Spurious correlation #3,073 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in Nashville and the second variable is Kerosene used in Japan. The chart goes from 1980 to 2022, 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 Air pollution in Nashville and the second variable is Kerosene used in Japan. The chart goes from 1980 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As air pollution in Nashville decreased, it led to a surprising rise in country music productivity. This, in turn, created a sudden decline in the demand for kerosene-fueled karaoke sessions in Japan, as the new upbeat Nashville tunes dominated the market, leaving traditional kerosene karaoke in the dust. It seems Nashville's cleaner air really struck the right chord across the Pacific! Yee-haw-kyo!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: [Concept art] Create an image of a bustling Nashville street at night, with a layer of haze blanketing the city. In the foreground, depict a group of people sneezing and clutching tissue boxes. In the background, show a procession of kerosene lamps leading the way through the city, with a subtle nod to Japanese cultural elements. The scene should balance the hazy, whimsical atmosphere with the practicality of providing light for the sneezing citizens. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.

This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Air pollution in Nashville and Kerosene used in Japan. 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: Data cyber art Vaporwave Concept art a Polaroid photo High-tech
ChatGPT: Concept art

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Air pollution in Nashville and Kerosene used in Japan, in the following situation: As air pollution in Nashville increased, it caused a surplus of sneezing, leading to a demand for kerosene lamps in Japan to light the way to the nearest tissue box.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In Nashville, the hazy air made people around the city sneeze. A demand for kerosene lamps was observed in Japan to light the way to tissue boxes for those sneezing.

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: [ Concept art ] and depicting this scene: In Nashville, the hazy air made people around the city sneeze. A demand for kerosene lamps was observed in Japan to light the way to tissue boxes for those sneezing. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: [Concept art] Create an image of a bustling Nashville street at night, with a layer of haze blanketing the city. In the foreground, depict a group of people sneezing and clutching tissue boxes. In the background, show a procession of kerosene lamps leading the way through the city, with a subtle nod to Japanese cultural elements. The scene should balance the hazy, whimsical atmosphere with the practicality of providing light for the sneezing citizens.

*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 Air pollution in Nashville caused Kerosene used in Japan to decrease. Add a funny one-liner at the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

The Gasp of the Rising Sun: Investigating the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Nashville and Kerosene Consumption in Japan

Journal of Environmental Anthropology

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 Air pollution in Nashville and Kerosene used in Japan. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"The Gasp of the Rising Sun: Investigating the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Nashville and Kerosene Consumption in Japan"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we embark on an enlightening journey to uncover the unsuspected connection between air pollution in Music City, USA, and the consumption of kerosene in the Land of the Rising Sun. Despite being separated by vast oceans and distinct cultural landscapes, our investigation reveals a compelling correlation between these seemingly disparate phenomena.

Our research team diligently analyzed data from the Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on air quality indicators in Nashville, Tennessee. Concurrently, we delved into the Energy Information Administration's comprehensive records to scrutinize kerosene consumption patterns in Japan. To our surprise, the correlation coefficient derived from our empirical analysis amounted to a staggering 0.7991927 with an associated p-value below 0.01, affirming the robustness of our findings. It seems that the spectral traces of kerosene emissions in Japan somehow harmonize with the country music notes wafting through the air in Nashville.

Notably, our study unravels the complex interplay between urban air pollution and kerosene usage, challenging conventional wisdom and inviting a reevaluation of the interconnectedness of global environmental dynamics. As we shine a light on this revelatory nexus, we invite readers to join us in contemplating the enigmatic threads that weave together the atmospheres of distant lands, reminding us that the world is both vast and surprisingly interconnected, much like a good dad joke - big, wide-reaching, and sometimes groan-inducing.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Gentlefolk and esteemed colleagues, prepare yourselves for a journey that traverses the realms of environmental science and uncovers a connection so unexpected, it could be mistaken for a punchline in a cosmic stand-up routine. In this quest, we set out to shine a light on the enigmatic relationship between air pollution in Nashville and the seemingly distant kerosene consumption in Japan. So, grab your lab coats and a pair of binoculars, because we're about to embark on an intellectual safari that will leave you astonished and possibly bemused - not unlike a good dad joke.
As we all know, air pollution has been a perennial thorn in the side of urban areas, affecting public health and the integrity of the environment. Meanwhile, kerosene consumption in Japan has been a steady component of energy use, casting a warm glow on many a Japanese evening. How, you ask, can these two apparently unrelated phenomena possibly be linked? Well, dear reader, the answer might just be more outlandish than your average pun, and we aim to unravel it with scientific rigor and a dash of humor.
In the annals of scientific investigation, serendipity often strikes like a bolt of lightning, illuminating unexpected connections. Our research sought to unravel the mystery of this curious coupling, not unlike the protagonist in a suspenseful thriller – though perhaps with fewer car chases and more statistical analyses. Much like the sudden appearance of a dad joke in a serious conversation, the revelation of the relationship between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan took us by surprise, and we couldn't help but marvel at the peculiar dance of data points that emerged.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

In "The Impact of Urban Air Pollution on Public Health," Smith et al. provide a comprehensive analysis of the detrimental effects of air pollution on human health, emphasizing the need for targeted policies to mitigate the adverse impacts. Similarly, Doe's "Emissions and Environmental Degradation" offers a nuanced examination of the sources and consequences of air pollutants, underscoring the urgency of addressing this pressing environmental issue.

However, as we wade deeper into the murky waters of the interconnectedness of global environmental dynamics, we begin to see surprising patterns emerge - much like finding a hidden pun in a serious conversation. Our unexpected journey into the literature led us to titles such as "Kerosene and Its Applications in Modern Society" by Jones, shedding light on the multifaceted uses of kerosene beyond mere illumination. Who would have thought that this seemingly innocuous fuel could hold the key to unraveling the mysterious connection between Nashville's air quality and kerosene consumption in Japan?

Moving beyond the realm of non-fiction, we encountered fictional works that seemed to whisper tantalizing hints of this improbable correlation. "Burning Love and Toxic Skies" by A. Reader sounds like a potboiler novel, but its underlying theme unexpectedly resonates with our findings, much like a dad joke that catches you off guard.

Turning an unexpected page, we delved into children's cartoons to gain a different perspective. In "Nashville Ninja Turtles," the interplay between pollution and a secret Japanese fuel source takes center stage, a surprisingly prescient theme for a show primarily aimed at a younger audience. It seems that even children's entertainment holds subtle clues to our research question, much like a sneaky dad joke slipped into a kids' movie for the parents in the audience.

As we navigate through the scholarly and not-so-scholarly realms, we approach our analysis with a sense of wonder and whimsy, recognizing that the academic pursuit of knowledge can often lead us through unexpected, amusement-filled detours, not unlike a treasure hunt for the punchline of a long-winded joke.

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 Air pollution in Nashville and Kerosene used in Japan. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Information Administration . You used data from 1980 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 Gasp of the Rising Sun: Investigating the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Nashville and Kerosene Consumption in Japan"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we embark on an enlightening journey to uncover the unsuspected connection between air pollution in Music City, USA, and the consumption of kerosene in the Land of the Rising Sun. Despite being separated by vast oceans and distinct cultural landscapes, our investigation reveals a compelling correlation between these seemingly disparate phenomena.

Our research team diligently analyzed data from the Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on air quality indicators in Nashville, Tennessee. Concurrently, we delved into the Energy Information Administration's comprehensive records to scrutinize kerosene consumption patterns in Japan. To our surprise, the correlation coefficient derived from our empirical analysis amounted to a staggering 0.7991927 with an associated p-value below 0.01, affirming the robustness of our findings. It seems that the spectral traces of kerosene emissions in Japan somehow harmonize with the country music notes wafting through the air in Nashville.

Notably, our study unravels the complex interplay between urban air pollution and kerosene usage, challenging conventional wisdom and inviting a reevaluation of the interconnectedness of global environmental dynamics. As we shine a light on this revelatory nexus, we invite readers to join us in contemplating the enigmatic threads that weave together the atmospheres of distant lands, reminding us that the world is both vast and surprisingly interconnected, much like a good dad joke - big, wide-reaching, and sometimes groan-inducing.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Gentlefolk and esteemed colleagues, prepare yourselves for a journey that traverses the realms of environmental science and uncovers a connection so unexpected, it could be mistaken for a punchline in a cosmic stand-up routine. In this quest, we set out to shine a light on the enigmatic relationship between air pollution in Nashville and the seemingly distant kerosene consumption in Japan. So, grab your lab coats and a pair of binoculars, because we're about to embark on an intellectual safari that will leave you astonished and possibly bemused - not unlike a good dad joke.
As we all know, air pollution has been a perennial thorn in the side of urban areas, affecting public health and the integrity of the environment. Meanwhile, kerosene consumption in Japan has been a steady component of energy use, casting a warm glow on many a Japanese evening. How, you ask, can these two apparently unrelated phenomena possibly be linked? Well, dear reader, the answer might just be more outlandish than your average pun, and we aim to unravel it with scientific rigor and a dash of humor.
In the annals of scientific investigation, serendipity often strikes like a bolt of lightning, illuminating unexpected connections. Our research sought to unravel the mystery of this curious coupling, not unlike the protagonist in a suspenseful thriller – though perhaps with fewer car chases and more statistical analyses. Much like the sudden appearance of a dad joke in a serious conversation, the revelation of the relationship between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan took us by surprise, and we couldn't help but marvel at the peculiar dance of data points that emerged.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To shed light on the perplexing relationship between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan, a variety of research methods were employed, each more peculiar and convoluted than the last. Picture a scientific hodgepodge that resembles a mashup of Sherlock Holmes detective work and a game of Twister – it was that wild.

First, we meticulously scoured through mountains of data from the Environmental Protection Agency, dissecting air quality indicators in Nashville, Tennessee, with all the intensity of an overeager intern searching for the office coffee maker. This data spanned over four decades, from 1980 to 2022, capturing the evolution of Nashville's atmospheric composition with the same level of detail one might scrutinize a piece of modern art, searching for hidden meanings and the occasional cheeky reference.

Then, we plunged headfirst into the labyrinthine archives of the Energy Information Administration, meticulously analyzing the patterns of kerosene consumption in Japan. It's as if we were Indiana Jones, but instead of seeking ancient relics, we were after statistical treasures buried within spreadsheets and graphs. We tracked the ebb and flow of kerosene usage with an intensity that could rival the excitement of a cat spotting a laser pointer – it was that thrilling.

If collecting data were a sport, we'd have won the gold medal in data-mining gymnastics, maneuvering through convoluted datasets and leaping over logistical hurdles with the agility of a caffeinated squirrel.

All extracted data were subjected to rigorous statistical analyses, including correlation coefficients and regression models, to unveil the hidden connections between these seemingly disparate variables. It was mathematical matchmaking at its finest, aiming to bring together air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan in an analytical embrace worthy of its own romantic comedy – "When Smog Meets Kerosene: A Statistical Love Story."

In addition, we conducted anomaly detection procedures to ensure that the observed relationships were robust and not just a statistical fluke. We cross-checked our findings more thoroughly than a perplexed librarian trying to reconcile overdue fines – our data integrity was as solid as a seasoned dad joke, and that's saying something.

Finally, we engaged in geographic information system (GIS) mapping to visually represent the spatial distribution of air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan. Picture a high-stakes game of environmental Battleship, except instead of battleships, we were hunting for environmental correlations, and the only weapons were statistical analyses and a good sense of humor.

In summary, our research methods were a peculiar fusion of data wrangling, statistical acrobatics, and visual storytelling, all in pursuit of unraveling the mysterious entanglement of air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan. It was a scientific odyssey worthy of an animated feature film, complete with quirky characters and unexpected plot twists.

And now, dear reader, we invite you to journey further as we unveil the astounding findings of our research, peppered with more dad jokes than a Father's Day stand-up comedy special.

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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Nashville and Kerosene used in Japan. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Information Administration .

For the time period 1980 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.7991927, r-squared of 0.6387090, 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 Gasp of the Rising Sun: Investigating the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Nashville and Kerosene Consumption in Japan"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we embark on an enlightening journey to uncover the unsuspected connection between air pollution in Music City, USA, and the consumption of kerosene in the Land of the Rising Sun. Despite being separated by vast oceans and distinct cultural landscapes, our investigation reveals a compelling correlation between these seemingly disparate phenomena.

Our research team diligently analyzed data from the Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on air quality indicators in Nashville, Tennessee. Concurrently, we delved into the Energy Information Administration's comprehensive records to scrutinize kerosene consumption patterns in Japan. To our surprise, the correlation coefficient derived from our empirical analysis amounted to a staggering 0.7991927 with an associated p-value below 0.01, affirming the robustness of our findings. It seems that the spectral traces of kerosene emissions in Japan somehow harmonize with the country music notes wafting through the air in Nashville.

Notably, our study unravels the complex interplay between urban air pollution and kerosene usage, challenging conventional wisdom and inviting a reevaluation of the interconnectedness of global environmental dynamics. As we shine a light on this revelatory nexus, we invite readers to join us in contemplating the enigmatic threads that weave together the atmospheres of distant lands, reminding us that the world is both vast and surprisingly interconnected, much like a good dad joke - big, wide-reaching, and sometimes groan-inducing.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
Gentlefolk and esteemed colleagues, prepare yourselves for a journey that traverses the realms of environmental science and uncovers a connection so unexpected, it could be mistaken for a punchline in a cosmic stand-up routine. In this quest, we set out to shine a light on the enigmatic relationship between air pollution in Nashville and the seemingly distant kerosene consumption in Japan. So, grab your lab coats and a pair of binoculars, because we're about to embark on an intellectual safari that will leave you astonished and possibly bemused - not unlike a good dad joke.
As we all know, air pollution has been a perennial thorn in the side of urban areas, affecting public health and the integrity of the environment. Meanwhile, kerosene consumption in Japan has been a steady component of energy use, casting a warm glow on many a Japanese evening. How, you ask, can these two apparently unrelated phenomena possibly be linked? Well, dear reader, the answer might just be more outlandish than your average pun, and we aim to unravel it with scientific rigor and a dash of humor.
In the annals of scientific investigation, serendipity often strikes like a bolt of lightning, illuminating unexpected connections. Our research sought to unravel the mystery of this curious coupling, not unlike the protagonist in a suspenseful thriller – though perhaps with fewer car chases and more statistical analyses. Much like the sudden appearance of a dad joke in a serious conversation, the revelation of the relationship between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan took us by surprise, and we couldn't help but marvel at the peculiar dance of data points that emerged.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]

ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

In this section, we unveil the riveting results of our investigation, shedding light on the mesmerizing correlation between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan. Our analysis revealed a robust correlation coefficient of 0.7991927, indicating a strong positive relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. We also identified an r-squared value of 0.6387090, further solidifying the strength of the connection.

Figure 1 displays a scatterplot illustrating the compelling correlation between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan. The scatterplot, much like a well-timed dad joke, clearly showcases the alignment of these two variables over the time period of 1980 to 2022.

It appears that the smoky aromas of kerosene in Japan and the atmospheric nuances of Nashville's air pollution have orchestrated a synchronized symphony, not unlike a harmonious duet between unexpected musical partners. The data points, much like a pair of enthusiastic dancers, twirl and swirl in a mesmerizing display of correlation, painting a vivid picture of the unanticipated intercontinental connection.

The statistical significance of our findings, with a p-value below 0.01, is as unmistakable as the punchline in a well-crafted dad joke. These results underscore the robustness and reliability of the observed correlation, leaving little room for doubt regarding the compelling relationship between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan.

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 Air pollution in Nashville and Kerosene used in Japan. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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 Gasp of the Rising Sun: Investigating the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Nashville and Kerosene Consumption in Japan"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we embark on an enlightening journey to uncover the unsuspected connection between air pollution in Music City, USA, and the consumption of kerosene in the Land of the Rising Sun. Despite being separated by vast oceans and distinct cultural landscapes, our investigation reveals a compelling correlation between these seemingly disparate phenomena.

Our research team diligently analyzed data from the Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on air quality indicators in Nashville, Tennessee. Concurrently, we delved into the Energy Information Administration's comprehensive records to scrutinize kerosene consumption patterns in Japan. To our surprise, the correlation coefficient derived from our empirical analysis amounted to a staggering 0.7991927 with an associated p-value below 0.01, affirming the robustness of our findings. It seems that the spectral traces of kerosene emissions in Japan somehow harmonize with the country music notes wafting through the air in Nashville.

Notably, our study unravels the complex interplay between urban air pollution and kerosene usage, challenging conventional wisdom and inviting a reevaluation of the interconnectedness of global environmental dynamics. As we shine a light on this revelatory nexus, we invite readers to join us in contemplating the enigmatic threads that weave together the atmospheres of distant lands, reminding us that the world is both vast and surprisingly interconnected, much like a good dad joke - big, wide-reaching, and sometimes groan-inducing.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
In "The Impact of Urban Air Pollution on Public Health," Smith et al. provide a comprehensive analysis of the detrimental effects of air pollution on human health, emphasizing the need for targeted policies to mitigate the adverse impacts. Similarly, Doe's "Emissions and Environmental Degradation" offers a nuanced examination of the sources and consequences of air pollutants, underscoring the urgency of addressing this pressing environmental issue.
However, as we wade deeper into the murky waters of the interconnectedness of global environmental dynamics, we begin to see surprising patterns emerge - much like finding a hidden pun in a serious conversation. Our unexpected journey into the literature led us to titles such as "Kerosene and Its Applications in Modern Society" by Jones, shedding light on the multifaceted uses of kerosene beyond mere illumination. Who would have thought that this seemingly innocuous fuel could hold the key to unraveling the mysterious connection between Nashville's air quality and kerosene consumption in Japan?
Moving beyond the realm of non-fiction, we encountered fictional works that seemed to whisper tantalizing hints of this improbable correlation. "Burning Love and Toxic Skies" by A. Reader sounds like a potboiler novel, but its underlying theme unexpectedly resonates with our findings, much like a dad joke that catches you off guard.
Turning an unexpected page, we delved into children's cartoons to gain a different perspective. In "Nashville Ninja Turtles," the interplay between pollution and a secret Japanese fuel source takes center stage, a surprisingly prescient theme for a show primarily aimed at a younger audience. It seems that even children's entertainment holds subtle clues to our research question, much like a sneaky dad joke slipped into a kids' movie for the parents in the audience.
As we navigate through the scholarly and not-so-scholarly realms, we approach our analysis with a sense of wonder and whimsy, recognizing that the academic pursuit of knowledge can often lead us through unexpected, amusement-filled detours, not unlike a treasure hunt for the punchline of a long-winded joke.

[[RESULTS]]
In this section, we unveil the riveting results of our investigation, shedding light on the mesmerizing correlation between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan. Our analysis revealed a robust correlation coefficient of 0.7991927, indicating a strong positive relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. We also identified an r-squared value of 0.6387090, further solidifying the strength of the connection.
Figure 1 displays a scatterplot illustrating the compelling correlation between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan. The scatterplot, much like a well-timed dad joke, clearly showcases the alignment of these two variables over the time period of 1980 to 2022.
It appears that the smoky aromas of kerosene in Japan and the atmospheric nuances of Nashville's air pollution have orchestrated a synchronized symphony, not unlike a harmonious duet between unexpected musical partners. The data points, much like a pair of enthusiastic dancers, twirl and swirl in a mesmerizing display of correlation, painting a vivid picture of the unanticipated intercontinental connection.
The statistical significance of our findings, with a p-value below 0.01, is as unmistakable as the punchline in a well-crafted dad joke. These results underscore the robustness and reliability of the observed correlation, leaving little room for doubt regarding the compelling relationship between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our investigation has unearthed an unexpected harmony between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan, akin to an unlikely duet between two musical genres. The strong correlation we observed between these seemingly incongruent variables not only supports prior research but also prompts a reevaluation of our understanding of global environmental interconnections.

The astounding correlation coefficient of 0.7991927, reminiscent of a perfectly timed dad joke, aligns with previous literature highlighting the impact of urban air pollution on public health. This correlation, much like a good dad joke, amplifies the urgency of targeted policies to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution, emphasizing the gravity of this environmental concern.

Furthermore, the statistical significance of our findings, with a p-value below 0.01, solidifies the robustness of the connection, leaving little room for skepticism, much like a well-delivered pun that garners unanimous chuckles. Our study, much like a surprising dad joke, challenges conventional wisdom and demonstrates the overlooked interconnectedness of global environmental dynamics.

The results affirm the multifaceted nature of kerosene, resonating with Jones's exploration of its applications in modern society. The interplay between kerosene usage in Japan and air pollution in Nashville, much like an unexpected twist in a classic dad joke, substantiates the intricate relationship between seemingly unrelated phenomena, serving as a call for nuanced approaches to environmental stewardship.

This revelatory nexus, akin to stumbling upon a clever dad joke in a mundane conversation, urges a reexamination of how we perceive, analyze, and address environmental challenges. As we reflect on the unanticipated threads that weave together the atmospheres of distant lands, much like a whimsical punchline, we are reminded of the intricate and delightful peculiarities that underpin global environmental dynamics.

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 Air pollution in Nashville and Kerosene used in Japan. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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 Gasp of the Rising Sun: Investigating the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Nashville and Kerosene Consumption in Japan"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we embark on an enlightening journey to uncover the unsuspected connection between air pollution in Music City, USA, and the consumption of kerosene in the Land of the Rising Sun. Despite being separated by vast oceans and distinct cultural landscapes, our investigation reveals a compelling correlation between these seemingly disparate phenomena.

Our research team diligently analyzed data from the Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on air quality indicators in Nashville, Tennessee. Concurrently, we delved into the Energy Information Administration's comprehensive records to scrutinize kerosene consumption patterns in Japan. To our surprise, the correlation coefficient derived from our empirical analysis amounted to a staggering 0.7991927 with an associated p-value below 0.01, affirming the robustness of our findings. It seems that the spectral traces of kerosene emissions in Japan somehow harmonize with the country music notes wafting through the air in Nashville.

Notably, our study unravels the complex interplay between urban air pollution and kerosene usage, challenging conventional wisdom and inviting a reevaluation of the interconnectedness of global environmental dynamics. As we shine a light on this revelatory nexus, we invite readers to join us in contemplating the enigmatic threads that weave together the atmospheres of distant lands, reminding us that the world is both vast and surprisingly interconnected, much like a good dad joke - big, wide-reaching, and sometimes groan-inducing.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Gentlefolk and esteemed colleagues, prepare yourselves for a journey that traverses the realms of environmental science and uncovers a connection so unexpected, it could be mistaken for a punchline in a cosmic stand-up routine. In this quest, we set out to shine a light on the enigmatic relationship between air pollution in Nashville and the seemingly distant kerosene consumption in Japan. So, grab your lab coats and a pair of binoculars, because we're about to embark on an intellectual safari that will leave you astonished and possibly bemused - not unlike a good dad joke.
As we all know, air pollution has been a perennial thorn in the side of urban areas, affecting public health and the integrity of the environment. Meanwhile, kerosene consumption in Japan has been a steady component of energy use, casting a warm glow on many a Japanese evening. How, you ask, can these two apparently unrelated phenomena possibly be linked? Well, dear reader, the answer might just be more outlandish than your average pun, and we aim to unravel it with scientific rigor and a dash of humor.
In the annals of scientific investigation, serendipity often strikes like a bolt of lightning, illuminating unexpected connections. Our research sought to unravel the mystery of this curious coupling, not unlike the protagonist in a suspenseful thriller – though perhaps with fewer car chases and more statistical analyses. Much like the sudden appearance of a dad joke in a serious conversation, the revelation of the relationship between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan took us by surprise, and we couldn't help but marvel at the peculiar dance of data points that emerged.

[[RESULTS]]
In this section, we unveil the riveting results of our investigation, shedding light on the mesmerizing correlation between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan. Our analysis revealed a robust correlation coefficient of 0.7991927, indicating a strong positive relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. We also identified an r-squared value of 0.6387090, further solidifying the strength of the connection.
Figure 1 displays a scatterplot illustrating the compelling correlation between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan. The scatterplot, much like a well-timed dad joke, clearly showcases the alignment of these two variables over the time period of 1980 to 2022.
It appears that the smoky aromas of kerosene in Japan and the atmospheric nuances of Nashville's air pollution have orchestrated a synchronized symphony, not unlike a harmonious duet between unexpected musical partners. The data points, much like a pair of enthusiastic dancers, twirl and swirl in a mesmerizing display of correlation, painting a vivid picture of the unanticipated intercontinental connection.
The statistical significance of our findings, with a p-value below 0.01, is as unmistakable as the punchline in a well-crafted dad joke. These results underscore the robustness and reliability of the observed correlation, leaving little room for doubt regarding the compelling relationship between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In the twilight of our investigation, we have unveiled a remarkable correlation between air pollution in Nashville and kerosene consumption in Japan, leaving us humbled by the unexpected interconnectedness of these seemingly disparate phenomena. Our findings, akin to the punchline of a well-crafted dad joke, deliver a resounding surprise, affirming the harmonious dance of these variables over time.

It seems that the scent of kerosene in Japan and the atmospheric nuances in Nashville have orchestrated a coordinated performance that goes beyond geographical boundaries, echoing the fluidity of an impromptu dad joke in a serious conversation. The compelling correlation coefficient, much like a dad joke in a tense room, served as an unexpected bridge between these two distant entities, affirming their interwoven fate.

With our findings, it becomes clear that the world of environmental dynamics holds hidden connections that transcend distance and cultural context, not unlike the universal appeal of a good dad joke - a unifying force that transcends boundaries and brings about a collective groan or chuckle.

As we close this chapter, we assert with confidence that no further research is needed in this area. After all, with such robust findings and a touch of humor, we've shed light on this unexpected connection, leaving us with a clearer understanding of the global symphony of interconnected environmental phenomena. It's a wrap, folks!

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 Gasp of the Rising Sun: Investigating the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Nashville and Kerosene Consumption in Japan. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Environmental Anthropology

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 Gasp of the Rising Sun: Investigating the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Nashville and Kerosene Consumption in Japan. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Center for Global Air Quality and Cultural Energy Exchange

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 Gasp of the Rising Sun: Investigating the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Nashville and Kerosene Consumption in Japan with an abstract of In this study, we embark on an enlightening journey to uncover the unsuspected connection between air pollution in Music City, USA, and the consumption of kerosene in the Land of the Rising Sun. Despite being separated by vast oceans and distinct cultural landscapes, our investigation reveals a compelling correlation between these seemingly disparate phenomena.
Our research team diligently analyzed data from the Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on air quality indicators in Nashville, Tennessee. Concurrently, we delved into the Energy Information Administration's comprehensive records to scrutinize kerosene consumption patterns in Japan. To our surprise, the correlation coefficient derived from our empirical analysis amounted to a staggering 0.7991927 with an associated p-value below 0.01, affirming the robustness of our findings. It seems that the spectral traces of kerosene emissions in Japan somehow harmonize with the country music notes wafting through the air in Nashville.
Notably, our study unravels the complex interplay between urban air pollution and kerosene usage, challenging conventional wisdom and inviting a reevaluation of the interconnectedness of global environmental dynamics. As we shine a light on this revelatory nexus, we invite readers to join us in contemplating the enigmatic threads that weave together the atmospheres of distant lands, reminding us that the world is both vast and surprisingly interconnected, much like a good dad joke - big, wide-reaching, and sometimes groan-inducing.

ChatGPT:

air pollution, Nashville, Tennessee, kerosene consumption, Japan, correlation analysis, Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Information Administration, urban air pollution, global environmental dynamics

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

Random correlation

Discover a new correlation

View all correlations

View all research papers

Report an error

Data details

Air pollution in Nashville
Detailed data title: Percentage of days with air quality at 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' or worse in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in Nashville

Kerosene used in Japan
Detailed data title: Volume of kerosene used consumed in Japan in millions of barrels per day
Source: Energy Information Administration
See what else correlates with Kerosene used in Japan

Correlation r = 0.7991927 (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 = 0.6387090 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 63.9% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Kerosene used in Japan) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Air pollution in Nashville) over the 43 years from 1980 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.3E-10.^Show 0.0000000001320613554660206800
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 0.8 in 1.3E-8% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 7,572,237,893 random variables^Note You don't actually need 7 billion 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 42 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 42 because we have two variables measured over a period of 43 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.

[ 0.66, 0.89 ] 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.

	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Air pollution in Nashville (Bad air quality days)	8.46994	8.76712	11.2329	14.2466	15.847	7.67123	13.1507	13.9726	25.6831	13.6986	21.0959	14.7945	6.8306	16.1644	16.4384	21.9178	17.2131	18.0822	20.8219	35.3425	20.765	12.8767	14.7945	11.7808	6.01093	15.0685	9.86301	19.1781	6.55738	0.821918	7.67123	5.47945	8.46994	0.273973	1.64384	0.273973	1.63934	0.273973	1.91781	0.273973	0.546448	1.36986	1.09589
Kerosene used in Japan (Million Barrels/Day)	411	435	405	388	446.787	425.786	446.674	442.901	486.158	462.027	456.923	469.06	477.519	484.899	483.849	508.43	530.224	497.789	491.205	508.433	511.891	528.014	510.433	516.132	473.361	511.31	456.685	400.203	362.306	348.447	350.266	335.937	345.492	312.348	298.266	275.732	284.899	288.449	266.734	248.584	245.216	236.627	227.885

Why this works

Data dredging: I have 25,153 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 632,673,409 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
Lack of causal connection: There is probably^Note Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple^Note Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.
Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. ^Note Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.

Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([8.46994,8.76712,11.2329,14.2466,15.847,7.67123,13.1507,13.9726,25.6831,13.6986,21.0959,14.7945,6.8306,16.1644,16.4384,21.9178,17.2131,18.0822,20.8219,35.3425,20.765,12.8767,14.7945,11.7808,6.01093,15.0685,9.86301,19.1781,6.55738,0.821918,7.67123,5.47945,8.46994,0.273973,1.64384,0.273973,1.63934,0.273973,1.91781,0.273973,0.546448,1.36986,1.09589,])
array_2 = np.array([411,435,405,388,446.787,425.786,446.674,442.901,486.158,462.027,456.923,469.06,477.519,484.899,483.849,508.43,530.224,497.789,491.205,508.433,511.891,528.014,510.433,516.132,473.361,511.31,456.685,400.203,362.306,348.447,350.266,335.937,345.492,312.348,298.266,275.732,284.899,288.449,266.734,248.584,245.216,236.627,227.885,])
array_1_name = "Air pollution in Nashville"
array_2_name = "Kerosene used in Japan"

# 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 Air pollution in Nashville
Line chart for only Kerosene used in Japan
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: The Gasp of the Rising Sun: Investigating the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Nashville and Kerosene Consumption in Japan

View another random correlation

How fun was this correlation?

Thanks for shining a light on this correlation!

Correlation ID: 3073 · Black Variable ID: 20951 · Red Variable ID: 24577


Problem variable:
Issue:
Additional details: Optional
Confirm you are a human: