowess and venture into the realm of playful scientific inquiry. Indeed, the allure of using rigorous statistical methods to explore an ostensibly whimsical relationship is bound to elicit a wry smile from even the most stoic of researchers.
As we embark on this unlikely journey, it is crucial to recognize the potential implications of such findings. While the initial reaction to the revelation of the Messi Tax Conundrum may provoke a chuckle or two within the scholarly community, the broader implications underscore the significance of considering the intricate web of influences that shape regional labor demands. Therefore, this investigation not only serves as a lighthearted venture into the unexpected, but also underscores the pressing need to encompass diverse and unexpected sources of influence when examining economic phenomena.
In the subsequent sections of this paper, we shall expound upon the methodology employed to derive these unforeseen insights and delve into the underlying mechanisms that may underpin the perplexing correlation between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers. By doing so, we hope to unravel the nuanced interactions that underlie the integration of sports and economics, and to leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the remarkably improbable and humorously enlightening nature of scholarly inquiry.

[[RESULTS]]
Upon conducting the correlation analysis between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in Mississippi for the period of 2005 to 2022, a remarkably robust correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 was unearthed. This finding, accompanied by an r-squared value of 0.6349994 and a p-value of less than 0.01, certainly raised a few eyebrows among the research team.
Figure 1 displays the scatterplot that visually encapsulates the strikingly strong relationship observed between the two seemingly disparate variables. One might say that the correlation is as clear as a crisp pass from Messi himself - a direct connection that cannot be denied.
The unexpected nature of this association has prompted an array of amused quips and lighthearted jests within the scholarly community, underscoring the delightful dualism of academic rigor and whimsical discovery. It appears that even in the realm of statistics and economic analysis, the playful hand of fate can guide us toward the most unlikely and amusing of revelations.
While one might be inclined to dismiss these findings as an odd coincidence, the robust statistical evidence challenges such hasty conclusions and beckons further exploration. The striking correlation between Messi's match count and the demand for tax preparers in Mississippi invites us to contemplate the multifaceted and often humorous influences that shape societal and economic phenomena. After all, who would have thought that the ebb and flow of football matches could potentially ripple through the intricate tapestry of regional labor markets?
The implications of this unexpected correlation, while initially amusing, serve as a whimsical reminder of the subtle and often surprising interconnections that permeate the fabric of our world. As we stand at the intersection of Messi's mesmerizing performances and the labor market demands of Mississippi, we are reminded that in the game of statistical inquiry, surprises and chuckles abound, offering a refreshing and albeit amusing twist to the rigors of scholarly exploration.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, the correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in Mississippi has yielded unexpected and amusing findings. The robust correlation coefficient of 0.7968685, akin to a perfectly executed penalty kick, has left the scholarly community with a delightful mixture of astonishment and mirth. The visual depiction of this correlation in Figure 1 certainly serves as a striking testament to the surprisingly clear relationship between Messi's on-field exploits and the demand for tax preparers in the state of Mississippi.

It is evident that the whimsical nature of this correlation underscores the convoluted and oftentimes comical interplay between sports and economics. The unexpected revelation of this association serves as a playful reminder of the unpredictable and lighthearted dimensions that permeate the realm of scholarly inquiry. Indeed, the synthesis of rigorous statistical analysis and the seemingly capricious influence of football on regional labor markets has left us with a newfound appreciation for the enigmatic and whimsical nature of data relationships.

While the initial reaction to these findings prompted a lighthearted chuckle within the scholarly community, it is important to acknowledge the insightful implications of this unique correlation. The burgeoning field of sports economics, in all its playful complexity, continues to unveil the multifaceted influences of athletic performances on various aspects of societal and economic activity. Thus, the Messi Tax Conundrum serves as a compelling illustration of the need to broaden the scope of economic inquiry to encompass unconventional and surprisingly entertaining sources of influence.

It is tempting to indulge in the mirthful absurdity of this correlation and revel in the unforeseen merriment it has brought to the arena of scholarly investigation. However, as much as the scholarly community may relish in the jovial nature of these findings, it is clear that further research endeavors in this area may be akin to a futile attempt to outwit the whims of statistical serendipity. Hence, in the spirit of scientific prudence and with a tinge of wry amusement, it may be posited that no further inquiry into the relationship between Messi's match count with Argentina and the number of tax preparers in Mississippi is warranted.


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 The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Sports Economics and Unlikely Correlations


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 The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Soccer Statistics and Economic Analysis


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 The Messi Tax Conundrum: Exploring the Relationship between Lionel Messi's Match Count with Argentina and the Number of Tax Preparers in Mississippi with an abstract of This study aims to delve into the unexplored territory of the correlation between Lionel Messi's match count with the Argentina national football team and the number of tax preparers in the state of Mississippi. By utilizing data from Wikipedia and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a correlation coefficient of 0.7968685 and p < 0.01 was found for the years 2005 to 2022. This unexpected and seemingly absurd association prompted us to unleash our statistical prowess and delve into the comical, yet compelling world of sports and economics. The findings shed light on the potential influence of Messi's performance on the demand for tax preparers, raising eyebrows and prompting a chuckle or two among the scholarly community. While these results may seem whimsical at first glance, they underscore the importance of considering multifaceted influences on regional labor demands and the playful possibilities hidden within unexpected data relationships.

ChatGPT:

Lionel Messi, Argentina national football team, tax preparers, Mississippi, correlation coefficient, statistical analysis, sports and economics, labor demand, regional labor market, data relationship

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



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Data details

Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina
Detailed data title: Lionel Messi's Argentina match count
Source: Wikipedia
See what else correlates with Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina

The number of tax preparers in Mississippi
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of tax preparers in Mississippi
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of tax preparers in Mississippi

Correlation r = 0.7968685 (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 = 0.6349994 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 63.5% of the change in the one variable (i.e., The number of tax preparers in Mississippi) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina) over the 18 years from 2005 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 7.5E-5. 0.0000753461789143308700000000
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 0.8 in 0.0075% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 13,272 random variables Which I absolutely did.
with the same 17 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 17 because we have two variables measured over a period of 18 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.

[ 0.53, 0.92 ] 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.
200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina (Match played)57148101013978484451918
The number of tax preparers in Mississippi (Tax Preparers)520510650600740670620630530500510540550410450320720720




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 “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.
  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.
  4. Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.




Try it yourself

You can calculate the values on this page on your own! Try running the Python code to see the calculation results. 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([5,7,14,8,10,10,13,9,7,8,4,8,4,4,5,1,9,18,])
array_2 = np.array([520,510,650,600,740,670,620,630,530,500,510,540,550,410,450,320,720,720,])
array_1_name = "Lionel Messi's match count with Argentina"
array_2_name = "The number of tax preparers in Mississippi"

# 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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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.

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Correlation ID: 3055 · Black Variable ID: 73 · Red Variable ID: 10144
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