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Spurious correlation #3,359 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in Boston and the second variable is Kerosene used in Peru.  The chart goes from 1980 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the air pollution in Boston decreased, it created a ripple effect of cleaner air that somehow wafted all the way to Peru, leading to a decreased need for kerosene. It's like Boston sent out air quality improvement vibes that traveled through the atmosphere and magically convinced people in Peru to cut back on kerosene usage. Who knew that Boston's air had such persuasive powers, especially when it comes to kerosene use in Peru!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: An image prompt for DALL-E-3 in the style of Brutalism depicting the scene described could be: "In an austere, Brutalist cityscape, the Boston skyline emerges from the haze, with the sharp angles of concrete buildings framing the clear sky. As flocks of birds gracefully soar overhead, their forms cutting through the clean air, the juxtaposition of nature and urbanity is starkly evident. In the remote Peruvian mountains, a minimalist representation of llamas darting amongst streamlined rocks as they appear to scatter from the descending birds creates a sense of motion and tension, highlighting the environmental stakes at play. This prompts DALL-E-3 to encapsulate the powerful narrative of small changes leading to a significant impact through a visually striking, Brutalist lens." This will inspire DALL-E-3 to create a stark and impactful visual representation of the intricate scenes described. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Air pollution in Boston and Kerosene used in Peru. 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: Brutalism a meme Glitch art Voxel art Sci-fi fantacy
ChatGPT: Brutalism

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Air pollution in Boston and Kerosene used in Peru, in the following situation: As air in Boston got cleaner, birds migrated south, scaring off greedy kerosene-stealing llamas in Peru. Less kerosene heists led to decreased usage, proving that even llamas care about environmental sustainability!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In the bustling city of Boston, the once hazy skyline became clearer as air pollution decreased. Birds migrated south, decorating the sky with their graceful flight. Meanwhile, in the remote mountains of Peru, llamas nervously scattered as flocks of birds descended, scaring off the would-be kerosene thieves. With fewer kerosene heists, the locals gradually decreased their usage of the fuel, and even the llamas seemed to show a sense of environmental awareness, proving that small changes can have a big impact.

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: [ Brutalism ] and depicting this scene: In the bustling city of Boston, the once hazy skyline became clearer as air pollution decreased. Birds migrated south, decorating the sky with their graceful flight. Meanwhile, in the remote mountains of Peru, llamas nervously scattered as flocks of birds descended, scaring off the would-be kerosene thieves. With fewer kerosene heists, the locals gradually decreased their usage of the fuel, and even the llamas seemed to show a sense of environmental awareness, proving that small changes can have a big impact. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: An image prompt for DALL-E-3 in the style of Brutalism depicting the scene described could be: "In an austere, Brutalist cityscape, the Boston skyline emerges from the haze, with the sharp angles of concrete buildings framing the clear sky. As flocks of birds gracefully soar overhead, their forms cutting through the clean air, the juxtaposition of nature and urbanity is starkly evident. In the remote Peruvian mountains, a minimalist representation of llamas darting amongst streamlined rocks as they appear to scatter from the descending birds creates a sense of motion and tension, highlighting the environmental stakes at play. This prompts DALL-E-3 to encapsulate the powerful narrative of small changes leading to a significant impact through a visually striking, Brutalist lens." This will inspire DALL-E-3 to create a stark and impactful visual representation of the intricate scenes described.

*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 a decrease in Air pollution in Boston caused Kerosene used in Peru to decrease.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection?

The International Journal of Environmental Puzzles and Paradoxes

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 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 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 Air pollution in Boston and Kerosene used in Peru. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Rhyme words in the title.

Your research team used data from Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Information Administration to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 and p < 0.01 for 1980 to 2021.

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]]
Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection?

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the unexpected and humorous relationship between air pollution levels in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. With data sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, our research team delved into the nitty-gritty details to address this perplexing question. Surprisingly, we uncovered a significant correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 and p < 0.01 over the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. Our findings suggest a potential link between the two seemingly disparate phenomena, shedding light on a rhyming connection that elicits both chuckles and curiosity among readers.


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 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 Air pollution in Boston and Kerosene used in Peru. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection?

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the unexpected and humorous relationship between air pollution levels in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. With data sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, our research team delved into the nitty-gritty details to address this perplexing question. Surprisingly, we uncovered a significant correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 and p < 0.01 over the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. Our findings suggest a potential link between the two seemingly disparate phenomena, shedding light on a rhyming connection that elicits both chuckles and curiosity among readers.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The study of air pollution and its sources has always been a breath of fresh air for researchers in environmental and public health fields. Likewise, the exploration of energy consumption patterns across the globe has ignited a fiery passion in the hearts of energy economists. However, what happens when these two seemingly distant realms collide in a whimsically unexpected manner? That's precisely what this paper aims to unravel as we delve into the peculiar connection between air pollution in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru.

While the juxtaposition of Boston and Peru may evoke images of bustling city life against tranquil Andean landscapes, our research seeks to uncover a hidden link that may just leave you gasping for breath – pun intended. The notion that these two geographically remote settings could be entwined in a web of data-driven correlation may seem as improbable as a llama donning a top hat, but our findings just might blow your mind – just like a gust of wind sweeping through the streets of Beantown.

As we embark on this scholarly journey, we invite you to prepare for a bumpy ride, full of twists and turns that will leave you questioning your preconceived notions about environmental factors and their intercontinental interplay. Can air pollution in the heart of New England truly have a rhythmic relationship with the incandescent glow of kerosene in the Peruvian highlands? Let's let the data do the talking and see if our findings leave you breathless with laughter and bewilderment.


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 Air pollution in Boston and Kerosene used in Peru. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then name a few real TV shows that sound like they might be relevant to the topic that you watched as research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection?

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the unexpected and humorous relationship between air pollution levels in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. With data sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, our research team delved into the nitty-gritty details to address this perplexing question. Surprisingly, we uncovered a significant correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 and p < 0.01 over the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. Our findings suggest a potential link between the two seemingly disparate phenomena, shedding light on a rhyming connection that elicits both chuckles and curiosity among readers.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The study of air pollution and its sources has always been a breath of fresh air for researchers in environmental and public health fields. Likewise, the exploration of energy consumption patterns across the globe has ignited a fiery passion in the hearts of energy economists. However, what happens when these two seemingly distant realms collide in a whimsically unexpected manner? That's precisely what this paper aims to unravel as we delve into the peculiar connection between air pollution in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru.
While the juxtaposition of Boston and Peru may evoke images of bustling city life against tranquil Andean landscapes, our research seeks to uncover a hidden link that may just leave you gasping for breath – pun intended. The notion that these two geographically remote settings could be entwined in a web of data-driven correlation may seem as improbable as a llama donning a top hat, but our findings just might blow your mind – just like a gust of wind sweeping through the streets of Beantown.
As we embark on this scholarly journey, we invite you to prepare for a bumpy ride, full of twists and turns that will leave you questioning your preconceived notions about environmental factors and their intercontinental interplay. Can air pollution in the heart of New England truly have a rhythmic relationship with the incandescent glow of kerosene in the Peruvian highlands? Let's let the data do the talking and see if our findings leave you breathless with laughter and bewilderment.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The present review of the literature reveals an array of studies that have examined the disparate phenomena of air pollution in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. Smith (2015) investigates air pollution and its impact on urban environments, highlighting the intricate web of factors that contribute to elevated particle concentrations in metropolitan areas. Similarly, Doe (2018) delves into the socioeconomic implications of kerosene combustion in developing regions, uncovering the nuanced dynamics of energy use in households. Jones (2019) explores the link between indoor air pollution and health outcomes, shedding light on the far-reaching consequences of household fuel sources.

Turning to non-fiction literature, "The Air We Breathe" by W. Smith offers a comprehensive exploration of air pollution's multifaceted effects on human health and the environment, serving as a foundational text for understanding the complexities of atmospheric contaminants. In a similar vein, "Energy and Society" by J. Doe delves into the intersection of energy consumption and societal dynamics, providing insights into the cultural and economic underpinnings of fuel utilization.

Fictional works have also touched upon themes related to air pollution and energy usage, albeit in more imaginative ways. "The Foggy City Chronicles" by A. Nimbus whimsically portrays a parallel universe where air pollution takes on a sentient form, leading to comical escapades and wry commentary on environmental stewardship. Likewise, "Kerosene Dreams" by P. Flame weaves a tale of adventure and intrigue amidst the backdrop of Peruvian landscapes, where the glow of kerosene lamps illuminates a world of mystery and wonder.

In addition to written works, popular culture has offered intriguing insights that may inform the peculiar connection between air pollution in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru. The television series "Boston Legal" provides a lighthearted exploration of legal matters amid the urban backdrop of Boston, offering a tongue-in-cheek perspective on societal issues. Similarly, "The Great Peruvian Bake-Off" offers a culinary immersion into Peruvian traditions, potentially shedding light on the culinary uses of kerosene and its implications for ambient air quality.

While these sources offer valuable insights and entertainment, the present research endeavors to traverse the boundary between whimsy and empiricism, delving into the intricate data to uncover the surprising correlation between air pollution in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. Rest assured, dear reader, that our findings will provide a breath of fresh air amidst the lighthearted exploration of this rhyming connection.


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Boston and Kerosene used in Peru. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Information Administration . You used data from 1980 to 2021

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

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection?

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the unexpected and humorous relationship between air pollution levels in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. With data sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, our research team delved into the nitty-gritty details to address this perplexing question. Surprisingly, we uncovered a significant correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 and p < 0.01 over the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. Our findings suggest a potential link between the two seemingly disparate phenomena, shedding light on a rhyming connection that elicits both chuckles and curiosity among readers.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The study of air pollution and its sources has always been a breath of fresh air for researchers in environmental and public health fields. Likewise, the exploration of energy consumption patterns across the globe has ignited a fiery passion in the hearts of energy economists. However, what happens when these two seemingly distant realms collide in a whimsically unexpected manner? That's precisely what this paper aims to unravel as we delve into the peculiar connection between air pollution in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru.
While the juxtaposition of Boston and Peru may evoke images of bustling city life against tranquil Andean landscapes, our research seeks to uncover a hidden link that may just leave you gasping for breath – pun intended. The notion that these two geographically remote settings could be entwined in a web of data-driven correlation may seem as improbable as a llama donning a top hat, but our findings just might blow your mind – just like a gust of wind sweeping through the streets of Beantown.
As we embark on this scholarly journey, we invite you to prepare for a bumpy ride, full of twists and turns that will leave you questioning your preconceived notions about environmental factors and their intercontinental interplay. Can air pollution in the heart of New England truly have a rhythmic relationship with the incandescent glow of kerosene in the Peruvian highlands? Let's let the data do the talking and see if our findings leave you breathless with laughter and bewilderment.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unearth the surprising connection between air pollution in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru, our research team embarked on a methodological journey that would make even the most intrepid explorer raise an eyebrow. The data we gathered from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration resembled a treasure trove waiting to be deciphered, much like a cryptic map leading to a hidden treasure.

Initially, we utilized a series of convoluted algorithms akin to navigating a labyrinth to process the voluminous datasets spanning the years 1980 to 2021. Our team concocted a potion of statistical analyses, blending regression models, and covariance structures to uncover the underlying patterns between these seemingly unrelated variables. Much like a chef carefully crafting a recipe, we meticulously adjusted the variables to ensure our analytical stew simmered with precision.

Having concocted this analytical potion, we embarked on a metaphoric expedition, navigating the murky waters of correlation coefficients and p-values. It was akin to taming a wild beast, as we grappled with the complex interplay of numbers and variables.

In order to validate our findings, we utilized rigorous methods of cross-validation to ensure that our results were not mere chimeras of statistical noise. Just as a detective cross-references various clues to solve a mysterious case, we cross-referenced our results with literature on air pollution and kerosene combustion to corroborate our intriguing correlations.

To ensure the robustness of our findings, we engaged in an absurdly extensive sensitivity analysis, stress-testing our model with various hypothetical scenarios to ensure its sturdy constitution. It was as if we were subjecting our findings to a rigorous obstacle course to prove their resilience and endurance.

Lastly, in a heroic effort to ensure transparency and reproducibility, we made our code and data available for all to scrutinize, inviting others to embark on their own expedition through the data wilderness. After all, what’s an academic adventure without allowing others to join in the fun?


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Boston and Kerosene used in Peru. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

For the time period 1980 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.7697527, r-squared of 0.5925193, 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]]
Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection?

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the unexpected and humorous relationship between air pollution levels in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. With data sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, our research team delved into the nitty-gritty details to address this perplexing question. Surprisingly, we uncovered a significant correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 and p < 0.01 over the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. Our findings suggest a potential link between the two seemingly disparate phenomena, shedding light on a rhyming connection that elicits both chuckles and curiosity among readers.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The study of air pollution and its sources has always been a breath of fresh air for researchers in environmental and public health fields. Likewise, the exploration of energy consumption patterns across the globe has ignited a fiery passion in the hearts of energy economists. However, what happens when these two seemingly distant realms collide in a whimsically unexpected manner? That's precisely what this paper aims to unravel as we delve into the peculiar connection between air pollution in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru.
While the juxtaposition of Boston and Peru may evoke images of bustling city life against tranquil Andean landscapes, our research seeks to uncover a hidden link that may just leave you gasping for breath – pun intended. The notion that these two geographically remote settings could be entwined in a web of data-driven correlation may seem as improbable as a llama donning a top hat, but our findings just might blow your mind – just like a gust of wind sweeping through the streets of Beantown.
As we embark on this scholarly journey, we invite you to prepare for a bumpy ride, full of twists and turns that will leave you questioning your preconceived notions about environmental factors and their intercontinental interplay. Can air pollution in the heart of New England truly have a rhythmic relationship with the incandescent glow of kerosene in the Peruvian highlands? Let's let the data do the talking and see if our findings leave you breathless with laughter and bewilderment.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The analysis yielded a substantial correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 between air pollution levels in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru, indicative of a robust association between these seemingly unrelated variables. This result suggests a strong tendency for the levels of air pollutants in Boston to wax and wane in concert with the combustion of kerosene in Peru over the 1980 to 2021 period.

Furthermore, the coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.5925193 demonstrates that approximately 59.25% of the variability in air pollution levels in Boston can be explained by the variability in kerosene combustion in Peru. In other words, this unexpected relationship offers an illuminating insight into the interconnectedness of environmental factors across continents.

The p-value of less than 0.01 indicates that the observed correlation is statistically significant, lending credence to the notion that there is indeed a non-random relationship between these two variables. This finding adds weight to the argument that there may be an underlying mechanism or common factor influencing both air pollution levels in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru, rather than a mere coincidental rhyme.

Finally, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually depicts the strong correlation between air pollution in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru, providing a compelling illustration of the surprising connection uncovered by this research.

In summary, our investigation has illuminated an unexpected and intriguing correlation between seemingly disparate environmental phenomena, underscoring the whimsical interconnectedness of our world – a discovery that is as delightful as stumbling upon a lighthearted pun in a densely worded academic paper.


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 Air pollution in Boston and Kerosene used in Peru. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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]]
Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection?

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the unexpected and humorous relationship between air pollution levels in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. With data sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, our research team delved into the nitty-gritty details to address this perplexing question. Surprisingly, we uncovered a significant correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 and p < 0.01 over the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. Our findings suggest a potential link between the two seemingly disparate phenomena, shedding light on a rhyming connection that elicits both chuckles and curiosity among readers.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The present review of the literature reveals an array of studies that have examined the disparate phenomena of air pollution in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. Smith (2015) investigates air pollution and its impact on urban environments, highlighting the intricate web of factors that contribute to elevated particle concentrations in metropolitan areas. Similarly, Doe (2018) delves into the socioeconomic implications of kerosene combustion in developing regions, uncovering the nuanced dynamics of energy use in households. Jones (2019) explores the link between indoor air pollution and health outcomes, shedding light on the far-reaching consequences of household fuel sources.
Turning to non-fiction literature, "The Air We Breathe" by W. Smith offers a comprehensive exploration of air pollution's multifaceted effects on human health and the environment, serving as a foundational text for understanding the complexities of atmospheric contaminants. In a similar vein, "Energy and Society" by J. Doe delves into the intersection of energy consumption and societal dynamics, providing insights into the cultural and economic underpinnings of fuel utilization.
Fictional works have also touched upon themes related to air pollution and energy usage, albeit in more imaginative ways. "The Foggy City Chronicles" by A. Nimbus whimsically portrays a parallel universe where air pollution takes on a sentient form, leading to comical escapades and wry commentary on environmental stewardship. Likewise, "Kerosene Dreams" by P. Flame weaves a tale of adventure and intrigue amidst the backdrop of Peruvian landscapes, where the glow of kerosene lamps illuminates a world of mystery and wonder.
In addition to written works, popular culture has offered intriguing insights that may inform the peculiar connection between air pollution in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru. The television series "Boston Legal" provides a lighthearted exploration of legal matters amid the urban backdrop of Boston, offering a tongue-in-cheek perspective on societal issues. Similarly, "The Great Peruvian Bake-Off" offers a culinary immersion into Peruvian traditions, potentially shedding light on the culinary uses of kerosene and its implications for ambient air quality.
While these sources offer valuable insights and entertainment, the present research endeavors to traverse the boundary between whimsy and empiricism, delving into the intricate data to uncover the surprising correlation between air pollution in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. Rest assured, dear reader, that our findings will provide a breath of fresh air amidst the lighthearted exploration of this rhyming connection.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis yielded a substantial correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 between air pollution levels in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru, indicative of a robust association between these seemingly unrelated variables. This result suggests a strong tendency for the levels of air pollutants in Boston to wax and wane in concert with the combustion of kerosene in Peru over the 1980 to 2021 period.
Furthermore, the coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.5925193 demonstrates that approximately 59.25% of the variability in air pollution levels in Boston can be explained by the variability in kerosene combustion in Peru. In other words, this unexpected relationship offers an illuminating insight into the interconnectedness of environmental factors across continents.
The p-value of less than 0.01 indicates that the observed correlation is statistically significant, lending credence to the notion that there is indeed a non-random relationship between these two variables. This finding adds weight to the argument that there may be an underlying mechanism or common factor influencing both air pollution levels in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru, rather than a mere coincidental rhyme.
Finally, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually depicts the strong correlation between air pollution in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru, providing a compelling illustration of the surprising connection uncovered by this research.
In summary, our investigation has illuminated an unexpected and intriguing correlation between seemingly disparate environmental phenomena, underscoring the whimsical interconnectedness of our world – a discovery that is as delightful as stumbling upon a lighthearted pun in a densely worded academic paper.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The unexpected and seemingly comical correlation between air pollution levels in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru has sparked much intrigue and skepticism alike. While the literature review may have initially elicited a chuckle with its references to whimsical fictional works and mock analyses, our results substantiate the validity of investigating this rhyming connection further. The substantial correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 and statistical significance with a p-value of less than 0.01 align with the previous research, demonstrating a robust association between these ostensibly unrelated variables.

It is worth noting the playful departure from the stoic rigor of academic literature in previous studies, with references to "The Foggy City Chronicles" and "Kerosene Dreams" serving as lighthearted foils to the burgeoning empirical evidence. Nevertheless, our findings echo the nuanced insights of Smith (2015), Doe (2018), and Jones (2019), showcasing the interconnectedness of environmental and societal factors across disparate geographical regions. These authors' in-depth examinations of air pollution and fuel utilization dovetail with our own unexpected discovery, underlining the pertinence of exploring seemingly whimsical correlations.

Moreover, while the literature review playfully hinted at the potential influence of popular culture on our understanding of this peculiar relationship, our results stand as a testament to the empirical reality underlying these seemingly light-hearted musings. The multidisciplinary lens through which this research was conducted aligns with the nuanced approach of non-fictional literature, capturing the cultural and economic underpinnings of fuel utilization and environmental impacts.

In essence, our investigation has brought to light a connection as delightful as stumbling upon a clever pun in a densely worded academic paper – an unexpected insight that transcends the boundaries of convention. As we refrain from drawing a conclusion in this context, we invite further scholarly inquiry into the underlying mechanisms and implications of this curious association, which may offer delight and enlightenment akin to a serendipitous punchline in the grand narrative of scientific inquiry.


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 Air pollution in Boston and Kerosene used in Peru. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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]]
Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection?

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper examines the unexpected and humorous relationship between air pollution levels in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. With data sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, our research team delved into the nitty-gritty details to address this perplexing question. Surprisingly, we uncovered a significant correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 and p < 0.01 over the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. Our findings suggest a potential link between the two seemingly disparate phenomena, shedding light on a rhyming connection that elicits both chuckles and curiosity among readers.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The study of air pollution and its sources has always been a breath of fresh air for researchers in environmental and public health fields. Likewise, the exploration of energy consumption patterns across the globe has ignited a fiery passion in the hearts of energy economists. However, what happens when these two seemingly distant realms collide in a whimsically unexpected manner? That's precisely what this paper aims to unravel as we delve into the peculiar connection between air pollution in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru.
While the juxtaposition of Boston and Peru may evoke images of bustling city life against tranquil Andean landscapes, our research seeks to uncover a hidden link that may just leave you gasping for breath – pun intended. The notion that these two geographically remote settings could be entwined in a web of data-driven correlation may seem as improbable as a llama donning a top hat, but our findings just might blow your mind – just like a gust of wind sweeping through the streets of Beantown.
As we embark on this scholarly journey, we invite you to prepare for a bumpy ride, full of twists and turns that will leave you questioning your preconceived notions about environmental factors and their intercontinental interplay. Can air pollution in the heart of New England truly have a rhythmic relationship with the incandescent glow of kerosene in the Peruvian highlands? Let's let the data do the talking and see if our findings leave you breathless with laughter and bewilderment.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis yielded a substantial correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 between air pollution levels in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru, indicative of a robust association between these seemingly unrelated variables. This result suggests a strong tendency for the levels of air pollutants in Boston to wax and wane in concert with the combustion of kerosene in Peru over the 1980 to 2021 period.
Furthermore, the coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.5925193 demonstrates that approximately 59.25% of the variability in air pollution levels in Boston can be explained by the variability in kerosene combustion in Peru. In other words, this unexpected relationship offers an illuminating insight into the interconnectedness of environmental factors across continents.
The p-value of less than 0.01 indicates that the observed correlation is statistically significant, lending credence to the notion that there is indeed a non-random relationship between these two variables. This finding adds weight to the argument that there may be an underlying mechanism or common factor influencing both air pollution levels in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru, rather than a mere coincidental rhyme.
Finally, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually depicts the strong correlation between air pollution in Boston and kerosene combustion in Peru, providing a compelling illustration of the surprising connection uncovered by this research.
In summary, our investigation has illuminated an unexpected and intriguing correlation between seemingly disparate environmental phenomena, underscoring the whimsical interconnectedness of our world – a discovery that is as delightful as stumbling upon a lighthearted pun in a densely worded academic paper.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has uncovered a perplexing and surprisingly rib-tickling correlation between air pollution levels in the bustling city of Boston and the combustion of kerosene in the tranquil highlands of Peru. The robust association between these seemingly disconnected variables has left us gasping for breath, much like the effect of air pollution on unsuspecting Bostonians.

The substantial correlation coefficient and statistically significant p-value point to a connection that is as clear as the fog of a Boston morning – though hopefully, our findings bring more clarity than confusion. Furthermore, the illuminating insight into the interconnectedness of environmental factors across continents has brought about a revelation as unexpected as finding a torch-wielding llama in a power outage.

The visual representation of the correlation in the scatterplot is as visually striking as a Boston sunset, providing a compelling illustration of this surprising connection. One could say our findings are as glaringly obvious as the Hancock Tower in the Boston skyline – but let's not get too carried away.

In sum, this quirky research has made us question our preconceived notions about the howling winds of correlation and the rhythmic dance of environmental variables. However, in the spirit of whimsy and discovery, we are convinced that no more research along these lines is needed – there is only so much punning one can bear in the pursuit of scholarly knowledge.


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 Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection?. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The International Journal of Environmental Puzzles and Paradoxes


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 Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection?. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Global Consortium for Environmental Solutions


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 Air Pollution in Boston and Kerosene Combustion in Peru: A Rhyming Connection? with an abstract of This paper examines the unexpected and humorous relationship between air pollution levels in Boston and the combustion of kerosene in Peru. With data sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, our research team delved into the nitty-gritty details to address this perplexing question. Surprisingly, we uncovered a significant correlation coefficient of 0.7697527 and p < 0.01 over the period spanning from 1980 to 2021. Our findings suggest a potential link between the two seemingly disparate phenomena, shedding light on a rhyming connection that elicits both chuckles and curiosity among readers.

ChatGPT:

Air Pollution, Boston, Kerosene Combustion, Peru, Correlation Coefficient, Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Information Administration, Air Pollution Levels, Combustion of Kerosene, 1980-2021, Rhyming Connection

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



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Data details

Air pollution in Boston
Detailed data title: Percentage of days 'unhealthy' or worse air quality in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in Boston

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

Correlation r = 0.7697527 (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 = 0.5925193 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 59.3% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Kerosene used in Peru) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Air pollution in Boston) over the 42 years from 1980 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.6E-9. 0.0000000025534776234473340000
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 0.77 in 2.6E-7% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 391,622,778 random variables You don't actually need 391 million 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 41 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 41 because we have two variables measured over a period of 42 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.

[ 0.61, 0.87 ] 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.
198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Air pollution in Boston (Bad air quality days)7.103832.739734.383569.315076.557384.109592.465753.287678.743173.287671.643844.383562.732243.287673.287673.287671.912572.739732.465753.01370.2732244.383566.575341.643841.09292.191780.8219182.191780.81967200.2739730.2739730.546448000.273973000000.273973
Kerosene used in Peru (Million Barrels/Day)18.608219.167919.02817.34917.768817.4891922221816156.91513141414141414.044914.888214.951710.80086.842954.426221.778961.164790.971531.524821.418931.397751.034891.143621.24951110.7821370.4127950.06517810.04345210.0434521




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([7.10383,2.73973,4.38356,9.31507,6.55738,4.10959,2.46575,3.28767,8.74317,3.28767,1.64384,4.38356,2.73224,3.28767,3.28767,3.28767,1.91257,2.73973,2.46575,3.0137,0.273224,4.38356,6.57534,1.64384,1.0929,2.19178,0.821918,2.19178,0.819672,0,0.273973,0.273973,0.546448,0,0,0.273973,0,0,0,0,0,0.273973,])
array_2 = np.array([18.6082,19.1679,19.028,17.349,17.7688,17.489,19,22,22,18,16,15,6.9,15,13,14,14,14,14,14,14.0449,14.8882,14.9517,10.8008,6.84295,4.42622,1.77896,1.16479,0.97153,1.52482,1.41893,1.39775,1.03489,1.14362,1.24951,1,1,0.782137,0.412795,0.0651781,0.0434521,0.0434521,])
array_1_name = "Air pollution in Boston"
array_2_name = "Kerosene used in Peru"

# 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 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."

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Correlation ID: 3359 · Black Variable ID: 20374 · Red Variable ID: 24811
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