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Spurious correlation #3,284 · 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 Michigan and the second variable is New York Times Fiction Best Sellers.  The chart goes from 1975 to 2014, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

The UFOs beamed down some next-level storytelling inspiration, leading to a wave of out-of-this-world novels that skyrocketed to the top of the charts. It's like they gave a whole new meaning to the term 'alien best sellers.' Who knew those cosmic visitors were secret bibliophiles with a penchant for literary abduction? It's a close encounter of the fictional kind!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Create an image of a TIME magazine cover-style scene featuring a bustling Michigan town at night, with locals gazing up in awe at mysterious UFOs lighting up the sky. In the background, there's a busy New York Times Best Sellers book store with overflowing shelves of gripping fiction novels exploring exciting extraterrestrial adventures. The atmosphere is one of curiosity and excitement, with the UFOs casting an otherworldly glow over the town and the bookstore buzzing with eager readers. 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 Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. 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: Cyberpunk A TIME magazine cover image Steampunk Woodblock painting Brutalism
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 Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers, in the following situation: As more and more Michiganders reported seeing UFOs, it inspired New York Times Best Selling fiction authors to explore extraterrestrial themes, leading to an increase in sales of their books.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a lively Michigan town, locals gaze up in awe at mysterious UFOs lighting up the night sky. Meanwhile, at a bustling New York Times Best Sellers book store, shelves overflow with gripping fiction novels exploring exciting extraterrestrial adventures.

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 lively Michigan town, locals gaze up in awe at mysterious UFOs lighting up the night sky. Meanwhile, at a bustling New York Times Best Sellers book store, shelves overflow with gripping fiction novels exploring exciting extraterrestrial adventures. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Create an image of a TIME magazine cover-style scene featuring a bustling Michigan town at night, with locals gazing up in awe at mysterious UFOs lighting up the sky. In the background, there's a busy New York Times Best Sellers book store with overflowing shelves of gripping fiction novels exploring exciting extraterrestrial adventures. The atmosphere is one of curiosity and excitement, with the UFOs casting an otherworldly glow over the town and the bookstore buzzing with eager readers.

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

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in UFO sightings in Michigan caused New York Times Fiction Best Sellers to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers

International Journal of Interstellar Studies

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!
Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.




Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics journal.You write titles and abstracts of goofy academic research papers.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, and add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title seem clever.

Your research team used data from National UFO Reporting Center and Hawes to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 and p < 0.01 for 1975 to 2014.

Please respond in this format (replace "Lorem ipsum dolor sit" with your title and abstract)

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the intriguing connection between UFO sightings in the state of Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. Through a comprehensive analysis of data extracted from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, spanning the years 1975 to 2014, a significant correlation was uncovered. The calculated correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 with a p-value less than 0.01 indicates a remarkably strong relationship between the two variables.

In a quip that "UFOs might be abducting our readers," the findings suggest a potential otherworldly influence on literary tastes, ushering in a new dimension to understanding consumer behaviors. Could it be that extraterrestrial sightings trigger an uptick in the purchase of science fiction novels, or are intergalactic beings themselves fans of earthly literature? Our results illuminate a celestial conundrum ripe for exploration.

The implications of these findings are far-reaching and may even prompt a reevaluation of the extraterrestrial impact on our cultural zeitgeist. As Albert Einstein once humorously remarked, "The only sure way to prevent your science fiction from becoming a reality is to never write about it." This study fuses the realms of cosmic curiosity and literary fascination, offering a lighthearted yet thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between alien sightings and best-selling fiction.


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the intriguing connection between UFO sightings in the state of Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. Through a comprehensive analysis of data extracted from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, spanning the years 1975 to 2014, a significant correlation was uncovered. The calculated correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 with a p-value less than 0.01 indicates a remarkably strong relationship between the two variables.

In a quip that "UFOs might be abducting our readers," the findings suggest a potential otherworldly influence on literary tastes, ushering in a new dimension to understanding consumer behaviors. Could it be that extraterrestrial sightings trigger an uptick in the purchase of science fiction novels, or are intergalactic beings themselves fans of earthly literature? Our results illuminate a celestial conundrum ripe for exploration.

The implications of these findings are far-reaching and may even prompt a reevaluation of the extraterrestrial impact on our cultural zeitgeist. As Albert Einstein once humorously remarked, "The only sure way to prevent your science fiction from becoming a reality is to never write about it." This study fuses the realms of cosmic curiosity and literary fascination, offering a lighthearted yet thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between alien sightings and best-selling fiction.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

As we embark on a journey into the cosmic unknown, we are invariably drawn to the enigmatic and the incomprehensible. In the annals of peculiar phenomena, the correlation between UFO sightings in Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list stands as a curious and unexpected discovery.

Why did the UFO refuse to purchase a novel? Because it preferred to read about its own kind in the encounters section!

Our study seeks to shed light on this interstellar juxtaposition by exploring the potential linkages between extraterrestrial encounters and literary preferences. With an analytical lens firmly in place, we endeavor to uncover the cosmic forces at play, all while keeping our feet firmly planted on terra firma.

It is easy to dismiss the intersection of UFO sightings and literature as mere happenstance, but as J.R.R. Tolkien cryptically mused, "Not all those who wander are lost." In a similar vein, we hypothesize that there may indeed be an underlying narrative within the statistical noise, waiting to be deciphered.

Our quest commences with a thorough examination of data gleaned from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, covering a temporal expanse from 1975 to 2014. This time span was chosen with care, mirroring the evolution of both extraterrestrial sightings and literary trends.

What did the UFO say to the best-selling novel? "You've really abducted my attention!"

The empirical crux of our investigation lies in the calculation of a robust correlation coefficient, which yielded a value of 0.8863146 along with a p-value less than 0.01. These findings not only surpass the conventional threshold for significance, but also beckon us to consider the profound implications of this unearthly connection.

As we plunge headlong into this cosmic conundrum, we seek to transform mere speculation into empirical illumination, all the while embracing the unexpected twists and turns that invariably accompany such ventures into the unknown.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. 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]]
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the intriguing connection between UFO sightings in the state of Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. Through a comprehensive analysis of data extracted from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, spanning the years 1975 to 2014, a significant correlation was uncovered. The calculated correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 with a p-value less than 0.01 indicates a remarkably strong relationship between the two variables.

In a quip that "UFOs might be abducting our readers," the findings suggest a potential otherworldly influence on literary tastes, ushering in a new dimension to understanding consumer behaviors. Could it be that extraterrestrial sightings trigger an uptick in the purchase of science fiction novels, or are intergalactic beings themselves fans of earthly literature? Our results illuminate a celestial conundrum ripe for exploration.

The implications of these findings are far-reaching and may even prompt a reevaluation of the extraterrestrial impact on our cultural zeitgeist. As Albert Einstein once humorously remarked, "The only sure way to prevent your science fiction from becoming a reality is to never write about it." This study fuses the realms of cosmic curiosity and literary fascination, offering a lighthearted yet thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between alien sightings and best-selling fiction.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
As we embark on a journey into the cosmic unknown, we are invariably drawn to the enigmatic and the incomprehensible. In the annals of peculiar phenomena, the correlation between UFO sightings in Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list stands as a curious and unexpected discovery.
Why did the UFO refuse to purchase a novel? Because it preferred to read about its own kind in the encounters section!
Our study seeks to shed light on this interstellar juxtaposition by exploring the potential linkages between extraterrestrial encounters and literary preferences. With an analytical lens firmly in place, we endeavor to uncover the cosmic forces at play, all while keeping our feet firmly planted on terra firma.
It is easy to dismiss the intersection of UFO sightings and literature as mere happenstance, but as J.R.R. Tolkien cryptically mused, "Not all those who wander are lost." In a similar vein, we hypothesize that there may indeed be an underlying narrative within the statistical noise, waiting to be deciphered.
Our quest commences with a thorough examination of data gleaned from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, covering a temporal expanse from 1975 to 2014. This time span was chosen with care, mirroring the evolution of both extraterrestrial sightings and literary trends.
What did the UFO say to the best-selling novel? "You've really abducted my attention!"
The empirical crux of our investigation lies in the calculation of a robust correlation coefficient, which yielded a value of 0.8863146 along with a p-value less than 0.01. These findings not only surpass the conventional threshold for significance, but also beckon us to consider the profound implications of this unearthly connection.
As we plunge headlong into this cosmic conundrum, we seek to transform mere speculation into empirical illumination, all the while embracing the unexpected twists and turns that invariably accompany such ventures into the unknown.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Smith (2010) conducted a comprehensive analysis of UFO sighting reports in Michigan, scrutinizing the spatial and temporal distribution of such encounters. Despite the initial skepticism surrounding the topic, Smith's work revealed a notable clustering of sightings around the Great Lakes region, prompting speculation about the underlying factors contributing to this phenomenon. Not to probe too deeply, but what did the alien in Michigan use to communicate? An extra-terrestrial device!

Doe and Jones (2015), in their examination of the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list, unearthed intriguing patterns in the genres that dominated the literary landscape. Their study illuminated a surge in the popularity of science fiction and fantasy novels during certain periods, raising questions about the societal and cultural factors driving these trends. It's clear that the UFOs are quite well-versed in fiction – they must be avid readers of flying saucer tales!

Moving beyond the scholarly research, popular non-fiction works such as "The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry" by J. Allen Hynek and "Michigan UFOs and Extraterrestrials" by P.H. Kemp offer valuable insights into the historical context and perceptual frameworks surrounding UFO sightings in Michigan. Similarly, "The Bestseller Code" by Jodie Archer and Matthew L. Jockers delves into the underlying algorithms and market dynamics that propel books to the upper echelons of best-seller lists, providing a rigorous perspective on literary success. Perhaps there's a bestseller formula that's truly out of this world!

Turning to the realm of fiction, titles such as "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells and "Contact" by Carl Sagan intersect with the themes of extraterrestrial encounters and humanity's enduring fascination with the cosmos. As readers gravitate towards these narratives, one can't help but wonder if the UFOs are silently nodding in approval or offering editorial critiques from afar. After all, they might be the ultimate beta readers – approaching literature with an otherworldly perspective!

In the digital domain, internet memes such as "Ancient Aliens" and "X-Files" capture the zeitgeist of popular culture, blending humor and speculation concerning alien visitations and government conspiracies. These cultural artifacts serve not only as sources of entertainment, but also as indicators of the enduring allure of extraterrestrial narratives within contemporary discourse. And to think, all this time we thought UFO sightings in Michigan were just "unidentified funny objects"!

As we navigate the labyrinthine nexus of UFO sightings in Michigan and best-selling fiction, it becomes evident that the interplay between interstellar sightings and literary acclaim sparks a cosmic dance of intrigue and amusement. In this celestial waltz, one cannot help but marvel at the possibility of UFOs clandestinely flipping through pages of earthly tales or even penning their own literary masterpieces from the far reaches of the galaxy. This cosmic correlation is, dare we say, "out of this world!"


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and Hawes . You used data from 1975 to 2014

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]]
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the intriguing connection between UFO sightings in the state of Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. Through a comprehensive analysis of data extracted from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, spanning the years 1975 to 2014, a significant correlation was uncovered. The calculated correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 with a p-value less than 0.01 indicates a remarkably strong relationship between the two variables.

In a quip that "UFOs might be abducting our readers," the findings suggest a potential otherworldly influence on literary tastes, ushering in a new dimension to understanding consumer behaviors. Could it be that extraterrestrial sightings trigger an uptick in the purchase of science fiction novels, or are intergalactic beings themselves fans of earthly literature? Our results illuminate a celestial conundrum ripe for exploration.

The implications of these findings are far-reaching and may even prompt a reevaluation of the extraterrestrial impact on our cultural zeitgeist. As Albert Einstein once humorously remarked, "The only sure way to prevent your science fiction from becoming a reality is to never write about it." This study fuses the realms of cosmic curiosity and literary fascination, offering a lighthearted yet thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between alien sightings and best-selling fiction.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
As we embark on a journey into the cosmic unknown, we are invariably drawn to the enigmatic and the incomprehensible. In the annals of peculiar phenomena, the correlation between UFO sightings in Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list stands as a curious and unexpected discovery.
Why did the UFO refuse to purchase a novel? Because it preferred to read about its own kind in the encounters section!
Our study seeks to shed light on this interstellar juxtaposition by exploring the potential linkages between extraterrestrial encounters and literary preferences. With an analytical lens firmly in place, we endeavor to uncover the cosmic forces at play, all while keeping our feet firmly planted on terra firma.
It is easy to dismiss the intersection of UFO sightings and literature as mere happenstance, but as J.R.R. Tolkien cryptically mused, "Not all those who wander are lost." In a similar vein, we hypothesize that there may indeed be an underlying narrative within the statistical noise, waiting to be deciphered.
Our quest commences with a thorough examination of data gleaned from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, covering a temporal expanse from 1975 to 2014. This time span was chosen with care, mirroring the evolution of both extraterrestrial sightings and literary trends.
What did the UFO say to the best-selling novel? "You've really abducted my attention!"
The empirical crux of our investigation lies in the calculation of a robust correlation coefficient, which yielded a value of 0.8863146 along with a p-value less than 0.01. These findings not only surpass the conventional threshold for significance, but also beckon us to consider the profound implications of this unearthly connection.
As we plunge headlong into this cosmic conundrum, we seek to transform mere speculation into empirical illumination, all the while embracing the unexpected twists and turns that invariably accompany such ventures into the unknown.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

Data Collection:
The data for UFO sightings in Michigan was extracted from the National UFO Reporting Center, which documents alleged sightings of unidentified flying objects throughout the United States. The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list data was sourced from the Hawes database, which serves as a comprehensive repository of literary best-sellers. The period of analysis spans from 1975 to 2014, encapsulating the emergence of remarkable literary phenomena and reported extraterrestrial encounters.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the extraterrestrial and literary landscape, the research team embarked on a voyage through cyberspace, navigating through countless websites to gather relevant information. The team was composed of individuals with an otherworldly knack for data analysis and a celestial curiosity about the potential connections between UFO sightings and literary preferences. However, no aliens were spotted in the process, except for a few curious pixels in low-resolution photographs – our attempts at extraterrestrial communication were met with an eerie silence.

Data Analysis:
A diverse array of statistical analyses was employed to wrangle the unruly datasets into a form suitable for analysis. The UFO sightings in Michigan were cross-referenced with the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list, and the resulting dataset was subjected to a rigorous regimen of statistical tests and examinations.

The correlation coefficient was calculated using state-of-the-art statistical software, which revealed a strikingly significant correlation of 0.8863146, with a p-value less than 0.01. Our team was over the moon upon uncovering such a substantial correlation, prompting us to contemplate whether UFO sightings might have more earthly implications than we had previously imagined. The statistical analysis was akin to unraveling a mystery, where the data played the role of an enigmatic character, leaving a trail of clues for us to decipher.

To further probe the nature of the correlation, advanced regression models were employed to scrutinize potential causal relationships and unearth any hidden patterns embedded within the datasets. The algorithms hummed with anticipation as they delved into the age-old question of whether extraterrestrial encounters influence literary trends or, conversely, whether bestselling fiction entices alien visitors to our planet. As we sifted through the statistical debris, we couldn't help but ponder if our findings might inspire a new genre of "interstellar literature."

The team also explored various sensitivity analyses and robustness checks to ensure the reliability and validity of the findings. After all, in the celestial realm of statistical analyses, it's crucial to ensure that our conclusions aren't merely shooting stars – fleeting and inconsequential.

Limitations:
Despite our rigorous approach and celestial enthusiasm, our study is not without limitations. The reliance on reported UFO sightings and literary best-sellers engenders the inherent limitation of subjective reporting and potential bias. Moreover, the precise mechanisms underlying the observed correlation remain enigmatic, akin to a mysterious cosmic dance whose steps we have yet to fathom.

Furthermore, causality cannot be unequivocally inferred from our findings, and alternative explanations for the observed relationship remain plausible. As with any intriguing puzzle, our study invites future researchers to delve deeper into the cosmic chasm of UFO sightings and literary proclivities – who knows what extraterrestrial revelations await in the uncharted realms of statistical inquiry.

Stay tuned for further developments – the next chapter of our extraterrestrial literary saga promises to be an exhilarating adventure through uncharted statistical galaxies!


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and Hawes .

For the time period 1975 to 2014, you found a correlation 0.8863146, r-squared of 0.7855536, and p < 0.01.

One figure will be included. The figure (Fig. 1) is a scatterplot showing the strong correlation between the two variables. You don't need to specify where; I will add the figure.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the intriguing connection between UFO sightings in the state of Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. Through a comprehensive analysis of data extracted from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, spanning the years 1975 to 2014, a significant correlation was uncovered. The calculated correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 with a p-value less than 0.01 indicates a remarkably strong relationship between the two variables.

In a quip that "UFOs might be abducting our readers," the findings suggest a potential otherworldly influence on literary tastes, ushering in a new dimension to understanding consumer behaviors. Could it be that extraterrestrial sightings trigger an uptick in the purchase of science fiction novels, or are intergalactic beings themselves fans of earthly literature? Our results illuminate a celestial conundrum ripe for exploration.

The implications of these findings are far-reaching and may even prompt a reevaluation of the extraterrestrial impact on our cultural zeitgeist. As Albert Einstein once humorously remarked, "The only sure way to prevent your science fiction from becoming a reality is to never write about it." This study fuses the realms of cosmic curiosity and literary fascination, offering a lighthearted yet thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between alien sightings and best-selling fiction.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
As we embark on a journey into the cosmic unknown, we are invariably drawn to the enigmatic and the incomprehensible. In the annals of peculiar phenomena, the correlation between UFO sightings in Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list stands as a curious and unexpected discovery.
Why did the UFO refuse to purchase a novel? Because it preferred to read about its own kind in the encounters section!
Our study seeks to shed light on this interstellar juxtaposition by exploring the potential linkages between extraterrestrial encounters and literary preferences. With an analytical lens firmly in place, we endeavor to uncover the cosmic forces at play, all while keeping our feet firmly planted on terra firma.
It is easy to dismiss the intersection of UFO sightings and literature as mere happenstance, but as J.R.R. Tolkien cryptically mused, "Not all those who wander are lost." In a similar vein, we hypothesize that there may indeed be an underlying narrative within the statistical noise, waiting to be deciphered.
Our quest commences with a thorough examination of data gleaned from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, covering a temporal expanse from 1975 to 2014. This time span was chosen with care, mirroring the evolution of both extraterrestrial sightings and literary trends.
What did the UFO say to the best-selling novel? "You've really abducted my attention!"
The empirical crux of our investigation lies in the calculation of a robust correlation coefficient, which yielded a value of 0.8863146 along with a p-value less than 0.01. These findings not only surpass the conventional threshold for significance, but also beckon us to consider the profound implications of this unearthly connection.
As we plunge headlong into this cosmic conundrum, we seek to transform mere speculation into empirical illumination, all the while embracing the unexpected twists and turns that invariably accompany such ventures into the unknown.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The correlation analysis revealed a strong and statistically significant relationship between UFO sightings in Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list over the period from 1975 to 2014. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.8863146, indicating a substantial positive relationship between the two variables. This result suggests that as UFO sightings in Michigan increased, there was a corresponding increase in the presence of science fiction novels on the best sellers list. It appears that extraterrestrial phenomena might have a literary influence that is out of this world!

The r-squared value of 0.7855536 demonstrates that approximately 78.56% of the variability in the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list can be explained by the variability in UFO sightings in Michigan. This finding highlights the considerable impact of UFO sightings on the popularity of science fiction literature. One might say that these extraterrestrial occurrences are truly "out of this world" when it comes to their effect on literary preferences.

The p-value of less than 0.01 indicates that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by chance, further bolstering the evidence for a genuine association between UFO sightings and the presence of science fiction novels on the best sellers list. This result offers compelling support for the hypothesis that there is a tangible connection between otherworldly sightings and the literary preferences of earthly readers. It seems that our cosmic visitors may have a penchant for stimulating the imagination not only through their sightings but also through their influence on literary trends.

The scatterplot in Fig. 1 visually illustrates the strong positive correlation between UFO sightings in Michigan and the prominence of science fiction novels on the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. The data points form a clear, upward-sloping pattern, solidifying the empirical evidence of this unearthly influence on literary success. It appears that when it comes to the relationship between UFO sightings and science fiction literature, "the truth is out there" indeed!

This investigation into the intersection of UFO sightings and literary preferences not only validates the cosmic curiosity surrounding this unconventional correlation but also serves as a testament to the extraordinary ways in which earthly and extraterrestrial realms may intertwine. As we continue to ponder the implications of these findings, we recognize that the realm of extraterrestrial influences, although mysterious, may hold a key to unlocking new dimensions in our understanding of human behavior and cultural trends.

Overall, the results of this study illuminate a fascinating and lighthearted perspective on the interplay between celestial sightings and best-selling fiction, offering a cosmic conundrum ripe for further exploration, in addition to inducing an extraterrestrial amount of puns!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the intriguing connection between UFO sightings in the state of Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. Through a comprehensive analysis of data extracted from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, spanning the years 1975 to 2014, a significant correlation was uncovered. The calculated correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 with a p-value less than 0.01 indicates a remarkably strong relationship between the two variables.

In a quip that "UFOs might be abducting our readers," the findings suggest a potential otherworldly influence on literary tastes, ushering in a new dimension to understanding consumer behaviors. Could it be that extraterrestrial sightings trigger an uptick in the purchase of science fiction novels, or are intergalactic beings themselves fans of earthly literature? Our results illuminate a celestial conundrum ripe for exploration.

The implications of these findings are far-reaching and may even prompt a reevaluation of the extraterrestrial impact on our cultural zeitgeist. As Albert Einstein once humorously remarked, "The only sure way to prevent your science fiction from becoming a reality is to never write about it." This study fuses the realms of cosmic curiosity and literary fascination, offering a lighthearted yet thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between alien sightings and best-selling fiction.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Smith (2010) conducted a comprehensive analysis of UFO sighting reports in Michigan, scrutinizing the spatial and temporal distribution of such encounters. Despite the initial skepticism surrounding the topic, Smith's work revealed a notable clustering of sightings around the Great Lakes region, prompting speculation about the underlying factors contributing to this phenomenon. Not to probe too deeply, but what did the alien in Michigan use to communicate? An extra-terrestrial device!
Doe and Jones (2015), in their examination of the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list, unearthed intriguing patterns in the genres that dominated the literary landscape. Their study illuminated a surge in the popularity of science fiction and fantasy novels during certain periods, raising questions about the societal and cultural factors driving these trends. It's clear that the UFOs are quite well-versed in fiction – they must be avid readers of flying saucer tales!
Moving beyond the scholarly research, popular non-fiction works such as "The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry" by J. Allen Hynek and "Michigan UFOs and Extraterrestrials" by P.H. Kemp offer valuable insights into the historical context and perceptual frameworks surrounding UFO sightings in Michigan. Similarly, "The Bestseller Code" by Jodie Archer and Matthew L. Jockers delves into the underlying algorithms and market dynamics that propel books to the upper echelons of best-seller lists, providing a rigorous perspective on literary success. Perhaps there's a bestseller formula that's truly out of this world!
Turning to the realm of fiction, titles such as "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells and "Contact" by Carl Sagan intersect with the themes of extraterrestrial encounters and humanity's enduring fascination with the cosmos. As readers gravitate towards these narratives, one can't help but wonder if the UFOs are silently nodding in approval or offering editorial critiques from afar. After all, they might be the ultimate beta readers – approaching literature with an otherworldly perspective!
In the digital domain, internet memes such as "Ancient Aliens" and "X-Files" capture the zeitgeist of popular culture, blending humor and speculation concerning alien visitations and government conspiracies. These cultural artifacts serve not only as sources of entertainment, but also as indicators of the enduring allure of extraterrestrial narratives within contemporary discourse. And to think, all this time we thought UFO sightings in Michigan were just "unidentified funny objects"!
As we navigate the labyrinthine nexus of UFO sightings in Michigan and best-selling fiction, it becomes evident that the interplay between interstellar sightings and literary acclaim sparks a cosmic dance of intrigue and amusement. In this celestial waltz, one cannot help but marvel at the possibility of UFOs clandestinely flipping through pages of earthly tales or even penning their own literary masterpieces from the far reaches of the galaxy. This cosmic correlation is, dare we say, "out of this world!"

[[RESULTS]]
The correlation analysis revealed a strong and statistically significant relationship between UFO sightings in Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list over the period from 1975 to 2014. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.8863146, indicating a substantial positive relationship between the two variables. This result suggests that as UFO sightings in Michigan increased, there was a corresponding increase in the presence of science fiction novels on the best sellers list. It appears that extraterrestrial phenomena might have a literary influence that is out of this world!
The r-squared value of 0.7855536 demonstrates that approximately 78.56% of the variability in the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list can be explained by the variability in UFO sightings in Michigan. This finding highlights the considerable impact of UFO sightings on the popularity of science fiction literature. One might say that these extraterrestrial occurrences are truly "out of this world" when it comes to their effect on literary preferences.
The p-value of less than 0.01 indicates that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by chance, further bolstering the evidence for a genuine association between UFO sightings and the presence of science fiction novels on the best sellers list. This result offers compelling support for the hypothesis that there is a tangible connection between otherworldly sightings and the literary preferences of earthly readers. It seems that our cosmic visitors may have a penchant for stimulating the imagination not only through their sightings but also through their influence on literary trends.
The scatterplot in Fig. 1 visually illustrates the strong positive correlation between UFO sightings in Michigan and the prominence of science fiction novels on the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. The data points form a clear, upward-sloping pattern, solidifying the empirical evidence of this unearthly influence on literary success. It appears that when it comes to the relationship between UFO sightings and science fiction literature, "the truth is out there" indeed!
This investigation into the intersection of UFO sightings and literary preferences not only validates the cosmic curiosity surrounding this unconventional correlation but also serves as a testament to the extraordinary ways in which earthly and extraterrestrial realms may intertwine. As we continue to ponder the implications of these findings, we recognize that the realm of extraterrestrial influences, although mysterious, may hold a key to unlocking new dimensions in our understanding of human behavior and cultural trends.
Overall, the results of this study illuminate a fascinating and lighthearted perspective on the interplay between celestial sightings and best-selling fiction, offering a cosmic conundrum ripe for further exploration, in addition to inducing an extraterrestrial amount of puns!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The findings of this study align with prior research that has probed the enigmatic nexus of UFO sightings and literary trends, shedding celestial light on the inherent connection between these seemingly disparate phenomena. Just as Smith (2010) uncovered a clustering of UFO sightings around the Great Lakes region, our results affirm the significance of UFO encounters in Michigan as catalysts for the ascent of science fiction novels on the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. It seems that these extraterrestrial entities have not only mastered the art of otherworldly travel but also possess an impeccable taste for earthly fiction.

The observed correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 provides robust evidence for the substantial positive relationship between UFO sightings in Michigan and the prevalence of science fiction literature on the best sellers list, echoing the findings of Doe and Jones (2015) who deciphered intriguing patterns in the genres dominating literary landscapes. It's as if the UFOs are not only making their presence known in the Michigan skies but also advocating for the literary merits of science fiction from light-years away. One might even suspect that their influence extends beyond mere book sales, perhaps seeding cosmic narratives into the minds of earthly authors.

Moreover, the substantial r-squared value of 0.7855536 underscores the profound impact of UFO sightings on the variability of the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list, affirming the notion that these extraterrestrial sightings wield a significant gravitational pull on literary preferences. "Gravitational pull," indeed – it seems the UFOs are not just objects of intrigue in the night sky but also gravitational forces in the literary cosmos, propelling science fiction novels to celestial heights of popularity.

Additionally, the p-value of less than 0.01 decisively dismisses the possibility that the observed correlation occurred by chance, accentuating the empirical weight of our findings and lending further credence to the notion that there is a genuine association between UFO sightings and the presence of science fiction novels on the best sellers list. It's as if the universe itself conspired to unveil this cosmic correlation, leaving us with an extraterrestrial amount of puns and cosmic wonderment.

The visually compelling scatterplot in Fig. 1 provides a clear depiction of the undeniable positive relationship between UFO sightings in Michigan and the prevalence of science fiction novels on the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list, serving as a visual testament to the unearthly influence on literary success. As we behold the upward-sloping pattern, one cannot help but ponder the cosmic implications of these findings and wonder if the UFOs are silently cheering on their preferred literary genres from the far reaches of the galaxy.

In conclusion, this study offers an enthralling and lighthearted perspective on the interplay between celestial sightings and literary acclaim, infusing a cosmic conundrum ripe for further exploration. The implications of these findings extend beyond statistical calculations, ushering in a new frontier of cosmic curiosity and literary fascination. As we peer beyond the earthly realms of data analysis, we are left with an extraterrestrial amount of puns – a testament to the ineffable blend of scientific inquiry and whimsical speculation that this enigmatic correlation evokes.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the intriguing connection between UFO sightings in the state of Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. Through a comprehensive analysis of data extracted from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, spanning the years 1975 to 2014, a significant correlation was uncovered. The calculated correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 with a p-value less than 0.01 indicates a remarkably strong relationship between the two variables.

In a quip that "UFOs might be abducting our readers," the findings suggest a potential otherworldly influence on literary tastes, ushering in a new dimension to understanding consumer behaviors. Could it be that extraterrestrial sightings trigger an uptick in the purchase of science fiction novels, or are intergalactic beings themselves fans of earthly literature? Our results illuminate a celestial conundrum ripe for exploration.

The implications of these findings are far-reaching and may even prompt a reevaluation of the extraterrestrial impact on our cultural zeitgeist. As Albert Einstein once humorously remarked, "The only sure way to prevent your science fiction from becoming a reality is to never write about it." This study fuses the realms of cosmic curiosity and literary fascination, offering a lighthearted yet thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between alien sightings and best-selling fiction.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
As we embark on a journey into the cosmic unknown, we are invariably drawn to the enigmatic and the incomprehensible. In the annals of peculiar phenomena, the correlation between UFO sightings in Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list stands as a curious and unexpected discovery.
Why did the UFO refuse to purchase a novel? Because it preferred to read about its own kind in the encounters section!
Our study seeks to shed light on this interstellar juxtaposition by exploring the potential linkages between extraterrestrial encounters and literary preferences. With an analytical lens firmly in place, we endeavor to uncover the cosmic forces at play, all while keeping our feet firmly planted on terra firma.
It is easy to dismiss the intersection of UFO sightings and literature as mere happenstance, but as J.R.R. Tolkien cryptically mused, "Not all those who wander are lost." In a similar vein, we hypothesize that there may indeed be an underlying narrative within the statistical noise, waiting to be deciphered.
Our quest commences with a thorough examination of data gleaned from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, covering a temporal expanse from 1975 to 2014. This time span was chosen with care, mirroring the evolution of both extraterrestrial sightings and literary trends.
What did the UFO say to the best-selling novel? "You've really abducted my attention!"
The empirical crux of our investigation lies in the calculation of a robust correlation coefficient, which yielded a value of 0.8863146 along with a p-value less than 0.01. These findings not only surpass the conventional threshold for significance, but also beckon us to consider the profound implications of this unearthly connection.
As we plunge headlong into this cosmic conundrum, we seek to transform mere speculation into empirical illumination, all the while embracing the unexpected twists and turns that invariably accompany such ventures into the unknown.

[[RESULTS]]
The correlation analysis revealed a strong and statistically significant relationship between UFO sightings in Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list over the period from 1975 to 2014. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.8863146, indicating a substantial positive relationship between the two variables. This result suggests that as UFO sightings in Michigan increased, there was a corresponding increase in the presence of science fiction novels on the best sellers list. It appears that extraterrestrial phenomena might have a literary influence that is out of this world!
The r-squared value of 0.7855536 demonstrates that approximately 78.56% of the variability in the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list can be explained by the variability in UFO sightings in Michigan. This finding highlights the considerable impact of UFO sightings on the popularity of science fiction literature. One might say that these extraterrestrial occurrences are truly "out of this world" when it comes to their effect on literary preferences.
The p-value of less than 0.01 indicates that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by chance, further bolstering the evidence for a genuine association between UFO sightings and the presence of science fiction novels on the best sellers list. This result offers compelling support for the hypothesis that there is a tangible connection between otherworldly sightings and the literary preferences of earthly readers. It seems that our cosmic visitors may have a penchant for stimulating the imagination not only through their sightings but also through their influence on literary trends.
The scatterplot in Fig. 1 visually illustrates the strong positive correlation between UFO sightings in Michigan and the prominence of science fiction novels on the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. The data points form a clear, upward-sloping pattern, solidifying the empirical evidence of this unearthly influence on literary success. It appears that when it comes to the relationship between UFO sightings and science fiction literature, "the truth is out there" indeed!
This investigation into the intersection of UFO sightings and literary preferences not only validates the cosmic curiosity surrounding this unconventional correlation but also serves as a testament to the extraordinary ways in which earthly and extraterrestrial realms may intertwine. As we continue to ponder the implications of these findings, we recognize that the realm of extraterrestrial influences, although mysterious, may hold a key to unlocking new dimensions in our understanding of human behavior and cultural trends.
Overall, the results of this study illuminate a fascinating and lighthearted perspective on the interplay between celestial sightings and best-selling fiction, offering a cosmic conundrum ripe for further exploration, in addition to inducing an extraterrestrial amount of puns!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, this study has unearthed a remarkable and undoubtedly "out of this world" connection between UFO sightings in Michigan and the presence of science fiction novels on the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. The substantial positive correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 and the r-squared value of 0.7855536 confirm that extraterrestrial phenomena are not just a fleeting craze, but rather a force to be reckoned with in the realm of literary preferences. It seems that these cosmic visitors might indeed have a "novel" way of influencing our reading habits!

We have "unearthed" a plethora of puns in our analysis, which leads us to assert that this research is not just "conventionally" significant, but also "intergalactically" intriguing. The p-value of less than 0.01 provides unequivocal evidence that the observed correlation is not a chance occurrence, demonstrating a "stellar" impact of UFO sightings on the best sellers list. It's clear that when it comes to the relationship between UFO sightings and literary preferences, the "sky's the limit" in terms of potential influence.

With the visual representation provided in Fig. 1, the data points form an upward-sloping pattern, emphasizing the "heavenly" impact of UFO sightings on the prevalence of science fiction novels on the best sellers list. It seems that the "truth is indeed out there" when it comes to the association between otherworldly sightings and the literary tastes of earthly readers.

In the spirit of scientific rigor, as well as a good pun, we must firmly assert that no further research is needed in this area, as this study has shed an illuminating, if not comical, light on the intergalactic influence on literary success. We may not have been able to "probe" every aspect of this phenomenon, but we do believe that our findings have "propelled" the exploration of this cosmic conundrum to new heights!


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 In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

International Journal of Interstellar 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 In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Extraterrestrial Studies and Literary Analysis


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled In a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Exploring the Extraterrestrial Connection between UFO Sightings in Michigan and New York Times Fiction Best Sellers with an abstract of This study delves into the intriguing connection between UFO sightings in the state of Michigan and the New York Times Fiction Best Sellers list. Through a comprehensive analysis of data extracted from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Hawes database, spanning the years 1975 to 2014, a significant correlation was uncovered. The calculated correlation coefficient of 0.8863146 with a p-value less than 0.01 indicates a remarkably strong relationship between the two variables.
In a quip that "UFOs might be abducting our readers," the findings suggest a potential otherworldly influence on literary tastes, ushering in a new dimension to understanding consumer behaviors. Could it be that extraterrestrial sightings trigger an uptick in the purchase of science fiction novels, or are intergalactic beings themselves fans of earthly literature? Our results illuminate a celestial conundrum ripe for exploration.
The implications of these findings are far-reaching and may even prompt a reevaluation of the extraterrestrial impact on our cultural zeitgeist. As Albert Einstein once humorously remarked, "The only sure way to prevent your science fiction from becoming a reality is to never write about it." This study fuses the realms of cosmic curiosity and literary fascination, offering a lighthearted yet thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between alien sightings and best-selling fiction.

ChatGPT:

UFO sightings, Michigan, New York Times Fiction Best Sellers, National UFO Reporting Center, Hawes database, correlation coefficient, p-value, extraterrestrial influence, literary tastes, science fiction novels, intergalactic beings, consumer behaviors, cultural zeitgeist, Albert Einstein, cosmic curiosity, lighthearted perspective, alien sightings, best-selling fiction

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

New York Times Fiction Best Sellers
Detailed data title: Number of unique fictional books on the New York Times Best Seller List (counting repeat books only once)
Source: Hawes
See what else correlates with New York Times Fiction Best Sellers

Correlation r = 0.8863146 (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 = 0.7855536 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 78.6% of the change in the one variable (i.e., New York Times Fiction Best Sellers) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., UFO sightings in Michigan) over the 40 years from 1975 through 2014.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.8E-14. 0.0000000000000284276707007492
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.89 in 2.8E-12% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 35,176,993,941,106 random variables You don't actually need 35 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 39 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 39 because we have two variables measured over a period of 40 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.

[ 0.79, 0.94 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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


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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
1975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014
UFO sightings in Michigan (UFO sightings)1011122213123711737573111647242316415587707679877786101134136118119150229176175
New York Times Fiction Best Sellers (NYT Best Sellers)434597566710997910910510912101312142123141423202034353136353120




Why this works

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




Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([10,11,12,22,13,12,3,7,11,7,3,7,5,7,3,11,16,4,7,24,23,16,41,55,87,70,76,79,87,77,86,101,134,136,118,119,150,229,176,175,])
array_2 = np.array([4,3,4,5,9,7,5,6,6,7,10,9,9,7,9,10,9,10,5,10,9,12,10,13,12,14,21,23,14,14,23,20,20,34,35,31,36,35,31,20,])
array_1_name = "UFO sightings in Michigan"
array_2_name = "New York Times Fiction Best Sellers"

# Perform the calculation
print(f"Calculating the correlation between {array_1_name} and {array_2_name}...")
correlation, r_squared, p_value = calculate_correlation(array_1, array_2)

# Print the results
print("Correlation Coefficient:", correlation)
print("R-squared:", r_squared)
print("P-value:", p_value)



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You 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. 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.

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Correlation ID: 3284 · Black Variable ID: 1158 · Red Variable ID: 96
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