Spurious correlation #3,295 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and the second variable is Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. The chart goes from 2004 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and the second variable is Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. The chart goes from 2004 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

Because the increase in traffic technicians in New Jersey has led to smoother traffic flow, which has reduced stress levels for commuters. With reduced stress, people have more time and mental capacity to wonder about natural phenomena, like why the sky is blue. This has led to an increase in searches for 'why is the sky blue' on Google as people ponder the skies during their leisurely, stress-free drives.

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Imagine a scene where a group of traffic technicians are working diligently on a bustling New Jersey highway, effortlessly managing the flow of cars and ensuring a smooth commute for all. The sun shines down, painting the sky a brilliant blue, as commuters drive by, gazing up in wonder and curiosity. They are seen with relaxed expressions, some even reaching for their phones to Google the age-old question, "why is the sky blue?" The serene atmosphere and stress-free travel make for a perfect, lighthearted image you would see on Reddit. 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: The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. 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 Hyper-realistic a funny image you would see on reddit Vaporwave Cubism
ChatGPT: a funny image you would see on reddit

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 The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue', in the following situation: Because the increase in traffic technicians in New Jersey has led to smoother traffic flow, which has reduced stress levels for commuters. With reduced stress, people have more time and mental capacity to wonder about natural phenomena, like why the sky is blue. This has led to an increase in searches for 'why is the sky blue' on Google as people ponder the skies during their leisurely, stress-free drives.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: A group of traffic technicians are working on a busy New Jersey highway, coordinating the flow of cars and ensuring smooth movement. As a result, the traffic flows seamlessly, and drivers appear relaxed and stress-free behind the wheel. Meanwhile, in their cars, commuters casually glance at the sky, gazing up as they drive by, prompting them to wonder why the sky is blue. Later, they are seen engaging in leisurely Google searches, typing in 'why is the sky blue' on their phones, as they enjoy their newfound stress-free travel.

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 funny image you would see on reddit ] and depicting this scene: A group of traffic technicians are working on a busy New Jersey highway, coordinating the flow of cars and ensuring smooth movement. As a result, the traffic flows seamlessly, and drivers appear relaxed and stress-free behind the wheel. Meanwhile, in their cars, commuters casually glance at the sky, gazing up as they drive by, prompting them to wonder why the sky is blue. Later, they are seen engaging in leisurely Google searches, typing in 'why is the sky blue' on their phones, as they enjoy their newfound stress-free travel. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Imagine a scene where a group of traffic technicians are working diligently on a bustling New Jersey highway, effortlessly managing the flow of cars and ensuring a smooth commute for all. The sun shines down, painting the sky a brilliant blue, as commuters drive by, gazing up in wonder and curiosity. They are seen with relaxed expressions, some even reaching for their phones to Google the age-old question, "why is the sky blue?" The serene atmosphere and stress-free travel make for a perfect, lighthearted image you would see on Reddit.

*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
System prompt: You provide humerus 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. Your responses should be able to be used as the title for a funny post, or the top comment on a thread explaining the connection.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how changes in The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey caused why is the sky blue (Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'). Make the explanation seem plausible and serious, but include some hidden puns. Do not start with 'well' or 'you see' or similar statements. Do not restate the variables; lead with the answer (what comes after 'because...')

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Highway Troubles and Sky Blues: The Correlation Between Traffic Technicians in New Jersey and Searches for 'Why is the Sky Blue' on Google

The Journal of Transportation Psychology and Celestial Curiosities

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 The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. 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]]
Highway Troubles and Sky Blues: The Correlation Between Traffic Technicians in New Jersey and Searches for 'Why is the Sky Blue' on Google

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the unexpected link between the number of traffic technicians in the Garden State of New Jersey and the frequency of Google searches for the eternal question, "Why is the sky blue?" Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Google Trends, our research team delved into this peculiar correlation with the hope of shedding light on this seemingly unrelated pair.

The analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.8094266 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2004 to 2022. This suggests a strong statistical relationship that cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. It appears that as the population of traffic technicians in New Jersey fluctuates, so does the inquisitiveness of individuals regarding the color of the sky.

It seems that the next time someone asks, "Why is the sky blue?", the answer might be as simple as "Because the traffic technicians said so." Ah, the marvels of unexpected correlations!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The field of research often uncovers surprising connections between seemingly unrelated variables, leaving us scratching our heads and wondering, "Why didn't we think of that?" Our study delves into one such unexpected correlation between the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for the perennial question, "Why is the sky blue?" It's as though these two phenomena decided to carpool to the world of statistical significance!
Now, let's "merge" into the exciting world of data analysis and see how these seemingly distant dots on the scatter plot of life come together. This research aims to provide insights into the enigmatic relationship between terrestrial traffic and celestial curiosity, all with a side of statistical flair.
There's an old joke that says TCP/IP is two things, separated by a common name. Similarly, traffic technicians and the color of the sky may appear to be two separate entities with little in common. However, our research reveals an intriguing link that tickles the funny bone of statistical analysis.
As we delve into the depths of this unexpected connection, we invite our readers to fasten their seatbelts and prepare for a journey through the highways of data and the stratosphere of curiosity. So, grab your safety goggles and let's begin this exhilarating ride through the lanes of statistical exploration!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The surprising correlation between the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for 'Why is the sky blue' has elicited both fascination and skepticism among researchers. Smith et al. (2015) found that traffic congestion and atmospheric conditions have been explored extensively in the literature, but the relationship between traffic technicians and celestial curiosity remains relatively uncharted. However, Doe and Jones (2018) suggested that unexpected correlations often defy conventional wisdom and present opportunities for novel insights.

As we navigate the unexpected junction of terrestrial traffic and celestial curiosity, it is pertinent to consider relevant literature and sources for insight. In "The Physics of Traffic: Empirical Freeway Pattern Features, Engineering Applications, and the Ultimate Traffic Control" by Miller (2019), the author delves into the intricate web of traffic dynamics and its impact on environmental factors. This work provides a robust foundation for understanding the intricate nuances of traffic patterns and their potential wider implications.

In a similarly illuminating vein, "The Color of the Sky: A Celestial Inquiry" by Anderson (2020) explores the folklore, science, and philosophic inquiries into the age-old question of why the sky appears blue. The author's comprehensive analysis of historical perceptions and scientific revelations regarding the color of the sky offers valuable context for our investigation.

Turning to the world of fiction, "The Curious Incident of the Traffic Technician in the Sky" by Doyle (2017) presents a whimsical tale of a traffic technician's existential crisis intertwined with celestial ponderings. The narrative serves as a thought-provoking allegory, prompting reflections on the intersection of terrestrial responsibilities and cosmic musings.

Continuing on a lighthearted note, the viral internet meme featuring the "Distracted Traffic Technician" inadvertently gazing at the sky while pondering the enigmatic question "Why is the sky blue?" humorously encapsulates the amalgamation of traffic-related responsibilities and contemplations of celestial phenomena.

In summary, the literature review illuminates the dearth of scholarly exploration into the unexpected correlation between traffic technicians in New Jersey and queries about the color of the sky. By embracing a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses traffic dynamics, celestial inquiries, and even fictional narratives, we can unveil the hidden interconnections between terrestrial troubles and celestial curiosities. As the saying goes, sometimes the most surprising connections are found in the most unexpected places - or in this case, in the highways of New Jersey and the vast expanse of the sky.

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 The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
Highway Troubles and Sky Blues: The Correlation Between Traffic Technicians in New Jersey and Searches for 'Why is the Sky Blue' on Google

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the unexpected link between the number of traffic technicians in the Garden State of New Jersey and the frequency of Google searches for the eternal question, "Why is the sky blue?" Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Google Trends, our research team delved into this peculiar correlation with the hope of shedding light on this seemingly unrelated pair.

The analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.8094266 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2004 to 2022. This suggests a strong statistical relationship that cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. It appears that as the population of traffic technicians in New Jersey fluctuates, so does the inquisitiveness of individuals regarding the color of the sky.

It seems that the next time someone asks, "Why is the sky blue?", the answer might be as simple as "Because the traffic technicians said so." Ah, the marvels of unexpected correlations!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The surprising correlation between the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for 'Why is the sky blue' has elicited both fascination and skepticism among researchers. Smith et al. (2015) found that traffic congestion and atmospheric conditions have been explored extensively in the literature, but the relationship between traffic technicians and celestial curiosity remains relatively uncharted. However, Doe and Jones (2018) suggested that unexpected correlations often defy conventional wisdom and present opportunities for novel insights.
As we navigate the unexpected junction of terrestrial traffic and celestial curiosity, it is pertinent to consider relevant literature and sources for insight. In "The Physics of Traffic: Empirical Freeway Pattern Features, Engineering Applications, and the Ultimate Traffic Control" by Miller (2019), the author delves into the intricate web of traffic dynamics and its impact on environmental factors. This work provides a robust foundation for understanding the intricate nuances of traffic patterns and their potential wider implications.
In a similarly illuminating vein, "The Color of the Sky: A Celestial Inquiry" by Anderson (2020) explores the folklore, science, and philosophic inquiries into the age-old question of why the sky appears blue. The author's comprehensive analysis of historical perceptions and scientific revelations regarding the color of the sky offers valuable context for our investigation.
Turning to the world of fiction, "The Curious Incident of the Traffic Technician in the Sky" by Doyle (2017) presents a whimsical tale of a traffic technician's existential crisis intertwined with celestial ponderings. The narrative serves as a thought-provoking allegory, prompting reflections on the intersection of terrestrial responsibilities and cosmic musings.
Continuing on a lighthearted note, the viral internet meme featuring the "Distracted Traffic Technician" inadvertently gazing at the sky while pondering the enigmatic question "Why is the sky blue?" humorously encapsulates the amalgamation of traffic-related responsibilities and contemplations of celestial phenomena.
In summary, the literature review illuminates the dearth of scholarly exploration into the unexpected correlation between traffic technicians in New Jersey and queries about the color of the sky. By embracing a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses traffic dynamics, celestial inquiries, and even fictional narratives, we can unveil the hidden interconnections between terrestrial troubles and celestial curiosities. As the saying goes, sometimes the most surprising connections are found in the most unexpected places - or in this case, in the highways of New Jersey and the vast expanse of the sky.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data from 2004 to 2022 revealed a surprisingly strong positive correlation between the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and the frequency of Google searches for "Why is the sky blue." The correlation coefficient of 0.8094266 indicates a robust relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. It seems that the sky’s the limit when it comes to the influence of traffic technicians!
As the number of traffic technicians fluctuated over the years, so did the public's curiosity about the color of the sky. It appears that the presence (or absence) of these traffic aficionados impacts not only the flow of vehicles but also the flow of inquiries into the mysteries of the heavens above. It's as though the blue skies and traffic lights are engaged in a cosmic dance of statistical significance – a traffic jam of celestial proportions, you might say.
The r-squared value of 0.6551715 suggests that approximately 65.52% of the variation in Google searches for "Why is the sky blue" can be explained by the variation in the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey. The remaining 34.48% of the variation may be attributed to other factors, leaving room for further investigation into the multifaceted web of reasons for pondering the sky's hue.
The p-value of less than 0.01 provides strong evidence against the null hypothesis, indicating that this correlation is highly unlikely to have occurred by random chance. It seems that this unexpected relationship between terrestrial traffic technicians and celestial ponderings is indeed a significant finding, not merely an astronomical coincidence.
In Fig. 1, the scatterplot visually displays the strong positive correlation between the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for "Why is the sky blue." The data points form a pattern that not only captures the attention but also reflects the intriguing connection uncovered by our statistical analysis. It's as though the plot itself is paving the way for an unexpected intersection of terrestrial traffic and celestial contemplations.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The results of our analysis have provided compelling evidence to support the unexpected link between the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and the frequency of Google searches for the perennial query, "Why is the sky blue?" We have illuminated a previously unexplored correlation, shedding light on the intricate interplay between terrestrial traffic dynamics and celestial inquisitiveness. This finding not only extends the existing literature but also invites further examination into the intertwined realms of highway troubadours and sky-colored musings.

The robust correlation coefficient of 0.8094266 signifies a strong statistical relationship, affirming the influence of traffic technicians on the public's curiosity about the enigmatic azure hue above. It seems that the pedestrian roads of statistical significance have merged with the celestial boulevards of wonder, painting a thoroughfare of unexpected correlations. As we navigate this uncharted junction of terrestrial tribulations and celestial curiosities, one cannot help but marvel at the cosmic dance of our statistical findings - a traffic jam of cosmic significance, if you will.

The r-squared value of 0.6551715 further reinforces the substantial impact of traffic technicians on the variation in Google searches for "Why is the sky blue." This statistic suggests that approximately 65.52% of the interest in the sky's color can be attributed to the fluctuations in the number of traffic technicians. It appears that the traffic technicians are not only adept at navigating vehicular congestion but also at steering the public's interest towards the skies above. The remaining 34.48% of the variation, akin to the mysteries of the cosmos, beckons for additional investigation to unravel the intricate tapestry of factors influencing celestial inquiries.

The significant p-value of less than 0.01 provides strong evidence against the null hypothesis, affirming that this peculiar correlation is not a mere constellation of coincidental occurrences. Like celestial bodies aligning in the night sky, the statistical evidence has aligned to reveal the substantive relationship between traffic technicians and inquiries about the sky's blue hue. One might even say that the statistical significance is as unmistakable as a traffic light turning red!

In conclusion, our research has forged an unprecedented link between the terrestrial pursuits of traffic technicians and the celestial ponderings about the color of the sky. It appears that the next time someone asks, "Why is the sky blue?", the answer might very well be, "Because the traffic technicians in New Jersey are at it again." This unexpected correlation serves as a poignant reminder that in the vast expanse of research inquiry, unexpected connections can emerge from the most unforeseen quarters - in this case, from the bustling highways of New Jersey to the boundless realms of celestial contemplations.

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 The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Highway Troubles and Sky Blues: The Correlation Between Traffic Technicians in New Jersey and Searches for 'Why is the Sky Blue' on Google

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the unexpected link between the number of traffic technicians in the Garden State of New Jersey and the frequency of Google searches for the eternal question, "Why is the sky blue?" Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Google Trends, our research team delved into this peculiar correlation with the hope of shedding light on this seemingly unrelated pair.

The analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.8094266 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2004 to 2022. This suggests a strong statistical relationship that cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. It appears that as the population of traffic technicians in New Jersey fluctuates, so does the inquisitiveness of individuals regarding the color of the sky.

It seems that the next time someone asks, "Why is the sky blue?", the answer might be as simple as "Because the traffic technicians said so." Ah, the marvels of unexpected correlations!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The field of research often uncovers surprising connections between seemingly unrelated variables, leaving us scratching our heads and wondering, "Why didn't we think of that?" Our study delves into one such unexpected correlation between the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for the perennial question, "Why is the sky blue?" It's as though these two phenomena decided to carpool to the world of statistical significance!
Now, let's "merge" into the exciting world of data analysis and see how these seemingly distant dots on the scatter plot of life come together. This research aims to provide insights into the enigmatic relationship between terrestrial traffic and celestial curiosity, all with a side of statistical flair.
There's an old joke that says TCP/IP is two things, separated by a common name. Similarly, traffic technicians and the color of the sky may appear to be two separate entities with little in common. However, our research reveals an intriguing link that tickles the funny bone of statistical analysis.
As we delve into the depths of this unexpected connection, we invite our readers to fasten their seatbelts and prepare for a journey through the highways of data and the stratosphere of curiosity. So, grab your safety goggles and let's begin this exhilarating ride through the lanes of statistical exploration!

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data from 2004 to 2022 revealed a surprisingly strong positive correlation between the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and the frequency of Google searches for "Why is the sky blue." The correlation coefficient of 0.8094266 indicates a robust relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. It seems that the sky’s the limit when it comes to the influence of traffic technicians!
As the number of traffic technicians fluctuated over the years, so did the public's curiosity about the color of the sky. It appears that the presence (or absence) of these traffic aficionados impacts not only the flow of vehicles but also the flow of inquiries into the mysteries of the heavens above. It's as though the blue skies and traffic lights are engaged in a cosmic dance of statistical significance – a traffic jam of celestial proportions, you might say.
The r-squared value of 0.6551715 suggests that approximately 65.52% of the variation in Google searches for "Why is the sky blue" can be explained by the variation in the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey. The remaining 34.48% of the variation may be attributed to other factors, leaving room for further investigation into the multifaceted web of reasons for pondering the sky's hue.
The p-value of less than 0.01 provides strong evidence against the null hypothesis, indicating that this correlation is highly unlikely to have occurred by random chance. It seems that this unexpected relationship between terrestrial traffic technicians and celestial ponderings is indeed a significant finding, not merely an astronomical coincidence.
In Fig. 1, the scatterplot visually displays the strong positive correlation between the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey and Google searches for "Why is the sky blue." The data points form a pattern that not only captures the attention but also reflects the intriguing connection uncovered by our statistical analysis. It's as though the plot itself is paving the way for an unexpected intersection of terrestrial traffic and celestial contemplations.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our investigation into the perplexing correlation between the number of traffic technicians in the great state of New Jersey and the incidence of Google searches for the timeless inquiry, "Why is the sky blue?" has yielded compelling findings. It appears that there is indeed a link that cannot be overlooked, regardless of how much we might wish it would yield right of way to a more conventional relationship. Our analysis has illuminated an unanticipated intersection of traffic and skyward queries that will undoubtedly keep scholars pondering for years to come.

With a correlation coefficient of 0.8094266 and a p-value of less than 0.01, we can confidently state that this connection is not purely the result of cosmic chance. It seems that traffic technicians and celestial musings are engaged in a dance more intricate than the Fibonacci sequence! It's as though the traffic signs are attempting to signal something to the stars.

As we traverse this highway of data and soar through the stratosphere of statistical significance, one can't help but appreciate the comedic timing of this unexpected correlation. It's as though the universe is telling us a joke as old as time itself: "Why did the statistician go to art school? To capture the true essence of correlation!"

Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.6551715 implies that approximately 65.52% of the variation in Google searches for "Why is the sky blue" can be attributed to variations in the number of traffic technicians in New Jersey. The remaining 34.48% of the variation may be a reflection of other unmeasured cosmic forces at play, leaving us more questions to answer than a query about the sky's hue.

Given these findings, it is clear that no more research is needed in this area. The bright side is that we can now appreciate the sky's blueness with a newfound appreciation for the earthly influences that shape our questions about the cosmos.

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 Highway Troubles and Sky Blues: The Correlation Between Traffic Technicians in New Jersey and Searches for 'Why is the Sky Blue' on Google. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Transportation Psychology and Celestial Curiosities

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 Highway Troubles and Sky Blues: The Correlation Between Traffic Technicians in New Jersey and Searches for 'Why is the Sky Blue' on Google. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Center for Interdisciplinary Study of Traffic and Atmospheric Phenomena

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 Highway Troubles and Sky Blues: The Correlation Between Traffic Technicians in New Jersey and Searches for 'Why is the Sky Blue' on Google with an abstract of This paper investigates the unexpected link between the number of traffic technicians in the Garden State of New Jersey and the frequency of Google searches for the eternal question, "Why is the sky blue?" Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Google Trends, our research team delved into this peculiar correlation with the hope of shedding light on this seemingly unrelated pair.
The analysis revealed a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.8094266 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years 2004 to 2022. This suggests a strong statistical relationship that cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. It appears that as the population of traffic technicians in New Jersey fluctuates, so does the inquisitiveness of individuals regarding the color of the sky.
It seems that the next time someone asks, "Why is the sky blue?", the answer might be as simple as "Because the traffic technicians said so." Ah, the marvels of unexpected correlations!

ChatGPT:

traffic technicians, New Jersey, Google searches, correlation, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Google Trends, sky color, sky blue, statistical relationship, population fluctuations, data analysis

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

Random correlation

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Data details

The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of traffic technicians in New Jersey
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey

Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'
Detailed data title: Relative volume of Google searches for 'why is the sky blue' (Worldwide, without quotes)
Source: Google Trends
Additional Info: ^{See full details} Relative search volume (not absolute numbers)

See what else correlates with Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'

Correlation r = 0.8094266 (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 = 0.6551715 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 65.5% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Google searches for 'why is the sky blue') is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey) over the 19 years from 2004 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.7E-5.^Show 0.0000269413016045458240000000
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 0.81 in 0.0027% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 37,118 random variables^Note You don't actually need 37 thousand variables to find a correlation like this one. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

p-value calculations are useful for understanding the probability of a result happening by chance. They are most useful when used to highlight the risk of a fluke outcome. For example, if you calculate a p-value of 0.30, the risk that the result is a fluke is high. It is good to know that! But there are lots of ways to get a p-value of less than 0.01, as evidenced by this project.

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 18 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 18 because we have two variables measured over a period of 19 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.

[ 0.56, 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.

	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey (Traffic Technicians)	70	90	110	100	100	70	260	250	260	100	120	110	80	60	50	80	110	80	100
Google searches for 'why is the sky blue' (Rel. search volume)	22.0833	19.1667	19.25	17.4167	16	23.4167	41.5	123.833	72.75	31.9167	23.0833	21.5833	16.75	14.9167	14.1667	15.0833	17.3333	12.75	17.5

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.
Outlandish outliers: There are "outliers" in this data.^Note In concept, "outlier" just means "way different than the rest of your dataset." When calculating a correlation like this, they are particularly impactful because a single outlier can substantially increase your correlation.

For the purposes of this project, I counted a point as an outlier if it the residual was two standard deviations from the mean.

(This bullet point only shows up in the details page on charts that do, in fact, have outliers.)
They stand out on the scatterplot above: notice the dots that are far away from any other dots. I intentionally mishandeled outliers, which makes the correlation look extra strong.

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([70,90,110,100,100,70,260,250,260,100,120,110,80,60,50,80,110,80,100,])
array_2 = np.array([22.0833,19.1667,19.25,17.4167,16,23.4167,41.5,123.833,72.75,31.9167,23.0833,21.5833,16.75,14.9167,14.1667,15.0833,17.3333,12.75,17.5,])
array_1_name = "The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey"
array_2_name = "Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'"

# 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 The number of traffic technicians in New Jersey
Line chart for only Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Highway Troubles and Sky Blues: The Correlation Between Traffic Technicians in New Jersey and Searches for 'Why is the Sky Blue' on Google

View another random correlation

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Correlation ID: 3295 · Black Variable ID: 11757 · Red Variable ID: 1387


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