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Spurious correlation #3,841 · 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 Sacramento and the second variable is Arson in California.  The chart goes from 1985 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the air cleared up in Sacramento, it also dampened the spirits of the firebugs. With less smog to fuel their fiery antics, they just couldn't seem to get the same 'spark' for arson. It's as if they realized, "Why set things ablaze when the air is already smokin' hot?" So, we can say that as the pollution decreased, so did the incendiary incidents, making it a case of cleaner air leading to cleaner records for arsonists in California!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: "Generate an image with a cover of Discovery magazine style, depicting a clear and bright skyline in Sacramento. Show the absence of smoke plumes from burning buildings, making it difficult for arsonists to find cover. With improved air quality, the arsonists are seen reducing their attempts and enjoying the fresh, cool breeze under the blue sky. Keep the visual depiction simple, without any words or speech bubbles." 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 Sacramento and Arson in California. 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: Concept art A Discovery magazine cover image a Polaroid photo An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' An image that looks like it is a scene from A Disney Movie
ChatGPT: A Discovery 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 Air pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California, in the following situation: Because as the air quality improved in Sacramento, the arsonists couldn't find enough smoke to cover their tracks. They realized they couldn't just "fire and forget" when the air was so clean, so they decided to "burn" fewer buildings instead. It seems they went from "hot under the collar" to just enjoying the "cool breeze" instead.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In Sacramento, as the air quality improved, the skyline was clear and bright. There were no plumes of smoke from the burning buildings, and the arsonists found it difficult to find suitable cover for their actions. With the clean air, the arsonists could no longer rely on the smoke to blend in, so they reduced their attempts to burn down buildings, and instead enjoyed the fresh, cool breeze under the blue sky.

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 Discovery magazine cover image ] and depicting this scene: In Sacramento, as the air quality improved, the skyline was clear and bright. There were no plumes of smoke from the burning buildings, and the arsonists found it difficult to find suitable cover for their actions. With the clean air, the arsonists could no longer rely on the smoke to blend in, so they reduced their attempts to burn down buildings, and instead enjoyed the fresh, cool breeze under the blue sky. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: "Generate an image with a cover of Discovery magazine style, depicting a clear and bright skyline in Sacramento. Show the absence of smoke plumes from burning buildings, making it difficult for arsonists to find cover. With improved air quality, the arsonists are seen reducing their attempts and enjoying the fresh, cool breeze under the blue sky. Keep the visual depiction simple, without any words or speech bubbles."

*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 Sacramento caused Arson in California to decrease. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California

The Journal of Environmental Arson Studies

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title punny if you can come up with clever pun. If not, just make it sound clever.

Your research team used data from Environmental Protection Agency and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 and p < 0.01 for 1985 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]]
Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This igniting study investigates the flaming connection between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research examines the correlation between particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and arson rates from 1985 to 2022. Our findings reveal a strikingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 and a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a significant and smoldering relationship. Moreover, our analysis controls for potential confounding variables such as temperature, humidity, and economic factors to ensure the integrity of the results. To our surprise, the data left us gasping for air - the association between air pollution and arson was flaming hot! Our study not only provides empirical evidence of the link between air quality and fire-related crime, but also ignites further research in this scorching area of study. In conclusion, this incendiary investigation not only sheds light on the fiery consequences of air pollution, but also sparks a passionate interest in understanding the smoky mechanisms underlying this relationship. Remember, where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's usually a bad pun to go along with it!


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California. 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]]
Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This igniting study investigates the flaming connection between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research examines the correlation between particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and arson rates from 1985 to 2022. Our findings reveal a strikingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 and a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a significant and smoldering relationship. Moreover, our analysis controls for potential confounding variables such as temperature, humidity, and economic factors to ensure the integrity of the results. To our surprise, the data left us gasping for air - the association between air pollution and arson was flaming hot! Our study not only provides empirical evidence of the link between air quality and fire-related crime, but also ignites further research in this scorching area of study. In conclusion, this incendiary investigation not only sheds light on the fiery consequences of air pollution, but also sparks a passionate interest in understanding the smoky mechanisms underlying this relationship. Remember, where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's usually a bad pun to go along with it!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The connection between air pollution and criminal activity has long been a topic of interest and debate in both the scientific and law enforcement communities. From the wafting plumes of smoke to the charred remnants left in its wake, the relationship between air pollution and arson represents a burning question that has yet to be fully explored. As the old adage goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire" – pun intended, and quite fitting for the subject matter of our study.

It is well-established that air pollution, particularly in urban areas, poses significant health risks and environmental challenges. However, the potential impact of air quality on criminal behavior, particularly in the context of arson, is a topic that has received less attention. We aim to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the potential link between air pollution in Sacramento, a city known for its air quality challenges, and incidents of arson in California.

The study leverages data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program to explore the association between air pollution and arson over a period spanning nearly four decades. Our analysis takes into account key air pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide, both of which have been implicated in respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. It's enough to make anyone wheeze like a bad pun!

The Sacramento metropolitan area serves as an intriguing case study due to its unique air quality dynamics and its historical vulnerability to air pollution episodes. As we delve into the data, we aim to unravel the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between poor air quality and the occurrence of arson. Indeed, this investigation seeks to shed light on a burning issue that has implications for public safety, environmental policy, and the criminal justice system. While the data may be smoke and mirrors at first glance, our rigorous statistical analysis intends to reveal the fiery truth behind this captivating correlation.

The findings of this study hold the potential to not only inform public health interventions and air quality regulations but also to offer insights into the broader implications of environmental factors on criminal behavior. As we embark on this fiery journey through data analysis and statistical inference, we invite readers to join us in exploring the smoldering connection between air pollution and arson in California. After all, who doesn't love a bit of statistical analysis with a side of arson-themed puns?


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics journal.You draft 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 Sacramento and Arson in California. 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]]
Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This igniting study investigates the flaming connection between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research examines the correlation between particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and arson rates from 1985 to 2022. Our findings reveal a strikingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 and a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a significant and smoldering relationship. Moreover, our analysis controls for potential confounding variables such as temperature, humidity, and economic factors to ensure the integrity of the results. To our surprise, the data left us gasping for air - the association between air pollution and arson was flaming hot! Our study not only provides empirical evidence of the link between air quality and fire-related crime, but also ignites further research in this scorching area of study. In conclusion, this incendiary investigation not only sheds light on the fiery consequences of air pollution, but also sparks a passionate interest in understanding the smoky mechanisms underlying this relationship. Remember, where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's usually a bad pun to go along with it!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The connection between air pollution and criminal activity has long been a topic of interest and debate in both the scientific and law enforcement communities. From the wafting plumes of smoke to the charred remnants left in its wake, the relationship between air pollution and arson represents a burning question that has yet to be fully explored. As the old adage goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire" – pun intended, and quite fitting for the subject matter of our study.
It is well-established that air pollution, particularly in urban areas, poses significant health risks and environmental challenges. However, the potential impact of air quality on criminal behavior, particularly in the context of arson, is a topic that has received less attention. We aim to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the potential link between air pollution in Sacramento, a city known for its air quality challenges, and incidents of arson in California.
The study leverages data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program to explore the association between air pollution and arson over a period spanning nearly four decades. Our analysis takes into account key air pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide, both of which have been implicated in respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. It's enough to make anyone wheeze like a bad pun!
The Sacramento metropolitan area serves as an intriguing case study due to its unique air quality dynamics and its historical vulnerability to air pollution episodes. As we delve into the data, we aim to unravel the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between poor air quality and the occurrence of arson. Indeed, this investigation seeks to shed light on a burning issue that has implications for public safety, environmental policy, and the criminal justice system. While the data may be smoke and mirrors at first glance, our rigorous statistical analysis intends to reveal the fiery truth behind this captivating correlation.
The findings of this study hold the potential to not only inform public health interventions and air quality regulations but also to offer insights into the broader implications of environmental factors on criminal behavior. As we embark on this fiery journey through data analysis and statistical inference, we invite readers to join us in exploring the smoldering connection between air pollution and arson in California. After all, who doesn't love a bit of statistical analysis with a side of arson-themed puns?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Within the realm of environmental criminology, research examining the relationship between air pollution and criminal behavior has sparked a fiery debate. Various studies have sought to elucidate the potential impact of poor air quality on a range of criminal activities, and our study aims to add fuel to the fire by investigating the specific link between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California.

In the seminal work by Smith et al. (2010) entitled "Smoke Signals: Exploring the Nexus of Air Pollution and Arson," the authors find compelling evidence of a positive association between particulate matter levels and arson rates, particularly in urban areas with high pollution concentrations. This study laid the groundwork for subsequent research into the smoky mechanisms underlying the relationship, igniting further interest in this incendiary area of study. It's almost as if the findings were so hot, they were setting off smoke alarms left and right!

Building upon this foundation, Doe and Jones (2015) conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of studies investigating the impact of air pollution on various criminal activities, including arson. Their findings suggest that higher levels of air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, are positively correlated with an increased risk of arson, providing compelling evidence that air pollution may indeed fuel the flames of criminal behavior. The results of this meta-analysis were so clear, they pierced through the haze of uncertainty like a beam of light in a smog-filled city.

While these studies offer valuable insights into the complex interplay between air quality and arson, it is important to consider the broader environmental context. In "Lungs of Fire: The Environmental and Criminological Implications of Air Pollution" (Hopkins, 2018), the author delves into the multifaceted impact of air pollution on public health and explores the potential spillover effects on criminal behavior. The book highlights the interconnected nature of environmental and criminological factors, painting a vivid portrait of the smoldering relationship between air quality and criminal activities.

Turning to more unconventional sources, the fictional works of authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and Agatha Christie in "The Pale Horse" offer tantalizing narratives that intertwine elements of mystery and arson, albeit in vastly different contexts. While these novels may not provide empirical data on the relationship between air pollution and arson, they certainly ignite the reader's imagination with tales of intrigue and fiery deeds. One could say they set the literary world ablaze with their storytelling prowess!

On a more light-hearted note, the board game "Flash Point: Fire Rescue" situates players in the role of heroic firefighters tasked with extinguishing blazes and rescuing occupants from burning buildings. While this game doesn't directly address the empirical research on air pollution and arson, it certainly kindles a sense of appreciation for the efforts of first responders in combating fire-related incidents. Plus, it's a great way to let off steam after a long day of analyzing statistical models and data sets – pun intended!

In synthesizing the diverse array of literature surrounding the nexus of air pollution and arson, our study aims to stoke the flames of knowledge and spark further inquiry into this sizzling topic. As we delve into the statistical analysis of the correlation between air quality and arson rates, we hope to fan the flames of understanding and shed light on the smoky mechanisms that underpin this intriguing relationship. After all, when it comes to unraveling the mysteries of crime and air pollution, a little bit of humor and creativity can be the kindling that ignites new avenues of scientific inquiry.


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California. 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 Environmental Protection Agency and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services . You used data from 1985 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]]
Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This igniting study investigates the flaming connection between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research examines the correlation between particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and arson rates from 1985 to 2022. Our findings reveal a strikingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 and a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a significant and smoldering relationship. Moreover, our analysis controls for potential confounding variables such as temperature, humidity, and economic factors to ensure the integrity of the results. To our surprise, the data left us gasping for air - the association between air pollution and arson was flaming hot! Our study not only provides empirical evidence of the link between air quality and fire-related crime, but also ignites further research in this scorching area of study. In conclusion, this incendiary investigation not only sheds light on the fiery consequences of air pollution, but also sparks a passionate interest in understanding the smoky mechanisms underlying this relationship. Remember, where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's usually a bad pun to go along with it!

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The connection between air pollution and criminal activity has long been a topic of interest and debate in both the scientific and law enforcement communities. From the wafting plumes of smoke to the charred remnants left in its wake, the relationship between air pollution and arson represents a burning question that has yet to be fully explored. As the old adage goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire" – pun intended, and quite fitting for the subject matter of our study.
It is well-established that air pollution, particularly in urban areas, poses significant health risks and environmental challenges. However, the potential impact of air quality on criminal behavior, particularly in the context of arson, is a topic that has received less attention. We aim to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the potential link between air pollution in Sacramento, a city known for its air quality challenges, and incidents of arson in California.
The study leverages data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program to explore the association between air pollution and arson over a period spanning nearly four decades. Our analysis takes into account key air pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide, both of which have been implicated in respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. It's enough to make anyone wheeze like a bad pun!
The Sacramento metropolitan area serves as an intriguing case study due to its unique air quality dynamics and its historical vulnerability to air pollution episodes. As we delve into the data, we aim to unravel the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between poor air quality and the occurrence of arson. Indeed, this investigation seeks to shed light on a burning issue that has implications for public safety, environmental policy, and the criminal justice system. While the data may be smoke and mirrors at first glance, our rigorous statistical analysis intends to reveal the fiery truth behind this captivating correlation.
The findings of this study hold the potential to not only inform public health interventions and air quality regulations but also to offer insights into the broader implications of environmental factors on criminal behavior. As we embark on this fiery journey through data analysis and statistical inference, we invite readers to join us in exploring the smoldering connection between air pollution and arson in California. After all, who doesn't love a bit of statistical analysis with a side of arson-themed puns?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unravel the fiery connection between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California, our research team employed a meticulously crafted methodology that would leave even the most seasoned statistician feeling a bit overheated – pun intended. The study period spanned from 1985 to 2022, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the relationship between air quality and arson over nearly four smokin’ decades.

Data on air pollution levels in the Sacramento region were obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System database. This incendiary dataset provided information on key air pollutants, including but not limited to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and carbon monoxide (CO), with measurement frequencies that left us gasping for breath – both due to the pollutants and the sheer volume of data.

On the other hand, information on arson incidents was sourced from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. Our team conducted a thorough review of reported arson cases in California, carefully sifting through the data to separate the flaming hot facts from the smokescreens of incidental fires – no pun intended, or maybe just a little.

Having amassed a wealth of data from these sources, our analysis commenced with the compilation of time-series datasets for air pollution and arson incidents, triggering an inferno of excitement among the research team. Our methodology then proceeded to ignite the flames of statistical analysis, incorporating rigorous techniques to examine the association between air pollution levels in Sacramento and the incidence of arson across California's diverse geographical landscapes.

To ensure the integrity of our findings, we employed advanced statistical methods, including but not limited to time series analysis, correlation coefficients, and regression modeling, to shed light on the smoky relationship between air quality and arson. The statistical analyses were executed using industry-standard software – no playing with matches here, we assure you.

Moreover, our investigation took into account potential confounding variables such as temperature, humidity, and economic indicators, aiming to extinguish any doubts regarding the robustness of our findings. We sought to distinguish the flickers of coincidence from the raging inferno of causation, a distinction critical for unraveling the complex interplay between air pollution and arson rates in the state of California.

In conducting this incendiary investigation, our research team remained committed to the principles of transparency and reproducibility. Our methods, just like effective fire safety protocols, were designed to withstand the most intense scrutiny, ensuring that our findings set the scientific community ablaze with excitement and future research blazing in new directions.

Remember, in the world of statistical analysis, every result tells a story, and ours reads like a page-turner filled with scorching insights. With the embers of curiosity stoked and the flames of discovery ablaze, our methodology blazed a trail for future investigations into the flaming connection between air pollution and arson. After all, where there's smoke, there’s fire, and where there's fire, there's usually a good statistical pun to go along with it.


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California. 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 Environmental Protection Agency and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services .

For the time period 1985 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.7407727, r-squared of 0.5487442, 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]]
Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This igniting study investigates the flaming connection between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research examines the correlation between particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and arson rates from 1985 to 2022. Our findings reveal a strikingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 and a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a significant and smoldering relationship. Moreover, our analysis controls for potential confounding variables such as temperature, humidity, and economic factors to ensure the integrity of the results. To our surprise, the data left us gasping for air - the association between air pollution and arson was flaming hot! Our study not only provides empirical evidence of the link between air quality and fire-related crime, but also ignites further research in this scorching area of study. In conclusion, this incendiary investigation not only sheds light on the fiery consequences of air pollution, but also sparks a passionate interest in understanding the smoky mechanisms underlying this relationship. Remember, where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's usually a bad pun to go along with it!

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The connection between air pollution and criminal activity has long been a topic of interest and debate in both the scientific and law enforcement communities. From the wafting plumes of smoke to the charred remnants left in its wake, the relationship between air pollution and arson represents a burning question that has yet to be fully explored. As the old adage goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire" – pun intended, and quite fitting for the subject matter of our study.
It is well-established that air pollution, particularly in urban areas, poses significant health risks and environmental challenges. However, the potential impact of air quality on criminal behavior, particularly in the context of arson, is a topic that has received less attention. We aim to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the potential link between air pollution in Sacramento, a city known for its air quality challenges, and incidents of arson in California.
The study leverages data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program to explore the association between air pollution and arson over a period spanning nearly four decades. Our analysis takes into account key air pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide, both of which have been implicated in respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. It's enough to make anyone wheeze like a bad pun!
The Sacramento metropolitan area serves as an intriguing case study due to its unique air quality dynamics and its historical vulnerability to air pollution episodes. As we delve into the data, we aim to unravel the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between poor air quality and the occurrence of arson. Indeed, this investigation seeks to shed light on a burning issue that has implications for public safety, environmental policy, and the criminal justice system. While the data may be smoke and mirrors at first glance, our rigorous statistical analysis intends to reveal the fiery truth behind this captivating correlation.
The findings of this study hold the potential to not only inform public health interventions and air quality regulations but also to offer insights into the broader implications of environmental factors on criminal behavior. As we embark on this fiery journey through data analysis and statistical inference, we invite readers to join us in exploring the smoldering connection between air pollution and arson in California. After all, who doesn't love a bit of statistical analysis with a side of arson-themed puns?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The research findings revealed a strong positive correlation between air pollution in Sacramento and the incidence of arson in California. Over the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022, our analysis demonstrated a correlation coefficient of 0.7407727, indicating a notably robust relationship between the two variables. This result suggests that as air pollution levels in Sacramento increased, so did the incidence of arson in California. We were genuinely blown away by this flaming hot correlation!

The coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.5487442 indicated that approximately 55% of the variability in arson rates could be explained by changes in air pollution levels. This statistic provides further evidence of the substantial influence of air quality on fire-related criminal activity. It's clear that when it comes to arson, the stakes are high - but so are the correlation coefficients!

The p-value of less than 0.01 suggests that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by mere chance. This statistically significant result adds weight to the argument that there is indeed a significant and smoldering relationship between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. One might say that the evidence for this association is as clear as smoke in a well-ventilated room!

Our findings are visually depicted in Fig. 1, a scatterplot that illustrates the compelling relationship between air pollution levels and arson rates. The scatterplot portrays the data points clustering in a positively sloped pattern, affirming the positive association between the two variables. This visual representation not only reinforces our statistical analysis but also provides a compelling visual narrative of the incendiary relationship under investigation.

In conclusion, our research offers compelling evidence of a strong and statistically significant correlation between air pollution in Sacramento and arson in California. This blazing hot connection, once uncovered, sets the stage for further investigation into the mechanisms driving this relationship. Future research endeavors in this scorching area of study are poised to illuminate the smoky pathways through which air pollution influences fire-related criminal behavior. After all, when it comes to research findings, we always strive to leave no ember unturned!


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California. 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]]
Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This igniting study investigates the flaming connection between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research examines the correlation between particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and arson rates from 1985 to 2022. Our findings reveal a strikingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 and a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a significant and smoldering relationship. Moreover, our analysis controls for potential confounding variables such as temperature, humidity, and economic factors to ensure the integrity of the results. To our surprise, the data left us gasping for air - the association between air pollution and arson was flaming hot! Our study not only provides empirical evidence of the link between air quality and fire-related crime, but also ignites further research in this scorching area of study. In conclusion, this incendiary investigation not only sheds light on the fiery consequences of air pollution, but also sparks a passionate interest in understanding the smoky mechanisms underlying this relationship. Remember, where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's usually a bad pun to go along with it!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Within the realm of environmental criminology, research examining the relationship between air pollution and criminal behavior has sparked a fiery debate. Various studies have sought to elucidate the potential impact of poor air quality on a range of criminal activities, and our study aims to add fuel to the fire by investigating the specific link between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California.
In the seminal work by Smith et al. (2010) entitled "Smoke Signals: Exploring the Nexus of Air Pollution and Arson," the authors find compelling evidence of a positive association between particulate matter levels and arson rates, particularly in urban areas with high pollution concentrations. This study laid the groundwork for subsequent research into the smoky mechanisms underlying the relationship, igniting further interest in this incendiary area of study. It's almost as if the findings were so hot, they were setting off smoke alarms left and right!
Building upon this foundation, Doe and Jones (2015) conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of studies investigating the impact of air pollution on various criminal activities, including arson. Their findings suggest that higher levels of air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, are positively correlated with an increased risk of arson, providing compelling evidence that air pollution may indeed fuel the flames of criminal behavior. The results of this meta-analysis were so clear, they pierced through the haze of uncertainty like a beam of light in a smog-filled city.
While these studies offer valuable insights into the complex interplay between air quality and arson, it is important to consider the broader environmental context. In "Lungs of Fire: The Environmental and Criminological Implications of Air Pollution" (Hopkins, 2018), the author delves into the multifaceted impact of air pollution on public health and explores the potential spillover effects on criminal behavior. The book highlights the interconnected nature of environmental and criminological factors, painting a vivid portrait of the smoldering relationship between air quality and criminal activities.
Turning to more unconventional sources, the fictional works of authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and Agatha Christie in "The Pale Horse" offer tantalizing narratives that intertwine elements of mystery and arson, albeit in vastly different contexts. While these novels may not provide empirical data on the relationship between air pollution and arson, they certainly ignite the reader's imagination with tales of intrigue and fiery deeds. One could say they set the literary world ablaze with their storytelling prowess!
On a more light-hearted note, the board game "Flash Point: Fire Rescue" situates players in the role of heroic firefighters tasked with extinguishing blazes and rescuing occupants from burning buildings. While this game doesn't directly address the empirical research on air pollution and arson, it certainly kindles a sense of appreciation for the efforts of first responders in combating fire-related incidents. Plus, it's a great way to let off steam after a long day of analyzing statistical models and data sets – pun intended!
In synthesizing the diverse array of literature surrounding the nexus of air pollution and arson, our study aims to stoke the flames of knowledge and spark further inquiry into this sizzling topic. As we delve into the statistical analysis of the correlation between air quality and arson rates, we hope to fan the flames of understanding and shed light on the smoky mechanisms that underpin this intriguing relationship. After all, when it comes to unraveling the mysteries of crime and air pollution, a little bit of humor and creativity can be the kindling that ignites new avenues of scientific inquiry.

[[RESULTS]]
The research findings revealed a strong positive correlation between air pollution in Sacramento and the incidence of arson in California. Over the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022, our analysis demonstrated a correlation coefficient of 0.7407727, indicating a notably robust relationship between the two variables. This result suggests that as air pollution levels in Sacramento increased, so did the incidence of arson in California. We were genuinely blown away by this flaming hot correlation!
The coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.5487442 indicated that approximately 55% of the variability in arson rates could be explained by changes in air pollution levels. This statistic provides further evidence of the substantial influence of air quality on fire-related criminal activity. It's clear that when it comes to arson, the stakes are high - but so are the correlation coefficients!
The p-value of less than 0.01 suggests that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by mere chance. This statistically significant result adds weight to the argument that there is indeed a significant and smoldering relationship between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. One might say that the evidence for this association is as clear as smoke in a well-ventilated room!
Our findings are visually depicted in Fig. 1, a scatterplot that illustrates the compelling relationship between air pollution levels and arson rates. The scatterplot portrays the data points clustering in a positively sloped pattern, affirming the positive association between the two variables. This visual representation not only reinforces our statistical analysis but also provides a compelling visual narrative of the incendiary relationship under investigation.
In conclusion, our research offers compelling evidence of a strong and statistically significant correlation between air pollution in Sacramento and arson in California. This blazing hot connection, once uncovered, sets the stage for further investigation into the mechanisms driving this relationship. Future research endeavors in this scorching area of study are poised to illuminate the smoky pathways through which air pollution influences fire-related criminal behavior. After all, when it comes to research findings, we always strive to leave no ember unturned!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The scorching findings of our study support and extend previous research on the nexus between air pollution and criminal behavior, particularly in the realm of arson. Our analysis revealed a strikingly robust correlation between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California, substantiating the work of Smith et al. (2010) and Doe and Jones (2015) who first kindled the flames of interest in this incendiary relationship.

The Papa Murphy's Law of air pollution states that where there's smog, there's arson. Our results indeed lend support to this maxim, as the correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 suggests a substantial positive association between air pollution levels and arson rates. This finding echoes the scintillating work of Smith et al. (2010), whose study set the environment ablaze with its demonstration of a similar link.

Additionally, our study reinforces the flickering insights of Doe and Jones (2015), demonstrating that higher levels of air pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide are indeed linked to an increased risk of arson. Like a well-stoked hearth, our results provide further fuel to the flames of evidence, illuminating the scorching effects of poor air quality on fire-related criminal behavior.

As we embrace the broader environmental context, echoing the sentiments of Hopkins (2018), it becomes clear that the smoky haze of air pollution may have far-reaching implications on criminal activities. We've added a roaring log to the fire of scholarly understanding, showing that the multifaceted impact of air pollution may extend to igniting criminal behavior, particularly in the form of arson.

Returning to our lighthearted engagement with unconventional sources, it's almost as if the fictional narratives of Conan Doyle and Christie, albeit outside the realm of empirical research, teased at the smoldering relationship between mystery and arson. While we wouldn't base our conclusions on the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, these literary works have ignited our imagination and fanned the flames of curiosity about the intersecting worlds of crime and air pollution.

In sum, our research has set the scientific world ablaze with its demonstration of a potent and statistically significant correlation between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. This study sparks a fiery interest in further delving into the smoky mechanisms that underpin this intriguing relationship. As we continue to stoke the embers of inquiry, our findings invite a rekindling of the flame of knowledge in this smoldering area of study. Remember, where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's statistical evidence, there's usually a good pun to go along with it!


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California. 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]]
Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This igniting study investigates the flaming connection between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research examines the correlation between particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and arson rates from 1985 to 2022. Our findings reveal a strikingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 and a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a significant and smoldering relationship. Moreover, our analysis controls for potential confounding variables such as temperature, humidity, and economic factors to ensure the integrity of the results. To our surprise, the data left us gasping for air - the association between air pollution and arson was flaming hot! Our study not only provides empirical evidence of the link between air quality and fire-related crime, but also ignites further research in this scorching area of study. In conclusion, this incendiary investigation not only sheds light on the fiery consequences of air pollution, but also sparks a passionate interest in understanding the smoky mechanisms underlying this relationship. Remember, where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's usually a bad pun to go along with it!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The connection between air pollution and criminal activity has long been a topic of interest and debate in both the scientific and law enforcement communities. From the wafting plumes of smoke to the charred remnants left in its wake, the relationship between air pollution and arson represents a burning question that has yet to be fully explored. As the old adage goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire" – pun intended, and quite fitting for the subject matter of our study.
It is well-established that air pollution, particularly in urban areas, poses significant health risks and environmental challenges. However, the potential impact of air quality on criminal behavior, particularly in the context of arson, is a topic that has received less attention. We aim to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the potential link between air pollution in Sacramento, a city known for its air quality challenges, and incidents of arson in California.
The study leverages data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program to explore the association between air pollution and arson over a period spanning nearly four decades. Our analysis takes into account key air pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide, both of which have been implicated in respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. It's enough to make anyone wheeze like a bad pun!
The Sacramento metropolitan area serves as an intriguing case study due to its unique air quality dynamics and its historical vulnerability to air pollution episodes. As we delve into the data, we aim to unravel the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between poor air quality and the occurrence of arson. Indeed, this investigation seeks to shed light on a burning issue that has implications for public safety, environmental policy, and the criminal justice system. While the data may be smoke and mirrors at first glance, our rigorous statistical analysis intends to reveal the fiery truth behind this captivating correlation.
The findings of this study hold the potential to not only inform public health interventions and air quality regulations but also to offer insights into the broader implications of environmental factors on criminal behavior. As we embark on this fiery journey through data analysis and statistical inference, we invite readers to join us in exploring the smoldering connection between air pollution and arson in California. After all, who doesn't love a bit of statistical analysis with a side of arson-themed puns?

[[RESULTS]]
The research findings revealed a strong positive correlation between air pollution in Sacramento and the incidence of arson in California. Over the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022, our analysis demonstrated a correlation coefficient of 0.7407727, indicating a notably robust relationship between the two variables. This result suggests that as air pollution levels in Sacramento increased, so did the incidence of arson in California. We were genuinely blown away by this flaming hot correlation!
The coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.5487442 indicated that approximately 55% of the variability in arson rates could be explained by changes in air pollution levels. This statistic provides further evidence of the substantial influence of air quality on fire-related criminal activity. It's clear that when it comes to arson, the stakes are high - but so are the correlation coefficients!
The p-value of less than 0.01 suggests that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by mere chance. This statistically significant result adds weight to the argument that there is indeed a significant and smoldering relationship between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. One might say that the evidence for this association is as clear as smoke in a well-ventilated room!
Our findings are visually depicted in Fig. 1, a scatterplot that illustrates the compelling relationship between air pollution levels and arson rates. The scatterplot portrays the data points clustering in a positively sloped pattern, affirming the positive association between the two variables. This visual representation not only reinforces our statistical analysis but also provides a compelling visual narrative of the incendiary relationship under investigation.
In conclusion, our research offers compelling evidence of a strong and statistically significant correlation between air pollution in Sacramento and arson in California. This blazing hot connection, once uncovered, sets the stage for further investigation into the mechanisms driving this relationship. Future research endeavors in this scorching area of study are poised to illuminate the smoky pathways through which air pollution influences fire-related criminal behavior. After all, when it comes to research findings, we always strive to leave no ember unturned!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has uncovered a significant and fiery relationship between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. The robust correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 and the p-value of less than 0.01 provide compelling evidence of the smoldering connection between these variables. The old saying certainly rings true in this context: "Where there's smoke, there's fire," and our findings have fanned the flames of understanding in this scorching area of study.

This study not only illuminates the implications of poor air quality on fire-related criminal activity but also kindles further interest in exploring the mechanisms underlying this incendiary relationship. Our investigation has sparked a passion for delving into the smoky pathways through which air pollution influences arson, and we are fired up about the potential for continued research in this area.

As our analysis demonstrates, the statistical evidence for this association is as clear as smoke in a well-ventilated room. Our findings blaze a trail for future research endeavors in this sizzling field, and we are excited to see how this work ignites new avenues of inquiry. After all, when it comes to understanding the heat between air pollution and arson, there's always an ember of curiosity waiting to be kindled.

In the spirit of our findings, it seems fitting to leave you with a relevant dad joke: Why did the arson investigator only solve crimes in the winter? Because he loved to "catch fire" and "chill out" at the same time! We hope this study has sparked your interest as much as it has ignited our enthusiasm for this hot topic.

In conclusion, we assert that no further research is needed in this area. We've already set the research world ablaze with our findings!


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 Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Environmental Arson Studies


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Center for Environmental Enigmas and Arson Analysis


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled Fanning the Flames: A Smokin' Hot Analysis of the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Sacramento and Arson in California with an abstract of This igniting study investigates the flaming connection between air pollution in Sacramento and incidents of arson in California. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research examines the correlation between particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and arson rates from 1985 to 2022. Our findings reveal a strikingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.7407727 and a p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a significant and smoldering relationship. Moreover, our analysis controls for potential confounding variables such as temperature, humidity, and economic factors to ensure the integrity of the results. To our surprise, the data left us gasping for air - the association between air pollution and arson was flaming hot! Our study not only provides empirical evidence of the link between air quality and fire-related crime, but also ignites further research in this scorching area of study. In conclusion, this incendiary investigation not only sheds light on the fiery consequences of air pollution, but also sparks a passionate interest in understanding the smoky mechanisms underlying this relationship. Remember, where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's usually a bad pun to go along with it!

ChatGPT:

air pollution, arson, Sacramento, California, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, EPA data, FBI Crime data, correlation coefficient, p-value, confounding variables, temperature, humidity, economic factors, fire-related crime, air quality, empirical evidence

*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 Sacramento
Detailed data title: Percentage of days 'unhealthy' or worse air quality in Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in Sacramento

Arson in California
Detailed data title: The arson rate per 100,000 residents in California
Source: FBI Criminal Justice Information Services
See what else correlates with Arson in California

Correlation r = 0.7407727 (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 = 0.5487442 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 54.9% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Arson in California) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Air pollution in Sacramento) over the 38 years from 1985 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.05E-7. 0.0000001051326315852657300000
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 0.74 in 1.05E-5% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 9,511,795 random variables You don't actually need 9 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 37 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 37 because we have two variables measured over a period of 38 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.

[ 0.55, 0.86 ] 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.
19851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Air pollution in Sacramento (Bad air quality days)13.150713.424717.808217.759613.698611.506813.972614.20775.2054810.41110.41112.56834.657539.8630116.712311.475412.328815.342511.23296.2841511.506813.42474.931518.743176.301372.465756.02743.551911.643841.917811.095894.098360.8219185.7534207.377055.479452.46575
Arson in California (Arson rate)77.472.466.866.865.465.162.871.265.259.354.156.349.243.843.642.643.839.938.335.333.934.931.329.124.821.119.119.519.418.418.919.821.921.62129.93.624.8




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([13.1507,13.4247,17.8082,17.7596,13.6986,11.5068,13.9726,14.2077,5.20548,10.411,10.411,12.5683,4.65753,9.86301,16.7123,11.4754,12.3288,15.3425,11.2329,6.28415,11.5068,13.4247,4.93151,8.74317,6.30137,2.46575,6.0274,3.55191,1.64384,1.91781,1.09589,4.09836,0.821918,5.75342,0,7.37705,5.47945,2.46575,])
array_2 = np.array([77.4,72.4,66.8,66.8,65.4,65.1,62.8,71.2,65.2,59.3,54.1,56.3,49.2,43.8,43.6,42.6,43.8,39.9,38.3,35.3,33.9,34.9,31.3,29.1,24.8,21.1,19.1,19.5,19.4,18.4,18.9,19.8,21.9,21.6,21,29.9,3.6,24.8,])
array_1_name = "Air pollution in Sacramento"
array_2_name = "Arson in California"

# 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: 3841 · Black Variable ID: 21169 · Red Variable ID: 20071
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