Spurious correlation #3,965 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the second variable is Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. The chart goes from 1975 to 2011, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the second variable is Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. The chart goes from 1975 to 2011, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

The uptick in UFO sightings over Rhode Island is actually just a cover for a top-secret government program to improve mountaineering skills. Unbeknownst to the general public, these advanced UFOs are equipped with state-of-the-art climbing technology, and they've been taking unsuspecting Rhode Islanders on impromptu mountaineering excursions in their spare time. It turns out that all those individuals who reported being abducted were actually receiving intensive high-altitude training on Mount Everest. So, while it may seem like just a strange coincidence, the truth is out there... on the summit of the world's tallest peak!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: "Create an image of a vibrant town square in Rhode Island at night, where people gather to gaze in excitement at a mysterious UFO hovering above, while in the background, determined climbers make their way toward the summit of Mount Everest, inspired by the newfound sense of adventure sparked by the UFO sightings." The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.

This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: UFO sightings in Rhode Island and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. 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: A TIME magazine cover image Surrealism Pop art A scene from Skyrim Cute 2D animation
ChatGPT: A scene from Skyrim

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both UFO sightings in Rhode Island and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs, in the following situation: Because as more people in Rhode Island reported UFO sightings, it created a heightened state of curiosity and a desire for new and otherworldly experiences. This shift in mindset led to an influx of individuals pursuing challenges that were previously deemed unattainable, including successfully climbing Mount Everest. The UFO sightings served as a catalyst for an increase in adventurous spirit, propelling individuals to reach new heights and gravitate towards reaching for the stars, or perhaps even further.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a vibrant Rhode Island town square, people gather to gaze at the night sky as a mysterious UFO hovers above. Their faces are filled with wonder and excitement. Meanwhile, on the majestic slopes of Mount Everest, determined climbers make their way toward the summit, driven by a newfound sense of adventurous spirit stemming from the UFO sightings. The captivating scene captures both the curiosity sparked by the UFO sightings and the surge in successful climbs of Mount Everest, symbolizing the unity of earthbound wonder and the aspiration to conquer new heights.

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 scene from Skyrim ] and depicting this scene: In a vibrant Rhode Island town square, people gather to gaze at the night sky as a mysterious UFO hovers above. Their faces are filled with wonder and excitement. Meanwhile, on the majestic slopes of Mount Everest, determined climbers make their way toward the summit, driven by a newfound sense of adventurous spirit stemming from the UFO sightings. The captivating scene captures both the curiosity sparked by the UFO sightings and the surge in successful climbs of Mount Everest, symbolizing the unity of earthbound wonder and the aspiration to conquer new heights. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: "Create an image of a vibrant town square in Rhode Island at night, where people gather to gaze in excitement at a mysterious UFO hovering above, while in the background, determined climbers make their way toward the summit of Mount Everest, inspired by the newfound sense of adventure sparked by the UFO sightings."

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

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.
^{Show prompt for explanation} Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in UFO sightings in Rhode Island caused Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs to increase. Make it feel plausible.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Rhode to the Top: Unidentified Flying Object Sightings and Their Relation to Successful Mount Everest Climbs

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Expeditions and Extreme Elevation Achievements

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!

^{Show prompt used to generate this paper} Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft a literature review section of an academic research paper, that starts out dry for the first few sentences but then becomes hilarious and goofy.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then cite some social media posts you read that seem to be related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Rhode to the Top: Unidentified Flying Object Sightings and Their Relation to Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research paper delves into the peculiar and seemingly unrelated realms of UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the total number of triumphant Mount Everest ascents. Although one might initially assume these two subjects have little in common, our analysis of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Himalayan Database surprisingly revealed a striking association. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9172700 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1975 to 2011, it is clear that there is a compelling statistical relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

In exploring the interplay between these variables, we present a whimsical examination of the potential interconnectedness of extraterrestrial visitations and the achievements of adventurous mountaineers. While some may dismiss the correlation as a mere statistical oddity, the robustness of our findings prompts further investigation into the mysterious nexus between otherworldly phenomena and earthly conquests. The implications of this research extend beyond the confines of traditional scientific inquiry, serving as a whimsical reminder of the enigmatic and unexpected connections that may abound in our world—both below and above the stars.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
As human beings, we are perpetually drawn to unraveling enigmas, from the profound mysteries of the universe to the more mundane curiosities of everyday life. In this vein, our research takes a light-hearted yet scientific approach to examine the apparent correlation between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the number of successful Mount Everest climbs. The intersecting paths of these two seemingly unrelated phenomena have spurred both incredulous skepticism and wild speculation, prompting us to embark on an investigation worthy of Mulder and Scully.
While one might initially be tempted to dismiss the connection as nonsensical or fantastical, it is worth noting that statistical analyses have a way of curbing our instinctual urge to scoff. The data gleaned from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Himalayan Database have yielded an unexpected and robust correlation, leaving us pondering the potential implications of this intriguing association. We found ourselves confronted with a correlation coefficient so high, it would be enough to unnerve even the most steadfast skeptics.
Our aim is not to merely entertain the possibility of extraterrestrial intervention in Earthly mountaineering pursuits. Instead, we seek to prod the boundaries of conventional thinking and kindle the inherent human knack for whimsy and wonderment. By embracing the unexpected connections that ripple through the fabric of our existence, we hope to foster a spirit of inquiry that transcends the rigidity of traditional scientific inquiry.
Through this paper, we invite you to join us in the exploration of this peculiar intersection between the UFO phenomenon and the towering conquest of Mount Everest. Buckle up, dear reader, for this is a journey that ventures into the realm of the unexplained but does so with a twinkle in its eye and a quizzical raise of the eyebrow.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The relationship between UFO sightings and the number of successful Mount Everest climbs has perplexed researchers for decades. Smith and Doe meticulously examined the UFO reports in Rhode Island and found them to be inexplicably linked to the total number of triumphant ascents of the world's highest peak. Jones, in a separate study, confirmed this association, providing a robust foundation for the seemingly improbable convergence of these two disparate phenomena.

In "Unidentified Flying Objects: A Scientific Inquiry," Smith and Doe delve into the statistical underpinnings of UFO sightings across various geographical regions. Their findings reveal a surprising consistency in the pattern of UFO reports in Rhode Island, which, as it turns out, correlates remarkably with the ebb and flow of successful Mount Everest climbs. While their research may initially seem far-fetched, the numbers speak for themselves, leaving readers with raised eyebrows and lingering questions.

Furthermore, "Mountains of the Mind" by Robert Macfarlane offers a unique perspective on the psychological allure of challenging summits, which may inadvertently intersect with the extraterrestrial mystique pervading the UFO phenomenon. The intersection of these seemingly unrelated realms gives rise to a tapestry of speculation and curiosity, compelling readers to contemplate the whimsical interconnectedness of the universe.

In the fictional realm, Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhood's End" and H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" evoke tantalizing narratives that mirror the inexplicable nexus between UFO sightings and Everest triumphs. Although mere works of imagination, these stories spark a whimsical musing on the potential interplay between alien visitations and human feats of derring-do.

Additionally, anecdotal evidence drawn from social media posts further underscores the enigmatic correlation between UFO sightings and Mount Everest conquests. A tweet by @UFOEnthusiast87 makes a tongue-in-cheek reference to extraterrestrial encouragement for record-breaking ascents, adding a touch of levity to the seemingly serious pursuit of uncovering the truth behind this unlikely relationship.

In sum, the literature to date presents a compelling array of evidence and theoretical musings that illuminate the intricate interweaving of UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. While the subject matter itself is rife with fantastical potentialities, the academic scrutiny afforded to it underscores the tantalizing mystery awaiting further exploration.

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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
"Rhode to the Top: Unidentified Flying Object Sightings and Their Relation to Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research paper delves into the peculiar and seemingly unrelated realms of UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the total number of triumphant Mount Everest ascents. Although one might initially assume these two subjects have little in common, our analysis of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Himalayan Database surprisingly revealed a striking association. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9172700 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1975 to 2011, it is clear that there is a compelling statistical relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

In exploring the interplay between these variables, we present a whimsical examination of the potential interconnectedness of extraterrestrial visitations and the achievements of adventurous mountaineers. While some may dismiss the correlation as a mere statistical oddity, the robustness of our findings prompts further investigation into the mysterious nexus between otherworldly phenomena and earthly conquests. The implications of this research extend beyond the confines of traditional scientific inquiry, serving as a whimsical reminder of the enigmatic and unexpected connections that may abound in our world—both below and above the stars.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The relationship between UFO sightings and the number of successful Mount Everest climbs has perplexed researchers for decades. Smith and Doe meticulously examined the UFO reports in Rhode Island and found them to be inexplicably linked to the total number of triumphant ascents of the world's highest peak. Jones, in a separate study, confirmed this association, providing a robust foundation for the seemingly improbable convergence of these two disparate phenomena.
In "Unidentified Flying Objects: A Scientific Inquiry," Smith and Doe delve into the statistical underpinnings of UFO sightings across various geographical regions. Their findings reveal a surprising consistency in the pattern of UFO reports in Rhode Island, which, as it turns out, correlates remarkably with the ebb and flow of successful Mount Everest climbs. While their research may initially seem far-fetched, the numbers speak for themselves, leaving readers with raised eyebrows and lingering questions.
Furthermore, "Mountains of the Mind" by Robert Macfarlane offers a unique perspective on the psychological allure of challenging summits, which may inadvertently intersect with the extraterrestrial mystique pervading the UFO phenomenon. The intersection of these seemingly unrelated realms gives rise to a tapestry of speculation and curiosity, compelling readers to contemplate the whimsical interconnectedness of the universe.
In the fictional realm, Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhood's End" and H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" evoke tantalizing narratives that mirror the inexplicable nexus between UFO sightings and Everest triumphs. Although mere works of imagination, these stories spark a whimsical musing on the potential interplay between alien visitations and human feats of derring-do.
Additionally, anecdotal evidence drawn from social media posts further underscores the enigmatic correlation between UFO sightings and Mount Everest conquests. A tweet by @UFOEnthusiast87 makes a tongue-in-cheek reference to extraterrestrial encouragement for record-breaking ascents, adding a touch of levity to the seemingly serious pursuit of uncovering the truth behind this unlikely relationship.
In sum, the literature to date presents a compelling array of evidence and theoretical musings that illuminate the intricate interweaving of UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. While the subject matter itself is rife with fantastical potentialities, the academic scrutiny afforded to it underscores the tantalizing mystery awaiting further exploration.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our analysis revealed a surprisingly strong correlation between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. The correlation coefficient of 0.9172700 indicated a robust positive relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. Furthermore, the coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.8413842 suggested that approximately 84.1% of the variance in successful Mount Everest climbs could be explained by the variance in UFO sightings in Rhode Island. This compelling association was bolstered by a p-value of less than 0.01, underscoring the statistical significance of the findings.
Upon visual inspection of the data, a scatterplot (Fig. 1) vividly depicted the striking correlation between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and successful Mount Everest climbs. The scatterplot graphically illustrated the upward trend, affirming the coherence of the statistical analysis with a whimsical flourish. It was as if the cosmic dance of otherworldly visitors had an unseen influence on the terrestrial conquest of the world's highest peak, leading to a delightful confluence of inexplicable forces.
The strength of the correlation prompts a moment of reflection on the interconnectedness of the universe, as well as a chuckle at the unexpected pairing of UFO sightings and mountaineering triumphs. While one would not typically associate celestial sightings with alpine exploits, our findings suggest that perhaps there is more to be uncovered beneath the surface—or should we say, above the clouds and stars.
In conclusion, the results of our analysis provide a lighthearted yet compelling account of the entwined fates of UFO sightings in Rhode Island and successful Mount Everest climbs. The statistically significant correlation invites further investigation into the potential interactions between extraterrestrial phenomena and earthly achievements, reminding us that curiosity and wonderment often lead to unexpected discoveries.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The robust correlation between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs, as revealed in our analysis, not only underscores the statistical significance of this unlikely relationship but also tickles the imagination with its whimsical implications. Our findings align with the pioneering work of Smith and Doe, who first ventured into the enigmatic nexus between these seemingly incongruous phenomena. The correlation coefficient of 0.9172700 from our study echoes their initial observations, demonstrating a resounding affirmation of the association between otherworldly visitations and earthly triumphs. It seems that while the ascent to Mount Everest may be physically grueling, it shares an ethereal connection with UFO sightings that transcends the limits of our understanding.

The amusingly compelling nature of this correlation harks back to Macfarlane's exploration of the psychological allure of challenging summits, suggesting that our yearning for the extraordinary may intertwine with the mysterious allure of extraterrestrial encounters. The statistical rigor of our analysis bolsters the fanciful musings laid out by Macfarlane, adding a layer of unexpected plausibility to the whimsical interplay of human ambition and extraterrestrial intrigue. The nested enigma of UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the triumphs atop Mount Everest invites a playful contemplation of the universe's interconnected tapestry, wherein the stars above and the peaks below seemingly engage in a cosmic tango of inexplicable influence.

Furthermore, the anecdotal evidence drawn from social media posts, exemplified by the tongue-in-cheek tweet from @UFOEnthusiast87, serves as a delightful reminder of the lighthearted musings that underpin our scientific inquiry. While the subject matter itself may prompt a chuckle or raise an eyebrow, the robustness of our statistical findings infuses this whimsical pursuit with a touch of empirical rigor. It is as if the universe itself is teasing us with a cosmic riddle, urging us to delve into the enigmatic connection that links UFO sightings in Rhode Island to the triumphs atop Mount Everest.

In this vein, our results beckon further investigation into the potential mechanisms underlying this striking correlation. The statistical significance of our findings urges a careful exploration of the intertwined forces at play: do extraterrestrial visitors cast a benevolent gaze upon intrepid mountaineers, imbuing them with an unseen cosmic fortitude? Or does the very act of reaching for the stars beckon forth celestial witnesses, sparking an interconnected dance of aspiration and observation? The connection we have unveiled lays bare a lighthearted enigma that invites scientific scrutiny and fanciful contemplation in equal measure.

Our study skims the surface of a whimsical intersection between the extraordinary and the inexplicable, leaving a trail of stardust for future researchers to follow. As we embark on further investigations into this captivating correlation, we are reminded that the universe, much like the dance of UFO sightings and Mount Everest triumphs, is an intricate and surprising mosaic of interconnectedness—a whimsical reminder that scientific inquiry, like the ascent to great heights, is a journey full of unexpected discoveries and delightful turns of cosmic humor.

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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
"Rhode to the Top: Unidentified Flying Object Sightings and Their Relation to Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research paper delves into the peculiar and seemingly unrelated realms of UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the total number of triumphant Mount Everest ascents. Although one might initially assume these two subjects have little in common, our analysis of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Himalayan Database surprisingly revealed a striking association. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9172700 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1975 to 2011, it is clear that there is a compelling statistical relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

In exploring the interplay between these variables, we present a whimsical examination of the potential interconnectedness of extraterrestrial visitations and the achievements of adventurous mountaineers. While some may dismiss the correlation as a mere statistical oddity, the robustness of our findings prompts further investigation into the mysterious nexus between otherworldly phenomena and earthly conquests. The implications of this research extend beyond the confines of traditional scientific inquiry, serving as a whimsical reminder of the enigmatic and unexpected connections that may abound in our world—both below and above the stars.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
As human beings, we are perpetually drawn to unraveling enigmas, from the profound mysteries of the universe to the more mundane curiosities of everyday life. In this vein, our research takes a light-hearted yet scientific approach to examine the apparent correlation between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the number of successful Mount Everest climbs. The intersecting paths of these two seemingly unrelated phenomena have spurred both incredulous skepticism and wild speculation, prompting us to embark on an investigation worthy of Mulder and Scully.
While one might initially be tempted to dismiss the connection as nonsensical or fantastical, it is worth noting that statistical analyses have a way of curbing our instinctual urge to scoff. The data gleaned from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Himalayan Database have yielded an unexpected and robust correlation, leaving us pondering the potential implications of this intriguing association. We found ourselves confronted with a correlation coefficient so high, it would be enough to unnerve even the most steadfast skeptics.
Our aim is not to merely entertain the possibility of extraterrestrial intervention in Earthly mountaineering pursuits. Instead, we seek to prod the boundaries of conventional thinking and kindle the inherent human knack for whimsy and wonderment. By embracing the unexpected connections that ripple through the fabric of our existence, we hope to foster a spirit of inquiry that transcends the rigidity of traditional scientific inquiry.
Through this paper, we invite you to join us in the exploration of this peculiar intersection between the UFO phenomenon and the towering conquest of Mount Everest. Buckle up, dear reader, for this is a journey that ventures into the realm of the unexplained but does so with a twinkle in its eye and a quizzical raise of the eyebrow.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our analysis revealed a surprisingly strong correlation between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs. The correlation coefficient of 0.9172700 indicated a robust positive relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. Furthermore, the coefficient of determination (r-squared) of 0.8413842 suggested that approximately 84.1% of the variance in successful Mount Everest climbs could be explained by the variance in UFO sightings in Rhode Island. This compelling association was bolstered by a p-value of less than 0.01, underscoring the statistical significance of the findings.
Upon visual inspection of the data, a scatterplot (Fig. 1) vividly depicted the striking correlation between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and successful Mount Everest climbs. The scatterplot graphically illustrated the upward trend, affirming the coherence of the statistical analysis with a whimsical flourish. It was as if the cosmic dance of otherworldly visitors had an unseen influence on the terrestrial conquest of the world's highest peak, leading to a delightful confluence of inexplicable forces.
The strength of the correlation prompts a moment of reflection on the interconnectedness of the universe, as well as a chuckle at the unexpected pairing of UFO sightings and mountaineering triumphs. While one would not typically associate celestial sightings with alpine exploits, our findings suggest that perhaps there is more to be uncovered beneath the surface—or should we say, above the clouds and stars.
In conclusion, the results of our analysis provide a lighthearted yet compelling account of the entwined fates of UFO sightings in Rhode Island and successful Mount Everest climbs. The statistically significant correlation invites further investigation into the potential interactions between extraterrestrial phenomena and earthly achievements, reminding us that curiosity and wonderment often lead to unexpected discoveries.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has brought to light a correlation so eyebrow-raising that it would make even the most stoic scientist crack a smile. The robust relationship between UFO sightings in Rhode Island and successful Mount Everest climbs hints at a cosmic waltz of otherworldly visitors and intrepid mountaineers. While some may view this correlation as a mere statistical oddity, it stands as a whimsical reminder of the zany connections that may lurk in the depths of our data.

It is quite the stellar surprise to find such a strong bond between UFO sightings and conquering the colossal peaks of Everest. This unexpected link not only tickles the imagination but also suggests that perhaps there may be more interstellar support for earthly pursuits than we ever dared to dream. Perhaps those UFO sightings are not just a flash in the pan, but rather a celestial cheer for our grand endeavors.

As we reflect on the implications of our findings, we are reminded that in the realm of whimsy and wonder, the Universe never fails to surprise. The statistical significance of this correlation may defy logic, but it certainly does not defy the charm of the unexpected. With a correlation coefficient so high, it's as if the cosmic forces are whispering secrets to our statistical analyses.

In light of these findings, it appears that the cosmic dance of UFO sightings and Everest triumphs invites us to embrace the delightful uncertainty that accompanies our pursuit of knowledge. Therefore, in the spirit of cosmic camaraderie and statistical serendipity, it is with a lighthearted twirl that we assert: further research in this zany, but undeniably compelling, area is simply not needed.

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 Rhode to the Top: Unidentified Flying Object Sightings and Their Relation to Successful Mount Everest Climbs. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Expeditions and Extreme Elevation Achievements

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 Rhode to the Top: Unidentified Flying Object Sightings and Their Relation to Successful Mount Everest Climbs. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Association for Extraterrestrial Expeditions and Ascent Advancements

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 Rhode to the Top: Unidentified Flying Object Sightings and Their Relation to Successful Mount Everest Climbs with an abstract of This research paper delves into the peculiar and seemingly unrelated realms of UFO sightings in Rhode Island and the total number of triumphant Mount Everest ascents. Although one might initially assume these two subjects have little in common, our analysis of data from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Himalayan Database surprisingly revealed a striking association. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9172700 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1975 to 2011, it is clear that there is a compelling statistical relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.
In exploring the interplay between these variables, we present a whimsical examination of the potential interconnectedness of extraterrestrial visitations and the achievements of adventurous mountaineers. While some may dismiss the correlation as a mere statistical oddity, the robustness of our findings prompts further investigation into the mysterious nexus between otherworldly phenomena and earthly conquests. The implications of this research extend beyond the confines of traditional scientific inquiry, serving as a whimsical reminder of the enigmatic and unexpected connections that may abound in our world—both below and above the stars.

ChatGPT:

UFO sightings, Rhode Island, Mount Everest climbs, correlation, statistical analysis, National UFO Reporting Center, Himalayan Database, extraterrestrial visitations, mountaineering, interplay, data analysis, statistical relationship, mysterious nexus, otherworldly phenomena

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

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Data details

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

Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs
Source: CBC
See what else correlates with Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs

Correlation r = 0.9172700 (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 = 0.8413842 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 84.1% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., UFO sightings in Rhode Island) over the 37 years from 1975 through 2011.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.5E-15.^Show 0.0000000000000014729330650953
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme.^Note More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.92 in 1.5E-13% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 678,917,476,766,196 random variables^Note You don't actually need 678 trillion variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

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

In this particular case, the values are so extreme as to be meaningless. That's why no one reports p-values with specificity after they drop below 0.01.

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 36 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 36 because we have two variables measured over a period of 37 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.

[ 0.84, 0.96 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
^{Read more about the confidence interval} The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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

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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.

	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
UFO sightings in Rhode Island (UFO sightings)	3	3	3	1	2	0	1	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	4	5	8	4	8	10	6	11	19	15	15	14	17	17	19	20
Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs (Climbers)	15	4	0	25	18	10	5	18	23	16	30	4	0	50	25	72	30	90	129	51	83	95	85	121	118	145	182	159	267	337	307	493	633	423	457	543	542

Why this works

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

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

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

Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([3,3,3,1,2,0,1,3,1,0,0,0,1,0,1,1,0,0,1,0,0,4,5,8,4,8,10,6,11,19,15,15,14,17,17,19,20,])
array_2 = np.array([15,4,0,25,18,10,5,18,23,16,30,4,0,50,25,72,30,90,129,51,83,95,85,121,118,145,182,159,267,337,307,493,633,423,457,543,542,])
array_1_name = "UFO sightings in Rhode Island"
array_2_name = "Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs"

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

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

Reuseable content

You may re-use the images on this page for any purpose, even commercial purposes, without asking for permission. The only requirement is that you attribute Tyler Vigen. ^Note Attribution can take many different forms. If you leave the "tylervigen.com" link in the image, that satisfies it just fine. If you remove it and move it to a footnote, that's fine too. You can also just write "Charts courtesy of Tyler Vigen" at the bottom of an article.

You do not need to attribute "the spurious correlations website," and you don't even need to link here if you don't want to. I don't gain anything from pageviews. There are no ads on this site, there is nothing for sale, and I am not for hire.

For the record, I am just one person. Tyler Vigen, he/him/his. I do have degrees, but they should not go after my name unless you want to annoy my wife. If that is your goal, then go ahead and cite me as "Tyler Vigen, A.A. A.A.S. B.A. J.D." Otherwise it is just "Tyler Vigen."

When spoken, my last name is pronounced "vegan," like I don't eat meat.

Full license details.
For more on re-use permissions, or to get a signed release form, see tylervigen.com/permission.

Download images for these variables:

High resolution line chart ^Note The image linked here is a Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG). It is the highest resolution that is possible to achieve. It scales up beyond the size of the observable universe without pixelating. You do not need to email me asking if I have a higher resolution image. I do not. The physical limitations of our universe prevent me from providing you with an image that is any higher resolution than this one.

If you insert it into a PowerPoint presentation (a tool well-known for managing things that are the scale of the universe), you can right-click > "Ungroup" or "Create Shape" and then edit the lines and text directly. You can also change the colors this way.

Alternatively you can use a tool like Inkscape.
High resolution line chart, optimized for mobile
Alternative high resolution line chart
Scatterplot
Portable line chart (png)
Portable line chart (png), optimized for mobile
Line chart for only UFO sightings in Rhode Island
Line chart for only Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Rhode to the Top: Unidentified Flying Object Sightings and Their Relation to Successful Mount Everest Climbs

View another random correlation

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Correlation ID: 3965 · Black Variable ID: 1192 · Red Variable ID: 498


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