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Spurious correlation #4,120 · 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 Pennsylvania 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. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

The aliens were giving climbers a lift to the summit in their UFOs, making it easier to reach the top.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: [ A photo-realistic image ] In the tranquil evening sky over Pennsylvania, set against the backdrop of a captivating sunset, UFOs with illuminating lights glide silently over the awe-inspiring Mount Everest. From the UFOs, beams of light extend down to the mountain, where climbers are being effortlessly transported to the summit. The climbers, their faces reflecting a mix of wonder and disbelief, elevate toward the summit with ease, bypassing the rigorous climb. The scene is bathed in a warm, ethereal glow, invoking a sense of otherworldly wonder and splendor. 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 Pennsylvania 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 photo-realistic image Futuristic A Discovery magazine cover image Parallax art a funny image you would see on reddit
ChatGPT: A photo-realistic image

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs, in the following situation: The aliens were giving climbers a lift to the summit in their UFOs, making it easier to reach the top.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a mesmerizing evening sky over Pennsylvania, UFOs with glowing lights are seen hovering over the majestic Mount Everest. Climbers are being transported by the UFOs to the summit, bypassing the challenging ascent and reaching the peak effortlessly.

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 photo-realistic image ] and depicting this scene: In a mesmerizing evening sky over Pennsylvania, UFOs with glowing lights are seen hovering over the majestic Mount Everest. Climbers are being transported by the UFOs to the summit, bypassing the challenging ascent and reaching the peak effortlessly. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: [ A photo-realistic image ] In the tranquil evening sky over Pennsylvania, set against the backdrop of a captivating sunset, UFOs with illuminating lights glide silently over the awe-inspiring Mount Everest. From the UFOs, beams of light extend down to the mountain, where climbers are being effortlessly transported to the summit. The climbers, their faces reflecting a mix of wonder and disbelief, elevate toward the summit with ease, bypassing the rigorous climb. The scene is bathed in a warm, ethereal glow, invoking a sense of otherworldly wonder and splendor.

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in UFO sightings in Pennsylvania caused Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest

Journal of Extraterrestrial Exploration and Human Achievement

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title an alliteration.

Your research team used data from National UFO Reporting Center and CBC to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 and p < 0.01 for 1975 to 2011.

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]]
The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest

[[ABSTRACT]]
Strap on your seatbelts, folks, because we're about to delve into a study that's truly out of this world! This paper investigates the intersecting realms of UFO sightings in the Keystone State and the total number of triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest mountain. Picture this: a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest, and a group of climbers wave, saying, "Take me to your ladder!"

With data sourced from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Comprehensive Everest Climbing Database, we set out to scrutinize the link between these seemingly disparate phenomena. To our surprise, our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 1975 to 2011. It seems that the Independence Day may have a fair share in mountaineers' triumphs, much to the alarm of conspiracy theorists and avid mountaineering enthusiasts alike!

In conclusion, while we can't say for certain that UFOs and mountaineering success are causally related, this correlation certainly begs the question: Are extraterrestrials secretly cheerleading for climbers from afar? Or are they just searching for the world's best views of space? Either way, the sky's the limit when it comes to these otherworldly connections. Remember, when it comes to unusual phenomena, the truth is always out there!


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest

[[ABSTRACT]]
Strap on your seatbelts, folks, because we're about to delve into a study that's truly out of this world! This paper investigates the intersecting realms of UFO sightings in the Keystone State and the total number of triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest mountain. Picture this: a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest, and a group of climbers wave, saying, "Take me to your ladder!"

With data sourced from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Comprehensive Everest Climbing Database, we set out to scrutinize the link between these seemingly disparate phenomena. To our surprise, our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 1975 to 2011. It seems that the Independence Day may have a fair share in mountaineers' triumphs, much to the alarm of conspiracy theorists and avid mountaineering enthusiasts alike!

In conclusion, while we can't say for certain that UFOs and mountaineering success are causally related, this correlation certainly begs the question: Are extraterrestrials secretly cheerleading for climbers from afar? Or are they just searching for the world's best views of space? Either way, the sky's the limit when it comes to these otherworldly connections. Remember, when it comes to unusual phenomena, the truth is always out there!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

Greetings, fellow earthlings and interstellar enthusiasts! As we embark on this scholarly expedition, let's take a moment to appreciate the cosmic coincidence that has brought us to this peculiar juncture of UFO sightings and successful summiting of Mount Everest. It's a research journey that's high on the excitement scale and filled with more twists and turns than a spaceship navigating a meteor shower!

Now, before we take the plunge into the abyss of statistical analysis and data interpretation, let's dwell on the comical confluence of these two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Who would have thought that while some are searching for UFOs in Pennsylvania, others are conquering the towering heights of Mount Everest? It's almost as if UFOs are saying, "We're not alien to your mountaineering triumphs!"

Taking a step back from the extraterrestrial escapades, let's focus on the magnitude of this study. We’ve combed through decades of UFO sightings reported in the Keystone State and meticulously cataloged the triumphs and tribulations of intrepid climbers scaling the lofty peaks of Mount Everest. It's been a data-mining mission of epic proportions, and we've unearthed some truly fascinating findings that are sure to launch a wave of curiosity among enthusiasts and skeptics alike.

As we venture further into this cosmic riddle, ponder this: if a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest and no one is there to witness it, does it still make an extraterrestrial landing? Perhaps the philosophical conundrums of UFO sightings and mountaineering success are best left for the intergalactic philosophers to debate. After all, who doesn't love a good bit of cosmic humor to lighten the weight of academic inquiry?


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest

[[ABSTRACT]]
Strap on your seatbelts, folks, because we're about to delve into a study that's truly out of this world! This paper investigates the intersecting realms of UFO sightings in the Keystone State and the total number of triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest mountain. Picture this: a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest, and a group of climbers wave, saying, "Take me to your ladder!"

With data sourced from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Comprehensive Everest Climbing Database, we set out to scrutinize the link between these seemingly disparate phenomena. To our surprise, our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 1975 to 2011. It seems that the Independence Day may have a fair share in mountaineers' triumphs, much to the alarm of conspiracy theorists and avid mountaineering enthusiasts alike!

In conclusion, while we can't say for certain that UFOs and mountaineering success are causally related, this correlation certainly begs the question: Are extraterrestrials secretly cheerleading for climbers from afar? Or are they just searching for the world's best views of space? Either way, the sky's the limit when it comes to these otherworldly connections. Remember, when it comes to unusual phenomena, the truth is always out there!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Greetings, fellow earthlings and interstellar enthusiasts! As we embark on this scholarly expedition, let's take a moment to appreciate the cosmic coincidence that has brought us to this peculiar juncture of UFO sightings and successful summiting of Mount Everest. It's a research journey that's high on the excitement scale and filled with more twists and turns than a spaceship navigating a meteor shower!
Now, before we take the plunge into the abyss of statistical analysis and data interpretation, let's dwell on the comical confluence of these two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Who would have thought that while some are searching for UFOs in Pennsylvania, others are conquering the towering heights of Mount Everest? It's almost as if UFOs are saying, "We're not alien to your mountaineering triumphs!"
Taking a step back from the extraterrestrial escapades, let's focus on the magnitude of this study. We’ve combed through decades of UFO sightings reported in the Keystone State and meticulously cataloged the triumphs and tribulations of intrepid climbers scaling the lofty peaks of Mount Everest. It's been a data-mining mission of epic proportions, and we've unearthed some truly fascinating findings that are sure to launch a wave of curiosity among enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
As we venture further into this cosmic riddle, ponder this: if a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest and no one is there to witness it, does it still make an extraterrestrial landing? Perhaps the philosophical conundrums of UFO sightings and mountaineering success are best left for the intergalactic philosophers to debate. After all, who doesn't love a good bit of cosmic humor to lighten the weight of academic inquiry?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs has intrigued researchers for decades. In "Smith et al.'s Study," the authors find evidence suggesting a potential correlation between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena, prompting further investigation into this cosmic conundrum. However, the findings are as enigmatic as a UFO sighting itself, leaving room for a plethora of hypotheses and puns.

Now, let's take a brief interstellar detour and explore some relevant non-fiction literature. "UFOs Over Pennsylvania" by John Ventre provides a comprehensive survey of UFO sightings across the Keystone State, offering insights into the frequency and distribution of these mysterious aerial encounters. On the other hand, "Summiting Everest: How to Reach the Top of the World" by John Hunt chronicles the triumphs and challenges faced by mountaineers in their quest to conquer Mount Everest, shedding light on the determination and grit required for such a monumental feat.

But wait, it wouldn't be a true literary exploration without a nod to fiction! How about "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" by Steven Spielberg and "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer? While the former delves into the possibility of extraterrestrial contact, the latter provides a gripping firsthand account of a harrowing Everest expedition, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.

Moving beyond traditional literature, let's delve into the uncharted territories of social media. A tweet from @UFOEnthusiast2010 speculates, "Maybe aliens guide climbers from the summit of Everest, ensuring their safe return - talk about celestial navigation!" Meanwhile, a Reddit post by u/MountainMadness123 muses, "What if UFO sightings in Pennsylvania are actually aliens trying to find the best vantage point to observe Everest climbers?" These intriguing musings from the digital domain add a touch of levity to our investigation into this interstellar enigma.

As we navigate through the cosmic sea of literature and online discourse, it's evident that the intersection of UFO sightings and mountaineering success is a topic that inspires both scholarly inquiry and intergalactic puns. Amidst the data and conjectures, it's important to keep a lighthearted perspective, much like gazing at the stars and contemplating the mysteries of the universe. After all, whether it's reaching for the stars or scaling the world's highest peaks, a good pun is always the peak of humor!


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and CBC . You used data from 1975 to 2011

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]]
The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest

[[ABSTRACT]]
Strap on your seatbelts, folks, because we're about to delve into a study that's truly out of this world! This paper investigates the intersecting realms of UFO sightings in the Keystone State and the total number of triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest mountain. Picture this: a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest, and a group of climbers wave, saying, "Take me to your ladder!"

With data sourced from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Comprehensive Everest Climbing Database, we set out to scrutinize the link between these seemingly disparate phenomena. To our surprise, our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 1975 to 2011. It seems that the Independence Day may have a fair share in mountaineers' triumphs, much to the alarm of conspiracy theorists and avid mountaineering enthusiasts alike!

In conclusion, while we can't say for certain that UFOs and mountaineering success are causally related, this correlation certainly begs the question: Are extraterrestrials secretly cheerleading for climbers from afar? Or are they just searching for the world's best views of space? Either way, the sky's the limit when it comes to these otherworldly connections. Remember, when it comes to unusual phenomena, the truth is always out there!

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Greetings, fellow earthlings and interstellar enthusiasts! As we embark on this scholarly expedition, let's take a moment to appreciate the cosmic coincidence that has brought us to this peculiar juncture of UFO sightings and successful summiting of Mount Everest. It's a research journey that's high on the excitement scale and filled with more twists and turns than a spaceship navigating a meteor shower!
Now, before we take the plunge into the abyss of statistical analysis and data interpretation, let's dwell on the comical confluence of these two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Who would have thought that while some are searching for UFOs in Pennsylvania, others are conquering the towering heights of Mount Everest? It's almost as if UFOs are saying, "We're not alien to your mountaineering triumphs!"
Taking a step back from the extraterrestrial escapades, let's focus on the magnitude of this study. We’ve combed through decades of UFO sightings reported in the Keystone State and meticulously cataloged the triumphs and tribulations of intrepid climbers scaling the lofty peaks of Mount Everest. It's been a data-mining mission of epic proportions, and we've unearthed some truly fascinating findings that are sure to launch a wave of curiosity among enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
As we venture further into this cosmic riddle, ponder this: if a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest and no one is there to witness it, does it still make an extraterrestrial landing? Perhaps the philosophical conundrums of UFO sightings and mountaineering success are best left for the intergalactic philosophers to debate. After all, who doesn't love a good bit of cosmic humor to lighten the weight of academic inquiry?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

Now, dear readers, let's unravel the mysteries of our methodology, which wasn't just a walk in the park – it was more like a spacewalk in the dark! To start off, our data collection process was akin to a UFO abduction – we sought information from various sources, culminating in a repository of UFO sightings in Pennsylvania from the National UFO Reporting Center and triumphs atop Mount Everest from the Comprehensive Everest Climbing Database. We combed through online archives, resembling intrepid researchers on a digital treasure hunt, aiming to wrangle every last scrap of data from the vast expanse of the web.

Our next step involved applying a mix of statistical methods that are as outlandish as probing an alien spacecraft. We utilized a time series analysis, employing Fourier transformations to account for the cyclic nature of UFO sightings and mountaineering successes. The data was subjected to rigorous scrutiny, reminiscent of an alien autopsy, to extract meaningful patterns and trends.

To ensure the integrity of our findings, we ventured into the realm of multivariate analysis, seeking to untangle the web of interconnected variables like an astronaut unraveling a tangled spacewalk tether. Accounting for potential confounding factors such as geographic terrain, lunar phase, and even the alignment of celestial bodies, we carefully crafted a model that would steer us clear of statistical black holes.

Furthermore, given the temporal nature of our data, we dabbled in the esoteric art of time-series forecasting, resembling cosmic fortune tellers divining the trajectory of UFO sightings and mountain conquests. Our approach combined autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models with the finesse of a UFO abducting a cow, aiming to predict future trends with accuracy that would make even an alien crystal ball blush.

Equipped with these unorthodox yet robust methods, we ventured forth to analyze the interconnected dance of UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the triumphs atop Mount Everest. It was a cosmic journey filled with twists, turns, and just a pinch of intergalactic humor. After all, what's space research without a sprinkling of stardust and a quirky UFO pun or two?

The statistical analyses were performed using R software, and our results were double-checked with an otherworldly level of precision equivalent to performing brain surgery on a martian.

In the end, we emerged from this cosmic inquiry with findings that are as tantalizing as a UFO sighting at dawn – a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 with p < 0.01 for the selected years spanning from 1975 to 2011. It appears that our findings are as clear as a UFO sighting in broad daylight, pointing to a strong correlation between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the successful summits of Mount Everest.

As we lift the veil on the interstellar tango of UFOs and mountaineering triumphs, it's evident that this strange dance beckons us to ponder the peculiar bonds that link the skies above and the peaks below. With this revelatory methodology and a touch of cosmic whimsy, we invite our fellow earthlings to join us in unraveling the cosmic riddle that lies at the heart of this convergence between otherworldly sightings and mountain conquests. Remember, when it comes to unusual phenomena, the truth is out there – and it just might be closer than we think!


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from National UFO Reporting Center and CBC .

For the time period 1975 to 2011, you found a correlation 0.9290573, r-squared of 0.8631475, 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]]
The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest

[[ABSTRACT]]
Strap on your seatbelts, folks, because we're about to delve into a study that's truly out of this world! This paper investigates the intersecting realms of UFO sightings in the Keystone State and the total number of triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest mountain. Picture this: a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest, and a group of climbers wave, saying, "Take me to your ladder!"

With data sourced from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Comprehensive Everest Climbing Database, we set out to scrutinize the link between these seemingly disparate phenomena. To our surprise, our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 1975 to 2011. It seems that the Independence Day may have a fair share in mountaineers' triumphs, much to the alarm of conspiracy theorists and avid mountaineering enthusiasts alike!

In conclusion, while we can't say for certain that UFOs and mountaineering success are causally related, this correlation certainly begs the question: Are extraterrestrials secretly cheerleading for climbers from afar? Or are they just searching for the world's best views of space? Either way, the sky's the limit when it comes to these otherworldly connections. Remember, when it comes to unusual phenomena, the truth is always out there!

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
Greetings, fellow earthlings and interstellar enthusiasts! As we embark on this scholarly expedition, let's take a moment to appreciate the cosmic coincidence that has brought us to this peculiar juncture of UFO sightings and successful summiting of Mount Everest. It's a research journey that's high on the excitement scale and filled with more twists and turns than a spaceship navigating a meteor shower!
Now, before we take the plunge into the abyss of statistical analysis and data interpretation, let's dwell on the comical confluence of these two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Who would have thought that while some are searching for UFOs in Pennsylvania, others are conquering the towering heights of Mount Everest? It's almost as if UFOs are saying, "We're not alien to your mountaineering triumphs!"
Taking a step back from the extraterrestrial escapades, let's focus on the magnitude of this study. We’ve combed through decades of UFO sightings reported in the Keystone State and meticulously cataloged the triumphs and tribulations of intrepid climbers scaling the lofty peaks of Mount Everest. It's been a data-mining mission of epic proportions, and we've unearthed some truly fascinating findings that are sure to launch a wave of curiosity among enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
As we venture further into this cosmic riddle, ponder this: if a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest and no one is there to witness it, does it still make an extraterrestrial landing? Perhaps the philosophical conundrums of UFO sightings and mountaineering success are best left for the intergalactic philosophers to debate. After all, who doesn't love a good bit of cosmic humor to lighten the weight of academic inquiry?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The correlation analysis between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs from 1975 to 2011 yielded some truly astronomical results. We found a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9290573, indicating a striking relationship between these otherworldly sightings and triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest peak. It's as if UFOs are guiding climbers with their own version of "stellar" navigation!

And speaking of stellar, with an r-squared value of 0.8631475, it's clear that the connection between UFO sightings and mountaineering success is not just a shot in the dark—it's statistically significant. It's enough to make you wonder if the UFOs are beaming down some sort of cosmic motivation to the climbers as they navigate the treacherous slopes of Everest.

fig1.png

In Figure 1, the scatterplot provides a visual representation of this striking correlation, showing a clear trend upwards. It's as if the sighting of a UFO in Pennsylvania gives climbers a boost, perhaps providing that "extraterrestrial encouragement" necessary for scaling the monumental heights of Mount Everest. One can't help but wonder if there's a "martian"-tal factor at play here!

The p-value of less than 0.01 further cements the statistical significance of our findings, leaving little room for doubt about the peculiar connection between UFO sightings and mountaineering achievements. It's almost as if the UFOs are sending an encoded message to the climbers: "Summit success is just one close encounter away!"

In conclusion, the results of this study underscore the need for further exploration of the relationship between UFO sightings and successful mountain ascents. While the true causative nature of this connection remains as elusive as a UFO sighting itself, our findings undoubtedly prompt a reevaluation of the role of extraterrestrial phenomena in terrestrial accomplishments. Remember, when it comes to making peak performance puns, the sky's the limit!


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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]]
The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest

[[ABSTRACT]]
Strap on your seatbelts, folks, because we're about to delve into a study that's truly out of this world! This paper investigates the intersecting realms of UFO sightings in the Keystone State and the total number of triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest mountain. Picture this: a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest, and a group of climbers wave, saying, "Take me to your ladder!"

With data sourced from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Comprehensive Everest Climbing Database, we set out to scrutinize the link between these seemingly disparate phenomena. To our surprise, our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 1975 to 2011. It seems that the Independence Day may have a fair share in mountaineers' triumphs, much to the alarm of conspiracy theorists and avid mountaineering enthusiasts alike!

In conclusion, while we can't say for certain that UFOs and mountaineering success are causally related, this correlation certainly begs the question: Are extraterrestrials secretly cheerleading for climbers from afar? Or are they just searching for the world's best views of space? Either way, the sky's the limit when it comes to these otherworldly connections. Remember, when it comes to unusual phenomena, the truth is always out there!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs has intrigued researchers for decades. In "Smith et al.'s Study," the authors find evidence suggesting a potential correlation between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena, prompting further investigation into this cosmic conundrum. However, the findings are as enigmatic as a UFO sighting itself, leaving room for a plethora of hypotheses and puns.
Now, let's take a brief interstellar detour and explore some relevant non-fiction literature. "UFOs Over Pennsylvania" by John Ventre provides a comprehensive survey of UFO sightings across the Keystone State, offering insights into the frequency and distribution of these mysterious aerial encounters. On the other hand, "Summiting Everest: How to Reach the Top of the World" by John Hunt chronicles the triumphs and challenges faced by mountaineers in their quest to conquer Mount Everest, shedding light on the determination and grit required for such a monumental feat.
But wait, it wouldn't be a true literary exploration without a nod to fiction! How about "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" by Steven Spielberg and "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer? While the former delves into the possibility of extraterrestrial contact, the latter provides a gripping firsthand account of a harrowing Everest expedition, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
Moving beyond traditional literature, let's delve into the uncharted territories of social media. A tweet from @UFOEnthusiast2010 speculates, "Maybe aliens guide climbers from the summit of Everest, ensuring their safe return - talk about celestial navigation!" Meanwhile, a Reddit post by u/MountainMadness123 muses, "What if UFO sightings in Pennsylvania are actually aliens trying to find the best vantage point to observe Everest climbers?" These intriguing musings from the digital domain add a touch of levity to our investigation into this interstellar enigma.
As we navigate through the cosmic sea of literature and online discourse, it's evident that the intersection of UFO sightings and mountaineering success is a topic that inspires both scholarly inquiry and intergalactic puns. Amidst the data and conjectures, it's important to keep a lighthearted perspective, much like gazing at the stars and contemplating the mysteries of the universe. After all, whether it's reaching for the stars or scaling the world's highest peaks, a good pun is always the peak of humor!

[[RESULTS]]
The correlation analysis between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs from 1975 to 2011 yielded some truly astronomical results. We found a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9290573, indicating a striking relationship between these otherworldly sightings and triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest peak. It's as if UFOs are guiding climbers with their own version of "stellar" navigation!
And speaking of stellar, with an r-squared value of 0.8631475, it's clear that the connection between UFO sightings and mountaineering success is not just a shot in the dark—it's statistically significant. It's enough to make you wonder if the UFOs are beaming down some sort of cosmic motivation to the climbers as they navigate the treacherous slopes of Everest.
fig1.png
In Figure 1, the scatterplot provides a visual representation of this striking correlation, showing a clear trend upwards. It's as if the sighting of a UFO in Pennsylvania gives climbers a boost, perhaps providing that "extraterrestrial encouragement" necessary for scaling the monumental heights of Mount Everest. One can't help but wonder if there's a "martian"-tal factor at play here!
The p-value of less than 0.01 further cements the statistical significance of our findings, leaving little room for doubt about the peculiar connection between UFO sightings and mountaineering achievements. It's almost as if the UFOs are sending an encoded message to the climbers: "Summit success is just one close encounter away!"
In conclusion, the results of this study underscore the need for further exploration of the relationship between UFO sightings and successful mountain ascents. While the true causative nature of this connection remains as elusive as a UFO sighting itself, our findings undoubtedly prompt a reevaluation of the role of extraterrestrial phenomena in terrestrial accomplishments. Remember, when it comes to making peak performance puns, the sky's the limit!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

As we sift through our findings like ET phone home, it becomes evident that the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs is more than just a flight of fancy—it's statistically snazzy! Our results not only support the prior research conducted by "Smith et al.'s Study," but they also elevate the conversation to a cosmic level.

Our study corroborates the potential correlation suggested by "Smith et al.'s Study," hinting at a celestial synergy between these phenomena that's as captivating as a UFO light show. It seems that while humans are reaching for the stars atop Mount Everest, perhaps these cosmic visitors are also lending a helping hand, or perhaps a tentacle, from afar. This raises the age-old question: Are the climbers reaching new heights, or are the UFOs reaching new "lows"?

The literature review, which may have seemed as unreal as a UFO sighting itself, has proven to be a launching pad for our research. From John Ventre's documentation of enigmatic aerial encounters spanning the Keystone State to John Hunt's narrative of scaling the world's tallest peak, the intersection of these realms takes us on a journey that's as uncharted as the depths of space. And hey, speaking of John's, we can't "John" it down when it comes to uncovering these unearthly connections!

Drawing upon the pun-infused speculations from @UFOEnthusiast2010 and u/MountainMadness123, we enter the stratosphere of online discourse and ponder the implications of extraterrestrial interest in human triumphs. It's enough to make us question if UFO sightings in Pennsylvania are, in fact, an invitation for interstellar observers to witness the climbers' astonishing feats. After all, who wouldn't want to witness the top of Mount Everest from a cosmic vantage point?

Our results, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 and an r-squared value of 0.8631475, speak to a connection that's as strong as the gravitational pull of a black hole. The visual representation in Figure 1 paints a compelling picture of this correlation, spotlighting the trend upwards and leaving us to mull over the possibility of a "martian"-tal intervention. It's almost as if the UFO sightings function as a "lunar" eclipse, momentarily overshadowing the climbers with an otherworldly encouragement.

The p-value of less than 0.01 further underscores the statistical significance of our findings, solidifying the inexplicable bond between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the triumphs atop Mount Everest. It's almost as if the climbers are receiving a signal from the stars—a signal that says, "Reach for the sky, and beyond!"

As we ascend into the realms of further research, we must remember that while the lines between Earth and outer space may seem blurred, the questions surrounding these phenomena are as clear as day. Whether it's parsing through data or adding a dash of intergalactic humor to the mix, one thing remains certain: this area of study is truly out of this world!


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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]]
The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest

[[ABSTRACT]]
Strap on your seatbelts, folks, because we're about to delve into a study that's truly out of this world! This paper investigates the intersecting realms of UFO sightings in the Keystone State and the total number of triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest mountain. Picture this: a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest, and a group of climbers wave, saying, "Take me to your ladder!"

With data sourced from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Comprehensive Everest Climbing Database, we set out to scrutinize the link between these seemingly disparate phenomena. To our surprise, our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 1975 to 2011. It seems that the Independence Day may have a fair share in mountaineers' triumphs, much to the alarm of conspiracy theorists and avid mountaineering enthusiasts alike!

In conclusion, while we can't say for certain that UFOs and mountaineering success are causally related, this correlation certainly begs the question: Are extraterrestrials secretly cheerleading for climbers from afar? Or are they just searching for the world's best views of space? Either way, the sky's the limit when it comes to these otherworldly connections. Remember, when it comes to unusual phenomena, the truth is always out there!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Greetings, fellow earthlings and interstellar enthusiasts! As we embark on this scholarly expedition, let's take a moment to appreciate the cosmic coincidence that has brought us to this peculiar juncture of UFO sightings and successful summiting of Mount Everest. It's a research journey that's high on the excitement scale and filled with more twists and turns than a spaceship navigating a meteor shower!
Now, before we take the plunge into the abyss of statistical analysis and data interpretation, let's dwell on the comical confluence of these two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Who would have thought that while some are searching for UFOs in Pennsylvania, others are conquering the towering heights of Mount Everest? It's almost as if UFOs are saying, "We're not alien to your mountaineering triumphs!"
Taking a step back from the extraterrestrial escapades, let's focus on the magnitude of this study. We’ve combed through decades of UFO sightings reported in the Keystone State and meticulously cataloged the triumphs and tribulations of intrepid climbers scaling the lofty peaks of Mount Everest. It's been a data-mining mission of epic proportions, and we've unearthed some truly fascinating findings that are sure to launch a wave of curiosity among enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
As we venture further into this cosmic riddle, ponder this: if a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest and no one is there to witness it, does it still make an extraterrestrial landing? Perhaps the philosophical conundrums of UFO sightings and mountaineering success are best left for the intergalactic philosophers to debate. After all, who doesn't love a good bit of cosmic humor to lighten the weight of academic inquiry?

[[RESULTS]]
The correlation analysis between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the total number of successful Mount Everest climbs from 1975 to 2011 yielded some truly astronomical results. We found a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9290573, indicating a striking relationship between these otherworldly sightings and triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest peak. It's as if UFOs are guiding climbers with their own version of "stellar" navigation!
And speaking of stellar, with an r-squared value of 0.8631475, it's clear that the connection between UFO sightings and mountaineering success is not just a shot in the dark—it's statistically significant. It's enough to make you wonder if the UFOs are beaming down some sort of cosmic motivation to the climbers as they navigate the treacherous slopes of Everest.
fig1.png
In Figure 1, the scatterplot provides a visual representation of this striking correlation, showing a clear trend upwards. It's as if the sighting of a UFO in Pennsylvania gives climbers a boost, perhaps providing that "extraterrestrial encouragement" necessary for scaling the monumental heights of Mount Everest. One can't help but wonder if there's a "martian"-tal factor at play here!
The p-value of less than 0.01 further cements the statistical significance of our findings, leaving little room for doubt about the peculiar connection between UFO sightings and mountaineering achievements. It's almost as if the UFOs are sending an encoded message to the climbers: "Summit success is just one close encounter away!"
In conclusion, the results of this study underscore the need for further exploration of the relationship between UFO sightings and successful mountain ascents. While the true causative nature of this connection remains as elusive as a UFO sighting itself, our findings undoubtedly prompt a reevaluation of the role of extraterrestrial phenomena in terrestrial accomplishments. Remember, when it comes to making peak performance puns, the sky's the limit!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

As we reach the conclusion of this extraterrestrial escapade, it's clear that our findings have truly taken research to new heights, much like those intrepid climbers ascending Mount Everest! Our correlation analysis has unveiled a connection between UFO sightings in Pennsylvania and the total number of successful summiting of the world's highest peak that's as strong as a launch from Cape Canaveral.

This correlation is so undeniable, it's almost like the UFOs are saying to climbers, "We're your number one fan, we're always watching over you!" That's right, these celestial beings might just be the world's first cosmic cheerleaders!

It's as if the UFOs are aiming to be the "guiding light" for those brave souls tackling the treacherous terrain of Everest. Although, we have to ask, do UFOs suffer from altitude sickness too? Perhaps their presence at the summit is just an attempt to seek out the best views in the galaxy, much like tourists at the Grand Canyon.

But as tempting as it is to speculate, it's essential to resist the gravitational pull of overreaching conclusions. It's clear that more research in this area would simply be a case of "overkill," and we've certainly covered enough ground in this otherworldly pursuit.

So, in the spirit of astronomical inquiry and all things cosmic, we must assert that further investigation in the relationship between UFO sightings and successful Mount Everest climbs is quite literally "out of this world" unnecessary! Remember, when it comes to cosmic coincidences, there's a time and a "space" for everything.


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 The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Extraterrestrial Exploration and Human Achievement


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 The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

Society for Extraterrestrial Expeditions and Pinnacle Achievements


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 The Pennsylvania UFO Phenomenon and its Peculiar Pertinence to Peak Performance: An Analysis of UFO Sightings and Successful Summiting of Mount Everest with an abstract of Strap on your seatbelts, folks, because we're about to delve into a study that's truly out of this world! This paper investigates the intersecting realms of UFO sightings in the Keystone State and the total number of triumphant treks to the top of the world's highest mountain. Picture this: a UFO hovers over the summit of Mount Everest, and a group of climbers wave, saying, "Take me to your ladder!"
With data sourced from the National UFO Reporting Center and the Comprehensive Everest Climbing Database, we set out to scrutinize the link between these seemingly disparate phenomena. To our surprise, our statistical analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9290573 with p < 0.01 for the years spanning from 1975 to 2011. It seems that the Independence Day may have a fair share in mountaineers' triumphs, much to the alarm of conspiracy theorists and avid mountaineering enthusiasts alike!
In conclusion, while we can't say for certain that UFOs and mountaineering success are causally related, this correlation certainly begs the question: Are extraterrestrials secretly cheerleading for climbers from afar? Or are they just searching for the world's best views of space? Either way, the sky's the limit when it comes to these otherworldly connections. Remember, when it comes to unusual phenomena, the truth is always out there!

ChatGPT:

Pennsylvania UFO sightings, Mount Everest summiting, UFO sightings correlation, National UFO Reporting Center, Comprehensive Everest Climbing Database, UFO sightings and mountaineering success, correlation coefficient, Independence Day UFO sightings, extraterrestrial influence on mountaineering success

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

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

Correlation r = 0.9290573 (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 = 0.8631475 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 86.3% 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 Pennsylvania) over the 37 years from 1975 through 2011.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.1E-16. 0.0000000000000001099877938570
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 0.93 in 1.1E-14% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 9,091,917,975,008,612 random variables You don't actually need 9 quadrillion 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, 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.

[ 0.87, 0.96 ] 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.
1975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011
UFO sightings in Pennsylvania (UFO sightings)151411181265658953127710126152125374566707412986132101121146184159159178
Total Number of Successful Mount Everest Climbs (Climbers)154025181051823163040502572309012951839585121118145182159267337307493633423457543542




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. Outlandish outliers: There are "outliers" in this data. 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. 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([15,14,11,18,12,6,5,6,5,8,9,5,3,12,7,7,10,12,6,15,21,25,37,45,66,70,74,129,86,132,101,121,146,184,159,159,178,])
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 Pennsylvania"
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)



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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: 4120 · Black Variable ID: 1154 · Red Variable ID: 498
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