Spurious correlation #3,179 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Billie and the second variable is The number of sociologists in North Carolina. The chart goes from 2003 to 2019, 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 Popularity of the first name Billie and the second variable is The number of sociologists in North Carolina. The chart goes from 2003 to 2019, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As the name Billie rose in popularity, more and more parents were unknowingly instilling a love for 'Bill-ie' Durkheim and 'Bill-ie' Weber in their children. This led to a sudden surge in tiny sociologists-in-training across North Carolina, all eager to 'Bill-ie've in the power of sociology to understand society. It was a real 'Billie' Jean King-esque takeover, with sociologists in the state exclaiming, "I don't know who you are, but I 'Billie've, that's who!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a vibrant North Carolina town with adorable, cheerful cartoon characters filling the streets. Show cute newborns with tiny "Billie" name tags, being lovingly cooed over by proud parents. Illustrate a local college bustling with enthusiastic cartoon students studying sociology, with books, notes, and excitement in the air. The scene should exude a sense of inspiration and influence, capturing the lively atmosphere of a community embracing the legacy of Billie Holiday and the growing interest in sociology. 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: Popularity of the first name Billie and The number of sociologists in North Carolina. Given these, which of the following image style descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: Cubism a meme Cute cartoon Futuristic Whimsical illustration
ChatGPT: Cute cartoon

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 Popularity of the first name Billie and The number of sociologists in North Carolina, in the following situation: Because the name Billie became popular, more parents started naming their children after the famous sociologist Billie Holiday. This led to a surge in interest in sociology, prompting an increase in the number of sociologists in North Carolina who were inspired by the famous namesake.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a bustling North Carolina town, a trend emerges as more and more newborns are named Billie, inspired by the famous namesake Billie Holiday. As these Billies grow up, the local college sees a rise in students pursuing sociology, leading to an increase in the number of sociologists in North Carolina. The streets are filled with the sound of children named Billie and the conversations of aspiring sociologists, creating a lively atmosphere of inspiration and influence.

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: [ Cute cartoon ] and depicting this scene: In a bustling North Carolina town, a trend emerges as more and more newborns are named Billie, inspired by the famous namesake Billie Holiday. As these Billies grow up, the local college sees a rise in students pursuing sociology, leading to an increase in the number of sociologists in North Carolina. The streets are filled with the sound of children named Billie and the conversations of aspiring sociologists, creating a lively atmosphere of inspiration and influence. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a vibrant North Carolina town with adorable, cheerful cartoon characters filling the streets. Show cute newborns with tiny "Billie" name tags, being lovingly cooed over by proud parents. Illustrate a local college bustling with enthusiastic cartoon students studying sociology, with books, notes, and excitement in the air. The scene should exude a sense of inspiration and influence, capturing the lively atmosphere of a community embracing the legacy of Billie Holiday and the growing interest in sociology.

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

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.
^{Show prompt for explanation} Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in Popularity of the first name Billie caused The number of sociologists in North Carolina to increase. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

The Thrill of Billie: A Study on North Carolina Sociologists' Profile

Journal of Southern Sociological Studies

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 Popularity of the first name Billie and The number of sociologists in North Carolina. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Thrill of Billie: A Study on North Carolina Sociologists' Profile

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we embarked on a whimsical journey to unravel the potential connection between the popularity of the first name "Billie" and the number of sociologists in North Carolina. Although our research may seem like a "Billie on the Hill," we assure you that the findings are as real as can be. Using data from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we delved into the correlation between the frequency of the name "Billie" and the count of sociologists in the Tar Heel State.

Our analysis revealed a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.8300453, indicating a strong positive relationship between the two variables. It appears that the "Billie" phenomenon is not just a "Billie Jean" dance move but also holds relevance in the world of sociological academia. With a p-value of less than 0.01, we can confidently claim that the association we've discovered is not a mere "Billie-goat" tale but a genuine statistical relationship.

To our amusement, the data suggested that the rising fame of the name "Billie" could indeed be linked to the proliferation of sociologists in North Carolina. This finding raises the question, "Are sociologists drawn to the state by the irresistible charm of the name 'Billie', or is 'Billie' simply an indicator of socio-cultural changes that influence career choices?" We may never know the answer, but it's certainly a "Billie-curious" phenomenon worth exploring further.

Overall, our playful investigation unearthed an unexpected correlation that lingers like a catchy tune. Perhaps the allure of "Billie" extends beyond the realm of music and reaches into the sociological fabric of North Carolina. As we conclude this study, we invite our readers to ponder the timeless question: "What's in a name - a sociologist by any other name would research as sweet?"

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of sociology and nomenclature may seem like an unlikely pairing, akin to a "Billie-goat" attending a high-society gala. However, in the realm of academic inquiry, serendipitous connections often emerge from the most unexpected places. The focus of this study rests upon the enthralling correlation between the proliferation of sociologists in North Carolina and the popularity of the first name "Billie." It's a "Billie Jean" meets social science extravaganza that promises to uncover hidden harmonies in the cacophony of statistical data.
The very notion of unpacking the relationship between a moniker and the composition of a professional cohort may sound like a "Billie on the Hill," overlooking the valleys of tradition and convention. Yet, as the Bard himself once lamented, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely sociologists" – or at least, that's what our data suggests.
As we embark on this intellectual escapade, we encourage readers to keep an open mind, perhaps akin to a "Billie-curious" observer encountering a new and perplexing sociological theory. The buoyancy of our findings invites us to ponder whether there truly is "Magic in the Billie" – not just in Michael Jackson's mellifluous serenade, but also in the unassuming corridors of North Carolina's sociological academia.
Through a blend of statistical analysis and whimsical conjecture, we aim to unravel this charming mystery, akin to sleuths fervently pursuing a delightful enigma. So, let's delve into the wondrous world of "Billie" and sociologists – where names, numbers, and nascent hypotheses converge in a delightful scientific waltz.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The connection between given names and professional demographics has long captivated researchers, inviting them to ponder the enigmatic interplay between nomenclature and socio-professional phenomena. Smith et al. (2010) delved into the cultural implications of names, offering insightful parallels between naming trends and societal shifts. Similarly, Doe (2015) explored the influence of names on career choices, shedding light on the subtle, yet profound, impact of nomenclature on occupational pathways.

But let's not forget Jones's groundbreaking work in "The Sociology of Surnames" (2008), which probed the intricate relationship between last names and academic pursuits. It's a veritable "surname and academia" rollercoaster, and it's enough to make one's head spin faster than a coffee grinder at a sociology convention.

In addition to these serious inquiries, real-life authors such as Freakonomics' Levitt and Dubner (2005) and Outliers' Gladwell (2008) have captivated audiences with their musings on the unexpected influence of names on various life outcomes and societal phenomena. Their works mirror our own quest to unravel the mystery of the "Billie-Sociologist" connection, albeit with a touch less quirkiness and a tad more bestseller charm.

Speaking of charm, the fictional works of Dickens' "Great Expectations" and Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" provide rich narratives that showcase the societal expectations and implications linked to given names. While they don't directly address North Carolina sociologists, they remind us of the persistent influence of names on social standing and professional trajectories, much like the "Billie" phenomenon we're investigating.

Memes have also made their way into this discourse, with the likes of the "Is This a Pigeon?" and "Change My Mind" memes playfully highlighting the impact of popular culture and societal perceptions on individual identities. While not directly related to academic research, these memes offer a lighthearted reminder of the whimsical forces at play in the realm of nomenclature and social phenomena.

As we wade deeper into this nexus of names and sociological compositions, it becomes evident that the allure of "Billie" may hold more sway than initially anticipated. It's a tale as old as time, or at least as old as sociological research – names, numbers, and the unexpected dance that ensues when the two converge. Let's strap in for a wild ride, because this sociological rollercoaster is guaranteed to have more twists and turns than a Shakespearean comedy.

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 Popularity of the first name Billie and The number of sociologists in North Carolina. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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 US Social Security Administration and Bureau of Larbor Statistics . You used data from 2003 to 2019

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 Thrill of Billie: A Study on North Carolina Sociologists' Profile

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we embarked on a whimsical journey to unravel the potential connection between the popularity of the first name "Billie" and the number of sociologists in North Carolina. Although our research may seem like a "Billie on the Hill," we assure you that the findings are as real as can be. Using data from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we delved into the correlation between the frequency of the name "Billie" and the count of sociologists in the Tar Heel State.

Our analysis revealed a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.8300453, indicating a strong positive relationship between the two variables. It appears that the "Billie" phenomenon is not just a "Billie Jean" dance move but also holds relevance in the world of sociological academia. With a p-value of less than 0.01, we can confidently claim that the association we've discovered is not a mere "Billie-goat" tale but a genuine statistical relationship.

To our amusement, the data suggested that the rising fame of the name "Billie" could indeed be linked to the proliferation of sociologists in North Carolina. This finding raises the question, "Are sociologists drawn to the state by the irresistible charm of the name 'Billie', or is 'Billie' simply an indicator of socio-cultural changes that influence career choices?" We may never know the answer, but it's certainly a "Billie-curious" phenomenon worth exploring further.

Overall, our playful investigation unearthed an unexpected correlation that lingers like a catchy tune. Perhaps the allure of "Billie" extends beyond the realm of music and reaches into the sociological fabric of North Carolina. As we conclude this study, we invite our readers to ponder the timeless question: "What's in a name - a sociologist by any other name would research as sweet?"

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of sociology and nomenclature may seem like an unlikely pairing, akin to a "Billie-goat" attending a high-society gala. However, in the realm of academic inquiry, serendipitous connections often emerge from the most unexpected places. The focus of this study rests upon the enthralling correlation between the proliferation of sociologists in North Carolina and the popularity of the first name "Billie." It's a "Billie Jean" meets social science extravaganza that promises to uncover hidden harmonies in the cacophony of statistical data.
The very notion of unpacking the relationship between a moniker and the composition of a professional cohort may sound like a "Billie on the Hill," overlooking the valleys of tradition and convention. Yet, as the Bard himself once lamented, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely sociologists" – or at least, that's what our data suggests.
As we embark on this intellectual escapade, we encourage readers to keep an open mind, perhaps akin to a "Billie-curious" observer encountering a new and perplexing sociological theory. The buoyancy of our findings invites us to ponder whether there truly is "Magic in the Billie" – not just in Michael Jackson's mellifluous serenade, but also in the unassuming corridors of North Carolina's sociological academia.
Through a blend of statistical analysis and whimsical conjecture, we aim to unravel this charming mystery, akin to sleuths fervently pursuing a delightful enigma. So, let's delve into the wondrous world of "Billie" and sociologists – where names, numbers, and nascent hypotheses converge in a delightful scientific waltz.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unpack the delightful correlation between the popularity of the first name "Billie" and the number of sociologists in North Carolina, our research team embarked on a journey akin to Billie Holiday crooning a tune of statistical analysis. We channeled our inner sleuths to gather data from the US Social Security Administration and Bureau of Labor Statistics, sifting through records from 2003 to 2019.

Our first step involved collecting the frequency of the name "Billie" in North Carolina, with a focus on newborns christened with this melodic appellation. We must admit, we were quite "Billie-fied" by the abundance of variation in the ways this name could be spelled and thus had to account for multiple spellings and derivatives. We didn't want to miss out on any potential "Billie-gibility" in our dataset!

Next, we delved into the Bureau of Labor Statistics to ascertain the number of sociologists practicing in North Carolina during the same timeframe. This involved parsing through occupational data with a discerning eye, ensuring that we captured the entire "sociologist spectrum" and not just a "Billie-board" top 100.

With our datasets in hand, we unleashed the statistical Kraken, employing a bivariate correlation analysis to unveil the potential relationship between the frequency of the name "Billie" and the number of sociologists in the state. We used Pearson's correlation coefficient to measure the strength and direction of this association. It was like watching a delightful dance between "Billie" and sociologists, with statistics as our rhythm section.

Furthermore, we supplemented our quantitative analysis with qualitative insights, engaging in interviews with a handful of sociologists in North Carolina. While our interviews didn't feature any direct references to the name "Billie," we can't help but wonder if an undercover "Billie-ant" influence was at play in their career choices.

To add a touch of whimsy to our rigorous methods, we also incorporated a lighthearted survey asking sociologists if they feel a kinship with the name "Billie" or if they've ever pondered the potential connection between their career path and the frequency of this name in the state. We received responses ranging from outright laughter to thoughtful contemplation, hinting at the enigmatic allure of our inquiry.

In conclusion, our methodology waltzed through the intricacies of data collection, danced with the statistical nuances, and serenaded the essence of "Billie" and sociologists in a harmonious scientific duet. As we venture into the realm of results, we invite readers to join us in this merry expedition of discovery.

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 Popularity of the first name Billie and The number of sociologists in North Carolina. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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 Thrill of Billie: A Study on North Carolina Sociologists' Profile

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we embarked on a whimsical journey to unravel the potential connection between the popularity of the first name "Billie" and the number of sociologists in North Carolina. Although our research may seem like a "Billie on the Hill," we assure you that the findings are as real as can be. Using data from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we delved into the correlation between the frequency of the name "Billie" and the count of sociologists in the Tar Heel State.

Our analysis revealed a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.8300453, indicating a strong positive relationship between the two variables. It appears that the "Billie" phenomenon is not just a "Billie Jean" dance move but also holds relevance in the world of sociological academia. With a p-value of less than 0.01, we can confidently claim that the association we've discovered is not a mere "Billie-goat" tale but a genuine statistical relationship.

To our amusement, the data suggested that the rising fame of the name "Billie" could indeed be linked to the proliferation of sociologists in North Carolina. This finding raises the question, "Are sociologists drawn to the state by the irresistible charm of the name 'Billie', or is 'Billie' simply an indicator of socio-cultural changes that influence career choices?" We may never know the answer, but it's certainly a "Billie-curious" phenomenon worth exploring further.

Overall, our playful investigation unearthed an unexpected correlation that lingers like a catchy tune. Perhaps the allure of "Billie" extends beyond the realm of music and reaches into the sociological fabric of North Carolina. As we conclude this study, we invite our readers to ponder the timeless question: "What's in a name - a sociologist by any other name would research as sweet?"

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The connection between given names and professional demographics has long captivated researchers, inviting them to ponder the enigmatic interplay between nomenclature and socio-professional phenomena. Smith et al. (2010) delved into the cultural implications of names, offering insightful parallels between naming trends and societal shifts. Similarly, Doe (2015) explored the influence of names on career choices, shedding light on the subtle, yet profound, impact of nomenclature on occupational pathways.
But let's not forget Jones's groundbreaking work in "The Sociology of Surnames" (2008), which probed the intricate relationship between last names and academic pursuits. It's a veritable "surname and academia" rollercoaster, and it's enough to make one's head spin faster than a coffee grinder at a sociology convention.
In addition to these serious inquiries, real-life authors such as Freakonomics' Levitt and Dubner (2005) and Outliers' Gladwell (2008) have captivated audiences with their musings on the unexpected influence of names on various life outcomes and societal phenomena. Their works mirror our own quest to unravel the mystery of the "Billie-Sociologist" connection, albeit with a touch less quirkiness and a tad more bestseller charm.
Speaking of charm, the fictional works of Dickens' "Great Expectations" and Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" provide rich narratives that showcase the societal expectations and implications linked to given names. While they don't directly address North Carolina sociologists, they remind us of the persistent influence of names on social standing and professional trajectories, much like the "Billie" phenomenon we're investigating.
Memes have also made their way into this discourse, with the likes of the "Is This a Pigeon?" and "Change My Mind" memes playfully highlighting the impact of popular culture and societal perceptions on individual identities. While not directly related to academic research, these memes offer a lighthearted reminder of the whimsical forces at play in the realm of nomenclature and social phenomena.
As we wade deeper into this nexus of names and sociological compositions, it becomes evident that the allure of "Billie" may hold more sway than initially anticipated. It's a tale as old as time, or at least as old as sociological research – names, numbers, and the unexpected dance that ensues when the two converge. Let's strap in for a wild ride, because this sociological rollercoaster is guaranteed to have more twists and turns than a Shakespearean comedy.

[[RESULTS]]
The investigation into the correlation between the popularity of the first name "Billie" and the number of sociologists in North Carolina bestowed upon us a fascinating revelation. Our analysis of the period from 2003 to 2019 revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.8300453, indicating a robust positive relationship between the frequency of the name "Billie" and the count of sociologists in the state. It seems that "Billie" isn't just causing "Bad" lyrical earworms but also piquing the interest of sociologists in the Tar Heel State.
With an r-squared value of 0.6889753, this compelling association suggests that approximately 69% of the variation in the count of sociologists can be explained by the popularity of the name "Billie." It's as if sociologists in North Carolina are saying, "Don’t Be Cruel, just call me Billie!"
The p-value of less than 0.01 further substantiates the statistical significance of our findings. This means that the likelihood of the observed relationship occurring by mere chance is less than one in a hundred, making it more infrequent than a "Billie-goat" sighting!
To visually encapsulate this discovery, Fig. 1 presents a scatterplot illustrating the strong positive correlation between the frequency of the name "Billie" and the count of sociologists in North Carolina. This graph serves as a testament to the synchrony between these seemingly unrelated variables – a real-life chart-topper of statistical analysis.
Our investigation ignites an intriguing inquiry into the influence of nomenclature on career trends and the sociological landscape. Exploring the "Billie effect" paints a whimsical picture of sociologists flocking to North Carolina, perhaps serenading her with renditions of "Billie Jean" in their spare time.
In summary, our findings underscore the captivating relationship between the prominence of the name "Billie" and the composition of sociologists in North Carolina. As we waltz away from this study, we leave you with this parting thought: "What's in a name? Apparently, a sociologist's paradise!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our study delved into the captivating world of the "Billie" phenomenon and its association with the number of sociologists in North Carolina. As we reflect on our findings, it seems that the impact of a name can indeed transcend expectations, much like a father's love for his "Billie-goat." The substantial correlation we uncovered echoes the sentiments of one sociologist who spouted, "My name brings all the sociologists to the yard, and they're like, it's better than yours."

Our results align with prior research that has explored the melodious fusion of names and societal dynamics. Smith et al.'s work on naming trends and societal shifts seems particularly relevant here. It's as if our study adds a whimsical twist to their serious discourse, akin to a "Billie Jean" remix enlivening a formal symphony performance. Moreover, the enigmatic connection between last names and academic pursuits, as elucidated by Jones, finds an unexpected counterpart in our exploration of first names and professional composition. It's like comparing apples and oranges, or in this case, "Janes" and "Billies."

The statistically significant relationship we uncovered reaffirms the potential influence of nomenclature on professional demographics, in a manner more profound than a "Billie Jean" dance move at a sociology convention. The p-value of less than 0.01 serves as a poignant reminder that our findings are as rare as a "Billie-goat" sighting in the Appalachian Mountains. With a correlation coefficient akin to a hit song on the charts, our results echo louder than a choir of sociologists harmonizing to the tune of "Billie Jean," a resonance that cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence.

As we ponder the implications of the "Billie effect" on the sociological landscape of North Carolina, we are reminded of the inextricable link between names and societal fabric, for it seems that the allure of "Billie" extends far beyond the sonic realm and into the professional arena, much like an irresistible earworm. This study serves as a testament to the unpredictable interplay between nomenclature and societal composition, raising more questions than a "Billie-curious" cat.

In the end, our research highlights the jocular, yet profound, influence of names on career pathways, reminding us that a name is not just a label but a gateway to a sociologist's paradise, akin to a "Billie on the Hill" guiding us through the sociological landscape of North Carolina. As we bid farewell to this study, we cannot help but hum the timeless question, "What's in a name?" It seems that, in the case of North Carolina sociologists, the answer may very well be "plenty."

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 Popularity of the first name Billie and The number of sociologists in North Carolina. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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 Thrill of Billie: A Study on North Carolina Sociologists' Profile

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we embarked on a whimsical journey to unravel the potential connection between the popularity of the first name "Billie" and the number of sociologists in North Carolina. Although our research may seem like a "Billie on the Hill," we assure you that the findings are as real as can be. Using data from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we delved into the correlation between the frequency of the name "Billie" and the count of sociologists in the Tar Heel State.

Our analysis revealed a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.8300453, indicating a strong positive relationship between the two variables. It appears that the "Billie" phenomenon is not just a "Billie Jean" dance move but also holds relevance in the world of sociological academia. With a p-value of less than 0.01, we can confidently claim that the association we've discovered is not a mere "Billie-goat" tale but a genuine statistical relationship.

To our amusement, the data suggested that the rising fame of the name "Billie" could indeed be linked to the proliferation of sociologists in North Carolina. This finding raises the question, "Are sociologists drawn to the state by the irresistible charm of the name 'Billie', or is 'Billie' simply an indicator of socio-cultural changes that influence career choices?" We may never know the answer, but it's certainly a "Billie-curious" phenomenon worth exploring further.

Overall, our playful investigation unearthed an unexpected correlation that lingers like a catchy tune. Perhaps the allure of "Billie" extends beyond the realm of music and reaches into the sociological fabric of North Carolina. As we conclude this study, we invite our readers to ponder the timeless question: "What's in a name - a sociologist by any other name would research as sweet?"

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The intersection of sociology and nomenclature may seem like an unlikely pairing, akin to a "Billie-goat" attending a high-society gala. However, in the realm of academic inquiry, serendipitous connections often emerge from the most unexpected places. The focus of this study rests upon the enthralling correlation between the proliferation of sociologists in North Carolina and the popularity of the first name "Billie." It's a "Billie Jean" meets social science extravaganza that promises to uncover hidden harmonies in the cacophony of statistical data.
The very notion of unpacking the relationship between a moniker and the composition of a professional cohort may sound like a "Billie on the Hill," overlooking the valleys of tradition and convention. Yet, as the Bard himself once lamented, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely sociologists" – or at least, that's what our data suggests.
As we embark on this intellectual escapade, we encourage readers to keep an open mind, perhaps akin to a "Billie-curious" observer encountering a new and perplexing sociological theory. The buoyancy of our findings invites us to ponder whether there truly is "Magic in the Billie" – not just in Michael Jackson's mellifluous serenade, but also in the unassuming corridors of North Carolina's sociological academia.
Through a blend of statistical analysis and whimsical conjecture, we aim to unravel this charming mystery, akin to sleuths fervently pursuing a delightful enigma. So, let's delve into the wondrous world of "Billie" and sociologists – where names, numbers, and nascent hypotheses converge in a delightful scientific waltz.

[[RESULTS]]
The investigation into the correlation between the popularity of the first name "Billie" and the number of sociologists in North Carolina bestowed upon us a fascinating revelation. Our analysis of the period from 2003 to 2019 revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.8300453, indicating a robust positive relationship between the frequency of the name "Billie" and the count of sociologists in the state. It seems that "Billie" isn't just causing "Bad" lyrical earworms but also piquing the interest of sociologists in the Tar Heel State.
With an r-squared value of 0.6889753, this compelling association suggests that approximately 69% of the variation in the count of sociologists can be explained by the popularity of the name "Billie." It's as if sociologists in North Carolina are saying, "Don’t Be Cruel, just call me Billie!"
The p-value of less than 0.01 further substantiates the statistical significance of our findings. This means that the likelihood of the observed relationship occurring by mere chance is less than one in a hundred, making it more infrequent than a "Billie-goat" sighting!
To visually encapsulate this discovery, Fig. 1 presents a scatterplot illustrating the strong positive correlation between the frequency of the name "Billie" and the count of sociologists in North Carolina. This graph serves as a testament to the synchrony between these seemingly unrelated variables – a real-life chart-topper of statistical analysis.
Our investigation ignites an intriguing inquiry into the influence of nomenclature on career trends and the sociological landscape. Exploring the "Billie effect" paints a whimsical picture of sociologists flocking to North Carolina, perhaps serenading her with renditions of "Billie Jean" in their spare time.
In summary, our findings underscore the captivating relationship between the prominence of the name "Billie" and the composition of sociologists in North Carolina. As we waltz away from this study, we leave you with this parting thought: "What's in a name? Apparently, a sociologist's paradise!"

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Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

Our study has unveiled a captivating correlation between the prevalence of the name "Billie" and the abundance of sociologists in North Carolina. It's as if the sociologists are saying, "Billie Jean is not my lover, but she's definitely my statistical predictor!" This unexpected relationship tickles the intellect and provides a delightful diversion from the usual scholarly pursuits.

The robust positive correlation coefficient of 0.8300453 is akin to hitting a home run in the field of sociological nomenclature research. It seems the "Billie" phenomenon has more influence than just being an earworm – it's apparently a siren's call to the sociological arena! The likelihood of this relationship occurring by chance is rarer than a "Billie-goat" spotting indeed.

As we bid adieu to this whimsical inquiry, we can't help but muse, "To Billie or not to Billie?" Perhaps there's more to a name than meets the eye, especially in the realm of North Carolina sociologists. This statistical journey has been as surprising as finding a "Billie-goat" at a sociological symposium.

In conclusion, our findings suggest that the allure of the name "Billie" may have an inexplicable magnetism on the profession of sociology in North Carolina. "Billie-goats" and sociologists alike may find joy in this unexpected correlation. With a conclusive nod to this study, we assert that no further research is required in this 'Billie-curious' domain. After all, "Billie-n"ore research is simply "too much of a good thing!"

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 Thrill of Billie: A Study on North Carolina Sociologists' Profile. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Southern Sociological Studies

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited The Thrill of Billie: A Study on North Carolina Sociologists' Profile. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

Association for Southern Sociological Studies

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 Thrill of Billie: A Study on North Carolina Sociologists' Profile with an abstract of In this study, we embarked on a whimsical journey to unravel the potential connection between the popularity of the first name "Billie" and the number of sociologists in North Carolina. Although our research may seem like a "Billie on the Hill," we assure you that the findings are as real as can be. Using data from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we delved into the correlation between the frequency of the name "Billie" and the count of sociologists in the Tar Heel State.
Our analysis revealed a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.8300453, indicating a strong positive relationship between the two variables. It appears that the "Billie" phenomenon is not just a "Billie Jean" dance move but also holds relevance in the world of sociological academia. With a p-value of less than 0.01, we can confidently claim that the association we've discovered is not a mere "Billie-goat" tale but a genuine statistical relationship.
To our amusement, the data suggested that the rising fame of the name "Billie" could indeed be linked to the proliferation of sociologists in North Carolina. This finding raises the question, "Are sociologists drawn to the state by the irresistible charm of the name 'Billie', or is 'Billie' simply an indicator of socio-cultural changes that influence career choices?" We may never know the answer, but it's certainly a "Billie-curious" phenomenon worth exploring further.
Overall, our playful investigation unearthed an unexpected correlation that lingers like a catchy tune. Perhaps the allure of "Billie" extends beyond the realm of music and reaches into the sociological fabric of North Carolina. As we conclude this study, we invite our readers to ponder the timeless question: "What's in a name - a sociologist by any other name would research as sweet?

ChatGPT:

"Billie" popularity, sociologists, North Carolina, correlation coefficient, US Social Security Administration, Bureau of Labor Statistics, name frequency, statistical relationship, career choices, socio-cultural changes, sociology, name popularity trend

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

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Data details

Popularity of the first name Billie
Detailed data title: Babies of all sexes born in the US named Billie
Source: US Social Security Administration
See what else correlates with Popularity of the first name Billie

The number of sociologists in North Carolina
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of sociologists in North Carolina
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of sociologists in North Carolina

Correlation r = 0.8300453 (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 = 0.6889753 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 68.9% of the change in the one variable (i.e., The number of sociologists in North Carolina) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Popularity of the first name Billie) over the 17 years from 2003 through 2019.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 3.7E-5.^Show 0.0000373763704919786700000000
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 0.83 in 0.0037% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 26,755 random variables^Note You don't actually need 26 thousand variables to find a correlation like this one. 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.

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 16 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 16 because we have two variables measured over a period of 17 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.

[ 0.58, 0.94 ] 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.

	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Popularity of the first name Billie (Babies born)	143	125	108	120	121	100	97	87	96	103	122	135	107	97	127	157	221
The number of sociologists in North Carolina (Sociologists)	90	120	170	190	120	80	50	50	50	90	180	140	70	40	50	200	330

Why this works

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

Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([143,125,108,120,121,100,97,87,96,103,122,135,107,97,127,157,221,])
array_2 = np.array([90,120,170,190,120,80,50,50,50,90,180,140,70,40,50,200,330,])
array_1_name = "Popularity of the first name Billie"
array_2_name = "The number of sociologists in North Carolina"

# 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)
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Line chart for only Popularity of the first name Billie
Line chart for only The number of sociologists in North Carolina
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: The Thrill of Billie: A Study on North Carolina Sociologists' Profile

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Correlation ID: 3179 · Black Variable ID: 3456 · Red Variable ID: 12305


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