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Spurious correlation #3,825 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is GMO use in cotton in Georgia and the second variable is Google searches for 'i have the flu'.  The chart goes from 2004 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

The GMO cotton in Georgia inadvertently developed a cottonseed that, when inhaled, made people break out into spontaneous, but rhythmically satisfying, flu-like symptoms.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a vast cotton field in Georgia, with fluffy white cotton fibers floating in the air. In the background, people are seen sneezing, rubbing their itchy eyes, and frantically searching 'i have the flu' on their smartphones with a confused expression. The scene should capture the juxtaposition of the serene cotton field and the chaos caused by the genetically modified pollen. 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: GMO use in cotton in Georgia and Google searches for 'i have the flu'. 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: Voxel art Voxel art Woodblock painting a funny image macro A TIME magazine cover image
ChatGPT: A TIME magazine cover image

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both GMO use in cotton in Georgia and Google searches for 'i have the flu', in the following situation: Because the increase in GMO use in cotton in Georgia led to a proliferation of genetically modified pollen, causing an allergic reaction in individuals, leading them to mistakenly believe they have the flu and consequently search for 'i have the flu' on Google.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a vast cotton field in Georgia, the air is filled with fluffy white cotton fibers carrying the genetically modified pollen. All around, people are sneezing and rubbing their itchy eyes as they go about their day. Meanwhile, on their smartphones, many are searching 'i have the flu' on Google in confusion, trying to understand their symptoms.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ A TIME magazine cover image ] and depicting this scene: In a vast cotton field in Georgia, the air is filled with fluffy white cotton fibers carrying the genetically modified pollen. All around, people are sneezing and rubbing their itchy eyes as they go about their day. Meanwhile, on their smartphones, many are searching 'i have the flu' on Google in confusion, trying to understand their symptoms. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a vast cotton field in Georgia, with fluffy white cotton fibers floating in the air. In the background, people are seen sneezing, rubbing their itchy eyes, and frantically searching 'i have the flu' on their smartphones with a confused expression. The scene should capture the juxtaposition of the serene cotton field and the chaos caused by the genetically modified pollen.

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in GMO use in cotton in Georgia caused i have the flu (Google searches for 'i have the flu') to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches

The Journal of Ecological Connections

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 silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 GMO use in cotton in Georgia and Google searches for 'i have the flu'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title seem clever.

Your research team used data from USDA and Google Trends to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and p < 0.01 for 2004 to 2022.

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]]
Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the surprising correlation between the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a tale of two seemingly unrelated phenomena that have become entwined, much like the strands of DNA in a genetically modified crop. Using data from the USDA and Google Trends, we examined the period from 2004 to 2022, revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01.

Picture this: a cotton field that's feeling under the weather, but instead of sneezing, it's producing fibers resistant to pests. That's the kind of fiber-ation we're dealing with here. We found that as the adoption of GMO cotton increased in Georgia, there was a corresponding rise in 'i have the flu' Google searches. It's as if the genetically modified cotton has inadvertently sparked a virtual epidemic of self-diagnosed flu cases. Cotton, it seems, has more influence than just on our wardrobes!

Our findings suggest the need for further exploration of the potential link between GMO cotton and online health-seeking behavior, with implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. So next time you're feeling under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just have a hand in your 'flu' search history.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 GMO use in cotton in Georgia and Google searches for 'i have the flu'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the surprising correlation between the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a tale of two seemingly unrelated phenomena that have become entwined, much like the strands of DNA in a genetically modified crop. Using data from the USDA and Google Trends, we examined the period from 2004 to 2022, revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01.

Picture this: a cotton field that's feeling under the weather, but instead of sneezing, it's producing fibers resistant to pests. That's the kind of fiber-ation we're dealing with here. We found that as the adoption of GMO cotton increased in Georgia, there was a corresponding rise in 'i have the flu' Google searches. It's as if the genetically modified cotton has inadvertently sparked a virtual epidemic of self-diagnosed flu cases. Cotton, it seems, has more influence than just on our wardrobes!

Our findings suggest the need for further exploration of the potential link between GMO cotton and online health-seeking behavior, with implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. So next time you're feeling under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just have a hand in your 'flu' search history.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

Introduction
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have long been the subject of both fascination and controversy, much like the elusive common cold. Despite their prevalence in agriculture, there is still much to learn about the effects of GMOs on both the environment and public health. In this paper, we delve into the unexpected relationship between the use of GMOs in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a peculiar tale that we've spun, akin to the twists and turns of a genetically modified cotton fiber.

Have you heard about the argument between the farmer and the scientist about GMOs? The farmer said the scientists were just spinning yarns, and the scientist replied that the farmer should cotton on to the research. It seems that the debate around GMOs is as tangled as genetically modified cotton itself.

The aim of this study is to shed light on the curious correlation between GMO cotton cultivation and the public's health-seeking behavior. Our investigation draws upon data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Google Trends, covering the period from 2004 to 2022. The correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and the statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 give us confidence that there's more to this connection than just a mere coincidence.

It's no stretch of the imagination to envision a scenario where genetically modified cotton and 'i have the flu' Google searches are connected. It's almost like a genetic game of hide and seek – the more GMO cotton hides from pests, the more people seek flu-related information online. It's enough to make you wonder if these cotton plants have somehow gained an inadvertent influence over our virtual symptoms.

Jokes aside, our findings point to a compelling need for further exploration of this relationship and its potential implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. While we may not have unlocked the secret to flu prevention in cotton, it's clear that our understanding of GMOs and their impact continues to evolve. So, the next time you're feeling a bit under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just be the unsung influencers of your 'flu' search history.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 GMO use in cotton in Georgia and Google searches for 'i have the flu'. 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. Perhaps you also got inspiration from some board games that are vaugely related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the surprising correlation between the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a tale of two seemingly unrelated phenomena that have become entwined, much like the strands of DNA in a genetically modified crop. Using data from the USDA and Google Trends, we examined the period from 2004 to 2022, revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01.

Picture this: a cotton field that's feeling under the weather, but instead of sneezing, it's producing fibers resistant to pests. That's the kind of fiber-ation we're dealing with here. We found that as the adoption of GMO cotton increased in Georgia, there was a corresponding rise in 'i have the flu' Google searches. It's as if the genetically modified cotton has inadvertently sparked a virtual epidemic of self-diagnosed flu cases. Cotton, it seems, has more influence than just on our wardrobes!

Our findings suggest the need for further exploration of the potential link between GMO cotton and online health-seeking behavior, with implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. So next time you're feeling under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just have a hand in your 'flu' search history.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Introduction
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have long been the subject of both fascination and controversy, much like the elusive common cold. Despite their prevalence in agriculture, there is still much to learn about the effects of GMOs on both the environment and public health. In this paper, we delve into the unexpected relationship between the use of GMOs in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a peculiar tale that we've spun, akin to the twists and turns of a genetically modified cotton fiber.
Have you heard about the argument between the farmer and the scientist about GMOs? The farmer said the scientists were just spinning yarns, and the scientist replied that the farmer should cotton on to the research. It seems that the debate around GMOs is as tangled as genetically modified cotton itself.
The aim of this study is to shed light on the curious correlation between GMO cotton cultivation and the public's health-seeking behavior. Our investigation draws upon data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Google Trends, covering the period from 2004 to 2022. The correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and the statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 give us confidence that there's more to this connection than just a mere coincidence.
It's no stretch of the imagination to envision a scenario where genetically modified cotton and 'i have the flu' Google searches are connected. It's almost like a genetic game of hide and seek – the more GMO cotton hides from pests, the more people seek flu-related information online. It's enough to make you wonder if these cotton plants have somehow gained an inadvertent influence over our virtual symptoms.
Jokes aside, our findings point to a compelling need for further exploration of this relationship and its potential implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. While we may not have unlocked the secret to flu prevention in cotton, it's clear that our understanding of GMOs and their impact continues to evolve. So, the next time you're feeling a bit under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just be the unsung influencers of your 'flu' search history.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

This peculiar relationship between GMO cotton cultivation and 'i have the flu' Google searches has sparked both intrigue and skepticism within the academic community. Smith and Doe, in their study "The Impact of Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture," delve into the effects of GMOs on crop yields and pest resistance. Meanwhile, Jones et al. explore public health behavior and online information-seeking in "Health-Related Internet Searches: Trends and Patterns."

Much like pollen in the wind, our investigation has been influenced by a variety of non-fiction books on GMOs and public health, including "The GMO Deception" by Sheldon Krimsky and Jeremy Gruber, and "The Viral Storm: The Dawn of a New Pandemic Age" by Nathan Wolfe. In addition, fictional works such as Michael Crichton's "Next" and Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake" have provided an unexpected lens through which to view the interplay between genetic engineering and health concerns.

Drawing inspiration from the intricate web of interconnected systems, it's akin to a curious game of Pandemic Legacy where GMO cotton plays the role of a silent but influential player, making its mark on the virtual landscape of flu-related searches. As the game unfolds, the correlation between GMO cotton and flu-related searches emerges as a surprise twist in the plot, much like an unexpected punchline in a serious conversation.

In "Field of Genes: The Relationship Between Agriculture and Public Health," the authors explore the complex dynamics between agricultural practices and public health outcomes, shedding light on the nuanced interplay between GMO adoption and health-related behaviors. Their findings align with our own, suggesting that the impact of GMOs extends beyond the boundaries of the field and into the virtual realm of online health-seeking behavior. It's as if the GMO cotton plants are whispering, "GMO bless you," as unsuspecting individuals reach for their keyboards to Google the symptoms of the flu.

When it comes to unraveling the mystery behind this unlikely correlation, it's essential to approach the research with a sense of humor and an open mind. After all, who would have thought that genetically modified cotton and 'i have the flu' searches would form a comedic duo in the grand theater of agricultural and public health studies?

To further complicate matters, the element of chance and unpredictability reminiscent of a game of Clue adds an element of adventure to our quest for understanding. Perhaps it was the GMO cotton in Georgia with the viral influence, or maybe it was the subtle impact of online misinformation in the drawing room of public health data – the plot thickens, and with it, the need for further investigation.

In essence, our research unearths a peculiar dance between genetically modified cotton and online health-seeking behavior, suggesting that the threads of influence extend far beyond the agricultural field. So, as we embark on this whimsical journey of discovery, let's not forget to sprinkle a dash of laughter amidst the serious pursuit of knowledge. After all, a little humor might just be the secret ingredient in untangling the cotton-plicated relationship between GMOs and 'i have the flu' Google searches.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 GMO use in cotton in Georgia and Google searches for 'i have the flu'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from USDA and Google Trends . You used data from 2004 to 2022

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]]
Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the surprising correlation between the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a tale of two seemingly unrelated phenomena that have become entwined, much like the strands of DNA in a genetically modified crop. Using data from the USDA and Google Trends, we examined the period from 2004 to 2022, revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01.

Picture this: a cotton field that's feeling under the weather, but instead of sneezing, it's producing fibers resistant to pests. That's the kind of fiber-ation we're dealing with here. We found that as the adoption of GMO cotton increased in Georgia, there was a corresponding rise in 'i have the flu' Google searches. It's as if the genetically modified cotton has inadvertently sparked a virtual epidemic of self-diagnosed flu cases. Cotton, it seems, has more influence than just on our wardrobes!

Our findings suggest the need for further exploration of the potential link between GMO cotton and online health-seeking behavior, with implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. So next time you're feeling under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just have a hand in your 'flu' search history.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Introduction
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have long been the subject of both fascination and controversy, much like the elusive common cold. Despite their prevalence in agriculture, there is still much to learn about the effects of GMOs on both the environment and public health. In this paper, we delve into the unexpected relationship between the use of GMOs in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a peculiar tale that we've spun, akin to the twists and turns of a genetically modified cotton fiber.
Have you heard about the argument between the farmer and the scientist about GMOs? The farmer said the scientists were just spinning yarns, and the scientist replied that the farmer should cotton on to the research. It seems that the debate around GMOs is as tangled as genetically modified cotton itself.
The aim of this study is to shed light on the curious correlation between GMO cotton cultivation and the public's health-seeking behavior. Our investigation draws upon data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Google Trends, covering the period from 2004 to 2022. The correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and the statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 give us confidence that there's more to this connection than just a mere coincidence.
It's no stretch of the imagination to envision a scenario where genetically modified cotton and 'i have the flu' Google searches are connected. It's almost like a genetic game of hide and seek – the more GMO cotton hides from pests, the more people seek flu-related information online. It's enough to make you wonder if these cotton plants have somehow gained an inadvertent influence over our virtual symptoms.
Jokes aside, our findings point to a compelling need for further exploration of this relationship and its potential implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. While we may not have unlocked the secret to flu prevention in cotton, it's clear that our understanding of GMOs and their impact continues to evolve. So, the next time you're feeling a bit under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just be the unsung influencers of your 'flu' search history.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

METHODOLOGY

Data Collection
To investigate the potential link between the use of GMO cotton in Georgia and Google searches for 'i have the flu', we employed a combination of digital sleuthing and statistical analysis. Our research team gathered data from a diverse array of online sources, including but not limited to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Google Trends. With our metaphorical magnifying glass in hand, we embarked on a quest to uncover any hidden patterns that may exist between the cultivation of genetically modified cotton and the search behavior of internet users seeking information on flu symptoms and related topics.

You might say we were on a data safari, tracking down the wild correlations between GMO cotton and virtual flu seekers, much like intrepid explorers in a digital jungle. It's a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack, except the needle is information, and the haystack is the vast expanse of the internet. We combed through the data from 2004 to 2022, traversing the virtual landscape in search of meaningful insights.

Data Analysis
With our digital bounty in hand, we embarked on the arduous task of wrangling the data into a coherent and analyzable form. This involved employing a series of sophisticated statistical methods and software tools, akin to taming an unruly flock of data points. We meticulously teased out the information related to GMO cotton cultivation in Georgia and the frequency of 'i have the flu' searches, aiming to discern any underlying connections between these seemingly disparate phenomena.

Our statistical analysis employed a combination of correlation coefficients, regression models, and hypothesis tests to uncover the potential relationship between GMO cotton and flu-related search behavior. It's a fair bit more complex than a cotton gin, but we managed to separate the proverbial fibers of data to reveal the underlying threads of connection.

The statistical analysis was as intricate as a spider weaving its web of correlations, capturing the nuances of the relationship between GMO cotton and 'i have the flu' Google searches. We unearthed a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352, indicating a strong positive association between GMO cotton cultivation and the frequency of flu-related searches. This finding suggests a compelling link that's as clear as day, or perhaps as clear as a cotton field in the Georgia sun.

Our analysis also yielded a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, providing further support for the notion that the relationship between GMO cotton and flu-related search behavior is not merely a fluke. It's a bit like stumbling upon a rare flower in a field of cotton – unexpected, but undeniably present.

In conclusion, our methodology involved a blend of meticulous data collection, sophisticated statistical analysis, and a touch of digital detective work. Through these methods, we have uncovered a compelling association between the use of GMO cotton in Georgia and the frequency of 'i have the flu' searches, shedding light on a remarkable connection that has implications for both agricultural practices and public health initiatives.



Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 GMO use in cotton in Georgia and Google searches for 'i have the flu'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from USDA and Google Trends .

For the time period 2004 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.8411352, r-squared of 0.7075084, 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]]
Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the surprising correlation between the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a tale of two seemingly unrelated phenomena that have become entwined, much like the strands of DNA in a genetically modified crop. Using data from the USDA and Google Trends, we examined the period from 2004 to 2022, revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01.

Picture this: a cotton field that's feeling under the weather, but instead of sneezing, it's producing fibers resistant to pests. That's the kind of fiber-ation we're dealing with here. We found that as the adoption of GMO cotton increased in Georgia, there was a corresponding rise in 'i have the flu' Google searches. It's as if the genetically modified cotton has inadvertently sparked a virtual epidemic of self-diagnosed flu cases. Cotton, it seems, has more influence than just on our wardrobes!

Our findings suggest the need for further exploration of the potential link between GMO cotton and online health-seeking behavior, with implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. So next time you're feeling under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just have a hand in your 'flu' search history.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
Introduction
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have long been the subject of both fascination and controversy, much like the elusive common cold. Despite their prevalence in agriculture, there is still much to learn about the effects of GMOs on both the environment and public health. In this paper, we delve into the unexpected relationship between the use of GMOs in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a peculiar tale that we've spun, akin to the twists and turns of a genetically modified cotton fiber.
Have you heard about the argument between the farmer and the scientist about GMOs? The farmer said the scientists were just spinning yarns, and the scientist replied that the farmer should cotton on to the research. It seems that the debate around GMOs is as tangled as genetically modified cotton itself.
The aim of this study is to shed light on the curious correlation between GMO cotton cultivation and the public's health-seeking behavior. Our investigation draws upon data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Google Trends, covering the period from 2004 to 2022. The correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and the statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 give us confidence that there's more to this connection than just a mere coincidence.
It's no stretch of the imagination to envision a scenario where genetically modified cotton and 'i have the flu' Google searches are connected. It's almost like a genetic game of hide and seek – the more GMO cotton hides from pests, the more people seek flu-related information online. It's enough to make you wonder if these cotton plants have somehow gained an inadvertent influence over our virtual symptoms.
Jokes aside, our findings point to a compelling need for further exploration of this relationship and its potential implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. While we may not have unlocked the secret to flu prevention in cotton, it's clear that our understanding of GMOs and their impact continues to evolve. So, the next time you're feeling a bit under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just be the unsung influencers of your 'flu' search history.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The analysis of the data revealed a strong positive correlation between the adoption of genetically modified organism (GMO) cotton in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. The correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 indicates a robust relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. Additionally, the r-squared value of 0.7075084 suggests that approximately 70.75% of the variation in 'i have the flu' searches can be attributed to the changes in GMO cotton use. The statistical test further confirmed the significance of this association, with a p-value of less than 0.01 pointing to a highly unlikely probability of observing such results by random chance.

Figure 1 illustrates the positive relationship between the adoption of GMO cotton in Georgia and the frequency of 'i have the flu' Google searches. The data points closely cluster around a upward trend, highlighting the synchronous increase in GMO cotton adoption and flu-related online queries over the years.

It's as though the GMO cotton plants are whispering, "Achoo," and influencing our virtual health-seeking behavior from afar. One might say they've gone viral in more ways than one! The role of GMOs in shaping not only agricultural landscapes but also our online health-seeking patterns is indeed an intriguing revelation.

Our findings suggest that there may be untapped connections between agricultural practices and public health behaviors, potentially impacting the strategies for both health interventions and agricultural regulations. Could genetically modified cotton be sowing the seeds of our virtual flu fears? While this remains speculative, our study emphasizes the need for further exploration into the intersection of GMO cotton and public health-seeking behavior.

In conclusion, the unexpected correlation between GMO cotton adoption and 'i have the flu' searches brings to light the far-reaching influences of agricultural practices on online health information-seeking. As the saying goes, "There's no bale-ing out of the implications of this cottonfluential connection!"


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 GMO use in cotton in Georgia and Google searches for 'i have the flu'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the surprising correlation between the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a tale of two seemingly unrelated phenomena that have become entwined, much like the strands of DNA in a genetically modified crop. Using data from the USDA and Google Trends, we examined the period from 2004 to 2022, revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01.

Picture this: a cotton field that's feeling under the weather, but instead of sneezing, it's producing fibers resistant to pests. That's the kind of fiber-ation we're dealing with here. We found that as the adoption of GMO cotton increased in Georgia, there was a corresponding rise in 'i have the flu' Google searches. It's as if the genetically modified cotton has inadvertently sparked a virtual epidemic of self-diagnosed flu cases. Cotton, it seems, has more influence than just on our wardrobes!

Our findings suggest the need for further exploration of the potential link between GMO cotton and online health-seeking behavior, with implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. So next time you're feeling under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just have a hand in your 'flu' search history.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
This peculiar relationship between GMO cotton cultivation and 'i have the flu' Google searches has sparked both intrigue and skepticism within the academic community. Smith and Doe, in their study "The Impact of Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture," delve into the effects of GMOs on crop yields and pest resistance. Meanwhile, Jones et al. explore public health behavior and online information-seeking in "Health-Related Internet Searches: Trends and Patterns."
Much like pollen in the wind, our investigation has been influenced by a variety of non-fiction books on GMOs and public health, including "The GMO Deception" by Sheldon Krimsky and Jeremy Gruber, and "The Viral Storm: The Dawn of a New Pandemic Age" by Nathan Wolfe. In addition, fictional works such as Michael Crichton's "Next" and Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake" have provided an unexpected lens through which to view the interplay between genetic engineering and health concerns.
Drawing inspiration from the intricate web of interconnected systems, it's akin to a curious game of Pandemic Legacy where GMO cotton plays the role of a silent but influential player, making its mark on the virtual landscape of flu-related searches. As the game unfolds, the correlation between GMO cotton and flu-related searches emerges as a surprise twist in the plot, much like an unexpected punchline in a serious conversation.
In "Field of Genes: The Relationship Between Agriculture and Public Health," the authors explore the complex dynamics between agricultural practices and public health outcomes, shedding light on the nuanced interplay between GMO adoption and health-related behaviors. Their findings align with our own, suggesting that the impact of GMOs extends beyond the boundaries of the field and into the virtual realm of online health-seeking behavior. It's as if the GMO cotton plants are whispering, "GMO bless you," as unsuspecting individuals reach for their keyboards to Google the symptoms of the flu.
When it comes to unraveling the mystery behind this unlikely correlation, it's essential to approach the research with a sense of humor and an open mind. After all, who would have thought that genetically modified cotton and 'i have the flu' searches would form a comedic duo in the grand theater of agricultural and public health studies?
To further complicate matters, the element of chance and unpredictability reminiscent of a game of Clue adds an element of adventure to our quest for understanding. Perhaps it was the GMO cotton in Georgia with the viral influence, or maybe it was the subtle impact of online misinformation in the drawing room of public health data – the plot thickens, and with it, the need for further investigation.
In essence, our research unearths a peculiar dance between genetically modified cotton and online health-seeking behavior, suggesting that the threads of influence extend far beyond the agricultural field. So, as we embark on this whimsical journey of discovery, let's not forget to sprinkle a dash of laughter amidst the serious pursuit of knowledge. After all, a little humor might just be the secret ingredient in untangling the cotton-plicated relationship between GMOs and 'i have the flu' Google searches.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data revealed a strong positive correlation between the adoption of genetically modified organism (GMO) cotton in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. The correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 indicates a robust relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. Additionally, the r-squared value of 0.7075084 suggests that approximately 70.75% of the variation in 'i have the flu' searches can be attributed to the changes in GMO cotton use. The statistical test further confirmed the significance of this association, with a p-value of less than 0.01 pointing to a highly unlikely probability of observing such results by random chance.
Figure 1 illustrates the positive relationship between the adoption of GMO cotton in Georgia and the frequency of 'i have the flu' Google searches. The data points closely cluster around a upward trend, highlighting the synchronous increase in GMO cotton adoption and flu-related online queries over the years.
It's as though the GMO cotton plants are whispering, "Achoo," and influencing our virtual health-seeking behavior from afar. One might say they've gone viral in more ways than one! The role of GMOs in shaping not only agricultural landscapes but also our online health-seeking patterns is indeed an intriguing revelation.
Our findings suggest that there may be untapped connections between agricultural practices and public health behaviors, potentially impacting the strategies for both health interventions and agricultural regulations. Could genetically modified cotton be sowing the seeds of our virtual flu fears? While this remains speculative, our study emphasizes the need for further exploration into the intersection of GMO cotton and public health-seeking behavior.
In conclusion, the unexpected correlation between GMO cotton adoption and 'i have the flu' searches brings to light the far-reaching influences of agricultural practices on online health information-seeking. As the saying goes, "There's no bale-ing out of the implications of this cottonfluential connection!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

Ah, the dance between seemingly unrelated phenomena continues as we waltz into the discussion of our findings. Our results have lent substantial support to the prior research, painting a compelling picture of the intriguing relationship between GMO cotton in Georgia and the frequency of 'i have the flu' Google searches.

It's no cotton-picking surprise that our study aligns with the work of Smith and Doe, whose exploration of the impact of GMOs on crop yields and pest resistance parallels our investigation. As our findings unveil the robust correlation between GMO cotton adoption and flu-related online queries, it's as if the cotton fields are saying, "GMO bless you," each time someone reaches for the 'flu' search button.

Similarly, the revelations of Jones et al. in their study on health-related internet searches find resonance in our findings. The nuanced interplay between agricultural practices and public health behaviors comes to the forefront, much like an unexpected punchline in a serious conversation about GMOs and online health-seeking behavior.

Figuratively speaking, our results suggest that the GMO cotton has gone viral in more ways than one, hinting at its influence not only on agricultural landscapes but also on our virtual health-seeking patterns. If this were a farming game, GMO cotton would be the understated player making its mark on the digital landscape of illness-related searches. Perhaps we've stumbled upon the unexpected twist in the plot, akin to an unlikely punchline in a grand joke about the interplay between genetic engineering and health concerns.

The statistical significance of the association offers compelling evidence of the connection between GMO cotton and 'i have the flu' Google searches, reinforcing the notion that the impact of GMOs transcends the boundaries of the agricultural field into the virtual realm of health-related information seeking. In the grand theater of agricultural and public health studies, it appears that GMO cotton and 'i have the flu' searches have formed a comedic duo, much like a dad joke that catches you off guard.

So, as we unravel the complexities of this cotton-plicated relationship between GMOs and 'i have the flu' Google searches, let's not forget to sprinkle a dash of humor amidst the serious pursuit of knowledge. After all, a little laughter might just be the secret ingredient in untangling the cottonfluential connection.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a silly researcher writing an academic paper.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 GMO use in cotton in Georgia and Google searches for 'i have the flu'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the surprising correlation between the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a tale of two seemingly unrelated phenomena that have become entwined, much like the strands of DNA in a genetically modified crop. Using data from the USDA and Google Trends, we examined the period from 2004 to 2022, revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01.

Picture this: a cotton field that's feeling under the weather, but instead of sneezing, it's producing fibers resistant to pests. That's the kind of fiber-ation we're dealing with here. We found that as the adoption of GMO cotton increased in Georgia, there was a corresponding rise in 'i have the flu' Google searches. It's as if the genetically modified cotton has inadvertently sparked a virtual epidemic of self-diagnosed flu cases. Cotton, it seems, has more influence than just on our wardrobes!

Our findings suggest the need for further exploration of the potential link between GMO cotton and online health-seeking behavior, with implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. So next time you're feeling under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just have a hand in your 'flu' search history.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Introduction
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have long been the subject of both fascination and controversy, much like the elusive common cold. Despite their prevalence in agriculture, there is still much to learn about the effects of GMOs on both the environment and public health. In this paper, we delve into the unexpected relationship between the use of GMOs in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a peculiar tale that we've spun, akin to the twists and turns of a genetically modified cotton fiber.
Have you heard about the argument between the farmer and the scientist about GMOs? The farmer said the scientists were just spinning yarns, and the scientist replied that the farmer should cotton on to the research. It seems that the debate around GMOs is as tangled as genetically modified cotton itself.
The aim of this study is to shed light on the curious correlation between GMO cotton cultivation and the public's health-seeking behavior. Our investigation draws upon data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Google Trends, covering the period from 2004 to 2022. The correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and the statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01 give us confidence that there's more to this connection than just a mere coincidence.
It's no stretch of the imagination to envision a scenario where genetically modified cotton and 'i have the flu' Google searches are connected. It's almost like a genetic game of hide and seek – the more GMO cotton hides from pests, the more people seek flu-related information online. It's enough to make you wonder if these cotton plants have somehow gained an inadvertent influence over our virtual symptoms.
Jokes aside, our findings point to a compelling need for further exploration of this relationship and its potential implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. While we may not have unlocked the secret to flu prevention in cotton, it's clear that our understanding of GMOs and their impact continues to evolve. So, the next time you're feeling a bit under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just be the unsung influencers of your 'flu' search history.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data revealed a strong positive correlation between the adoption of genetically modified organism (GMO) cotton in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. The correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 indicates a robust relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. Additionally, the r-squared value of 0.7075084 suggests that approximately 70.75% of the variation in 'i have the flu' searches can be attributed to the changes in GMO cotton use. The statistical test further confirmed the significance of this association, with a p-value of less than 0.01 pointing to a highly unlikely probability of observing such results by random chance.
Figure 1 illustrates the positive relationship between the adoption of GMO cotton in Georgia and the frequency of 'i have the flu' Google searches. The data points closely cluster around a upward trend, highlighting the synchronous increase in GMO cotton adoption and flu-related online queries over the years.
It's as though the GMO cotton plants are whispering, "Achoo," and influencing our virtual health-seeking behavior from afar. One might say they've gone viral in more ways than one! The role of GMOs in shaping not only agricultural landscapes but also our online health-seeking patterns is indeed an intriguing revelation.
Our findings suggest that there may be untapped connections between agricultural practices and public health behaviors, potentially impacting the strategies for both health interventions and agricultural regulations. Could genetically modified cotton be sowing the seeds of our virtual flu fears? While this remains speculative, our study emphasizes the need for further exploration into the intersection of GMO cotton and public health-seeking behavior.
In conclusion, the unexpected correlation between GMO cotton adoption and 'i have the flu' searches brings to light the far-reaching influences of agricultural practices on online health information-seeking. As the saying goes, "There's no bale-ing out of the implications of this cottonfluential connection!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has revealed a compelling correlation between the adoption of genetically modified organism (GMO) cotton in Georgia and the frequency of 'i have the flu' Google searches. The robust relationship, indicated by a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, suggests that there may be more to this connection than meets the eye. It's almost as if the GMO cotton plants are causing a virtual epidemic of self-diagnosed flu cases, spreading 'Achoo's across the internet like pollen in a breeze.

This unexpected association sheds new light on the potential influence of agricultural practices on public health behaviors. It's a reminder that our virtual actions can be as intricately intertwined as the threads of a genetically modified cotton fiber. Who knew that the humble cotton plant could have such a flu-fectious impact on our online health-seeking behavior?

As we wrap up our findings, it becomes clear that there's no escaping the implications of this cottonfluential connection. The link between GMO cotton and 'i have the flu' searches opens the door to a world of possibilities for further exploration, but sometimes, you just have to take a step back and appreciate the whimsical nature of science – after all, laughter is the best medicine.

We can confidently assert that our research has unraveled a fascinating thread in the tapestry of agricultural and public health. With this, we firmly conclude that no further research is needed in this area. After all, we wouldn't want to be accused of beating a dead horse... or a dead cotton plant, for that matter!


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 Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Ecological Connections


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 Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Sustainable Cotton Research Institute


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 Cottoning On: The GMO Connection Between Cotton in Georgia and 'I Have the Flu' Google Searches with an abstract of This study delves into the surprising correlation between the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in cotton farming in Georgia and the frequency of Google searches for 'i have the flu'. It's a tale of two seemingly unrelated phenomena that have become entwined, much like the strands of DNA in a genetically modified crop. Using data from the USDA and Google Trends, we examined the period from 2004 to 2022, revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.8411352 and a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01.
Picture this: a cotton field that's feeling under the weather, but instead of sneezing, it's producing fibers resistant to pests. That's the kind of fiber-ation we're dealing with here. We found that as the adoption of GMO cotton increased in Georgia, there was a corresponding rise in 'i have the flu' Google searches. It's as if the genetically modified cotton has inadvertently sparked a virtual epidemic of self-diagnosed flu cases. Cotton, it seems, has more influence than just on our wardrobes!
Our findings suggest the need for further exploration of the potential link between GMO cotton and online health-seeking behavior, with implications for public health campaigns and agricultural practices. So next time you're feeling under the weather, spare a thought for those hardworking GMO cotton plants – they might just have a hand in your 'flu' search history.

ChatGPT:

GMO, cotton, Georgia, Google searches, i have the flu, correlation, genetically modified organisms, cotton farming, USDA, Google Trends, epidemic, health-seeking behavior, public health campaigns, agricultural practices

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



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Data details

GMO use in cotton in Georgia
Detailed data title: Percent of cotton planted in Georgia genetically modified with both Bt and HT
Source: USDA
See what else correlates with GMO use in cotton in Georgia

Google searches for 'i have the flu'
Detailed data title: Relative volume of Google searches for 'i have the flu' (Worldwide, without quotes)
Source: Google Trends
Additional Info: Relative search volume (not absolute numbers)

See what else correlates with Google searches for 'i have the flu'

Correlation r = 0.8411352 (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 = 0.7075084 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 70.8% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Google searches for 'i have the flu') is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., GMO use in cotton in Georgia) over the 19 years from 2004 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 6.4E-6. 0.0000064328173850408800000000
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 0.84 in 0.00064% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 155,453 random variables You don't actually need 155 thousand 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 18 degrees of freedom, 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.

[ 0.63, 0.94 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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


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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
2004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
GMO use in cotton in Georgia (GMO cotton %)9495969597979796989899989999100991009998
Google searches for 'i have the flu' (Rel. search volume)3.333334.583334.083333.916676.9166728.583311.166715.166716.666723.521.083319.416718.833324.1667343033.2521.333329.3333




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.
  4. Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.




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([94,95,96,95,97,97,97,96,98,98,99,98,99,99,100,99,100,99,98,])
array_2 = np.array([3.33333,4.58333,4.08333,3.91667,6.91667,28.5833,11.1667,15.1667,16.6667,23.5,21.0833,19.4167,18.8333,24.1667,34,30,33.25,21.3333,29.3333,])
array_1_name = "GMO use in cotton in Georgia"
array_2_name = "Google searches for 'i have the flu'"

# 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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