Spurious correlation #4,979 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California and the second variable is Number of Public Library Members in the UK. The chart goes from 2003 to 2014, 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 Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California and the second variable is Number of Public Library Members in the UK. The chart goes from 2003 to 2014, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

It's a little-known fact that as air pollution in Santa Rosa, California increased, it created a unique atmospheric effect that somehow transmitted a strong urge to read to the people of the UK. Perhaps the smog particles were carrying literary inspiration, or maybe the haze acted as a catalyst for book club formation. As implausible as it sounds, it's not entirely far-fetched to imagine a world where dirty air in one part of the globe leads to a surge in library card applications across the pond. After all, stranger things have happened in the wonderfully bizarre world of correlations!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: [ Concept art ] In Santa Rosa, California, a thick haze of air pollution hangs over the city, casting a grey pall over the landscape. The skyline is shrouded in a smoky atmosphere, and silhouettes of buildings fade into the murky air. In contrast, across the globe in the UK, public libraries bustle with activity. Individuals are seen eagerly signing up for library memberships, their faces illuminated by the warm, inviting glow of reading lamps. The scene captures the stark dichotomy between the polluted urban environment and the welcoming sanctuary of a library, as portrayed through DALLE-3's unique visual interpretation. 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: Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California and Number of Public Library Members in the UK. 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 Sci-fi fantacy Concept art Vaporwave Sci-fi fantacy
ChatGPT: Concept art

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California and Number of Public Library Members in the UK, in the following situation: It's a little-known fact that as air pollution in Santa Rosa, California increased, it created a unique atmospheric effect that somehow transmitted a strong urge to read to the people of the UK. Perhaps the smog particles were carrying literary inspiration, or maybe the haze acted as a catalyst for book club formation. As implausible as it sounds, it's not entirely far-fetched to imagine a world where dirty air in one part of the globe leads to a surge in library card applications across the pond. After all, stranger things have happened in the wonderfully bizarre world of correlations!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In Santa Rosa, California, a thick haze of air pollution hangs over the city, casting a grey pall over the landscape. Meanwhile, in the UK, public libraries bustle with activity as individuals eagerly sign up for library memberships, their faces illuminated by the warm light of reading lamps.

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: [ Concept art ] and depicting this scene: In Santa Rosa, California, a thick haze of air pollution hangs over the city, casting a grey pall over the landscape. Meanwhile, in the UK, public libraries bustle with activity as individuals eagerly sign up for library memberships, their faces illuminated by the warm light of reading lamps. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: [ Concept art ] In Santa Rosa, California, a thick haze of air pollution hangs over the city, casting a grey pall over the landscape. The skyline is shrouded in a smoky atmosphere, and silhouettes of buildings fade into the murky air. In contrast, across the globe in the UK, public libraries bustle with activity. Individuals are seen eagerly signing up for library memberships, their faces illuminated by the warm, inviting glow of reading lamps. The scene captures the stark dichotomy between the polluted urban environment and the welcoming sanctuary of a library, as portrayed through DALLE-3's unique visual interpretation.

*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 Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California caused Number of Public Library Members in the UK to increase.\Make it sound serious until the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

The Air We Breathe: A Novel Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Santa Rosa and the Number of Public Library Members in the UK

Journal of Ecological Quirks and Connections

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 Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California and Number of Public Library Members in the UK. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, 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 name a few real TV shows that sound like they might be relevant to the topic that you watched as research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Air We Breathe: A Novel Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Santa Rosa and the Number of Public Library Members in the UK

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this groundbreaking study, we delve into the often overlooked, yet surprisingly whimsical, connection between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Statista, our research team embarked on a quest to unravel the enigmatic relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Despite the initial skepticism from our peers, our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8153242 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 2003 to 2014. The results were as startling as they were intriguing, prompting a wave of introspection and amusement among our team members.

While the implications of our findings may seem nebulous at first glance, we are confident that this study will pique the curiosity of scholars and enthusiasts alike. Our exploration transcends the mundane and ventures into the realm of curiosity, reminding us that even the most unlikely pairings can yield intriguing insights. So, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the curious world of air pollution and public library memberships – there's more to this tale than meets the eye.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
INTRODUCTION
The study of environmental impacts on human behavior has long been an intriguing field, encompassing a wide array of interconnected elements. From the psychological effects of climate change to the influence of urban green spaces on community well-being, researchers have tirelessly sought to unravel the complex web of relationships between our surroundings and our societal dynamics.
In this vein, our research delves into an unexpected and somewhat whimsical juxtaposition – the connection between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. While this may seem like an improbable pairing at first glance, we were driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore whether these seemingly discrete phenomena might intersect in unexpected ways.
As the adage goes, "When one door closes, another opens." Similarly, when one window fogs up due to air pollution, perhaps another book is opened, beckoning a curious reader in a distant land. Our quest to delve into this uncharted territory led us to navigate through a labyrinth of data, statistical analyses, and a healthy dose of playful inquiry.
The pursuit of this research endeavor saw us wading through the murky realm of air quality indices, census data on library memberships, and a rather eclectic mix of scholarly literature. There were moments where we found ourselves straining to see through the smog of skepticism, but we pressed on, guided by an unwavering determination to uncover any potential threads linking these disparate elements.
Our intrepid journey eventually led us to a fascinating revelation – a surprising correlation between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK. It was as if Mother Nature herself had left a trail of breadcrumbs for us to follow, leading to an unexpected cross-continental connection that left us both astounded and amused.
The striking correlation coefficient of 0.8153242 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2003 to 2014 served as a beacon of validation, affirming that our pursuit of this elusive link was not in vain. The days of puzzling over astronomical levels of nitrogen dioxide and the circulation numbers of library books finally culminated in a eureka moment, celebrating the unanticipated dance of air molecules and library cards across oceans and continents.
Despite the initial befuddlement and raised eyebrows from some of our academic peers, we remained undeterred in our commitment to shed light on this curious conjunction. Our findings beckon researchers, enthusiasts, and inquisitive minds to embark on a journey that transcends conventional boundaries, guiding them into a realm where the whimsical intertwines with the empirical.
As we unfold the chapters of our study, let us embrace the unexpected and relish the uncharted territories where the interplay of air pollution and library memberships leads to a thought-provoking narrative. After all, the air we breathe might hold more than just oxygen and pollutants – it may also carry subtle whispers of influence that extend across continents and cultures, as unpredictable as the plot twists in a captivating novel.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

In "Smith et al." the authors find that air pollution can have detrimental effects on human health, leading to respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular diseases. These findings underscore the critical need for understanding the impact of air quality on the well-being of individuals, as well as the broader societal implications. Similarly, "Doe and Jones" highlight the significance of public libraries in promoting literacy, education, and knowledge dissemination within communities. They emphasize the integral role of public libraries as hubs for learning and cultural exchange, nurturing a sense of curiosity and intellectual engagement among their members.

In "Air Pollution and Its Effects on Human Health," the authors delve into the intricate mechanisms through which air pollutants, such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, can infiltrate the respiratory system, eliciting a cascade of inflammatory responses. Meanwhile, "The Power of Public Libraries" celebrates the transformative influence of these institutions, portraying them as bastions of enlightenment amid the sea of information.

Moving beyond the scholarly realm, non-fiction works such as "The Air We Breathe" by Andrea Barrett and "The Library Book" by Susan Orlean offer captivating insights into the intersections of environmental factors and literary havens. Barrett's poignant exploration of historical events intertwined with air pollution narratives provides a thought-provoking backdrop for our study, while Orlean's immersive account of the Los Angeles Public Library invites readers to contemplate the cultural significance of these communal spaces.

Venturing into the realm of fiction, novels like "Breath" by Tim Winton and "The Library at Mount Char" by Scott Hawkins weave imaginative tales that beckon us to contemplate the mysteries hidden within the air we inhale and the books we peruse. Their narratives are not only captivating but also serve as delightful departures from the rigors of empirical research, offering a whimsical respite amidst our scholarly endeavors.

In our quest for unconventional inspiration, we also found ourselves drawn to television shows that, at first glance, may seem unrelated to our research. However, shows such as "The Great British Baking Show" and "Stranger Things" inadvertently shed light on the delightful confluence of diverse interests and the unforeseen connections that arise in seemingly disparate pursuits. While we admit to indulging in these programs for leisure, we cannot discount the serendipitous sparks of creativity and lateral thinking they ignited during our research process.

As we navigate through this amalgamation of literature and pop culture, we are reminded that the pursuit of knowledge is not confined to the confines of academic discourse. Occasionally, the meandering paths of entertainment and storytelling can intersect with the serious business of research, yielding unexpected revelations and a sprinkle of amusement along the way.

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 Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California and Number of Public Library Members in the UK. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and Statista . You used data from 2003 to 2014

Make up the research methods you don't know. Make them a bit goofy and convoluted.

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Air We Breathe: A Novel Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Santa Rosa and the Number of Public Library Members in the UK

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this groundbreaking study, we delve into the often overlooked, yet surprisingly whimsical, connection between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Statista, our research team embarked on a quest to unravel the enigmatic relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Despite the initial skepticism from our peers, our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8153242 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 2003 to 2014. The results were as startling as they were intriguing, prompting a wave of introspection and amusement among our team members.

While the implications of our findings may seem nebulous at first glance, we are confident that this study will pique the curiosity of scholars and enthusiasts alike. Our exploration transcends the mundane and ventures into the realm of curiosity, reminding us that even the most unlikely pairings can yield intriguing insights. So, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the curious world of air pollution and public library memberships – there's more to this tale than meets the eye.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
INTRODUCTION
The study of environmental impacts on human behavior has long been an intriguing field, encompassing a wide array of interconnected elements. From the psychological effects of climate change to the influence of urban green spaces on community well-being, researchers have tirelessly sought to unravel the complex web of relationships between our surroundings and our societal dynamics.
In this vein, our research delves into an unexpected and somewhat whimsical juxtaposition – the connection between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. While this may seem like an improbable pairing at first glance, we were driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore whether these seemingly discrete phenomena might intersect in unexpected ways.
As the adage goes, "When one door closes, another opens." Similarly, when one window fogs up due to air pollution, perhaps another book is opened, beckoning a curious reader in a distant land. Our quest to delve into this uncharted territory led us to navigate through a labyrinth of data, statistical analyses, and a healthy dose of playful inquiry.
The pursuit of this research endeavor saw us wading through the murky realm of air quality indices, census data on library memberships, and a rather eclectic mix of scholarly literature. There were moments where we found ourselves straining to see through the smog of skepticism, but we pressed on, guided by an unwavering determination to uncover any potential threads linking these disparate elements.
Our intrepid journey eventually led us to a fascinating revelation – a surprising correlation between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK. It was as if Mother Nature herself had left a trail of breadcrumbs for us to follow, leading to an unexpected cross-continental connection that left us both astounded and amused.
The striking correlation coefficient of 0.8153242 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2003 to 2014 served as a beacon of validation, affirming that our pursuit of this elusive link was not in vain. The days of puzzling over astronomical levels of nitrogen dioxide and the circulation numbers of library books finally culminated in a eureka moment, celebrating the unanticipated dance of air molecules and library cards across oceans and continents.
Despite the initial befuddlement and raised eyebrows from some of our academic peers, we remained undeterred in our commitment to shed light on this curious conjunction. Our findings beckon researchers, enthusiasts, and inquisitive minds to embark on a journey that transcends conventional boundaries, guiding them into a realm where the whimsical intertwines with the empirical.
As we unfold the chapters of our study, let us embrace the unexpected and relish the uncharted territories where the interplay of air pollution and library memberships leads to a thought-provoking narrative. After all, the air we breathe might hold more than just oxygen and pollutants – it may also carry subtle whispers of influence that extend across continents and cultures, as unpredictable as the plot twists in a captivating novel.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

Sample Selection and Data Collection

The pursuit of unraveling the enigmatic connection between air pollution in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom required a multifaceted approach. We first obtained air quality data for Santa Rosa from the distinguished custodians of environmental information, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Delving into the depths of online repositories akin to excavating dusty tomes in a forgotten library, we meticulously extracted air quality indices for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) concentrations from 2003 to 2014. These pollutants became our protagonists in this scientific saga, each with its own unique traits and tendencies, much like characters in an epic tale.

Concurrently, we embarked on a virtual odyssey to compile data on public library memberships in the United Kingdom. Statista, our digital oracle of statistical wisdom, provided us with a trove of census data on the number of library members, capturing the essence of bibliophilic engagement across the UK. While navigating through this digital labyrinth, we couldn't help but marvel at the sheer diversity of readers, each turning the pages of their own unique narrative and potentially influenced by the ethereal whispers of distant air pollution.

Data Analysis and Statistical Wizardry

Armed with our treasure trove of data, we set sail upon the tempestuous sea of statistical analysis. Our journey through this analytical landscape was akin to navigating uncharted waters, occasionally encountering rogue waves of outlier data points and the occasional statistical sea monster. Through a rigorous process of data cleaning and transformation, we tamed the unruly data into a format suitable for our quest for correlation.

To gauge the relationship between air pollution in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK, we employed the formidable tools of correlation analysis. With bated breath and fingers poised over the keyboard, we unveiled the mysteries hidden within the data. The Pearson correlation coefficient emerged as our trusted guide, leading us through the labyrinth of statistical significance and revealing the degree of association between these seemingly disparate phenomena.

Time-Traveling with Temporal Analysis

The temporal dimension of our study demanded a nuanced approach, akin to traversing through time itself. We harnessed the power of temporal analysis to discern how the fluctuations in air pollution levels might influence the ebb and flow of public library memberships across the years. Similar to intrepid time travelers, we meticulously traced the arcs of air quality indices and library membership figures over the temporal expanse from 2003 to 2014, seeking to decipher any temporal patterns or synchronicities that might emerge from this chronal dance.

Factor Extrication and Thin-Air Modeling

In our endeavor to distill the essence of this entwined narrative, we undertook an intricate process of factor analysis. Within this analytical crucible, we endeavored to disentangle the complex web of factors that might underpin the relationship between air pollution in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK. Like alchemists pursuing the fabled philosopher's stone, we sought to uncover the latent variables that might shape this curiously connected tale.

Furthermore, we ventured into the rarefied atmosphere of thin-air modeling, a fitting metaphor given our fascination with air quality. This modeling endeavor aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms through which air pollution levels might exert an influence on the bibliophilic inclinations of individuals across the Atlantic. Our efforts to construct this model were multifaceted and, at times, ethereal, much like attempting to capture gossamer strands of influence wafting through the ether.

In summary, our methodology encompassed a blend of statistical acumen, temporal dexterity, and factor extraction akin to unriddling an ancient enigma. The confluence of data collection, analysis, and modeling imbued our pursuit of this quirky correlation with a sense of scholarly whimsy, reminding us that even amidst the rigors of research, a playful spirit of inquiry can still thrive.

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 Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California and Number of Public Library Members in the UK. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and Statista .

For the time period 2003 to 2014, you found a correlation 0.8153242, r-squared of 0.6647535, and p < 0.01.

One figure will be included. The figure (Fig. 1) is a scatterplot showing the strong correlation between the two variables. You don't need to specify where; I will add the figure.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The Air We Breathe: A Novel Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Santa Rosa and the Number of Public Library Members in the UK

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this groundbreaking study, we delve into the often overlooked, yet surprisingly whimsical, connection between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Statista, our research team embarked on a quest to unravel the enigmatic relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Despite the initial skepticism from our peers, our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8153242 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 2003 to 2014. The results were as startling as they were intriguing, prompting a wave of introspection and amusement among our team members.

While the implications of our findings may seem nebulous at first glance, we are confident that this study will pique the curiosity of scholars and enthusiasts alike. Our exploration transcends the mundane and ventures into the realm of curiosity, reminding us that even the most unlikely pairings can yield intriguing insights. So, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the curious world of air pollution and public library memberships – there's more to this tale than meets the eye.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
INTRODUCTION
The study of environmental impacts on human behavior has long been an intriguing field, encompassing a wide array of interconnected elements. From the psychological effects of climate change to the influence of urban green spaces on community well-being, researchers have tirelessly sought to unravel the complex web of relationships between our surroundings and our societal dynamics.
In this vein, our research delves into an unexpected and somewhat whimsical juxtaposition – the connection between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. While this may seem like an improbable pairing at first glance, we were driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore whether these seemingly discrete phenomena might intersect in unexpected ways.
As the adage goes, "When one door closes, another opens." Similarly, when one window fogs up due to air pollution, perhaps another book is opened, beckoning a curious reader in a distant land. Our quest to delve into this uncharted territory led us to navigate through a labyrinth of data, statistical analyses, and a healthy dose of playful inquiry.
The pursuit of this research endeavor saw us wading through the murky realm of air quality indices, census data on library memberships, and a rather eclectic mix of scholarly literature. There were moments where we found ourselves straining to see through the smog of skepticism, but we pressed on, guided by an unwavering determination to uncover any potential threads linking these disparate elements.
Our intrepid journey eventually led us to a fascinating revelation – a surprising correlation between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK. It was as if Mother Nature herself had left a trail of breadcrumbs for us to follow, leading to an unexpected cross-continental connection that left us both astounded and amused.
The striking correlation coefficient of 0.8153242 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2003 to 2014 served as a beacon of validation, affirming that our pursuit of this elusive link was not in vain. The days of puzzling over astronomical levels of nitrogen dioxide and the circulation numbers of library books finally culminated in a eureka moment, celebrating the unanticipated dance of air molecules and library cards across oceans and continents.
Despite the initial befuddlement and raised eyebrows from some of our academic peers, we remained undeterred in our commitment to shed light on this curious conjunction. Our findings beckon researchers, enthusiasts, and inquisitive minds to embark on a journey that transcends conventional boundaries, guiding them into a realm where the whimsical intertwines with the empirical.
As we unfold the chapters of our study, let us embrace the unexpected and relish the uncharted territories where the interplay of air pollution and library memberships leads to a thought-provoking narrative. After all, the air we breathe might hold more than just oxygen and pollutants – it may also carry subtle whispers of influence that extend across continents and cultures, as unpredictable as the plot twists in a captivating novel.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]

ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

Our analysis of the data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Statista revealed a surprising correlation between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. The calculated correlation coefficient was 0.8153242, with an r-squared value of 0.6647535, and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 2003 to 2014.

The relationship between air pollution in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK is graphically depicted in Figure 1. The scatterplot in Figure 1 visually represents the strong correlation we observed, demonstrating the whimsical yet compelling connection between these seemingly unrelated variables. One might even say that the plot thickens as air quality impacts bookworm populations across the pond.

These results were as startling as they were intriguing, prompting a wave of introspection and amusement among our research team. We couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected dance of air molecules and library cards, highlighting the peculiar interconnectedness of our world. It felt like peering into a choose-your-own-adventure book, with each pollutant particle and library membership card revealing a new, unexpected twist.

While the implications of our findings may seem nebulous at first glance, we are confident that this study will pique the curiosity of scholars and enthusiasts alike. The correlation we uncovered between air pollution in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK serves as a reminder that even the most eccentric relationships can yield thought-provoking insights. So, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the curious world of air pollution and public library memberships – there's more to this tale than meets the eye.

That's the snazzy scoop on our unexpectedly entwined variables. It’s almost like the air pollution particles and library cards are secretly exchanging notes!

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 Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California and Number of Public Library Members in the UK. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
The Air We Breathe: A Novel Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Santa Rosa and the Number of Public Library Members in the UK

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this groundbreaking study, we delve into the often overlooked, yet surprisingly whimsical, connection between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Statista, our research team embarked on a quest to unravel the enigmatic relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Despite the initial skepticism from our peers, our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8153242 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 2003 to 2014. The results were as startling as they were intriguing, prompting a wave of introspection and amusement among our team members.

While the implications of our findings may seem nebulous at first glance, we are confident that this study will pique the curiosity of scholars and enthusiasts alike. Our exploration transcends the mundane and ventures into the realm of curiosity, reminding us that even the most unlikely pairings can yield intriguing insights. So, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the curious world of air pollution and public library memberships – there's more to this tale than meets the eye.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
In "Smith et al." the authors find that air pollution can have detrimental effects on human health, leading to respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular diseases. These findings underscore the critical need for understanding the impact of air quality on the well-being of individuals, as well as the broader societal implications. Similarly, "Doe and Jones" highlight the significance of public libraries in promoting literacy, education, and knowledge dissemination within communities. They emphasize the integral role of public libraries as hubs for learning and cultural exchange, nurturing a sense of curiosity and intellectual engagement among their members.
In "Air Pollution and Its Effects on Human Health," the authors delve into the intricate mechanisms through which air pollutants, such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, can infiltrate the respiratory system, eliciting a cascade of inflammatory responses. Meanwhile, "The Power of Public Libraries" celebrates the transformative influence of these institutions, portraying them as bastions of enlightenment amid the sea of information.
Moving beyond the scholarly realm, non-fiction works such as "The Air We Breathe" by Andrea Barrett and "The Library Book" by Susan Orlean offer captivating insights into the intersections of environmental factors and literary havens. Barrett's poignant exploration of historical events intertwined with air pollution narratives provides a thought-provoking backdrop for our study, while Orlean's immersive account of the Los Angeles Public Library invites readers to contemplate the cultural significance of these communal spaces.
Venturing into the realm of fiction, novels like "Breath" by Tim Winton and "The Library at Mount Char" by Scott Hawkins weave imaginative tales that beckon us to contemplate the mysteries hidden within the air we inhale and the books we peruse. Their narratives are not only captivating but also serve as delightful departures from the rigors of empirical research, offering a whimsical respite amidst our scholarly endeavors.
In our quest for unconventional inspiration, we also found ourselves drawn to television shows that, at first glance, may seem unrelated to our research. However, shows such as "The Great British Baking Show" and "Stranger Things" inadvertently shed light on the delightful confluence of diverse interests and the unforeseen connections that arise in seemingly disparate pursuits. While we admit to indulging in these programs for leisure, we cannot discount the serendipitous sparks of creativity and lateral thinking they ignited during our research process.
As we navigate through this amalgamation of literature and pop culture, we are reminded that the pursuit of knowledge is not confined to the confines of academic discourse. Occasionally, the meandering paths of entertainment and storytelling can intersect with the serious business of research, yielding unexpected revelations and a sprinkle of amusement along the way.

[[RESULTS]]
Our analysis of the data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Statista revealed a surprising correlation between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. The calculated correlation coefficient was 0.8153242, with an r-squared value of 0.6647535, and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 2003 to 2014.
The relationship between air pollution in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK is graphically depicted in Figure 1. The scatterplot in Figure 1 visually represents the strong correlation we observed, demonstrating the whimsical yet compelling connection between these seemingly unrelated variables. One might even say that the plot thickens as air quality impacts bookworm populations across the pond.
These results were as startling as they were intriguing, prompting a wave of introspection and amusement among our research team. We couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected dance of air molecules and library cards, highlighting the peculiar interconnectedness of our world. It felt like peering into a choose-your-own-adventure book, with each pollutant particle and library membership card revealing a new, unexpected twist.
While the implications of our findings may seem nebulous at first glance, we are confident that this study will pique the curiosity of scholars and enthusiasts alike. The correlation we uncovered between air pollution in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK serves as a reminder that even the most eccentric relationships can yield thought-provoking insights. So, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the curious world of air pollution and public library memberships – there's more to this tale than meets the eye.
That's the snazzy scoop on our unexpectedly entwined variables. It’s almost like the air pollution particles and library cards are secretly exchanging notes!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The unearthing of a robust correlation between air pollution in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom is nothing short of astounding. Our findings not only corroborate previous research emphasizing the detrimental impact of air pollution on human health but also shed light on the uncharted territory of air quality's influence on global literary engagement.

Harkening back to the whimsical items in the literature review, our results underscore the unlikely but compelling connection between air molecules and library cards, echoing the sentiments set forth by Barrett and Orlean's compelling narratives. The unexpected dance of pollutants and page-turners manifests in our observed correlation coefficient, graphically depicted in Figure 1, serving as a visual testament to the entwined fate of air quality and bibliophilic tendencies.

Our study vividly illustrates the breadth of interdisciplinary insights that can arise from seemingly unrelated phenomena. The air we breathe in Santa Rosa, pulsating with compositions of various pollutants, subtly whispers of its transformative effects on the literary pursuits of individuals across the English Channel. Pondering the implications of this correlation prompts a sense of awe akin to stumbling upon a hidden passageway in an enchanted library, where each turn of the page reveals an unexpected twist.

In essence, our research transcends the mundane and ventures into a realm of curiosity and serendipity. It invites scholars and enthusiasts alike to contemplate the captivating intersections of environmental factors and cultural phenomena, reminding us that even the most unconventional relationships harbor profound implications. Delving into the unraveled threads of air pollution and library memberships, one cannot help but wonder if the air pollution particles and library cards are secretly exchanging notes, weaving a narrative as whimsical as it is thought-provoking.

Our study serves as a testament to the boundless potential of scholarly exploration, demonstrating that the pursuit of knowledge is not a linear journey but rather a delightful, meandering odyssey that invites unexpected revelations and a hint of amusement along the way. With the fragrance of scholarly curiosity lingering in the air, we are poised to unravel further mysteries that transcend the boundaries of conventional research, beckoning fellow scholars to immerse themselves in the enigmatic world of whimsical correlations and scholarly whimsy.

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 Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California and Number of Public Library Members in the UK. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
The Air We Breathe: A Novel Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Santa Rosa and the Number of Public Library Members in the UK

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this groundbreaking study, we delve into the often overlooked, yet surprisingly whimsical, connection between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Statista, our research team embarked on a quest to unravel the enigmatic relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Despite the initial skepticism from our peers, our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8153242 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 2003 to 2014. The results were as startling as they were intriguing, prompting a wave of introspection and amusement among our team members.

While the implications of our findings may seem nebulous at first glance, we are confident that this study will pique the curiosity of scholars and enthusiasts alike. Our exploration transcends the mundane and ventures into the realm of curiosity, reminding us that even the most unlikely pairings can yield intriguing insights. So, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the curious world of air pollution and public library memberships – there's more to this tale than meets the eye.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
INTRODUCTION
The study of environmental impacts on human behavior has long been an intriguing field, encompassing a wide array of interconnected elements. From the psychological effects of climate change to the influence of urban green spaces on community well-being, researchers have tirelessly sought to unravel the complex web of relationships between our surroundings and our societal dynamics.
In this vein, our research delves into an unexpected and somewhat whimsical juxtaposition – the connection between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. While this may seem like an improbable pairing at first glance, we were driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore whether these seemingly discrete phenomena might intersect in unexpected ways.
As the adage goes, "When one door closes, another opens." Similarly, when one window fogs up due to air pollution, perhaps another book is opened, beckoning a curious reader in a distant land. Our quest to delve into this uncharted territory led us to navigate through a labyrinth of data, statistical analyses, and a healthy dose of playful inquiry.
The pursuit of this research endeavor saw us wading through the murky realm of air quality indices, census data on library memberships, and a rather eclectic mix of scholarly literature. There were moments where we found ourselves straining to see through the smog of skepticism, but we pressed on, guided by an unwavering determination to uncover any potential threads linking these disparate elements.
Our intrepid journey eventually led us to a fascinating revelation – a surprising correlation between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK. It was as if Mother Nature herself had left a trail of breadcrumbs for us to follow, leading to an unexpected cross-continental connection that left us both astounded and amused.
The striking correlation coefficient of 0.8153242 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2003 to 2014 served as a beacon of validation, affirming that our pursuit of this elusive link was not in vain. The days of puzzling over astronomical levels of nitrogen dioxide and the circulation numbers of library books finally culminated in a eureka moment, celebrating the unanticipated dance of air molecules and library cards across oceans and continents.
Despite the initial befuddlement and raised eyebrows from some of our academic peers, we remained undeterred in our commitment to shed light on this curious conjunction. Our findings beckon researchers, enthusiasts, and inquisitive minds to embark on a journey that transcends conventional boundaries, guiding them into a realm where the whimsical intertwines with the empirical.
As we unfold the chapters of our study, let us embrace the unexpected and relish the uncharted territories where the interplay of air pollution and library memberships leads to a thought-provoking narrative. After all, the air we breathe might hold more than just oxygen and pollutants – it may also carry subtle whispers of influence that extend across continents and cultures, as unpredictable as the plot twists in a captivating novel.

[[RESULTS]]
Our analysis of the data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Statista revealed a surprising correlation between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. The calculated correlation coefficient was 0.8153242, with an r-squared value of 0.6647535, and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 2003 to 2014.
The relationship between air pollution in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK is graphically depicted in Figure 1. The scatterplot in Figure 1 visually represents the strong correlation we observed, demonstrating the whimsical yet compelling connection between these seemingly unrelated variables. One might even say that the plot thickens as air quality impacts bookworm populations across the pond.
These results were as startling as they were intriguing, prompting a wave of introspection and amusement among our research team. We couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected dance of air molecules and library cards, highlighting the peculiar interconnectedness of our world. It felt like peering into a choose-your-own-adventure book, with each pollutant particle and library membership card revealing a new, unexpected twist.
While the implications of our findings may seem nebulous at first glance, we are confident that this study will pique the curiosity of scholars and enthusiasts alike. The correlation we uncovered between air pollution in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK serves as a reminder that even the most eccentric relationships can yield thought-provoking insights. So, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the curious world of air pollution and public library memberships – there's more to this tale than meets the eye.
That's the snazzy scoop on our unexpectedly entwined variables. It’s almost like the air pollution particles and library cards are secretly exchanging notes!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]
In conclusion, our study has ventured into the uncharted territory of exploring the connection between air pollution in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. The remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.8153242, coupled with a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period from 2003 to 2014, has undoubtedly raised some eyebrows – much like a surprise plot twist in a mystery novel.

The visually striking correlation depicted in Figure 1 serves as a testament to the unexpected dance of air molecules and library cards, reminding us that even the most seemingly unrelated variables can join forces in curious ways. It's as though the air pollution particles and library cards are secretly exchanging notes, weaving a narrative that transcends geographical boundaries and conventional logic. Who knew that the air we breathe and the books we read could be connected in such a peculiar fashion?

As we draw the final page on this chapter, it is evident that the relationship between air pollution in Santa Rosa and the number of public library members in the UK merits further exploration and whimsical contemplation. However, for the time being, it seems that our findings have illuminated a fascinating intersection between environmental factors and cultural phenomena, inviting scholars and enthusiasts to delve into this enigmatic confluence with a sense of playful curiosity.

In the grand scheme of academic pursuits, it's undoubtedly an unexpected tale to tell – one that beckons us to embrace the unpredictable, revel in the whimsical, and perhaps even breathe a little easier knowing that there's more to the air we breathe and the libraries we frequent than meets the eye. So, with a nod to the peculiar intricacies of our world, we assert that no more research is needed in this area. After all, some mysteries are best left to unfold in the whimsical narratives of the natural and cultural worlds.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of academic journals. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding research, scientific, or academic journal that would publish a paper entited The Air We Breathe: A Novel Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Santa Rosa and the Number of Public Library Members in the UK. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Ecological Quirks and Connections

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited The Air We Breathe: A Novel Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Santa Rosa and the Number of Public Library Members in the UK. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Symbiotic Environmental Analysis (SSEA)

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled The Air We Breathe: A Novel Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Santa Rosa and the Number of Public Library Members in the UK with an abstract of In this groundbreaking study, we delve into the often overlooked, yet surprisingly whimsical, connection between air pollution levels in Santa Rosa, California, and the number of public library members in the United Kingdom. Leveraging data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Statista, our research team embarked on a quest to unravel the enigmatic relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.
Despite the initial skepticism from our peers, our analysis revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.8153242 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 2003 to 2014. The results were as startling as they were intriguing, prompting a wave of introspection and amusement among our team members.
While the implications of our findings may seem nebulous at first glance, we are confident that this study will pique the curiosity of scholars and enthusiasts alike. Our exploration transcends the mundane and ventures into the realm of curiosity, reminding us that even the most unlikely pairings can yield intriguing insights. So, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the curious world of air pollution and public library memberships – there's more to this tale than meets the eye.

ChatGPT:

air pollution, Santa Rosa, California, public library members, United Kingdom, correlation coefficient, Environmental Protection Agency, Statista, research study

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

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Data details

Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California
Detailed data title: Percentage of days with moderate or worse air quality in Santa Rosa, CA
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California

Number of Public Library Members in the UK
Source: Statista
See what else correlates with Number of Public Library Members in the UK

Correlation r = 0.8153242 (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 = 0.6647535 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 66.5% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Number of Public Library Members in the UK) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California) over the 12 years from 2003 through 2014.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 0.0012.^Show 0.0012294984740601160000000000
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 0.12% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 813 random variables^Note Which I absolutely did.
with the same 11 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 11 because we have two variables measured over a period of 12 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.

[ 0.45, 0.95 ] 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
Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California (Bad air quality days)	9.58904	8.19672	5.75342	6.84932	9.0411	8.46994	13.4247	13.1507	19.4521	16.3934	20.274	13.9726
Number of Public Library Members in the UK (Members)	59230000	59570000	59860000	60210000	60590000	60970000	61380000	61790000	62260000	63220000	63700000	64100000

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([9.58904,8.19672,5.75342,6.84932,9.0411,8.46994,13.4247,13.1507,19.4521,16.3934,20.274,13.9726,])
array_2 = np.array([59230000,59570000,59860000,60210000,60590000,60970000,61380000,61790000,62260000,63220000,63700000,64100000,])
array_1_name = "Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California"
array_2_name = "Number of Public Library Members in the UK"

# 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 Air pollution in Santa Rosa, California
Line chart for only Number of Public Library Members in the UK
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: The Air We Breathe: A Novel Study on the Relationship Between Air Pollution in Santa Rosa and the Number of Public Library Members in the UK

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Correlation ID: 4979 · Black Variable ID: 21240 · Red Variable ID: 468


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