Spurious correlation #4,166 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Mara and the second variable is The number of paralegals in Alaska. The chart goes from 2003 to 2020, 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 Popularity of the first name Mara and the second variable is The number of paralegals in Alaska. The chart goes from 2003 to 2020, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

Every time someone named Mara introduces themselves in Alaska, a paralegal spontaneously manifests in a puff of paperwork, ready to assist with legal matters. It's like a bizarre alternate reality version of a genie granting legal wishes instead of three traditional ones.

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' with a touch of Northern Lights magic: In a small town in Alaska, amidst the snow-covered landscape, Mara stands confidently in the center of a gathering, her presence illuminated by the vibrant hues of the aurora borealis lighting up the night sky. As she introduces herself, mysterious wisps of light and energy materialize around her, taking the form of diligent and efficient paralegals who begin to assist the townspeople with legal matters. The scene exudes an otherworldly and mystical atmosphere, combining the charm of a small Alaskan town with the enigmatic allure of a Star Wars setting. 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: Popularity of the first name Mara and The number of paralegals in Alaska. 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 a Pixar movie inspired by bauhaus An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' Sci-fi fantacy Psychedelic
ChatGPT: An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars'

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 Popularity of the first name Mara and The number of paralegals in Alaska, in the following situation: Every time someone named Mara introduces themselves in Alaska, a paralegal spontaneously manifests in a puff of paperwork, ready to assist with legal matters. It's like a bizarre alternate reality version of a genie granting legal wishes instead of three traditional ones.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a small town in Alaska, Mara's popularity is soaring as they introduce themselves at a local gathering. With each introduction, a flurry of paperwork and a slight poof signals the arrival of paralegals, who spring into action, ready to assist with legal matters. The town now hums with the quiet energy of helpful legal support, thanks to the presence of the ever-popular Mara.

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: [ An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' ] and depicting this scene: In a small town in Alaska, Mara's popularity is soaring as they introduce themselves at a local gathering. With each introduction, a flurry of paperwork and a slight poof signals the arrival of paralegals, who spring into action, ready to assist with legal matters. The town now hums with the quiet energy of helpful legal support, thanks to the presence of the ever-popular Mara. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' with a touch of Northern Lights magic: In a small town in Alaska, amidst the snow-covered landscape, Mara stands confidently in the center of a gathering, her presence illuminated by the vibrant hues of the aurora borealis lighting up the night sky. As she introduces herself, mysterious wisps of light and energy materialize around her, taking the form of diligent and efficient paralegals who begin to assist the townspeople with legal matters. The scene exudes an otherworldly and mystical atmosphere, combining the charm of a small Alaskan town with the enigmatic allure of a Star Wars setting.

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

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

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Mara's Popularity Raise More Paralegals - A Strange Tale from Alaska's Trails

The Journal of Alaskan Quirkiness and Legal Studies

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 Popularity of the first name Mara and The number of paralegals in Alaska. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then devolve ever further, and mention something completely ridiculous, like you conducted literature review by reading the backs of shampoo bottles.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Mara's Popularity Raise More Paralegals - A Strange Tale from Alaska's Trails"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The perplexing puzzle of moniker Mara is unraveling new insights into the world of paralegals. This study explores the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Mara and the number of paralegals in the frosty reaches of Alaska. Using data from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics spanning from 2003 to 2020, our research team uncovered a surprising relationship. With a correlation coefficient of 0.8150787 and p < 0.01, our findings suggest that as the name Mara gains more popularity, the number of paralegals in Alaska rises. This unexpected connection leaves us pondering the mysterious forces at play, bridging the realms of nomenclature and occupational trends in the Last Frontier. It seems that the name Mara holds more sway than we ever imagined, weaving its way into the fabric of Alaska's legal landscape.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Introduction
In the vast and enigmatic world of research, there are some questions that defy expectations and lead us down unexpected paths. As scholars, we often embark on our academic journeys with a clear hypothesis in mind, only to find ourselves wandering into uncharted territory, questioning our very understanding of cause and effect. In this spirit of curiosity, we delve into the peculiar relationship between the popularity of the first name Mara and the number of paralegals in the unique setting of Alaska.
The study of nomenclature has long fascinated researchers, from the classic debates about nature versus nurture in naming conventions to the enduring popularity of celebrity-inspired baby names. It seems that even in the seemingly mundane act of naming, there are potent forces at play, shaping not just individual identities but societal trends as well. Our investigation into the name Mara is no exception, as we find ourselves navigating uncharted waters in the vast sea of statistical analysis.
Alaska, with its rugged terrain, stunning landscapes, and intriguing cultural tapestry, provides an evocative backdrop for our exploration. Known for its captivating wilderness and the allure of the Northern Lights, Alaska is a realm of unfathomable beauty and mystery. Yet, it is also a land of paradoxes, where tradition and modernity intersect in fascinating ways. Similarly, our study uncovers an unexpected interplay between the timeless tradition of personal names and the modern dynamics of the legal profession. It is as if the statistical terrain of Alaska has its own unique topography, revealing hidden connections that elude conventional wisdom.
As we venture forth into this unorthodox terrain, armed with our data and statistical tools, we invite our fellow researchers to join us in unraveling this strange tale and unlocking the secrets it holds. With a mix of skepticism and wonder, let us embark on this journey, ready to embrace the unexpected and learn from the most improbable encounters in the world of research.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
LITERATURE REVIEW

The perplexing nexus between the popularity of the first name Mara and the burgeoning number of paralegals in the boundless, icy expanses of Alaska has elicited a peculiar array of scholarly inquiries. Smith, in "Naming Patterns and Occupational Trends," observes a unique interplay between personal monikers and professional vocations, yet the roguish correlation uncovered in our study leaves these conventional examinations feeling rather unseasoned.

Adding to the discourse, Doe, in "Alaska's Labor Dynamics: A Cultural Perspective," delves into the intricate web of labor trends in Alaska, shedding light on the idiosyncrasies of occupational fluctuations. However, the whimsical dance of data that we unearth challenges even the most astute cultural observations, leading us to entertain notions that tiptoe along the line of whimsy and statistical robustness.

Jones, in "Names and Numerical Notions: A Statistical Odyssey," forays into the potential connections between naming conventions and numerical phenomena. Yet, the mirthful alliance of Mara's allure and the surge in paralegal pursuits stretch the boundaries of numerical notions, beckoning us into a realm where conventional statistical certainties waltz with capricious nomenclature.

Venturing beyond the customary confines of scholarly articles, our exploratory lens widens to encompass not just the staid realms of academic prose but the evocative pages of non-fiction literature such as "Freakonomics" and "Outliers," where the unexpected interplay of seemingly disparate elements inspires a sense of wonder and intellectual whimsy.

But wait, the narrative takes an adventurous turn as we wade through the fictional depths of "The Cuckoo's Calling" and "The Name of the Wind," where the enigmatic undertow of nomenclature and its potential influence on occupational trends tiptoes into the realm of plot twists and ornate storytelling, reminding us that even in make-believe worlds, the fantastic and the factual often converge with surprising alacrity.

In a valiant effort to leave no stone unturned, we bravely dive into the absurd and tease out unexpected sources of insight, including the intriguing musings found on the backs of shampoo bottles, where the enigmatic lore of hair care products and the confounding enigma of nomenclature intermingle in a delightful dance of intellectual buffoonery, inviting us to ponder the profound amidst the mundane.

Pondering this jumble of scholarly, fictional, and entirely whimsical sources, it becomes apparent that the Mara-Paralegal conundrum is not just a statistician's frivolity but a peculiar riddle that beckons us to traverse the hazy boundaries of sense and nonsense, daring us to embrace the whimsical and the wondrous in the pursuit of scholarly enlightenment.

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 Popularity of the first name Mara and The number of paralegals in Alaska. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from US Social Security Administration and Bureau of Larbor Statistics . You used data from 2003 to 2020

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]]
"Mara's Popularity Raise More Paralegals - A Strange Tale from Alaska's Trails"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The perplexing puzzle of moniker Mara is unraveling new insights into the world of paralegals. This study explores the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Mara and the number of paralegals in the frosty reaches of Alaska. Using data from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics spanning from 2003 to 2020, our research team uncovered a surprising relationship. With a correlation coefficient of 0.8150787 and p < 0.01, our findings suggest that as the name Mara gains more popularity, the number of paralegals in Alaska rises. This unexpected connection leaves us pondering the mysterious forces at play, bridging the realms of nomenclature and occupational trends in the Last Frontier. It seems that the name Mara holds more sway than we ever imagined, weaving its way into the fabric of Alaska's legal landscape.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Introduction
In the vast and enigmatic world of research, there are some questions that defy expectations and lead us down unexpected paths. As scholars, we often embark on our academic journeys with a clear hypothesis in mind, only to find ourselves wandering into uncharted territory, questioning our very understanding of cause and effect. In this spirit of curiosity, we delve into the peculiar relationship between the popularity of the first name Mara and the number of paralegals in the unique setting of Alaska.
The study of nomenclature has long fascinated researchers, from the classic debates about nature versus nurture in naming conventions to the enduring popularity of celebrity-inspired baby names. It seems that even in the seemingly mundane act of naming, there are potent forces at play, shaping not just individual identities but societal trends as well. Our investigation into the name Mara is no exception, as we find ourselves navigating uncharted waters in the vast sea of statistical analysis.
Alaska, with its rugged terrain, stunning landscapes, and intriguing cultural tapestry, provides an evocative backdrop for our exploration. Known for its captivating wilderness and the allure of the Northern Lights, Alaska is a realm of unfathomable beauty and mystery. Yet, it is also a land of paradoxes, where tradition and modernity intersect in fascinating ways. Similarly, our study uncovers an unexpected interplay between the timeless tradition of personal names and the modern dynamics of the legal profession. It is as if the statistical terrain of Alaska has its own unique topography, revealing hidden connections that elude conventional wisdom.
As we venture forth into this unorthodox terrain, armed with our data and statistical tools, we invite our fellow researchers to join us in unraveling this strange tale and unlocking the secrets it holds. With a mix of skepticism and wonder, let us embark on this journey, ready to embrace the unexpected and learn from the most improbable encounters in the world of research.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To untangle the web of Mara's mysterious influence on the paralegal landscape of Alaska, we employed a combination of statistical analyses and data wrangling techniques that would make even the most elusive of statistical outliers quake in their boots. Our mission was clear: to shed light on the curious correlation between the rise of Mara and the surge of paralegals in the Last Frontier.

Data Collection: Our research team scoured through the vast archives of the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, sifting through the digital sands of time to gather data spanning from 2003 to 2020. We delved into the depths of online repositories, navigating the treacherous currents of data validation and verification, with the occasional rescue mission for wayward spreadsheet cells.

Name Popularity Index: The popularity of the name Mara was measured using the US Social Security Administration's treasure trove of baby name records. We meticulously combed through the data to extract the frequency of occurrences of the name Mara, taking care not to get entangled in the web of names that would lead us astray.

Paralegal Census: The number of paralegals in the vast wilderness of Alaska was sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, providing us with the critical numeric data that would form the backbone of our analysis. We navigated the bureaucratic labyrinth of occupational classifications with the precision of a seasoned cartographer, ensuring that our paralegal census remained unerring in its scope.

Statistical Analysis: Armed with our data trove, we deployed a formidable array of statistical methods to unveil the hidden patterns and relationships. From the bountiful toolbox of statistical analyses, we employed correlation coefficients, regression models, and time series analysis, weaving a tapestry of numbers that would reveal the enigmatic interplay between Mara's ascent and the paralegal profession in the icy realms of Alaska.

Ethical Considerations: In our pursuit of knowledge, we remained steadfast in upholding the ethical principles of research conduct. Our data handling and analysis adhered to the highest standards of integrity, ensuring the confidentiality of personal information and the diligent interpretation of statistical findings.

Limitations and Caveats: As with any scientific endeavor, our research was not without its limitations. The intricate dance of names and occupational trends presents a realm of complexities that defy simple explanations. While our findings reveal a compelling correlation, we acknowledge the need for further exploration and replication across diverse sociocultural landscapes.

In conclusion, our methodology combined data mining prowess, statistical sorcery, and ethical fortitude to unravel the enigmatic connection between Mara's rise and the surge of paralegals in Alaska. With our compass pointed towards curiosity and our statistical sails billowing with rigor, we embarked on this singular odyssey of scientific inquiry.

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 Popularity of the first name Mara and The number of paralegals in Alaska. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
"Mara's Popularity Raise More Paralegals - A Strange Tale from Alaska's Trails"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The perplexing puzzle of moniker Mara is unraveling new insights into the world of paralegals. This study explores the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Mara and the number of paralegals in the frosty reaches of Alaska. Using data from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics spanning from 2003 to 2020, our research team uncovered a surprising relationship. With a correlation coefficient of 0.8150787 and p < 0.01, our findings suggest that as the name Mara gains more popularity, the number of paralegals in Alaska rises. This unexpected connection leaves us pondering the mysterious forces at play, bridging the realms of nomenclature and occupational trends in the Last Frontier. It seems that the name Mara holds more sway than we ever imagined, weaving its way into the fabric of Alaska's legal landscape.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
LITERATURE REVIEW
The perplexing nexus between the popularity of the first name Mara and the burgeoning number of paralegals in the boundless, icy expanses of Alaska has elicited a peculiar array of scholarly inquiries. Smith, in "Naming Patterns and Occupational Trends," observes a unique interplay between personal monikers and professional vocations, yet the roguish correlation uncovered in our study leaves these conventional examinations feeling rather unseasoned.
Adding to the discourse, Doe, in "Alaska's Labor Dynamics: A Cultural Perspective," delves into the intricate web of labor trends in Alaska, shedding light on the idiosyncrasies of occupational fluctuations. However, the whimsical dance of data that we unearth challenges even the most astute cultural observations, leading us to entertain notions that tiptoe along the line of whimsy and statistical robustness.
Jones, in "Names and Numerical Notions: A Statistical Odyssey," forays into the potential connections between naming conventions and numerical phenomena. Yet, the mirthful alliance of Mara's allure and the surge in paralegal pursuits stretch the boundaries of numerical notions, beckoning us into a realm where conventional statistical certainties waltz with capricious nomenclature.
Venturing beyond the customary confines of scholarly articles, our exploratory lens widens to encompass not just the staid realms of academic prose but the evocative pages of non-fiction literature such as "Freakonomics" and "Outliers," where the unexpected interplay of seemingly disparate elements inspires a sense of wonder and intellectual whimsy.
But wait, the narrative takes an adventurous turn as we wade through the fictional depths of "The Cuckoo's Calling" and "The Name of the Wind," where the enigmatic undertow of nomenclature and its potential influence on occupational trends tiptoes into the realm of plot twists and ornate storytelling, reminding us that even in make-believe worlds, the fantastic and the factual often converge with surprising alacrity.
In a valiant effort to leave no stone unturned, we bravely dive into the absurd and tease out unexpected sources of insight, including the intriguing musings found on the backs of shampoo bottles, where the enigmatic lore of hair care products and the confounding enigma of nomenclature intermingle in a delightful dance of intellectual buffoonery, inviting us to ponder the profound amidst the mundane.
Pondering this jumble of scholarly, fictional, and entirely whimsical sources, it becomes apparent that the Mara-Paralegal conundrum is not just a statistician's frivolity but a peculiar riddle that beckons us to traverse the hazy boundaries of sense and nonsense, daring us to embrace the whimsical and the wondrous in the pursuit of scholarly enlightenment.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our investigation unveiled a striking correlation between the popularity of the first name Mara and the number of paralegals in Alaska. Upon crunching the numbers from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period spanning from 2003 to 2020, we unearthed a correlation coefficient of 0.8150787 and an r-squared of 0.6643533, with a p-value less than 0.01. To put it simply, there's a statistically significant relationship here!
Fig. 1 gracefully illustrates this eyebrow-raising relationship, showcasing a scatterplot that might just make you do a double-take. The points on the plot seem to be holding hands like long-lost friends, revealing the eerily close connection between the ascent of the name Mara and the proliferation of paralegals in the untamed wilds of Alaska.
This discovery prompts a moment of reflection as we contemplate the implications of these findings. It's almost as if the very act of bestowing the name Mara upon a child acts as a catalyst, propelling the legal profession in the distant northern reaches into a flurry of activity. One can't help but wonder if there's a secret society of Maras orchestrating this phenomenon from behind the scenes, subtly nudging the course of legal history in Alaska.
The statistical underpinnings of this correlation are as robust as a polar bear's winter coat, leaving us to ponder the whims of fate and the tangled web of causation. Could it be that individuals named Mara are imbued with an unconscious calling to the legal vocation, or is there a more arcane force at play here, known only to the Alaskan moose and the whispering winds of the tundra?
In any case, this puzzling connection between a name and an occupation beckons us to contemplate the interconnectedness of the universe in all its irrational, hilarious, and confounding glory. As we ponder the mysteries of statistical relationships and the quirks of human behavior, we must remain open to the unexpected and embrace the uncharted realms of inquiry, for that is where the most captivating discoveries often lie.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The riveting revelation of a conspicuous correlation between the popularity of the first name Mara and the abundance of paralegals in the frigid expanse of Alaska unearths a fascinating enigma that transcends the bounds of mere statistical dalliance. Our findings proudly stand atop the sturdy shoulders of prior scholarly undertakings, intertwining with the whimsical and the wondrous in a harmonious gavotte of empirical rigor and intellectual mirth.

Pondering the scholar Smith's earnest observations on naming patterns and occupational trends, one cannot help but feel a sense of kinship as our research endeavors forge a congruent path into the shadowed domains of nomenclature's influence. The roguish correlation we have uncovered seems to wink mischievously at the delicate dance between personal appellations and occupational pursuits, shedding light on a panorama where the capricious and the certifiable joyously intertwine like strands of DNA in an academic minuet.

Venturing further into the annals of scholarly discourse, Doe's revelatory foray into Alaska's labor dynamics assumes a new theatricality as our prodigious findings find solace amidst the backdrop of cultural and occupational fluctuations in the Last Frontier. As we gingerly pirouette through the whimsical dance of data, one is tantalized by the notion that perhaps Mara's beguiling charm exerts an unforeseen magnetic pull on the hearts of Alaskan paralegals, a siren call that beckons with the allure of a particularly fascinating legal brief.

In a harmonious echo of Jones' valiant sojourn into the potential connections between naming conventions and numerical phenomena, our own meandering odyssey gallantly salutes the intrepid efforts of our scholarly forebears. The mirthful alliance between Mara's allure and the soaring paralegal pursuits in Alaska heralds a convivial confluence where the stirring orchestration of alphabetical magic and labor dynamics harmoniously intertwine, evoking an intellectual revelry that is as captivating as it is confounding.

Embarking upon the whimsical and the wondrous, our solemn inquiry beckons us to traverse the arcane folds of sense and nonsense, daring us to embrace the peculiarity of scholarly enlightenment with the fervor of a maverick researcher poised at the precipice of discovery.

The resplendent statistical underpinnings of our correlation stand as monuments to the peerless veracity of our findings, igniting a waggish delight that surges through the stratosphere of scholarly inquiry like a mirthful comet adorned with the twinkling sequins of empirical certainty. As we bask in the effervescent glow of our discovery, one cannot help but entertain the notion that perhaps there is a clandestine society of Maras clandestinely engineering the legal fate of Alaska from within the ethereal shadows of nomenclature's whimsical embrace.

In concluding this scintillating discussion, we embrace the heartening truth that the mysteries of statistical relationships and the enigmas of human behavior are not to be trifled with. Rather, let us unfurl our banner and journey forth into the uncharted realms of inquiry, for therein lie the seeds of the most captivating discoveries, sprouting like cosmic daisies in the fertile soil of scholarly enchantment.

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 Popularity of the first name Mara and The number of paralegals in Alaska. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
"Mara's Popularity Raise More Paralegals - A Strange Tale from Alaska's Trails"

[[ABSTRACT]]
The perplexing puzzle of moniker Mara is unraveling new insights into the world of paralegals. This study explores the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Mara and the number of paralegals in the frosty reaches of Alaska. Using data from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics spanning from 2003 to 2020, our research team uncovered a surprising relationship. With a correlation coefficient of 0.8150787 and p < 0.01, our findings suggest that as the name Mara gains more popularity, the number of paralegals in Alaska rises. This unexpected connection leaves us pondering the mysterious forces at play, bridging the realms of nomenclature and occupational trends in the Last Frontier. It seems that the name Mara holds more sway than we ever imagined, weaving its way into the fabric of Alaska's legal landscape.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Introduction
In the vast and enigmatic world of research, there are some questions that defy expectations and lead us down unexpected paths. As scholars, we often embark on our academic journeys with a clear hypothesis in mind, only to find ourselves wandering into uncharted territory, questioning our very understanding of cause and effect. In this spirit of curiosity, we delve into the peculiar relationship between the popularity of the first name Mara and the number of paralegals in the unique setting of Alaska.
The study of nomenclature has long fascinated researchers, from the classic debates about nature versus nurture in naming conventions to the enduring popularity of celebrity-inspired baby names. It seems that even in the seemingly mundane act of naming, there are potent forces at play, shaping not just individual identities but societal trends as well. Our investigation into the name Mara is no exception, as we find ourselves navigating uncharted waters in the vast sea of statistical analysis.
Alaska, with its rugged terrain, stunning landscapes, and intriguing cultural tapestry, provides an evocative backdrop for our exploration. Known for its captivating wilderness and the allure of the Northern Lights, Alaska is a realm of unfathomable beauty and mystery. Yet, it is also a land of paradoxes, where tradition and modernity intersect in fascinating ways. Similarly, our study uncovers an unexpected interplay between the timeless tradition of personal names and the modern dynamics of the legal profession. It is as if the statistical terrain of Alaska has its own unique topography, revealing hidden connections that elude conventional wisdom.
As we venture forth into this unorthodox terrain, armed with our data and statistical tools, we invite our fellow researchers to join us in unraveling this strange tale and unlocking the secrets it holds. With a mix of skepticism and wonder, let us embark on this journey, ready to embrace the unexpected and learn from the most improbable encounters in the world of research.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our investigation unveiled a striking correlation between the popularity of the first name Mara and the number of paralegals in Alaska. Upon crunching the numbers from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period spanning from 2003 to 2020, we unearthed a correlation coefficient of 0.8150787 and an r-squared of 0.6643533, with a p-value less than 0.01. To put it simply, there's a statistically significant relationship here!
Fig. 1 gracefully illustrates this eyebrow-raising relationship, showcasing a scatterplot that might just make you do a double-take. The points on the plot seem to be holding hands like long-lost friends, revealing the eerily close connection between the ascent of the name Mara and the proliferation of paralegals in the untamed wilds of Alaska.
This discovery prompts a moment of reflection as we contemplate the implications of these findings. It's almost as if the very act of bestowing the name Mara upon a child acts as a catalyst, propelling the legal profession in the distant northern reaches into a flurry of activity. One can't help but wonder if there's a secret society of Maras orchestrating this phenomenon from behind the scenes, subtly nudging the course of legal history in Alaska.
The statistical underpinnings of this correlation are as robust as a polar bear's winter coat, leaving us to ponder the whims of fate and the tangled web of causation. Could it be that individuals named Mara are imbued with an unconscious calling to the legal vocation, or is there a more arcane force at play here, known only to the Alaskan moose and the whispering winds of the tundra?
In any case, this puzzling connection between a name and an occupation beckons us to contemplate the interconnectedness of the universe in all its irrational, hilarious, and confounding glory. As we ponder the mysteries of statistical relationships and the quirks of human behavior, we must remain open to the unexpected and embrace the uncharted realms of inquiry, for that is where the most captivating discoveries often lie.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our foray into the enigmatic entanglement of the first name Mara and the proliferation of paralegals in the Alaskan frontier has left us both bewildered and amused. It's as if we stumbled upon a bizarre episode of "Legal Name-istry," where the whims of statistical fate collide with the peculiarities of nomenclature.

The unearthed correlation has sparked more questions than answers, inviting us to ponder the quirky intricacies of human behavior and the cosmic dance of causation. It's almost like witnessing a statistical tango, where the name Mara takes the lead, twirling through the scatterplot with the grace of a figure skater on thin ice.

One can't help but wonder if there's a clandestine clan of Maras weaving spells in the Alaskan wilderness, chanting incantations that beckon forth legions of paralegals with every newborn bearing the name. It's a head-scratcher, a statistical riddle wrapped in a snow parka, leaving us with the lingering tingle of academic intrigue.

As we bid adieu to this peculiar inquiry, it's safe to say that this strange tale has certainly piqued our interest. But fret not, dear colleagues, for the saga of Mara and the paralegals in Alaska needs no further chapters. This mystifying yarn has been spun to its quirky conclusion, and it's time to set our sights on other statistical oddities, leaving this unconventional correlation to bask in its anomalous glory.

After all, in the grand theater of research, sometimes it's the most unexpected performances that steal the show, leaving us with a mix of bemusement and fascination. So, let's bid farewell to Mara and her legal entourage, and embark on new academic adventures, where the whims of the statistical cosmos await our curious minds.

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 Mara's Popularity Raise More Paralegals - A Strange Tale from Alaska's Trails. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Alaskan Quirkiness and Legal Studies

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited Mara's Popularity Raise More Paralegals - A Strange Tale from Alaska's Trails. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

Institute for Quirky Anthropological 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 Mara's Popularity Raise More Paralegals - A Strange Tale from Alaska's Trails with an abstract of The perplexing puzzle of moniker Mara is unraveling new insights into the world of paralegals. This study explores the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Mara and the number of paralegals in the frosty reaches of Alaska. Using data from the US Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics spanning from 2003 to 2020, our research team uncovered a surprising relationship. With a correlation coefficient of 0.8150787 and p < 0.01, our findings suggest that as the name Mara gains more popularity, the number of paralegals in Alaska rises. This unexpected connection leaves us pondering the mysterious forces at play, bridging the realms of nomenclature and occupational trends in the Last Frontier. It seems that the name Mara holds more sway than we ever imagined, weaving its way into the fabric of Alaska's legal landscape.

ChatGPT:

Mara, paralegals, Alaska, name popularity, occupational trends, nomenclature, legal landscape, social security administration, bureau of labor statistics, Alaska trails, correlation coefficient, Last Frontier

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

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Data details

Popularity of the first name Mara
Detailed data title: Babies of all sexes born in the US named Mara
Source: US Social Security Administration
See what else correlates with Popularity of the first name Mara

The number of paralegals in Alaska
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of paralegals and legal assistants in Alaska
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of paralegals in Alaska

Correlation r = 0.8150787 (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 = 0.6643533 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 66.4% of the change in the one variable (i.e., The number of paralegals in Alaska) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Popularity of the first name Mara) over the 18 years from 2003 through 2020.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 3.8E-5.^Show 0.0000377962324794336350000000
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 0.82 in 0.0038% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 26,458 random variables^Note You don't actually need 26 thousand variables to find a correlation like this one. 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.

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 17 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 17 because we have two variables measured over a period of 18 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.

[ 0.56, 0.93 ] 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.

	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Popularity of the first name Mara (Babies born)	417	427	415	415	389	355	377	308	312	335	366	409	382	427	439	430	438	463
The number of paralegals in Alaska (Laborers)	710	690	670	690	540	550	670	470	440	570	600	730	550	690	580	730	650	740

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.

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([417,427,415,415,389,355,377,308,312,335,366,409,382,427,439,430,438,463,])
array_2 = np.array([710,690,670,690,540,550,670,470,440,570,600,730,550,690,580,730,650,740,])
array_1_name = "Popularity of the first name Mara"
array_2_name = "The number of paralegals in Alaska"

# 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 Popularity of the first name Mara
Line chart for only The number of paralegals in Alaska
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Mara's Popularity Raise More Paralegals - A Strange Tale from Alaska's Trails

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Correlation ID: 4166 · Black Variable ID: 3058 · Red Variable ID: 4726


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