Spurious correlation #3,283 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the second variable is Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. The chart goes from 1979 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the second variable is Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. The chart goes from 1979 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

The UFOs were beaming down some next-level mustard and relish, giving him a taste that was out of this world! It seems the aliens were really trying to saucer him up with those top-secret condiments.

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: "Generate an image inspired by a TIME magazine cover, featuring a gathering in a Pennsylvania field to watch the night sky for UFO sightings. In the background, depict a crowd looking up in awe. In the foreground, show the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion eating a towering stack of hotdogs with determination, readying himself for potential alien food challenges. Keep the composition clear and visually compelling." 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: UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. 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: Psychedelic A TIME magazine cover image A TIME magazine cover image inspired by bauhaus a funny image macro
ChatGPT: A TIME magazine cover image

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, in the following situation: Because UFO sightings in Pennsylvania sparked a surge in interest in extraterrestrial cuisine, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion began eating more hotdogs to prepare for potential alien food challenges.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a Pennsylvania field, a crowd gathers to watch the night sky for UFO sightings. Over to the side, the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion is seen devouring an impressive stack of hotdogs, a determined look on his face as he prepares for potential alien food challenges.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ A TIME magazine cover image ] and depicting this scene: In a Pennsylvania field, a crowd gathers to watch the night sky for UFO sightings. Over to the side, the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion is seen devouring an impressive stack of hotdogs, a determined look on his face as he prepares for potential alien food challenges. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: "Generate an image inspired by a TIME magazine cover, featuring a gathering in a Pennsylvania field to watch the night sky for UFO sightings. In the background, depict a crowd looking up in awe. In the foreground, show the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion eating a towering stack of hotdogs with determination, readying himself for potential alien food challenges. Keep the composition clear and visually compelling."

*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 UFO sightings in Pennsylvania caused Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion to increase. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

The Unidentified Food Object: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings in Pennsylvania and the Hotdog Consumption of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then 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 Unidentified Food Object: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings in Pennsylvania and the Hotdog Consumption of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research paper presents a statistical analysis of the potential connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. By utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, the research team investigated the correlation between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Surprisingly, the correlation coefficient of 0.8492663 and p < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021 indicated a strong association between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the amount of hotdogs consumed by the reigning champion. This unexpected correlation raises intriguing questions about the influence of extraterrestrial activity on competitive eating events and challenges conventional notions of cause and effect. The implications of this peculiar connection are both thought-provoking and, quite literally, out of this world.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The unconventional pairing of UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the consumption of hotdogs by the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion has sparked both skepticism and curiosity within the scientific community. The seemingly disparate nature of these two phenomena has led many to dismiss any potential correlation as mere coincidence, perhaps brushing it off as an "unidentified food object" in the realm of statistical analysis. However, the preliminary investigation into this unorthodox relationship has uncovered a series of astonishing statistical patterns, proving that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
The enigmatic allure of UFO sightings has captivated the human imagination for decades, and Pennsylvania has established itself as a prolific stage for such unexplained aerial phenomena. Simultaneously, the grueling yet strangely captivating spectacle of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition has drawn attention from both gastronomical enthusiasts and statistical aficionados. It is amidst this backdrop of cosmic mysteries and competitive eating that the correlation between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption emerges, beckoning researchers to embark on an improbable yet compelling analytical journey.
At first glance, the idea of linking extraterrestrial visitations with the human quest to consume an astounding number of hotdogs may appear whimsical or even preposterous to some. Yet, the rigorous analysis of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia has illuminated a remarkable correlation, challenging traditional assumptions about cause and effect. The statistical scrutiny of this unlikely relationship has unveiled unexpected commonalities, prompting us to reassess our understanding of both the cosmos and competitive eating.
This investigation seeks to delve into the nuances of this peculiar association, exploring the implications of a high correlation coefficient and a p-value less than 0.01 that suggest a strong connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. In doing so, we aim to shed light on the mysterious forces at play and to encourage a broader conversation on the potential interplay between celestial activities and terrestrial indulgences. As we embark on this scholarly adventure, we invite the reader to approach this unconventional correlation with an open mind, a dash of skepticism, and, of course, a relish for the unexpected.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

In "Smith et al. (2010)," the authors find that UFO sightings have long been a subject of public fascination and scientific inquiry. The mysterious nature of these unexplained aerial phenomena has captured the imagination of individuals worldwide, prompting a range of speculative theories and investigations. This fascination with UFOs has persisted throughout history and has become entrenched in popular culture, serving as a perennial source of intrigue and curiosity.

Furthermore, "Doe and Jones (2015)" examine the tradition of competitive eating, particularly the renowned Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. This annual event, held at Coney Island, New York, has attracted competitive eaters from around the globe and has garnered widespread attention for its impressive displays of gastronomic prowess. The consumption of hotdogs in this competitive setting has become a spectacle in its own right, captivating audiences and challenging participants to push the boundaries of human consumption.

As we delve deeper into the puzzling correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, it is essential to consider the broader cultural and literary context that surrounds these enigmatic phenomena. An examination of non-fiction works such as "The UFO Phenomenon: Fact, Fantasy, and Disinformation" by John E. Mack and "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser provides valuable insights into the historical, cultural, and societal dimensions of UFO sightings and hotdog consumption, respectively.

Additionally, fictional narratives such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" by Steven Spielberg and "Hot Dog Girl" by Jennifer Dugan offer imaginative explorations of extraterrestrial encounters and the quirky world of competitive eating. These fictional works, while not grounded in empirical research, contribute to the broader narrative and collective consciousness surrounding UFOs and hotdogs, adding colorful layers to our understanding of these phenomena.

In the realm of internet culture, the popular meme "Aliens Guy" and the "Hotdog vs. Sandwich" debate symbolize the intersection of UFO lore and culinary discourse, highlighting the enduring and unexpected connections between these seemingly unrelated domains. These cultural touchstones serve as playful reminders of the extraordinary and often amusing ways in which UFO sightings and hotdog consumption permeate contemporary society.

With this interdisciplinary perspective in mind, we embark on a captivating journey to unravel the unexpected correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. As we navigate through the scholarly landscape, we are poised to unravel the mysteries that lie at the intersection of celestial phenomena and competitive eating, all while savoring the rich tapestry of cultural references that accompany these extraordinary subjects.

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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia . You used data from 1979 to 2021

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

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Unidentified Food Object: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings in Pennsylvania and the Hotdog Consumption of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research paper presents a statistical analysis of the potential connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. By utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, the research team investigated the correlation between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Surprisingly, the correlation coefficient of 0.8492663 and p < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021 indicated a strong association between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the amount of hotdogs consumed by the reigning champion. This unexpected correlation raises intriguing questions about the influence of extraterrestrial activity on competitive eating events and challenges conventional notions of cause and effect. The implications of this peculiar connection are both thought-provoking and, quite literally, out of this world.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The unconventional pairing of UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the consumption of hotdogs by the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion has sparked both skepticism and curiosity within the scientific community. The seemingly disparate nature of these two phenomena has led many to dismiss any potential correlation as mere coincidence, perhaps brushing it off as an "unidentified food object" in the realm of statistical analysis. However, the preliminary investigation into this unorthodox relationship has uncovered a series of astonishing statistical patterns, proving that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
The enigmatic allure of UFO sightings has captivated the human imagination for decades, and Pennsylvania has established itself as a prolific stage for such unexplained aerial phenomena. Simultaneously, the grueling yet strangely captivating spectacle of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition has drawn attention from both gastronomical enthusiasts and statistical aficionados. It is amidst this backdrop of cosmic mysteries and competitive eating that the correlation between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption emerges, beckoning researchers to embark on an improbable yet compelling analytical journey.
At first glance, the idea of linking extraterrestrial visitations with the human quest to consume an astounding number of hotdogs may appear whimsical or even preposterous to some. Yet, the rigorous analysis of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia has illuminated a remarkable correlation, challenging traditional assumptions about cause and effect. The statistical scrutiny of this unlikely relationship has unveiled unexpected commonalities, prompting us to reassess our understanding of both the cosmos and competitive eating.
This investigation seeks to delve into the nuances of this peculiar association, exploring the implications of a high correlation coefficient and a p-value less than 0.01 that suggest a strong connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. In doing so, we aim to shed light on the mysterious forces at play and to encourage a broader conversation on the potential interplay between celestial activities and terrestrial indulgences. As we embark on this scholarly adventure, we invite the reader to approach this unconventional correlation with an open mind, a dash of skepticism, and, of course, a relish for the unexpected.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To conduct this otherworldly investigation into the correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, a peculiar set of research methods were employed.

Firstly, data on UFO sightings in Pennsylvania was obtained from the National UFO Reporting Center, which documented the reports of unidentified aerial phenomena from 1979 to 2021. These reports were meticulously analyzed, including categorization based on the type of sightings, such as close encounters, lights in the sky, or unexplained aerial activity resembling flying saucers. The analysis also took into account the geographical distribution of UFO sightings within the state, with an emphasis on any peculiar clusters or recurring patterns.

Secondly, in order to quantify the consumption of hotdogs by the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, data was collected from a diverse range of sources, prominently featuring the official records and historical archives of this esteemed gastronomic event. The amount of hotdogs consumed by the reigning champion each year was tabulated, utilizing established records and eyewitness accounts to construct a comprehensive timeline of hotdog ingestion prowess.

Next, utilizing the vast resources of Wikipedia, additional contextual information was retrieved to enrich the analysis. This encompassed historical facts about UFO sightings in Pennsylvania, including any notable events or patterns, as well as the evolution of competitive hotdog eating as a sport, citing significant milestones and record-breaking feats. Wikipedia also proved to be instrumental in providing background information on the socioeconomic and cultural factors affecting both UFO sightings and hotdog consumption, laying the groundwork for a nuanced investigation into this perplexing nexus.

Subsequently, statistical methods were employed to rigorously analyze the collected data. Correlation analysis was conducted to quantify the relationship between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the consumption of hotdogs by the champion, unearthing the unexpected and enigmatic statistical association that forms the crux of this research. Additionally, special attention was paid to the temporal trends of these phenomena, examining any synchronicities or temporal lags that could further illuminate their entwined nature.

Furthermore, to fortify the findings amid the nebulous realm of extraterrestrial mysteries and competitive eating prowess, a series of sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the observed correlation. This entailed scrutinizing the data through alternative statistical lenses and hypothetical scenarios, ensuring that the unearthed connection was not a mere figment of statistical happenstance, but a robust and veritable link between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption.

Lastly, to contextualize the results and draw meaningful insights from this most unusual correlation, a multidisciplinary approach was adopted, incorporating perspectives from astrophysics, gastronomy, cultural studies, and perhaps even a touch of speculative fiction. This intricate mosaic of methods and analyses served to validate the surprising statistical association between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, propelling the study into scholarly orbit.

In summary, this research harnessed a fusion of unconventional methods, steadfast statistical scrutiny, and an indefatigable quest for cosmic revelations to unravel the mysterious entanglement between unidentified aerial phenomena and the consummate consumption of encased meats. As we delve deeper into the methodology that underpins this enigmatic inquiry, we invite the reader to suspend disbelief, savor the unexpected, and embrace the inherent whimsy of statistical exploration into the unknown.

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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
The Unidentified Food Object: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings in Pennsylvania and the Hotdog Consumption of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research paper presents a statistical analysis of the potential connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. By utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, the research team investigated the correlation between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Surprisingly, the correlation coefficient of 0.8492663 and p < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021 indicated a strong association between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the amount of hotdogs consumed by the reigning champion. This unexpected correlation raises intriguing questions about the influence of extraterrestrial activity on competitive eating events and challenges conventional notions of cause and effect. The implications of this peculiar connection are both thought-provoking and, quite literally, out of this world.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
In "Smith et al. (2010)," the authors find that UFO sightings have long been a subject of public fascination and scientific inquiry. The mysterious nature of these unexplained aerial phenomena has captured the imagination of individuals worldwide, prompting a range of speculative theories and investigations. This fascination with UFOs has persisted throughout history and has become entrenched in popular culture, serving as a perennial source of intrigue and curiosity.
Furthermore, "Doe and Jones (2015)" examine the tradition of competitive eating, particularly the renowned Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. This annual event, held at Coney Island, New York, has attracted competitive eaters from around the globe and has garnered widespread attention for its impressive displays of gastronomic prowess. The consumption of hotdogs in this competitive setting has become a spectacle in its own right, captivating audiences and challenging participants to push the boundaries of human consumption.
As we delve deeper into the puzzling correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion, it is essential to consider the broader cultural and literary context that surrounds these enigmatic phenomena. An examination of non-fiction works such as "The UFO Phenomenon: Fact, Fantasy, and Disinformation" by John E. Mack and "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser provides valuable insights into the historical, cultural, and societal dimensions of UFO sightings and hotdog consumption, respectively.
Additionally, fictional narratives such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" by Steven Spielberg and "Hot Dog Girl" by Jennifer Dugan offer imaginative explorations of extraterrestrial encounters and the quirky world of competitive eating. These fictional works, while not grounded in empirical research, contribute to the broader narrative and collective consciousness surrounding UFOs and hotdogs, adding colorful layers to our understanding of these phenomena.
In the realm of internet culture, the popular meme "Aliens Guy" and the "Hotdog vs. Sandwich" debate symbolize the intersection of UFO lore and culinary discourse, highlighting the enduring and unexpected connections between these seemingly unrelated domains. These cultural touchstones serve as playful reminders of the extraordinary and often amusing ways in which UFO sightings and hotdog consumption permeate contemporary society.
With this interdisciplinary perspective in mind, we embark on a captivating journey to unravel the unexpected correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. As we navigate through the scholarly landscape, we are poised to unravel the mysteries that lie at the intersection of celestial phenomena and competitive eating, all while savoring the rich tapestry of cultural references that accompany these extraordinary subjects.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis revealed a surprisingly strong correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the quantity of hotdogs consumed by the reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. The correlation coefficient of 0.8492663 and an r-squared value of 0.7212532 indicated a robust association between these two seemingly disparate phenomena for the period from 1979 to 2021. The p-value of less than 0.01 further underscored the statistical significance of this unexpected relationship.
Interestingly, the data points displayed a clear pattern in the scatterplot (Fig. 1), illustrating the compelling correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the number of hotdogs devoured by the competition champion.
It is worth noting that while correlation does not imply causation, the strength of the correlation coefficient and the highly significant p-value provide substantial evidence for an intriguing connection. This unorthodox relationship raises thought-provoking questions about the potential influence of extraterrestrial activity on human competitive eating achievements, challenging traditional notions of causality and inviting further inquiry into the broader implications of celestial encounters on earthly gastronomical feats.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The results of the statistical analysis unequivocally demonstrate a compelling correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the consumption of hotdogs by the reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Our findings substantiate previous research, as briefly noted in our literature review, that has long postulated connections between celestial phenomena and various cultural and societal activities.

Smith et al. (2010) provide the groundwork for our investigation by acknowledging the enduring fascination with UFO sightings and their impact on public imagination. Our study takes this fascination to a new level by uncovering a tangible relationship between these mysterious aerial phenomena and the remarkable gastronomic feats of competitive eaters. As "Doe and Jones (2015)" have emphasized the tradition of competitive eating, our research adds a startling dimension to this tradition, shedding light on the unforeseen forces that may shape or influence this peculiar activity.

The unexpected correlation coefficient and the highly significant p-value lend credence to the notion that UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the champion may be more than mere coincidences. Importantly, while correlation does not imply causation, the strength of the relationship piques curiosity and calls for further exploration. This unexpected relationship challenges traditional notions of causality and prompts us to consider the uncharted territory where celestial encounters and terrestrial gastronomic achievements intersect.

The literature review touched on the playful meme "Aliens Guy" and the "Hotdog vs. Sandwich" debate, underlining the enduring, and at times amusing, ways in which UFO sightings and hotdog consumption permeate contemporary society. Our study now adds a layer of empirical evidence to this cultural tapestry, elevating the playful banter to a new realm of scientific inquiry.

In conclusion, our findings open the door to a vast banquet of questions and possibilities. The association between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and hotdog consumption raises intriguing inquiries about the potential influences of extraterrestrial forces on human activities. As the enigmatic correlation comes to light, it beckons further scrutiny and invites researchers to indulge in a rich feast of interdisciplinary exploration at the intersection of celestial phenomena and competitive eating.

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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
The Unidentified Food Object: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings in Pennsylvania and the Hotdog Consumption of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research paper presents a statistical analysis of the potential connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. By utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, the research team investigated the correlation between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Surprisingly, the correlation coefficient of 0.8492663 and p < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021 indicated a strong association between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the amount of hotdogs consumed by the reigning champion. This unexpected correlation raises intriguing questions about the influence of extraterrestrial activity on competitive eating events and challenges conventional notions of cause and effect. The implications of this peculiar connection are both thought-provoking and, quite literally, out of this world.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The unconventional pairing of UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the consumption of hotdogs by the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion has sparked both skepticism and curiosity within the scientific community. The seemingly disparate nature of these two phenomena has led many to dismiss any potential correlation as mere coincidence, perhaps brushing it off as an "unidentified food object" in the realm of statistical analysis. However, the preliminary investigation into this unorthodox relationship has uncovered a series of astonishing statistical patterns, proving that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
The enigmatic allure of UFO sightings has captivated the human imagination for decades, and Pennsylvania has established itself as a prolific stage for such unexplained aerial phenomena. Simultaneously, the grueling yet strangely captivating spectacle of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition has drawn attention from both gastronomical enthusiasts and statistical aficionados. It is amidst this backdrop of cosmic mysteries and competitive eating that the correlation between UFO sightings and hotdog consumption emerges, beckoning researchers to embark on an improbable yet compelling analytical journey.
At first glance, the idea of linking extraterrestrial visitations with the human quest to consume an astounding number of hotdogs may appear whimsical or even preposterous to some. Yet, the rigorous analysis of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia has illuminated a remarkable correlation, challenging traditional assumptions about cause and effect. The statistical scrutiny of this unlikely relationship has unveiled unexpected commonalities, prompting us to reassess our understanding of both the cosmos and competitive eating.
This investigation seeks to delve into the nuances of this peculiar association, exploring the implications of a high correlation coefficient and a p-value less than 0.01 that suggest a strong connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. In doing so, we aim to shed light on the mysterious forces at play and to encourage a broader conversation on the potential interplay between celestial activities and terrestrial indulgences. As we embark on this scholarly adventure, we invite the reader to approach this unconventional correlation with an open mind, a dash of skepticism, and, of course, a relish for the unexpected.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis revealed a surprisingly strong correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the quantity of hotdogs consumed by the reigning Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. The correlation coefficient of 0.8492663 and an r-squared value of 0.7212532 indicated a robust association between these two seemingly disparate phenomena for the period from 1979 to 2021. The p-value of less than 0.01 further underscored the statistical significance of this unexpected relationship.
Interestingly, the data points displayed a clear pattern in the scatterplot (Fig. 1), illustrating the compelling correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the number of hotdogs devoured by the competition champion.
It is worth noting that while correlation does not imply causation, the strength of the correlation coefficient and the highly significant p-value provide substantial evidence for an intriguing connection. This unorthodox relationship raises thought-provoking questions about the potential influence of extraterrestrial activity on human competitive eating achievements, challenging traditional notions of causality and inviting further inquiry into the broader implications of celestial encounters on earthly gastronomical feats.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, the statistical analysis has revealed a remarkably strong correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. This unexpected relationship, with a correlation coefficient of 0.8492663 and a p-value of less than 0.01, challenges conventional notions of causality and initiates conversations that are truly "out of this world."

While skeptics may dismiss this correlation as mere coincidence, the data speaks for itself, much like the way mustard stains speak for a hotdog enthusiast's allegiance to condiments. The peculiar connection between celestial visits and competitive eating could potentially unravel a cosmic conspiracy that has been right under our noses – or perhaps, right under our taste buds.

The findings of this study shed light on the enigmatic forces at play, highlighting the need for further interdisciplinary research that transcends the traditional boundaries of culinary and extraterrestrial studies. As impressive as it is to watch a hotdog eating competition, it appears that our cosmic neighbors might also be turning their attention to the unfolding drama at Coney Island. It seems that their interest in our gastronomical endeavors is not just limited to clandestine kitchen raids.

However, before we embark on a quest to uncover the extraterrestrial condiment preferences or intergalactic hotdog consumption habits, it is prudent to acknowledge the limitations of this study. Correlation does not imply causation, and further investigation is needed to discern the underlying mechanisms of this peculiar relationship. In the meantime, it is perhaps best to keep an eye on the night sky while enjoying a hotdog at a baseball game – you never know who might be taking notes on human culinary capacities from the cosmos.

In light of these findings, it is clear that the interplay between celestial activities and terrestrial indulgences warrants greater attention in both scientific and culinary spheres. However, for now, we tentatively conclude that no further research is needed in this area. After all, the truth may be "out there," but it might also be nestled in a toasted bun, topped with sauerkraut and a hint of otherworldly phenomena.

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 Unidentified Food Object: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings in Pennsylvania and the Hotdog Consumption of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Extraterrestrial Culinary 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 Unidentified Food Object: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings in Pennsylvania and the Hotdog Consumption of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Culinary Extraterrestrial 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 Unidentified Food Object: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings in Pennsylvania and the Hotdog Consumption of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion with an abstract of This research paper presents a statistical analysis of the potential connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the hotdog consumption of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion. By utilizing data from the National UFO Reporting Center and Wikipedia, the research team investigated the correlation between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Surprisingly, the correlation coefficient of 0.8492663 and p < 0.01 for the years 1979 to 2021 indicated a strong association between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the amount of hotdogs consumed by the reigning champion. This unexpected correlation raises intriguing questions about the influence of extraterrestrial activity on competitive eating events and challenges conventional notions of cause and effect. The implications of this peculiar connection are both thought-provoking and, quite literally, out of this world.

ChatGPT:

UFO sightings, Pennsylvania, statistical analysis, hotdog consumption, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, champion, correlation coefficient, extraterrestrial activity, competitive eating events

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

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Data details

UFO sightings in Pennsylvania
Detailed data title: UFO sightings reported in Pennsylvania
Source: National UFO Reporting Center
See what else correlates with UFO sightings in Pennsylvania

Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion
Detailed data title: Hotdog Consumption by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion
Source: Wikipedia
See what else correlates with Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

Correlation r = 0.8492663 (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 = 0.7212532 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 72.1% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., UFO sightings in Pennsylvania) over the 43 years from 1979 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 6.1E-13.^Show 0.0000000000006121196682490769
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 0.85 in 6.1E-11% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 1,633,667,486,719 random variables^Note You don't actually need 1 trillion 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.

[ 0.74, 0.92 ] 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.

	1979	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
UFO sightings in Pennsylvania (UFO sightings)	12	6	5	6	5	8	9	5	3	12	7	7	10	12	6	15	21	25	37	45	66	70	74	129	86	132	101	121	146	184	159	159	178	287	292	361	234	195	172	84	207	270	92
Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion (Hotdogs eaten)	9	9.5	11	11	10.5	9.5	11.75	15.5	13.5	10	15.5	16	21.5	19	17	20	19.5	22.25	24.5	19	20.25	25	50	50.5	44.5	53.33	49	53.75	66	59	68	54	62	68	69	61	62	70	72	74	71	75	76

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([12,6,5,6,5,8,9,5,3,12,7,7,10,12,6,15,21,25,37,45,66,70,74,129,86,132,101,121,146,184,159,159,178,287,292,361,234,195,172,84,207,270,92,])
array_2 = np.array([9,9.5,11,11,10.5,9.5,11.75,15.5,13.5,10,15.5,16,21.5,19,17,20,19.5,22.25,24.5,19,20.25,25,50,50.5,44.5,53.33,49,53.75,66,59,68,54,62,68,69,61,62,70,72,74,71,75,76,])
array_1_name = "UFO sightings in Pennsylvania"
array_2_name = "Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion"

# 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 UFO sightings in Pennsylvania
Line chart for only Hotdogs consumed by Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: The Unidentified Food Object: A Statistical Analysis of UFO Sightings in Pennsylvania and the Hotdog Consumption of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition Champion

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Correlation ID: 3283 · Black Variable ID: 1154 · Red Variable ID: 500


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