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Spurious correlation #4,017 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the second variable is SLB's stock price (SLB).  The chart goes from 2003 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image

AI explanation

As the number of garbage collectors in Virginia decreased, there was a corresponding increase in uncollected waste. This led to a surge in the rodent population as the furry critters feasted on the overflowing garbage. Now, these plump rodents began to indulge in a bit of tunneling, unknowingly compromising the structural integrity of the ground. Lo and behold, this led to an unexpected increase in demand for Schlumberger's oilfield services, as their expertise in dealing with underground cavities and drilling suddenly became invaluable in preventing rodent-induced land collapses. With the sudden shift in focus, Schlumberger's core business in oilfield technology took a hit, causing their stock price to decrease.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Create an image of a futuristic, cybernetic Virginia street scene, with sleek, metallic garbage collectors navigating through the neighborhoods. The collectors emit a soft, neon glow as they pick up trash from each household, and digital displays on their surfaces show the rising stock graph of SLB as an overlay. The stock graph is composed of pulsating lines and geometric shapes, showcasing the company's rising value. The juxtaposition of the high-tech garbage collectors and the stock graph creates an intriguing visual representation of the increasing demand for waste management tools in Virginia. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: The number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price (SLB). 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: Sci-fi fantacy a funny image macro a funny image macro Data cyber art Symbolism
ChatGPT: Data cyber art

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both The number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price (SLB), in the following situation: As the number of garbage collectors in Virginia increases, SLB's stock price also rises. This is due to the trashy situation pushing demand for SLB's waste management tools, resulting in a load of cash for the company.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In Virginia, the streets are bustling with an increasing number of garbage collectors moving through neighborhoods, collecting trash from each household. Meanwhile, at the stock exchange, SLB's stock price is moving upwards on the graph, showing a rise in value. The scene illustrates the connection between the growing number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the rise in SLB's stock price, reflecting the increased demand for the company's waste management tools due to the escalating trash situation.

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: [ Data cyber art ] and depicting this scene: In Virginia, the streets are bustling with an increasing number of garbage collectors moving through neighborhoods, collecting trash from each household. Meanwhile, at the stock exchange, SLB's stock price is moving upwards on the graph, showing a rise in value. The scene illustrates the connection between the growing number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the rise in SLB's stock price, reflecting the increased demand for the company's waste management tools due to the escalating trash situation. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Create an image of a futuristic, cybernetic Virginia street scene, with sleek, metallic garbage collectors navigating through the neighborhoods. The collectors emit a soft, neon glow as they pick up trash from each household, and digital displays on their surfaces show the rising stock graph of SLB as an overlay. The stock graph is composed of pulsating lines and geometric shapes, showcasing the company's rising value. The juxtaposition of the high-tech garbage collectors and the stock graph creates an intriguing visual representation of the increasing demand for waste management tools in Virginia.

*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 The number of garbage collectors in Virginia caused SLB's stock price (SLB) to decrease. Make it feel plausible.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price

The Journal of Trashology

Jan 2024
Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price (SLB). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Make the title seem clever.

Your research team used data from Bureau of Larbor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.8467100 and p < 0.01 for 2003 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]]
Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the hitherto unexplored connection between the number of garbage collectors in the state of Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). Evidently, the financial world has been longing to uncover the linkage between these two seemingly incongruous variables. Leveraging data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) for the period spanning from 2003 to 2022, we identified a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with statistical significance at p < 0.01.

Our findings suggest that the movements of SLB's stock price appear to be positively associated with the population of garbage collectors in Virginia. Although one might assume this relationship to be nothing but garbage, our analysis reveals a striking pattern that cannot be simply swept under the rug. The implications of this association are not to be disposed of lightly, as they open the door to a plethora of potential explanations and opportunities for further perplexing research.


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price (SLB). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the hitherto unexplored connection between the number of garbage collectors in the state of Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). Evidently, the financial world has been longing to uncover the linkage between these two seemingly incongruous variables. Leveraging data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) for the period spanning from 2003 to 2022, we identified a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with statistical significance at p < 0.01.

Our findings suggest that the movements of SLB's stock price appear to be positively associated with the population of garbage collectors in Virginia. Although one might assume this relationship to be nothing but garbage, our analysis reveals a striking pattern that cannot be simply swept under the rug. The implications of this association are not to be disposed of lightly, as they open the door to a plethora of potential explanations and opportunities for further perplexing research.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The world of financial analysis is not always tidy and predictable. Much like a messy laboratory experiment, it often involves unexpected connections, unconventional correlations, and surprising patterns. In this paper, we delve into the curious relationship between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB), a connection that may at first glance seem as unlikely as finding a diamond in a landfill.

While financial analysts typically focus on traditional market indicators such as interest rates, inflation, and corporate earnings, our research takes a more unconventional approach. We aim to unravel the potential significance of the population of individuals dedicated to the collection and disposal of refuse in Virginia, a state often associated with historical richness and cultural diversity, on the stock price of SLB.

Our investigation was animated by the intrigue of uncovering this unusual association, akin to a quest to find a rare species in the wilderness of economic data. Leveraging the extensive databases offered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv), we embarked on our statistical odyssey covering the period from 2003 to 2022. Our rigorous analysis yielded a correlation coefficient that stood out more conspicuously than a bright garbage bag on a pitch-black night, affirming the robustness of the relationship between these variables.

In the following sections, we will dissect our findings and explore the implications of this unexpected correlation between the number of individuals dedicated to managing waste in Virginia and the stock performance of SLB. We caution readers not to dismiss this seemingly peculiar connection as mere statistical noise, as it has the potential to shed light on novel insights and spark lively discussions at the intersection of finance, labor economics, and perhaps even environmental sustainability. As we take this unconventional journey through the garbage-collecting domain and the stock market, let us prepare for peeling away the layers of conventional wisdom and uncovering unexpected treasures in the economic landscape.


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price (SLB). 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. Perhaps you also got inspiration from some board games that are vaugely related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the hitherto unexplored connection between the number of garbage collectors in the state of Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). Evidently, the financial world has been longing to uncover the linkage between these two seemingly incongruous variables. Leveraging data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) for the period spanning from 2003 to 2022, we identified a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with statistical significance at p < 0.01.

Our findings suggest that the movements of SLB's stock price appear to be positively associated with the population of garbage collectors in Virginia. Although one might assume this relationship to be nothing but garbage, our analysis reveals a striking pattern that cannot be simply swept under the rug. The implications of this association are not to be disposed of lightly, as they open the door to a plethora of potential explanations and opportunities for further perplexing research.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The world of financial analysis is not always tidy and predictable. Much like a messy laboratory experiment, it often involves unexpected connections, unconventional correlations, and surprising patterns. In this paper, we delve into the curious relationship between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB), a connection that may at first glance seem as unlikely as finding a diamond in a landfill.
While financial analysts typically focus on traditional market indicators such as interest rates, inflation, and corporate earnings, our research takes a more unconventional approach. We aim to unravel the potential significance of the population of individuals dedicated to the collection and disposal of refuse in Virginia, a state often associated with historical richness and cultural diversity, on the stock price of SLB.
Our investigation was animated by the intrigue of uncovering this unusual association, akin to a quest to find a rare species in the wilderness of economic data. Leveraging the extensive databases offered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv), we embarked on our statistical odyssey covering the period from 2003 to 2022. Our rigorous analysis yielded a correlation coefficient that stood out more conspicuously than a bright garbage bag on a pitch-black night, affirming the robustness of the relationship between these variables.
In the following sections, we will dissect our findings and explore the implications of this unexpected correlation between the number of individuals dedicated to managing waste in Virginia and the stock performance of SLB. We caution readers not to dismiss this seemingly peculiar connection as mere statistical noise, as it has the potential to shed light on novel insights and spark lively discussions at the intersection of finance, labor economics, and perhaps even environmental sustainability. As we take this unconventional journey through the garbage-collecting domain and the stock market, let us prepare for peeling away the layers of conventional wisdom and uncovering unexpected treasures in the economic landscape.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The existing literature on the relationship between the number of garbage collectors in a specific geographic region and the stock price of a particular company is surprisingly scarce, akin to searching for a needle in a landfill. However, efforts to draw unexpected parallels and analyze unconventional correlations in the financial world have been gaining traction in recent years.

Smith and Doe (2015) conducted a comprehensive study on labor market trends and stock performance, albeit with a focus on more conventional employment sectors. Their work, while not directly related to the specific context of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price, laid the groundwork for exploring atypical connections in the domain of labor economics and financial markets. Jones et al. (2018) further extended this line of inquiry, utilizing sophisticated econometric models to unravel intriguing associations between seemingly disparate variables in the economy.

Turning to relevant non-fiction works, "Waste Management and Corporate Valuation" by Green (2017) offers insightful perspectives on the underexplored intersection of waste management and financial valuation. Although the book does not explicitly address the influence of garbage collectors on individual stock prices, its examination of broader waste management practices provides a valuable backdrop for our investigation. In a similar vein, "The Business of Trash: The Role of Waste Management in Modern Economies" by Brown (2019) sheds light on the economic dimensions of waste management, setting the stage for our exploration of the unexpected connection between trash collection and stock market dynamics.

In the realm of fiction, the novel "Garbage Collectors of Wall Street" by Swift (2008) presents a whimsical tale of a group of sanitation workers stumbling upon untold treasures hidden amidst the bustling financial district of New York City. While purely fictional, this work offers a lighthearted take on the intersection of waste management and high finance. Additionally, the popular board game "Stocks and Bins" challenges players to navigate the complexities of waste disposal while managing a virtual stock portfolio, providing a playful portrayal of the interplay between seemingly unrelated domains.

The limited literature on this unconventional topic underscores the pioneering nature of our investigation, as we endeavor to untangle the enigmatic relationship between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of SLB. As we embark on this scholarly escapade, we are poised to navigate through uncharted territories of financial analysis, where the conventional meets the unexpected in a symphony of speculative correlations and unforeseen connections.


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price (SLB). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Bureau of Larbor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) . You used data from 2003 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]]
Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the hitherto unexplored connection between the number of garbage collectors in the state of Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). Evidently, the financial world has been longing to uncover the linkage between these two seemingly incongruous variables. Leveraging data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) for the period spanning from 2003 to 2022, we identified a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with statistical significance at p < 0.01.

Our findings suggest that the movements of SLB's stock price appear to be positively associated with the population of garbage collectors in Virginia. Although one might assume this relationship to be nothing but garbage, our analysis reveals a striking pattern that cannot be simply swept under the rug. The implications of this association are not to be disposed of lightly, as they open the door to a plethora of potential explanations and opportunities for further perplexing research.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The world of financial analysis is not always tidy and predictable. Much like a messy laboratory experiment, it often involves unexpected connections, unconventional correlations, and surprising patterns. In this paper, we delve into the curious relationship between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB), a connection that may at first glance seem as unlikely as finding a diamond in a landfill.
While financial analysts typically focus on traditional market indicators such as interest rates, inflation, and corporate earnings, our research takes a more unconventional approach. We aim to unravel the potential significance of the population of individuals dedicated to the collection and disposal of refuse in Virginia, a state often associated with historical richness and cultural diversity, on the stock price of SLB.
Our investigation was animated by the intrigue of uncovering this unusual association, akin to a quest to find a rare species in the wilderness of economic data. Leveraging the extensive databases offered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv), we embarked on our statistical odyssey covering the period from 2003 to 2022. Our rigorous analysis yielded a correlation coefficient that stood out more conspicuously than a bright garbage bag on a pitch-black night, affirming the robustness of the relationship between these variables.
In the following sections, we will dissect our findings and explore the implications of this unexpected correlation between the number of individuals dedicated to managing waste in Virginia and the stock performance of SLB. We caution readers not to dismiss this seemingly peculiar connection as mere statistical noise, as it has the potential to shed light on novel insights and spark lively discussions at the intersection of finance, labor economics, and perhaps even environmental sustainability. As we take this unconventional journey through the garbage-collecting domain and the stock market, let us prepare for peeling away the layers of conventional wisdom and uncovering unexpected treasures in the economic landscape.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To explore the perplexing relationship between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB), a set of convoluted research methods were devised. The data for garbage collectors in Virginia was sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which, in a rather ironic twist, provided us with a tidy dataset for such a messy subject. Meanwhile, the stock price of SLB was obtained from the ever-reliable LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv), where the numbers fluctuated more wildly than a garbage truck navigating through a maze of narrow streets.

Numerous statistical analyses were employed to unearth any potential connections between these distinct variables. Firstly, a correlation analysis was conducted to measure the strength and direction of the relationship between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price. This analysis was more thorough than a garbage collector conducting a bin inspection, ensuring that no valuable data morsels were left unturned.

Furthermore, a regression analysis was performed to determine the extent to which changes in the number of garbage collectors explained variations in SLB's stock price. This model was more intricate than the web of a spider that had been struck by a sudden interest in statistical modeling, carefully untangling the complex interplay between these seemingly disparate factors.

To validate the robustness of the findings, various sensitivity analyses were conducted, ensuring that our results were not as fragile as a bag of trash left out in a gusty wind. The data from 2003 to 2022 was carefully sifted through to identify any patterns or anomalies, akin to rummaging through a landfill in search of hidden treasures.

Overall, the research methods employed in this investigation were as meticulous as a meticulous scientist in a lab conducting a groundbreaking experiment, ensuring that no statistical stone was left unturned in our pursuit of uncovering the enigmatic relationship between garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price.


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price (SLB). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Bureau of Larbor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) .

For the time period 2003 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.8467100, r-squared of 0.7169178, 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]]
Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the hitherto unexplored connection between the number of garbage collectors in the state of Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). Evidently, the financial world has been longing to uncover the linkage between these two seemingly incongruous variables. Leveraging data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) for the period spanning from 2003 to 2022, we identified a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with statistical significance at p < 0.01.

Our findings suggest that the movements of SLB's stock price appear to be positively associated with the population of garbage collectors in Virginia. Although one might assume this relationship to be nothing but garbage, our analysis reveals a striking pattern that cannot be simply swept under the rug. The implications of this association are not to be disposed of lightly, as they open the door to a plethora of potential explanations and opportunities for further perplexing research.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The world of financial analysis is not always tidy and predictable. Much like a messy laboratory experiment, it often involves unexpected connections, unconventional correlations, and surprising patterns. In this paper, we delve into the curious relationship between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB), a connection that may at first glance seem as unlikely as finding a diamond in a landfill.
While financial analysts typically focus on traditional market indicators such as interest rates, inflation, and corporate earnings, our research takes a more unconventional approach. We aim to unravel the potential significance of the population of individuals dedicated to the collection and disposal of refuse in Virginia, a state often associated with historical richness and cultural diversity, on the stock price of SLB.
Our investigation was animated by the intrigue of uncovering this unusual association, akin to a quest to find a rare species in the wilderness of economic data. Leveraging the extensive databases offered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv), we embarked on our statistical odyssey covering the period from 2003 to 2022. Our rigorous analysis yielded a correlation coefficient that stood out more conspicuously than a bright garbage bag on a pitch-black night, affirming the robustness of the relationship between these variables.
In the following sections, we will dissect our findings and explore the implications of this unexpected correlation between the number of individuals dedicated to managing waste in Virginia and the stock performance of SLB. We caution readers not to dismiss this seemingly peculiar connection as mere statistical noise, as it has the potential to shed light on novel insights and spark lively discussions at the intersection of finance, labor economics, and perhaps even environmental sustainability. As we take this unconventional journey through the garbage-collecting domain and the stock market, let us prepare for peeling away the layers of conventional wisdom and uncovering unexpected treasures in the economic landscape.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The extensive data analysis conducted in this study unveiled a remarkably strong correlation between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). The correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with an r-squared of 0.7169178 and a significance level of p < 0.01, suggests a striking relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. It appears that the movements of SLB's stock price are closely linked to the population of individuals dedicated to the noble task of waste management in the state of Virginia.

Figure 1 depicts a scatterplot that beautifully illustrates this fascinating correlation, with the data points forming a pattern as clear as a pristine landfill on a sunny day. The upward trend in the scatterplot reflects the positive association between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price, reinforcing the robustness of our findings. This unexpected connection may leave one pondering the age-old question: is one person's trash truly another person's treasure?

The surprising magnitude of this correlation cannot be brushed aside lightly. It prompts us to reconsider the conventional boundaries of financial analysis and labor market dynamics. Just as an unexpected chemical reaction in the laboratory can lead to groundbreaking discoveries, this unanticipated correlation opens the door to a wealth of opportunities for further exploration and hypothesis testing.

It is essential to approach these findings with a critical yet open-minded perspective, akin to rummaging through a treasure trove of statistical anomalies. While the link between garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price may initially seem like a statistical oddity, it beckons us to delve deeper into the intricacies of economic interdependence and the potential influence of seemingly unrelated factors on financial markets.

These findings underscore the importance of embracing unconventional perspectives in financial research and remain a testament to the serendipitous nature of uncovering unexpected correlations in the vast sea of economic data. The implications of this peculiar correlation are far from being discarded into the statistical wastebasket. Instead, they beckon us to embark on a scholarly expedition to discern the underlying mechanisms driving this incongruous relationship, with the hope of unearthing hidden treasures within the cryptic terrain of economic dynamics.


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price (SLB). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the hitherto unexplored connection between the number of garbage collectors in the state of Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). Evidently, the financial world has been longing to uncover the linkage between these two seemingly incongruous variables. Leveraging data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) for the period spanning from 2003 to 2022, we identified a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with statistical significance at p < 0.01.

Our findings suggest that the movements of SLB's stock price appear to be positively associated with the population of garbage collectors in Virginia. Although one might assume this relationship to be nothing but garbage, our analysis reveals a striking pattern that cannot be simply swept under the rug. The implications of this association are not to be disposed of lightly, as they open the door to a plethora of potential explanations and opportunities for further perplexing research.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The existing literature on the relationship between the number of garbage collectors in a specific geographic region and the stock price of a particular company is surprisingly scarce, akin to searching for a needle in a landfill. However, efforts to draw unexpected parallels and analyze unconventional correlations in the financial world have been gaining traction in recent years.
Smith and Doe (2015) conducted a comprehensive study on labor market trends and stock performance, albeit with a focus on more conventional employment sectors. Their work, while not directly related to the specific context of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price, laid the groundwork for exploring atypical connections in the domain of labor economics and financial markets. Jones et al. (2018) further extended this line of inquiry, utilizing sophisticated econometric models to unravel intriguing associations between seemingly disparate variables in the economy.
Turning to relevant non-fiction works, "Waste Management and Corporate Valuation" by Green (2017) offers insightful perspectives on the underexplored intersection of waste management and financial valuation. Although the book does not explicitly address the influence of garbage collectors on individual stock prices, its examination of broader waste management practices provides a valuable backdrop for our investigation. In a similar vein, "The Business of Trash: The Role of Waste Management in Modern Economies" by Brown (2019) sheds light on the economic dimensions of waste management, setting the stage for our exploration of the unexpected connection between trash collection and stock market dynamics.
In the realm of fiction, the novel "Garbage Collectors of Wall Street" by Swift (2008) presents a whimsical tale of a group of sanitation workers stumbling upon untold treasures hidden amidst the bustling financial district of New York City. While purely fictional, this work offers a lighthearted take on the intersection of waste management and high finance. Additionally, the popular board game "Stocks and Bins" challenges players to navigate the complexities of waste disposal while managing a virtual stock portfolio, providing a playful portrayal of the interplay between seemingly unrelated domains.
The limited literature on this unconventional topic underscores the pioneering nature of our investigation, as we endeavor to untangle the enigmatic relationship between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of SLB. As we embark on this scholarly escapade, we are poised to navigate through uncharted territories of financial analysis, where the conventional meets the unexpected in a symphony of speculative correlations and unforeseen connections.

[[RESULTS]]
The extensive data analysis conducted in this study unveiled a remarkably strong correlation between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). The correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with an r-squared of 0.7169178 and a significance level of p < 0.01, suggests a striking relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. It appears that the movements of SLB's stock price are closely linked to the population of individuals dedicated to the noble task of waste management in the state of Virginia.
Figure 1 depicts a scatterplot that beautifully illustrates this fascinating correlation, with the data points forming a pattern as clear as a pristine landfill on a sunny day. The upward trend in the scatterplot reflects the positive association between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price, reinforcing the robustness of our findings. This unexpected connection may leave one pondering the age-old question: is one person's trash truly another person's treasure?
The surprising magnitude of this correlation cannot be brushed aside lightly. It prompts us to reconsider the conventional boundaries of financial analysis and labor market dynamics. Just as an unexpected chemical reaction in the laboratory can lead to groundbreaking discoveries, this unanticipated correlation opens the door to a wealth of opportunities for further exploration and hypothesis testing.
It is essential to approach these findings with a critical yet open-minded perspective, akin to rummaging through a treasure trove of statistical anomalies. While the link between garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price may initially seem like a statistical oddity, it beckons us to delve deeper into the intricacies of economic interdependence and the potential influence of seemingly unrelated factors on financial markets.
These findings underscore the importance of embracing unconventional perspectives in financial research and remain a testament to the serendipitous nature of uncovering unexpected correlations in the vast sea of economic data. The implications of this peculiar correlation are far from being discarded into the statistical wastebasket. Instead, they beckon us to embark on a scholarly expedition to discern the underlying mechanisms driving this incongruous relationship, with the hope of unearthing hidden treasures within the cryptic terrain of economic dynamics.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The results of this study present an intriguing conundrum, reminiscent of a modern-day financial riddle: what do a group of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB) have in common? While the seemingly disparate nature of these variables may evoke skepticism, our findings provide compelling evidence of a robust correlation between the number of waste management professionals in the state of Virginia and the movements of SLB's stock price.

Our study aligns with the pioneering spirit of prior research that has dared to venture into the uncharted territories of unconventional correlations in the financial and labor market domains. Building upon the overlooked intersection of waste management and stock valuation, we have unearthed a remarkable linkage that challenges traditional notions of economic causality. As anticipated, our findings complement the whimsical tale presented in the novel "Garbage Collectors of Wall Street" by Swift (2008), where the boundaries between waste management and high finance are playfully blurred, illustrating a notion that has now been validated by empirical evidence.

The substantial correlation coefficient observed in our study echoes Smith and Doe's (2015) work on labor market trends and stock performance, albeit in a decidedly more perplexing context. We have transcended the conventional employment sectors to forge new ground in the realm of atypical economic associations. This parallel, while whimsical in nature, underscores the burgeoning interest in unraveling unexpected links across divergent spheres of economic activity.

Indeed, this investigation has added nuance to the stock market's enigmatic tapestry, demonstrating how the movements of SLB's stock price are intertwined with the population of individuals dedicated to the noble task of waste management in the state of Virginia. Our findings prompt a reconsideration of traditional paradigms in financial analysis, akin to realizing that an inconspicuous ingredient can drastically alter the outcome of a scientific experiment. The unexpected strength of this correlation accentuates the significance of embracing non-traditional perspectives in empirical finance, reinforcing the timeless adage that one person's statistical trash may indeed be another person's treasure trove of research insights.

In the realm of practical implications, this study invites practitioners and policymakers to adopt a more holistic approach to financial analysis, acknowledging the potential influence of seemingly unrelated factors on stock market dynamics. The unanticipated correlation between garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price may serve as a touchstone for innovative investment strategies or industry-specific economic indicators, offering a novel lens through which to perceive the intricate interplay between the labor market and asset valuation. Just as the game "Stocks and Bins" challenges players to navigate the complexities of waste disposal while managing a virtual stock portfolio, our findings challenge the conventions of economic analysis, inspiring a new wave of interdisciplinary curiosity.

In closing, the unexpected congruence between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price unveils an enthralling enigma that beckons further exploration. As we continue to peel back the layers of this unfathomable correlation, we stand on the cusp of unearthing untold treasures within the cryptic terrain of economic dynamics, proving that in the realm of empirical inquiry, one person's garbage may indeed be another person's statistical goldmine.


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price (SLB). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper investigates the hitherto unexplored connection between the number of garbage collectors in the state of Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). Evidently, the financial world has been longing to uncover the linkage between these two seemingly incongruous variables. Leveraging data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) for the period spanning from 2003 to 2022, we identified a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with statistical significance at p < 0.01.

Our findings suggest that the movements of SLB's stock price appear to be positively associated with the population of garbage collectors in Virginia. Although one might assume this relationship to be nothing but garbage, our analysis reveals a striking pattern that cannot be simply swept under the rug. The implications of this association are not to be disposed of lightly, as they open the door to a plethora of potential explanations and opportunities for further perplexing research.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The world of financial analysis is not always tidy and predictable. Much like a messy laboratory experiment, it often involves unexpected connections, unconventional correlations, and surprising patterns. In this paper, we delve into the curious relationship between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB), a connection that may at first glance seem as unlikely as finding a diamond in a landfill.
While financial analysts typically focus on traditional market indicators such as interest rates, inflation, and corporate earnings, our research takes a more unconventional approach. We aim to unravel the potential significance of the population of individuals dedicated to the collection and disposal of refuse in Virginia, a state often associated with historical richness and cultural diversity, on the stock price of SLB.
Our investigation was animated by the intrigue of uncovering this unusual association, akin to a quest to find a rare species in the wilderness of economic data. Leveraging the extensive databases offered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv), we embarked on our statistical odyssey covering the period from 2003 to 2022. Our rigorous analysis yielded a correlation coefficient that stood out more conspicuously than a bright garbage bag on a pitch-black night, affirming the robustness of the relationship between these variables.
In the following sections, we will dissect our findings and explore the implications of this unexpected correlation between the number of individuals dedicated to managing waste in Virginia and the stock performance of SLB. We caution readers not to dismiss this seemingly peculiar connection as mere statistical noise, as it has the potential to shed light on novel insights and spark lively discussions at the intersection of finance, labor economics, and perhaps even environmental sustainability. As we take this unconventional journey through the garbage-collecting domain and the stock market, let us prepare for peeling away the layers of conventional wisdom and uncovering unexpected treasures in the economic landscape.

[[RESULTS]]
The extensive data analysis conducted in this study unveiled a remarkably strong correlation between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). The correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with an r-squared of 0.7169178 and a significance level of p < 0.01, suggests a striking relationship between these seemingly unrelated variables. It appears that the movements of SLB's stock price are closely linked to the population of individuals dedicated to the noble task of waste management in the state of Virginia.
Figure 1 depicts a scatterplot that beautifully illustrates this fascinating correlation, with the data points forming a pattern as clear as a pristine landfill on a sunny day. The upward trend in the scatterplot reflects the positive association between the number of garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price, reinforcing the robustness of our findings. This unexpected connection may leave one pondering the age-old question: is one person's trash truly another person's treasure?
The surprising magnitude of this correlation cannot be brushed aside lightly. It prompts us to reconsider the conventional boundaries of financial analysis and labor market dynamics. Just as an unexpected chemical reaction in the laboratory can lead to groundbreaking discoveries, this unanticipated correlation opens the door to a wealth of opportunities for further exploration and hypothesis testing.
It is essential to approach these findings with a critical yet open-minded perspective, akin to rummaging through a treasure trove of statistical anomalies. While the link between garbage collectors in Virginia and SLB's stock price may initially seem like a statistical oddity, it beckons us to delve deeper into the intricacies of economic interdependence and the potential influence of seemingly unrelated factors on financial markets.
These findings underscore the importance of embracing unconventional perspectives in financial research and remain a testament to the serendipitous nature of uncovering unexpected correlations in the vast sea of economic data. The implications of this peculiar correlation are far from being discarded into the statistical wastebasket. Instead, they beckon us to embark on a scholarly expedition to discern the underlying mechanisms driving this incongruous relationship, with the hope of unearthing hidden treasures within the cryptic terrain of economic dynamics.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has unveiled a surprising and substantial correlation between the population of garbage collectors in Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). This unexpected linkage is as remarkable as finding a rare gem in a landfill, challenging traditional notions of financial analysis. The statistically robust association, akin to a discarded treasure waiting to be unearthed, prompts us to embrace unconventional perspectives in economic research.

The positive correlation encountered in our analysis suggests that the movements of SLB's stock price may indeed be influenced by the noble task of waste management in Virginia, reminding us that one person's trash could truly be another person's treasure. This unexpected discovery, reminiscent of stumbling upon a groundbreaking scientific phenomenon, opens the door to a myriad of potential explanations and further avenues for exploration. While this peculiar relationship may initially seem like a statistical oddity, it invites us to rummage through the vast landscape of economic data in search of hidden gems and unexpected treasures.

Our findings leave us no choice but to reassess the conventional boundaries of financial analysis, labor economics, and environmental influences on market dynamics. This association, though seemingly incongruous, beckons researchers to embark on a scholarly adventure to unpack the underlying mechanisms driving this correlation, with the hope of uncovering valuable insights within the enigmatic terrain of economic interdependence.

In the spirit of scholarly discourse, we assert that no further research is required on this matter, as we have already immersed ourselves deeply enough in the world of garbage collectors and stock prices. It is time to take out the statistical garbage and move on to exploring other oddities in the vast sea of economic data.


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 Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Trashology


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 Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Economic Waste Management Research


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 Rubbish or Riches? Exploring the Relationship between Garbage Collectors in Virginia and SLB's Stock Price with an abstract of This paper investigates the hitherto unexplored connection between the number of garbage collectors in the state of Virginia and the stock price of Schlumberger Limited (SLB). Evidently, the financial world has been longing to uncover the linkage between these two seemingly incongruous variables. Leveraging data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) for the period spanning from 2003 to 2022, we identified a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.8467100, with statistical significance at p < 0.01.
Our findings suggest that the movements of SLB's stock price appear to be positively associated with the population of garbage collectors in Virginia. Although one might assume this relationship to be nothing but garbage, our analysis reveals a striking pattern that cannot be simply swept under the rug. The implications of this association are not to be disposed of lightly, as they open the door to a plethora of potential explanations and opportunities for further perplexing research.

ChatGPT:

garbage collectors, Virginia, Schlumberger Limited (SLB), stock price, correlation, relationship, Bureau of Labor Statistics, LSEG Analytics, Refinitiv, statistical significance, correlation coefficient, population, data analysis

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



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Data details

The number of garbage collectors in Virginia
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Virginia
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of garbage collectors in Virginia

SLB's stock price (SLB)
Detailed data title: Opening price of SLB (SLB) on the first trading day of the year
Source: LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv)
Additional Info: Via Microsoft Excel Stockhistory function

See what else correlates with SLB's stock price (SLB)

Correlation r = 0.8467100 (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 = 0.7169178 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 71.7% of the change in the one variable (i.e., SLB's stock price (SLB)) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., The number of garbage collectors in Virginia) over the 20 years from 2003 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.51E-6. 0.0000025091650009590066000000
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 0.85 in 0.000251% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 398,539 random variables You don't actually need 398 thousand variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

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

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

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 19 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 19 because we have two variables measured over a period of 20 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.

[ 0.65, 0.94 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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


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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
20032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
The number of garbage collectors in Virginia (Laborers)29402820292032803190359033703520324033903490354036003430340030802990283026602580
SLB's stock price (SLB) (Stock price)21.1527.3633.449.4363.0199.4442.7566.398470.470.889.4884.8169.4584.8668.0735.4940.5222.0830.07




Why this works

  1. Data dredging: I have 25,153 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 632,673,409 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
  2. Lack of causal connection: There is probably Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
    no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
  3. Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
    p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.
  4. Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.




Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([2940,2820,2920,3280,3190,3590,3370,3520,3240,3390,3490,3540,3600,3430,3400,3080,2990,2830,2660,2580,])
array_2 = np.array([21.15,27.36,33.4,49.43,63.01,99.44,42.75,66.39,84,70.4,70.8,89.48,84.81,69.45,84.86,68.07,35.49,40.52,22.08,30.07,])
array_1_name = "The number of garbage collectors in Virginia"
array_2_name = "SLB's stock price (SLB)"

# 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."

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

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Correlation ID: 4017 · Black Variable ID: 15609 · Red Variable ID: 1650
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