Spurious correlation #4,161 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Robberies in Connecticut and the second variable is Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon. The chart goes from 1987 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Robberies in Connecticut and the second variable is Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon. The chart goes from 1987 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As robberies in Connecticut decreased, it led to a decline in the demand for wooden baseball bats, which are commonly used as weapons. This decrease in demand for wooden bats meant that fewer trees were being harvested in the US, leading to a surplus of baseball bat-grade wood. This surplus wood was then exported to Brazil at incredibly low prices, making it more affordable for deforestation efforts in the Amazon. In other words, the decrease in robberies in Connecticut had a knock-on effect on the Amazon's forest cover, creating a 'bat-tastic' connection between law enforcement and deforestation.

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Prompt: Generate an image in the style of a TIME magazine cover that conveys the unexpected connection between the decline in robberies in a serene Connecticut town and the resulting impact on the Amazon rainforest. Image: Show a serene Connecticut town with a few wooden baseball bats leaning against a fence, hinting at the decline in robberies. In the background, depict a shipment of baseball bat-grade wood being loaded onto a cargo ship bound for the Amazon. Overlay this scene with a faded outline of the Amazon rainforest gradually fading and shrinking, symbolizing the impact of the wood surplus on deforestation efforts. 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: Robberies in Connecticut and Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon. 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: An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' A TIME magazine cover image Pop art Pop art Concept art
ChatGPT: A TIME magazine cover image

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Robberies in Connecticut and Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon, in the following situation: As robberies in Connecticut decreased, it led to a decline in the demand for wooden baseball bats, which are commonly used as weapons. This decrease in demand for wooden bats meant that fewer trees were being harvested in the US, leading to a surplus of baseball bat-grade wood. This surplus wood was then exported to Brazil at incredibly low prices, making it more affordable for deforestation efforts in the Amazon. In other words, the decrease in robberies in Connecticut had a knock-on effect on the Amazon's forest cover, creating a 'bat-tastic' connection between law enforcement and deforestation. . Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a serene Connecticut town, the number of robberies dwindled, leading to a decline in the need for wooden baseball bats. This, in turn, resulted in a surplus of baseball bat-grade wood. That wood was then shipped to the Brazilian Amazon, where it became more affordable for deforestation efforts. The forest cover in the Amazon started to shrink, influenced by the unexpected connection that began in the peaceful streets of Connecticut.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ A TIME magazine cover image ] and depicting this scene: In a serene Connecticut town, the number of robberies dwindled, leading to a decline in the need for wooden baseball bats. This, in turn, resulted in a surplus of baseball bat-grade wood. That wood was then shipped to the Brazilian Amazon, where it became more affordable for deforestation efforts. The forest cover in the Amazon started to shrink, influenced by the unexpected connection that began in the peaceful streets of Connecticut. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Prompt: Generate an image in the style of a TIME magazine cover that conveys the unexpected connection between the decline in robberies in a serene Connecticut town and the resulting impact on the Amazon rainforest. Image: Show a serene Connecticut town with a few wooden baseball bats leaning against a fence, hinting at the decline in robberies. In the background, depict a shipment of baseball bat-grade wood being loaded onto a cargo ship bound for the Amazon. Overlay this scene with a faded outline of the Amazon rainforest gradually fading and shrinking, symbolizing the impact of the wood surplus on deforestation efforts.

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

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.
^{Show prompt for explanation} Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how a decrease in Robberies in Connecticut caused Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon to decrease. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Woodland Hoods: Exploring the Relationship Between Heists in the Nutmeg State and Greenery in the Amazon Basin

Journal of Ecological Criminology

Jan 2024

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 Robberies in Connecticut and Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon. 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 you might move on to cartoons and children's shows that you watched for research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Woodland Hoods: Exploring the Relationship Between Heists in the Nutmeg State and Greenery in the Amazon Basin

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the unexpected correlation between burglaries in Connecticut and the extent of forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon. While one might expect these two phenomena to be about as connected as a squirrel and a bank vault, our findings reveal a surprisingly strong relationship. Utilizing data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the environmental organization Mongabay, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 and p < 0.01 for the years 1987 through 2022. This relationship was not as shady as an underpass; it was as clear as a freshly cleaned windshield.

Our results, showcasing such a strong and unexpected link between criminal activity in the affluent Northeastern state of Connecticut and the lush rainforests of the South American Amazon, are bound to ignite curiosity and raise eyebrows. This connection, reminiscent of the bond between two unlikely companions, is as surprising as finding a toucan in a boardroom meeting.

While the exact causal relationship between these two seemingly disparate events remains a mystery, our study opens the door to a new avenue of research. The wooded thievery from the Nutmeg State to the dense flora of the Amazon basin offers a puzzling twist, leaving us with more questions than answers. Who would've thought that the tangled trees of the Brazilian Amazon and the robbers in Connecticut could be intricately entwined in such an unexpected manner? This research challenges traditional notions of spatial causality and ecological interactions in a way that is as intriguing as it is mystifying.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of crime and environmental science has long been an area of interest, but few would have predicted the striking correlation we uncovered in our investigation. It's a story that seems straight out of a heist movie – “Ocean's Tree: The Emerald Underbrush,” if you will. We embarked on this research journey with a sense of academic curiosity and, admittedly, a touch of skepticism, but what we unearthed was enough to make even the most seasoned statistician do a double-take.
As we delved into the data, we couldn't help but think about the irony of a forest-related study shedding light on criminal activities in an area known for its wealth and sophistication. It's almost as if the trees themselves were whispering secrets about illicit activities across continents. Talk about shady business dealings – both literal and figurative!
The notion of exploring the relationship between robberies in one of the smallest states in the U.S. and the expanse of the Amazon rainforest may seem like a stretch, but our findings attest to the unmistakable connection. It's like stumbling upon a hidden treasure in the most unexpected of places – and not just any treasure, but a trove of statistically significant, research-worthy treasure.
This study aims to add a new layer to the ongoing dialogue about the far-reaching impact of human behavior on distant ecosystems – a topic that's as captivating as it is confounding. It's as if we've stumbled upon a scientific paradox: how can the actions of burglars in a small, leafy state resonate in the dense, green heart of an entirely different hemisphere? It's a head-scratcher for sure, but one that promises to yield some truly thought-provoking insights.
So, buckle up and grab your magnifying glass, because we're about to embark on a research adventure that'll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about crime, ecology, and the unexpected dance between the two. Let's traverse this uncharted territory – not with a map and compass, but with empirical evidence and a healthy dose of humor. After all, why should research be all work and no play?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The intriguing relationship between robberies in Connecticut and the remaining forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon is a phenomenon that has captured the attention of scholars and researchers in recent years. Smith (2017) first hinted at the possibility of an unexpected connection between crime rates in affluent suburban areas and distant rainforest ecosystems. This revelation was as surprising as finding a pine cone in a bank vault.

Further investigation into the intersection of ecological stability and criminal behavior led to the work of Doe (2019), who expanded on the initial findings by examining the potential impact of deforestation on local crime rates. The idea that the felling of trees could resonate with the actions of burglars may sound far-fetched, but the evidence presented in these studies paints a picture as curious as a raccoon caught red-handed.

Jones (2020) built upon this foundation, offering a comprehensive analysis of historical data on both robbery trends in Connecticut and shifts in forest cover in the Amazon basin. The correlation between these seemingly unrelated phenomena was as clear as the blue skies over the treetops. The startling nature of this connection beckons the question: What goes on between the guards and the greenery, and how does the thicket influence the thieves?

Beyond the academic sphere, numerous non-fiction works have delved into the intricate relationship between human behavior and the natural world. "The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben and "The Botany of Desire" by Michael Pollan provide fascinating insights into the complex interactions between forests and human society. As for fiction, authors like Dan Brown with "The Lost Symbol" and Michael Crichton with "State of Fear" have woven captivating narratives around environmental mysteries and criminal intrigue. Who would've thought that the exploits of fictional burglars and clandestine adventures in lush landscapes might hold a clue to our own research?

In our pursuit of understanding this enigmatic connection, we ventured into unorthodox territory, drawing inspiration from unexpected sources such as "Dora the Explorer" and "Swiper, No Swiping!" Could the animated escapades of a curious young girl and a sly fox hold the key to unlocking the secrets of woodland heists and rainforest dynamics? While we won't go as far as consulting with Boots the monkey for research assistance, the whimsical world of children's cartoons invites us to approach this puzzle with a playful spirit.

As we traverse this unconventional landscape of inquiry, it's evident that the links between heists in Connecticut and the verdant expanses of the Amazon extend far beyond mere speculation. The improbable connection between these phenomena may be as perplexing as trying to understand the punchline of a dad joke, but it promises to unravel a tale worthy of a thrilling saga.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 Robberies in Connecticut and Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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 FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and Mongabay . You used data from 1987 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]]
Woodland Hoods: Exploring the Relationship Between Heists in the Nutmeg State and Greenery in the Amazon Basin

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the unexpected correlation between burglaries in Connecticut and the extent of forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon. While one might expect these two phenomena to be about as connected as a squirrel and a bank vault, our findings reveal a surprisingly strong relationship. Utilizing data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the environmental organization Mongabay, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 and p < 0.01 for the years 1987 through 2022. This relationship was not as shady as an underpass; it was as clear as a freshly cleaned windshield.

Our results, showcasing such a strong and unexpected link between criminal activity in the affluent Northeastern state of Connecticut and the lush rainforests of the South American Amazon, are bound to ignite curiosity and raise eyebrows. This connection, reminiscent of the bond between two unlikely companions, is as surprising as finding a toucan in a boardroom meeting.

While the exact causal relationship between these two seemingly disparate events remains a mystery, our study opens the door to a new avenue of research. The wooded thievery from the Nutmeg State to the dense flora of the Amazon basin offers a puzzling twist, leaving us with more questions than answers. Who would've thought that the tangled trees of the Brazilian Amazon and the robbers in Connecticut could be intricately entwined in such an unexpected manner? This research challenges traditional notions of spatial causality and ecological interactions in a way that is as intriguing as it is mystifying.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of crime and environmental science has long been an area of interest, but few would have predicted the striking correlation we uncovered in our investigation. It's a story that seems straight out of a heist movie – “Ocean's Tree: The Emerald Underbrush,” if you will. We embarked on this research journey with a sense of academic curiosity and, admittedly, a touch of skepticism, but what we unearthed was enough to make even the most seasoned statistician do a double-take.
As we delved into the data, we couldn't help but think about the irony of a forest-related study shedding light on criminal activities in an area known for its wealth and sophistication. It's almost as if the trees themselves were whispering secrets about illicit activities across continents. Talk about shady business dealings – both literal and figurative!
The notion of exploring the relationship between robberies in one of the smallest states in the U.S. and the expanse of the Amazon rainforest may seem like a stretch, but our findings attest to the unmistakable connection. It's like stumbling upon a hidden treasure in the most unexpected of places – and not just any treasure, but a trove of statistically significant, research-worthy treasure.
This study aims to add a new layer to the ongoing dialogue about the far-reaching impact of human behavior on distant ecosystems – a topic that's as captivating as it is confounding. It's as if we've stumbled upon a scientific paradox: how can the actions of burglars in a small, leafy state resonate in the dense, green heart of an entirely different hemisphere? It's a head-scratcher for sure, but one that promises to yield some truly thought-provoking insights.
So, buckle up and grab your magnifying glass, because we're about to embark on a research adventure that'll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about crime, ecology, and the unexpected dance between the two. Let's traverse this uncharted territory – not with a map and compass, but with empirical evidence and a healthy dose of humor. After all, why should research be all work and no play?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unravel the enigmatic link between robberies in Connecticut and the remaining forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon, our research employed a multi-faceted and, dare I say, tree-mendously innovative methodology. Harnessing the power of big data and statistical analysis, we set out on a quest to shed light on this unlikely connection, armed with an arsenal of scientific tools and dad jokes as our trusty companions.

Data Collection:
Our research team meticulously gathered data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, tapping into their extensive repository of criminal activity records in the state of Connecticut. We then turned our sights to the lush expanses of the Brazilian Amazon, sourcing valuable information on remaining forest cover from the environmental organization Mongabay. It’s safe to say that we ventured deep into the digital thicket, hacking our way through datasets as dense as a tropical rainforest.

Now, you may be wondering, "Why these sources?" Well, as researchers, we are firm believers in the power of unconventional pairings – much like peanut butter and bananas or, in this case, robberies and rainforests. These sources were chosen for their comprehensive coverage and reliability, providing the backbone for our analysis. Plus, it's always fun to imagine a collaboration between law enforcement agencies and environmental watchdogs; perhaps they could swap crime-solving tips and conservation strategies over coffee.

Data Analysis:
With our datasets in hand, we embarked on a statistical journey that would make even the most intrepid explorer think twice. We conducted a rigorous analysis, employing advanced statistical methods that were as robust as a mighty oak tree – think correlation analyses, time-series modeling, and spatial mapping. This wasn’t just your run-of-the-mill statistical analysis; it was a scientific safari, braving the wilds of data in search of elusive patterns and correlations.

Now, you might be thinking, "Why go through all this trouble?" Well, as researchers, we aren't content with surface-level explanations – we want the full foliage, I mean, story. Our objective was to unearth any underlying connections, teasing out patterns that could elucidate the mysterious relationship between robberies in Connecticut and the trajectory of forest cover in the Amazon. It's like untangling a particularly knotty vine; you never know what unexpected twists and turns you might encounter.

Spatial Mapping:
One of the key highlights of our methodology was the use of spatial mapping techniques to visualize the distribution of robberies in Connecticut and the extent of forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon. This wasn’t just about plotting points on a map; it was about creating a cartographic masterpiece that captured the essence of this unlikely pairing. Picture two distinct ecosystems coming together in a dance of data points – it's like a scientific tango between the Nutmeg State and the Amazon basin, complete with statistical dips and twirls.

Our spatial maps allowed us to observe potential hotspots and spatial trends, revealing geographical nuances that told a story as captivating as a suspense thriller. This wasn't just about plotting coordinates; it was about crafting a narrative that transcended borders and biomes, showcasing the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate phenomena. Who knew that spatial mapping could be as riveting as a detective novel?

Statistical Corroboration:
As we delved deeper into our analysis, we uncovered a correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 and p < 0.01 between robberies in Connecticut and remaining forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon from 1987 to 2022. Let’s just say that this correlation was as solid as a sequoia tree – a statistical affirmation of the unexpected bond between criminal activity in the Northeastern U.S. and the verdant expanse of South America. It was a revelation that left us as stunned as a deer caught in headlights, but in the best way possible.

Now, you might be thinking, "How do you explain such a strong correlation?" Well, dear reader, that’s the million-dollar question – and as curious researchers, we’re just as eager to uncover the underlying mechanisms driving this unorthodox relationship. Is it a case of environmental influence on criminal behavior, or do the tendrils of criminal activity reach farther than we ever imagined? It's a scientific conundrum that promises to keep us pondering, conjecturing, and, of course, researching for years to come.

Limitations:
Every research endeavor has its share of limitations, and ours is no exception. While our methodology was as comprehensive as an encyclopedia – albeit a very niche one – we acknowledge that there are inherent complexities in drawing causal inferences from correlation. As much as we’d want to attribute the dynamics of forest cover in the Amazon to the ebb and flow of criminal activities in Connecticut, there’s always the possibility of lurking variables and confounding factors.

We also recognize the ever-evolving nature of both criminal activity and environmental changes, acknowledging that our study captures a snapshot in time amidst an ever-unfolding narrative. The world of data is as dynamic as a tropical rainforest, with new growth and shifts in terrain constantly reshaping the landscape. Dad always said, "The only constant in research is change," and he wasn’t just talking about statistical trends.

In conclusion, our methodology was a fusion of statistical rigor, geographical exploration, and a healthy dose of scientific whimsy. It was as much a journey through data as it was an adventure in unearthing unexpected connections, all while sprinkling in puns and jokes like breadcrumbs along the way. Now, let’s venture forth and dive into the results – after all, the best part of a scientific journey is navigating the twists and turns with a dash of humor.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 Robberies in Connecticut and Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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 FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and Mongabay .

For the time period 1987 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.9375792, r-squared of 0.8790548, 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]]
Woodland Hoods: Exploring the Relationship Between Heists in the Nutmeg State and Greenery in the Amazon Basin

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the unexpected correlation between burglaries in Connecticut and the extent of forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon. While one might expect these two phenomena to be about as connected as a squirrel and a bank vault, our findings reveal a surprisingly strong relationship. Utilizing data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the environmental organization Mongabay, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 and p < 0.01 for the years 1987 through 2022. This relationship was not as shady as an underpass; it was as clear as a freshly cleaned windshield.

Our results, showcasing such a strong and unexpected link between criminal activity in the affluent Northeastern state of Connecticut and the lush rainforests of the South American Amazon, are bound to ignite curiosity and raise eyebrows. This connection, reminiscent of the bond between two unlikely companions, is as surprising as finding a toucan in a boardroom meeting.

While the exact causal relationship between these two seemingly disparate events remains a mystery, our study opens the door to a new avenue of research. The wooded thievery from the Nutmeg State to the dense flora of the Amazon basin offers a puzzling twist, leaving us with more questions than answers. Who would've thought that the tangled trees of the Brazilian Amazon and the robbers in Connecticut could be intricately entwined in such an unexpected manner? This research challenges traditional notions of spatial causality and ecological interactions in a way that is as intriguing as it is mystifying.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The intersection of crime and environmental science has long been an area of interest, but few would have predicted the striking correlation we uncovered in our investigation. It's a story that seems straight out of a heist movie – “Ocean's Tree: The Emerald Underbrush,” if you will. We embarked on this research journey with a sense of academic curiosity and, admittedly, a touch of skepticism, but what we unearthed was enough to make even the most seasoned statistician do a double-take.
As we delved into the data, we couldn't help but think about the irony of a forest-related study shedding light on criminal activities in an area known for its wealth and sophistication. It's almost as if the trees themselves were whispering secrets about illicit activities across continents. Talk about shady business dealings – both literal and figurative!
The notion of exploring the relationship between robberies in one of the smallest states in the U.S. and the expanse of the Amazon rainforest may seem like a stretch, but our findings attest to the unmistakable connection. It's like stumbling upon a hidden treasure in the most unexpected of places – and not just any treasure, but a trove of statistically significant, research-worthy treasure.
This study aims to add a new layer to the ongoing dialogue about the far-reaching impact of human behavior on distant ecosystems – a topic that's as captivating as it is confounding. It's as if we've stumbled upon a scientific paradox: how can the actions of burglars in a small, leafy state resonate in the dense, green heart of an entirely different hemisphere? It's a head-scratcher for sure, but one that promises to yield some truly thought-provoking insights.
So, buckle up and grab your magnifying glass, because we're about to embark on a research adventure that'll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about crime, ecology, and the unexpected dance between the two. Let's traverse this uncharted territory – not with a map and compass, but with empirical evidence and a healthy dose of humor. After all, why should research be all work and no play?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]

ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The analysis of the data yielded a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 between the number of robberies in Connecticut and the remaining forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon for the period spanning 1987 to 2022. The r-squared value of 0.8790548 further underlined the robustness of this relationship. It was as if the robbers were leaving behind a trail not just in the Nutmeg State, but all the way to the heart of the Amazon – talk about a transcontinental caper!

The p-value falling below 0.01 solidified the statistical significance of this correlation. That's right, the odds of this connection occurring by mere chance were slimmer than a tree bark, indicating that there's more to this relationship than meets the eye. It's a mystery that would make even Sherlock Holmes scratch his head – "The Adventure of the Purloined Pine," anyone?

Fig. 1 illustrates the relationship with a scatterplot that resembles a crime scene investigation – except this time, the clues aren't fingerprints or footprints, but rather data points scattered across a graph, painting a picture of an unexpected partnership between two distant locales. It's the kind of plot twist that would make Alfred Hitchcock proud.

The strength of this correlation is as striking as it is puzzling. One might say it's the statistical equivalent of pulling a rabbit out of a hat – or in this case, pulling a correlation out of a forest. It begs the question: what hidden forces are at play here, weaving together seemingly unrelated events in a manner that defies conventional wisdom?

The unexpected nature of this connection is as surprising as finding a tree-dwelling mammal attempting a bank heist – a true 'acorn' artist, if you will. Our research points to a relationship between two seemingly distinct phenomena – one associated with urban crime and the other with ecological preservation – that's as curious as a curious George bush.

This unanticipated correlation prompts a reevaluation of traditional assumptions about spatial causality and the far-reaching impact of human activities on global ecosystems. Just as the unlikeliest of pairs can sometimes make the best team, the unexpected bond between woodland crime in Connecticut and forest cover in the Amazon challenges our understanding of interconnected systems. It's a tale that's as surprising as it is statistically sound.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 Robberies in Connecticut and Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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]]
Woodland Hoods: Exploring the Relationship Between Heists in the Nutmeg State and Greenery in the Amazon Basin

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the unexpected correlation between burglaries in Connecticut and the extent of forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon. While one might expect these two phenomena to be about as connected as a squirrel and a bank vault, our findings reveal a surprisingly strong relationship. Utilizing data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the environmental organization Mongabay, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 and p < 0.01 for the years 1987 through 2022. This relationship was not as shady as an underpass; it was as clear as a freshly cleaned windshield.

Our results, showcasing such a strong and unexpected link between criminal activity in the affluent Northeastern state of Connecticut and the lush rainforests of the South American Amazon, are bound to ignite curiosity and raise eyebrows. This connection, reminiscent of the bond between two unlikely companions, is as surprising as finding a toucan in a boardroom meeting.

While the exact causal relationship between these two seemingly disparate events remains a mystery, our study opens the door to a new avenue of research. The wooded thievery from the Nutmeg State to the dense flora of the Amazon basin offers a puzzling twist, leaving us with more questions than answers. Who would've thought that the tangled trees of the Brazilian Amazon and the robbers in Connecticut could be intricately entwined in such an unexpected manner? This research challenges traditional notions of spatial causality and ecological interactions in a way that is as intriguing as it is mystifying.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The intriguing relationship between robberies in Connecticut and the remaining forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon is a phenomenon that has captured the attention of scholars and researchers in recent years. Smith (2017) first hinted at the possibility of an unexpected connection between crime rates in affluent suburban areas and distant rainforest ecosystems. This revelation was as surprising as finding a pine cone in a bank vault.
Further investigation into the intersection of ecological stability and criminal behavior led to the work of Doe (2019), who expanded on the initial findings by examining the potential impact of deforestation on local crime rates. The idea that the felling of trees could resonate with the actions of burglars may sound far-fetched, but the evidence presented in these studies paints a picture as curious as a raccoon caught red-handed.
Jones (2020) built upon this foundation, offering a comprehensive analysis of historical data on both robbery trends in Connecticut and shifts in forest cover in the Amazon basin. The correlation between these seemingly unrelated phenomena was as clear as the blue skies over the treetops. The startling nature of this connection beckons the question: What goes on between the guards and the greenery, and how does the thicket influence the thieves?
Beyond the academic sphere, numerous non-fiction works have delved into the intricate relationship between human behavior and the natural world. "The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben and "The Botany of Desire" by Michael Pollan provide fascinating insights into the complex interactions between forests and human society. As for fiction, authors like Dan Brown with "The Lost Symbol" and Michael Crichton with "State of Fear" have woven captivating narratives around environmental mysteries and criminal intrigue. Who would've thought that the exploits of fictional burglars and clandestine adventures in lush landscapes might hold a clue to our own research?
In our pursuit of understanding this enigmatic connection, we ventured into unorthodox territory, drawing inspiration from unexpected sources such as "Dora the Explorer" and "Swiper, No Swiping!" Could the animated escapades of a curious young girl and a sly fox hold the key to unlocking the secrets of woodland heists and rainforest dynamics? While we won't go as far as consulting with Boots the monkey for research assistance, the whimsical world of children's cartoons invites us to approach this puzzle with a playful spirit.
As we traverse this unconventional landscape of inquiry, it's evident that the links between heists in Connecticut and the verdant expanses of the Amazon extend far beyond mere speculation. The improbable connection between these phenomena may be as perplexing as trying to understand the punchline of a dad joke, but it promises to unravel a tale worthy of a thrilling saga.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data yielded a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 between the number of robberies in Connecticut and the remaining forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon for the period spanning 1987 to 2022. The r-squared value of 0.8790548 further underlined the robustness of this relationship. It was as if the robbers were leaving behind a trail not just in the Nutmeg State, but all the way to the heart of the Amazon – talk about a transcontinental caper!
The p-value falling below 0.01 solidified the statistical significance of this correlation. That's right, the odds of this connection occurring by mere chance were slimmer than a tree bark, indicating that there's more to this relationship than meets the eye. It's a mystery that would make even Sherlock Holmes scratch his head – "The Adventure of the Purloined Pine," anyone?
Fig. 1 illustrates the relationship with a scatterplot that resembles a crime scene investigation – except this time, the clues aren't fingerprints or footprints, but rather data points scattered across a graph, painting a picture of an unexpected partnership between two distant locales. It's the kind of plot twist that would make Alfred Hitchcock proud.
The strength of this correlation is as striking as it is puzzling. One might say it's the statistical equivalent of pulling a rabbit out of a hat – or in this case, pulling a correlation out of a forest. It begs the question: what hidden forces are at play here, weaving together seemingly unrelated events in a manner that defies conventional wisdom?
The unexpected nature of this connection is as surprising as finding a tree-dwelling mammal attempting a bank heist – a true 'acorn' artist, if you will. Our research points to a relationship between two seemingly distinct phenomena – one associated with urban crime and the other with ecological preservation – that's as curious as a curious George bush.
This unanticipated correlation prompts a reevaluation of traditional assumptions about spatial causality and the far-reaching impact of human activities on global ecosystems. Just as the unlikeliest of pairs can sometimes make the best team, the unexpected bond between woodland crime in Connecticut and forest cover in the Amazon challenges our understanding of interconnected systems. It's a tale that's as surprising as it is statistically sound.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our findings have illuminated an extraordinary connection between two seemingly unrelated phenomena—the prevalence of robberies in Connecticut and the extent of remaining forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon. While at first glance this relationship may seem as incongruous as a squirrel trying to crack a safe, the robust statistical correlation we uncovered warrants serious consideration.

The remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 and the associated p-value below 0.01 support the earlier research, affirming the unexpected relationship as unequivocally as a dad joke at a family gathering. Our results align with the work of Smith (2017), Doe (2019), and Jones (2020), further cementing the credibility of the previously proposed link between woodland crime in Connecticut and the green expanse of the Amazon. It's as if the data were begging for attention, much like a seedling yearning for sunlight.

The strength of this correlation is akin to finding a Koala bear in a Kung Fu movie—surprising yet unmistakably present. The results lend weight to the notion that there is indeed more to this woodland caper than meets the eye. This connection has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the intricate dance between seemingly disparate ecosystems and human behavior, as unexpected as discovering a hidden treasure chest in a dense forest.

The r-squared value of 0.8790548 reinforces the solidity of this relationship, underscoring the statistical significance of the findings. The robustness of this result is as resounding as a thunderstorm on a treeless plain. It's clear that the correlation is not a mere statistical artifact, but rather an observation as firmly rooted as an oak tree in a forest.

Our results open doors to questions as unfathomable as the depths of the Amazonian wilderness. What hidden factors underpin this connection, and how might it prompt us to reconsider our assumptions about the spatial and ecological influence of human actions? The implications are as far-reaching as an untrimmed vine, stretching across disciplines and challenging conventional wisdom like a sapling breaking through soil.

In summary, our findings fortify the burgeoning field of interdisciplinary research that examines the interplay between human activity and ecological systems. As we continue to untangle the mysterious web of influences at play, we are reminded that truth is often stranger than fiction, and statistical relationships can be as enigmatic as a labyrinth in the heart of the jungle.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.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 Robberies in Connecticut and Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. 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]]
Woodland Hoods: Exploring the Relationship Between Heists in the Nutmeg State and Greenery in the Amazon Basin

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we delve into the unexpected correlation between burglaries in Connecticut and the extent of forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon. While one might expect these two phenomena to be about as connected as a squirrel and a bank vault, our findings reveal a surprisingly strong relationship. Utilizing data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the environmental organization Mongabay, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 and p < 0.01 for the years 1987 through 2022. This relationship was not as shady as an underpass; it was as clear as a freshly cleaned windshield.

Our results, showcasing such a strong and unexpected link between criminal activity in the affluent Northeastern state of Connecticut and the lush rainforests of the South American Amazon, are bound to ignite curiosity and raise eyebrows. This connection, reminiscent of the bond between two unlikely companions, is as surprising as finding a toucan in a boardroom meeting.

While the exact causal relationship between these two seemingly disparate events remains a mystery, our study opens the door to a new avenue of research. The wooded thievery from the Nutmeg State to the dense flora of the Amazon basin offers a puzzling twist, leaving us with more questions than answers. Who would've thought that the tangled trees of the Brazilian Amazon and the robbers in Connecticut could be intricately entwined in such an unexpected manner? This research challenges traditional notions of spatial causality and ecological interactions in a way that is as intriguing as it is mystifying.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The intersection of crime and environmental science has long been an area of interest, but few would have predicted the striking correlation we uncovered in our investigation. It's a story that seems straight out of a heist movie – “Ocean's Tree: The Emerald Underbrush,” if you will. We embarked on this research journey with a sense of academic curiosity and, admittedly, a touch of skepticism, but what we unearthed was enough to make even the most seasoned statistician do a double-take.
As we delved into the data, we couldn't help but think about the irony of a forest-related study shedding light on criminal activities in an area known for its wealth and sophistication. It's almost as if the trees themselves were whispering secrets about illicit activities across continents. Talk about shady business dealings – both literal and figurative!
The notion of exploring the relationship between robberies in one of the smallest states in the U.S. and the expanse of the Amazon rainforest may seem like a stretch, but our findings attest to the unmistakable connection. It's like stumbling upon a hidden treasure in the most unexpected of places – and not just any treasure, but a trove of statistically significant, research-worthy treasure.
This study aims to add a new layer to the ongoing dialogue about the far-reaching impact of human behavior on distant ecosystems – a topic that's as captivating as it is confounding. It's as if we've stumbled upon a scientific paradox: how can the actions of burglars in a small, leafy state resonate in the dense, green heart of an entirely different hemisphere? It's a head-scratcher for sure, but one that promises to yield some truly thought-provoking insights.
So, buckle up and grab your magnifying glass, because we're about to embark on a research adventure that'll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about crime, ecology, and the unexpected dance between the two. Let's traverse this uncharted territory – not with a map and compass, but with empirical evidence and a healthy dose of humor. After all, why should research be all work and no play?

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data yielded a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 between the number of robberies in Connecticut and the remaining forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon for the period spanning 1987 to 2022. The r-squared value of 0.8790548 further underlined the robustness of this relationship. It was as if the robbers were leaving behind a trail not just in the Nutmeg State, but all the way to the heart of the Amazon – talk about a transcontinental caper!
The p-value falling below 0.01 solidified the statistical significance of this correlation. That's right, the odds of this connection occurring by mere chance were slimmer than a tree bark, indicating that there's more to this relationship than meets the eye. It's a mystery that would make even Sherlock Holmes scratch his head – "The Adventure of the Purloined Pine," anyone?
Fig. 1 illustrates the relationship with a scatterplot that resembles a crime scene investigation – except this time, the clues aren't fingerprints or footprints, but rather data points scattered across a graph, painting a picture of an unexpected partnership between two distant locales. It's the kind of plot twist that would make Alfred Hitchcock proud.
The strength of this correlation is as striking as it is puzzling. One might say it's the statistical equivalent of pulling a rabbit out of a hat – or in this case, pulling a correlation out of a forest. It begs the question: what hidden forces are at play here, weaving together seemingly unrelated events in a manner that defies conventional wisdom?
The unexpected nature of this connection is as surprising as finding a tree-dwelling mammal attempting a bank heist – a true 'acorn' artist, if you will. Our research points to a relationship between two seemingly distinct phenomena – one associated with urban crime and the other with ecological preservation – that's as curious as a curious George bush.
This unanticipated correlation prompts a reevaluation of traditional assumptions about spatial causality and the far-reaching impact of human activities on global ecosystems. Just as the unlikeliest of pairs can sometimes make the best team, the unexpected bond between woodland crime in Connecticut and forest cover in the Amazon challenges our understanding of interconnected systems. It's a tale that's as surprising as it is statistically sound.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has highlighted a bewildering yet robust relationship between the frequency of robberies in Connecticut and the extent of forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon. The statistical correlation we uncovered is as strong as a tree trunk, holding firm against conventional expectations. It's as if the thieves in Connecticut have been leaving behind a paper trail that leads all the way to the green heart of the Amazon – talk about a long-distance getaway plan!

The unexpected nature of this connection is reminiscent of a classic dad joke – it's like finding a fully grown oak in a bag of acorns; surprising, unlikely, and bound to elicit a few groans. Nevertheless, our findings present a compelling case for further exploration into the intricate ties between human behavior and remote ecosystems. After all, why should we leave it to the animals to have all the fun of crossing continents?

With such a strong statistical relationship and the undeniable intrigue of the topic, the door is wide open for further research in this area. However, at the risk of sounding slightly criminal ourselves, we daresay that no more research is needed – the evidence we have amassed here is as clear as a cloudless day in the Amazon. It's time to call it a day and let this unexpected alliance between woodland hoodlums and leafy canopies bask in the spotlight. After all, we've proven that even the most unexpected connections are worth exploring. It's like a good dad joke – it may make you roll your eyes, but you just can't resist a good chuckle.

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 Woodland Hoods: Exploring the Relationship Between Heists in the Nutmeg State and Greenery in the Amazon Basin. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Ecological Criminology

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 Woodland Hoods: Exploring the Relationship Between Heists in the Nutmeg State and Greenery in the Amazon Basin. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Association for Sylvan Studies

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 Woodland Hoods: Exploring the Relationship Between Heists in the Nutmeg State and Greenery in the Amazon Basin with an abstract of In this study, we delve into the unexpected correlation between burglaries in Connecticut and the extent of forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon. While one might expect these two phenomena to be about as connected as a squirrel and a bank vault, our findings reveal a surprisingly strong relationship. Utilizing data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the environmental organization Mongabay, our research team employed rigorous statistical analysis to establish a correlation coefficient of 0.9375792 and p < 0.01 for the years 1987 through 2022. This relationship was not as shady as an underpass; it was as clear as a freshly cleaned windshield.
Our results, showcasing such a strong and unexpected link between criminal activity in the affluent Northeastern state of Connecticut and the lush rainforests of the South American Amazon, are bound to ignite curiosity and raise eyebrows. This connection, reminiscent of the bond between two unlikely companions, is as surprising as finding a toucan in a boardroom meeting.
While the exact causal relationship between these two seemingly disparate events remains a mystery, our study opens the door to a new avenue of research. The wooded thievery from the Nutmeg State to the dense flora of the Amazon basin offers a puzzling twist, leaving us with more questions than answers. Who would've thought that the tangled trees of the Brazilian Amazon and the robbers in Connecticut could be intricately entwined in such an unexpected manner? This research challenges traditional notions of spatial causality and ecological interactions in a way that is as intriguing as it is mystifying.

ChatGPT:

woodland hoods, heists, Connecticut burglaries, forest cover correlation, Brazilian Amazon, FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, Mongabay, statistical analysis, correlation coefficient, criminal activity, Northeastern state, affluent state, causal relationship, wooded thievery, spatial causality, ecological interactions

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

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Data details

Robberies in Connecticut
Detailed data title: The robbery rate per 100,000 residents in Connecticut
Source: FBI Criminal Justice Information Services
See what else correlates with Robberies in Connecticut

Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon
Detailed data title: Estimated Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon
Source: Mongabay
See what else correlates with Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon

Correlation r = 0.9375792 (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 = 0.8790548 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 87.9% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Robberies in Connecticut) over the 36 years from 1987 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 3.7E-17.^Show 0.0000000000000000365897164585
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme.^Note More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.94 in 3.7E-15% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 27,330,083,334,594,800 random variables^Note You don't actually need 27 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 35 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 35 because we have two variables measured over a period of 36 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.

[ 0.88, 0.97 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
^{Read more about the confidence interval} The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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

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

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

	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Robberies in Connecticut (Robbery rate)	178.1	187.6	214.8	234.8	224.4	210.9	196.7	187.8	163.2	169.6	152.9	133.8	123.5	112.5	121.8	117.6	120.8	119.7	112.3	127.3	122.9	115.5	113.7	99.4	102.9	103.3	98.7	88.2	81.6	75.6	78.7	61.7	54.5	57.2	54.3	44.9
Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon (Sq. KM)	3744570	3723520	3705750	3692020	3680990	3667200	3652310	3637410	3608350	3590190	3576960	3559580	3542320	3524100	3505930	3484280	3458880	3431110	3412100	3397810	3386160	3373250	3365790	3358790	3352370	3347800	3341910	3336900	3330690	3322800	3315850	3308310	3298550	3290120	3279650	3268050

Why this works

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([178.1,187.6,214.8,234.8,224.4,210.9,196.7,187.8,163.2,169.6,152.9,133.8,123.5,112.5,121.8,117.6,120.8,119.7,112.3,127.3,122.9,115.5,113.7,99.4,102.9,103.3,98.7,88.2,81.6,75.6,78.7,61.7,54.5,57.2,54.3,44.9,])
array_2 = np.array([3744570,3723520,3705750,3692020,3680990,3667200,3652310,3637410,3608350,3590190,3576960,3559580,3542320,3524100,3505930,3484280,3458880,3431110,3412100,3397810,3386160,3373250,3365790,3358790,3352370,3347800,3341910,3336900,3330690,3322800,3315850,3308310,3298550,3290120,3279650,3268050,])
array_1_name = "Robberies in Connecticut"
array_2_name = "Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon"

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

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

Reuseable content

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

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

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

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

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

Download images for these variables:

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

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

Alternatively you can use a tool like Inkscape.
High resolution line chart, optimized for mobile
Alternative high resolution line chart
Scatterplot
Portable line chart (png)
Portable line chart (png), optimized for mobile
Line chart for only Robberies in Connecticut
Line chart for only Remaining Forest Cover in the Brazilian Amazon
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Woodland Hoods: Exploring the Relationship Between Heists in the Nutmeg State and Greenery in the Amazon Basin

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Correlation ID: 4161 · Black Variable ID: 20230 · Red Variable ID: 372


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