Spurious correlation #5,043 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Votes for Republican Senators in Nevada and the second variable is UFO sightings in Nevada. The chart goes from 1976 to 2018, 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 Votes for Republican Senators in Nevada and the second variable is UFO sightings in Nevada. The chart goes from 1976 to 2018, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

The surge in Republican votes created a 'right'ward shift in the state, leading to more conservative policies. This in turn prompted the aliens to think, "Nevada is now more our 'kind' of place," and they started making more frequent 'right' turns in the sky, causing a significant rise in UFO sightings. It seems like the political atmosphere wasn't the only thing getting 'charged' up in Nevada!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a retro-futuristic desert landscape in Nevada, featuring vibrant purple and turquoise hues characteristic of Vaporwave. In the background, depict a serene night sky with stars, but with the addition of neon-lit UFOs making deliberate 'right' turns, drawing attention to the increase in sightings. Show subtle hints of conservative symbolism, such as a faint glow of red and blue as the political shift influences the otherworldly events. 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: Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings in Nevada. 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: Brutalism Cyberpunk Glitch art Voxel art Vaporwave
ChatGPT: Vaporwave

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 Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings in Nevada, in the following situation: The surge in Republican votes created a 'right'ward shift in the state, leading to more conservative policies. This in turn prompted the aliens to think, "Nevada is now more our 'kind' of place," and they started making more frequent 'right' turns in the sky, causing a significant rise in UFO sightings. It seems like the political atmosphere wasn't the only thing getting 'charged' up in Nevada!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In Nevada, as Republican votes surged, the state took a 'right'ward turn. This shift led to more conservative policies being implemented. The aliens above noticed the change and started making more frequent 'right' turns in the sky, leading to a significant rise in UFO sightings. It seems like the political atmosphere wasn't the only thing getting 'charged' up in Nevada!

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: [ Vaporwave ] and depicting this scene: In Nevada, as Republican votes surged, the state took a 'right'ward turn. This shift led to more conservative policies being implemented. The aliens above noticed the change and started making more frequent 'right' turns in the sky, leading to a significant rise in UFO sightings. It seems like the political atmosphere wasn't the only thing getting 'charged' up in Nevada! Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a retro-futuristic desert landscape in Nevada, featuring vibrant purple and turquoise hues characteristic of Vaporwave. In the background, depict a serene night sky with stars, but with the addition of neon-lit UFOs making deliberate 'right' turns, drawing attention to the increase in sightings. Show subtle hints of conservative symbolism, such as a faint glow of red and blue as the political shift influences the otherworldly events.

*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 Republican votes for Senators in Nevada caused UFO sightings in Nevada to increase. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

The X-Files: Are Republican Votes in Nevada Linked to Nevada UFO Sightings? An Extraterrestrial Electoral Exploration

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Political Science

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 Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings in Nevada. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Perhaps you also got inspiration from some board games that are vaugely related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
The X-Files: Are Republican Votes in Nevada Linked to Nevada UFO Sightings? An Extraterrestrial Electoral Exploration

[[ABSTRACT]]
Recent analyses suggest a possible link between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the frequency of UFO sightings in the same state. Utilizing data from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and the National UFO Reporting Center, we set out to investigate this curious connection with statistical rigor. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9312705 and p < 0.01 for the time period from 1976 to 2018, igniting excitement in the scientific community akin to spotting a UFO in the night sky.

The results of our study raise intriguing questions about potential extraterrestrial influence on political inclinations. While it is tempting to crack a joke about politicians being "out of this world," our research takes a serious look at the implications of these findings. The correlation observed suggests that there could be a common variable, such as Nevada's unique terrain or its proximity to Area 51, that influences both Republican voting patterns and UFO sightings.

In conclusion, this research provides insight into a phenomenon that has long been the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories. Our findings not only offer a fresh perspective on electoral behavior but also prompt us to humorously ponder if politicians and aliens have more in common than meets the eye, perhaps they both have a penchant for probing.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of politics and the unexplained has long been a source of fascination for both conspiracy theorists and armchair observers of the political process. However, the notion of a potential connection between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings in the same state may seem more far-fetched than the idea of a UFO cruising through the Milky Way. Nevertheless, the recent analyses suggesting such a correlation prompted our investigation into this curious and, dare I say, otherworldly phenomenon.
As we delve into the murky waters of electoral behavior and extraterrestrial activity, it's important to maintain a balance between scientific rigor and a healthy dose of skepticism. After all, we don't want to be accused of engaging in "statistical abductions" by drawing spurious connections. And speaking of abductions, did you hear about the guy who claimed he was abducted by aliens? Turns out he was just sleepwalking to the fridge for a late-night snack. But I digress.
Our research is grounded in data sourced from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and the National UFO Reporting Center, ensuring that our investigation is as thorough and methodologically sound as possible. It's a bit like ensuring our spacecraft is equipped with the latest technology before venturing into the unknown – we want to be prepared for any close encounters of the statistical kind.
Before we proceed further, it's prudent to acknowledge the potential skepticism surrounding our research topic. The association between political leanings and UFO sightings may prompt some to raise an eyebrow higher than an alien spacecraft hovering over the desert. However, as scientists, it is our duty to explore the curious and the unexpected, even if it means straying into unconventional territory. And really, who wouldn't be thrilled to uncover a statistical anomaly that's more remarkable than finding a UFO-shaped chip in a bag of snacks?
Our study seeks to shed light on the mystery surrounding this potential correlation, offering a fresh perspective on the nuances of electoral behavior. Stay tuned as we embark on an extraterrestrial electoral exploration that transcends the boundaries of conventional political analysis. After all, where's the fun if we don't occasionally gaze at the stars and wonder if there's more to the political universe than meets the eye?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The notion of a potential link between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the frequency of UFO sightings in the same state may initially evoke skepticism and a raised eyebrow or two. However, the existing literature offers valuable insights into unconventional correlations that may elude initial scrutiny. Smith and Doe's seminal work "Alien Encounters and Electoral Outcomes" delves into the intersection of extraterrestrial phenomena and political behavior, sparking intriguing discussions about the possibility of otherworldly influences on electoral choices. As we navigate through this uncharted terrain of electoral analysis, it's crucial to approach the literature with an open mind and a healthy sense of curiosity. After all, delving into the unknown is like embarking on a UFO hunt; you never know what you might discover.

Jones' comprehensive study "The Politics of the Unknown: A Statistical Analysis" provides a detailed examination of anomalous patterns in electoral behavior, prompting readers to consider the unexplored connections between political inclinations and unexplained phenomena. It's as if we're unraveling the mystery of a UFO sighting – the thrill of the unknown beckons us to explore further, armed with statistical tools and a readiness to embrace the unexpected. Speaking of unexpected, did you hear about the UFO party that was canceled? Apparently, it flew away due to unforeseen circumstances. Now, musings aside, let's delve into literature that may seem tangentially related but offers valuable perspectives on our curious correlation.

"The Nevada Experiment: Unraveling Mysteries in the Desert" by Dr. E.T. Researcher takes a multidisciplinary approach to the enigmatic landscape of Nevada, delving into its political, geographical, and paranormal dimensions. While the title may conjure images of a scientific expedition, rest assured that Dr. Researcher's insights prompt us to consider Nevada's unique context when examining the correlation between Republican voting patterns and UFO sightings. Much like uncovering a hidden message in a crop circle, this literature challenges us to look beyond conventional paradigms and embrace the unconventional. In this pursuit, who knows what unexpected insights we may unearth, like a dad joke that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

Shifting gears slightly, let's consider non-traditional sources of inspiration that offer an offbeat lens through which to view our correlation. "Communion" by Whitley Strieber, a widely acclaimed work of speculative non-fiction, provides a thought-provoking exploration of alien encounters and their potential impact on human consciousness. While this may seem light-years away from conventional political analysis, Strieber's narrative prompts us to ponder the broader implications of intergalactic influences on human affairs. It's a bit like taking a detour through a cosmic wormhole to gain new perspectives on our research topic – unexpected, perhaps, but undeniably intriguing.

Now, turning to the realm of fiction, H.G. Wells' timeless classic "The War of the Worlds" offers a gripping portrayal of extraterrestrial invasion and its repercussions on human society. While we may not be anticipating a Martian incursion in our electoral analysis, Wells' imaginative work serves as a reminder of the enduring allure of otherworldly narratives and their potential to captivate our collective imagination. Parallel to this, "Mars Attacks! The Board Game" tantalizes us with the prospect of interplanetary conflict and diplomacy, albeit in a lighthearted and entertaining context. As we traverse the terrain of alien encounters and electoral trends, these fictional references serve as whimsical interludes, inviting us to approach our research with a sense of wonder and playfulness. After all, what's a foray into the extraterrestrial without a touch of cosmic amusement?

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 Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings in Nevada. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse and National UFO Reporting Center . You used data from 1976 to 2018

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 X-Files: Are Republican Votes in Nevada Linked to Nevada UFO Sightings? An Extraterrestrial Electoral Exploration

[[ABSTRACT]]
Recent analyses suggest a possible link between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the frequency of UFO sightings in the same state. Utilizing data from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and the National UFO Reporting Center, we set out to investigate this curious connection with statistical rigor. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9312705 and p < 0.01 for the time period from 1976 to 2018, igniting excitement in the scientific community akin to spotting a UFO in the night sky.

The results of our study raise intriguing questions about potential extraterrestrial influence on political inclinations. While it is tempting to crack a joke about politicians being "out of this world," our research takes a serious look at the implications of these findings. The correlation observed suggests that there could be a common variable, such as Nevada's unique terrain or its proximity to Area 51, that influences both Republican voting patterns and UFO sightings.

In conclusion, this research provides insight into a phenomenon that has long been the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories. Our findings not only offer a fresh perspective on electoral behavior but also prompt us to humorously ponder if politicians and aliens have more in common than meets the eye, perhaps they both have a penchant for probing.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intersection of politics and the unexplained has long been a source of fascination for both conspiracy theorists and armchair observers of the political process. However, the notion of a potential connection between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings in the same state may seem more far-fetched than the idea of a UFO cruising through the Milky Way. Nevertheless, the recent analyses suggesting such a correlation prompted our investigation into this curious and, dare I say, otherworldly phenomenon.
As we delve into the murky waters of electoral behavior and extraterrestrial activity, it's important to maintain a balance between scientific rigor and a healthy dose of skepticism. After all, we don't want to be accused of engaging in "statistical abductions" by drawing spurious connections. And speaking of abductions, did you hear about the guy who claimed he was abducted by aliens? Turns out he was just sleepwalking to the fridge for a late-night snack. But I digress.
Our research is grounded in data sourced from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and the National UFO Reporting Center, ensuring that our investigation is as thorough and methodologically sound as possible. It's a bit like ensuring our spacecraft is equipped with the latest technology before venturing into the unknown – we want to be prepared for any close encounters of the statistical kind.
Before we proceed further, it's prudent to acknowledge the potential skepticism surrounding our research topic. The association between political leanings and UFO sightings may prompt some to raise an eyebrow higher than an alien spacecraft hovering over the desert. However, as scientists, it is our duty to explore the curious and the unexpected, even if it means straying into unconventional territory. And really, who wouldn't be thrilled to uncover a statistical anomaly that's more remarkable than finding a UFO-shaped chip in a bag of snacks?
Our study seeks to shed light on the mystery surrounding this potential correlation, offering a fresh perspective on the nuances of electoral behavior. Stay tuned as we embark on an extraterrestrial electoral exploration that transcends the boundaries of conventional political analysis. After all, where's the fun if we don't occasionally gaze at the stars and wonder if there's more to the political universe than meets the eye?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To uncover the potential link between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the abundance of UFO sightings in the Silver State, we embarked on a research journey that was certainly no walk in the Area 51 park. Our data sleuthing began with acquiring information from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and the National UFO Reporting Center, which provided us with a data treasure trove spanning the years from 1976 to 2018. It's like conducting a thorough search for extraterrestrial life – we had to sift through mountains of data and not just stardust.

The first step to untangling this cosmic conundrum involved a comprehensive analysis of the Republican votes for Senators in Nevada over the specified timeframe. We employed robust statistical techniques to ensure that our analysis was as sturdy as the hull of a spacecraft hurtling through the unexplored cosmos. We then paired this data with the reports of UFO sightings in Nevada, meticulously cataloging the strange and unexplained occurrences that would make even Mulder and Scully raise an eyebrow.

To assess the potential relationship between these two seemingly disparate phenomena, we employed a correlation analysis that was more intense than a beam of light from a UFO. Our aim was to quantify the degree of association between Republican voting patterns and UFO sightings, a task that required a keen eye for detail and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. You could say that we were searching for correlations that were as conspicuous as a flying saucer over the Nevada desert.

Additionally, we utilized advanced regression models to control for potential confounding variables, ensuring that our findings were as reliable as a Roswell conspiracy theory. By accounting for factors such as population density, economic indicators, and proximity to known military installations, we aimed to pinpoint the unique essence of Nevada's electoral and alien landscapes that could explain the tantalizing correlation at hand.

Finally, in keeping with the spirit of scientific inquiry, we subjected our findings to a battery of sensitivity analyses and robustness checks. We wanted to ensure that our results were as rock-solid as the granite formations surrounding the Area 51 perimeter, leaving no room for doubt or cosmic interference. As we sifted through the statistical intricacies, we remained mindful of the old saying, "The truth is out there," and we were determined to uncover it, even if it meant traversing statistical wormholes in the process.

In clearing the cosmic fog surrounding the potential nexus between Republican votes for Senators and UFO sightings in Nevada, our methodology stood as a beacon of rigorous investigation, proving that even in the most uncharted of territories, the scientific method holds sway. And who knows, we might just uncover a correlation more profound than the gravitational pull of a black hole or a dad joke that's truly out of this world.

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 Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings in Nevada. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
The X-Files: Are Republican Votes in Nevada Linked to Nevada UFO Sightings? An Extraterrestrial Electoral Exploration

[[ABSTRACT]]
Recent analyses suggest a possible link between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the frequency of UFO sightings in the same state. Utilizing data from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and the National UFO Reporting Center, we set out to investigate this curious connection with statistical rigor. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9312705 and p < 0.01 for the time period from 1976 to 2018, igniting excitement in the scientific community akin to spotting a UFO in the night sky.

The results of our study raise intriguing questions about potential extraterrestrial influence on political inclinations. While it is tempting to crack a joke about politicians being "out of this world," our research takes a serious look at the implications of these findings. The correlation observed suggests that there could be a common variable, such as Nevada's unique terrain or its proximity to Area 51, that influences both Republican voting patterns and UFO sightings.

In conclusion, this research provides insight into a phenomenon that has long been the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories. Our findings not only offer a fresh perspective on electoral behavior but also prompt us to humorously ponder if politicians and aliens have more in common than meets the eye, perhaps they both have a penchant for probing.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The notion of a potential link between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the frequency of UFO sightings in the same state may initially evoke skepticism and a raised eyebrow or two. However, the existing literature offers valuable insights into unconventional correlations that may elude initial scrutiny. Smith and Doe's seminal work "Alien Encounters and Electoral Outcomes" delves into the intersection of extraterrestrial phenomena and political behavior, sparking intriguing discussions about the possibility of otherworldly influences on electoral choices. As we navigate through this uncharted terrain of electoral analysis, it's crucial to approach the literature with an open mind and a healthy sense of curiosity. After all, delving into the unknown is like embarking on a UFO hunt; you never know what you might discover.
Jones' comprehensive study "The Politics of the Unknown: A Statistical Analysis" provides a detailed examination of anomalous patterns in electoral behavior, prompting readers to consider the unexplored connections between political inclinations and unexplained phenomena. It's as if we're unraveling the mystery of a UFO sighting – the thrill of the unknown beckons us to explore further, armed with statistical tools and a readiness to embrace the unexpected. Speaking of unexpected, did you hear about the UFO party that was canceled? Apparently, it flew away due to unforeseen circumstances. Now, musings aside, let's delve into literature that may seem tangentially related but offers valuable perspectives on our curious correlation.
"The Nevada Experiment: Unraveling Mysteries in the Desert" by Dr. E.T. Researcher takes a multidisciplinary approach to the enigmatic landscape of Nevada, delving into its political, geographical, and paranormal dimensions. While the title may conjure images of a scientific expedition, rest assured that Dr. Researcher's insights prompt us to consider Nevada's unique context when examining the correlation between Republican voting patterns and UFO sightings. Much like uncovering a hidden message in a crop circle, this literature challenges us to look beyond conventional paradigms and embrace the unconventional. In this pursuit, who knows what unexpected insights we may unearth, like a dad joke that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
Shifting gears slightly, let's consider non-traditional sources of inspiration that offer an offbeat lens through which to view our correlation. "Communion" by Whitley Strieber, a widely acclaimed work of speculative non-fiction, provides a thought-provoking exploration of alien encounters and their potential impact on human consciousness. While this may seem light-years away from conventional political analysis, Strieber's narrative prompts us to ponder the broader implications of intergalactic influences on human affairs. It's a bit like taking a detour through a cosmic wormhole to gain new perspectives on our research topic – unexpected, perhaps, but undeniably intriguing.
Now, turning to the realm of fiction, H.G. Wells' timeless classic "The War of the Worlds" offers a gripping portrayal of extraterrestrial invasion and its repercussions on human society. While we may not be anticipating a Martian incursion in our electoral analysis, Wells' imaginative work serves as a reminder of the enduring allure of otherworldly narratives and their potential to captivate our collective imagination. Parallel to this, "Mars Attacks! The Board Game" tantalizes us with the prospect of interplanetary conflict and diplomacy, albeit in a lighthearted and entertaining context. As we traverse the terrain of alien encounters and electoral trends, these fictional references serve as whimsical interludes, inviting us to approach our research with a sense of wonder and playfulness. After all, what's a foray into the extraterrestrial without a touch of cosmic amusement?

[[RESULTS]]
The data analysis revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9312705 (p < 0.01) between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the frequency of UFO sightings in the same state from 1976 to 2018. It seems that there may indeed be something "out of this world" at play here.
Fig. 1 beautifully illustrates the strong positive correlation between Republican votes for Senators and UFO sightings in Nevada. The plot is so clear, it's almost as if the UFOs themselves came down and etched it into the desert sands.
This correlation suggests that there may be a shared underlying factor driving both phenomena. Perhaps there's a political message hidden in those crop circles after all. It seems the aliens are not just observing from above; they might be influencing the voting booths as well.
The striking r-squared value of 0.8672648 further solidifies the strength of this association, leaving little room for doubt. This correlation is as evident as a flying saucer hovering over the Vegas strip.
In conclusion, our findings suggest a peculiar link between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the enigmatic presence of UFOs. While the extraterrestrial electoral exploration has presented statistically significant results, it leaves us with the question: are Republicans in Nevada truly seeing the stars, or are the stars coming down to visit them?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our study has ventured into uncharted territory, akin to a spacecraft exploring the outer realms of the universe. The striking correlation we observed between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings in the same state from 1976 to 2018 has ignited fervent discussions, much like spotting a UFO in the night sky – a mix of excitement and bewilderment. Our findings not only bolster existing literature but also propel us into a realm of electoral analysis that transcends conventional paradigms. It's as if we've stumbled upon a dad joke that's so unexpected, it leaves you chuckling for days.

Our results echo the sentiments expressed in Smith and Doe's work, "Alien Encounters and Electoral Outcomes," which first piqued the scientific community's interest in the interplay between extraterrestrial phenomena and political behavior. The correlation coefficient of 0.9312705 and the r-squared value of 0.8672648 that we uncovered serve as a resounding validation of the noteworthy intersection between electoral proclivities and UFO sightings, much like discovering an unexpected punchline at the end of a long-winded anecdote. This correlation is so strong; it's as if Roswell's alien crash carefully orchestrated its own PR campaign.

Additionally, the unexpected connection alluded to in Jones' "The Politics of the Unknown: A Statistical Analysis" rings true in our findings, offering a compelling assertion that electoral behavior and unexplained phenomena may indeed share common ground. It's as if the statistical tools we employed in our study acted as a cosmic sieve, sifting through data to unveil an unexpected treasure trove of statistical significance. As the saying goes, when it comes to electoral behavior and UFO sightings, perhaps there's more than meets the third eye.

The remarkably strong correlation we observed prompts us to consider unconventional variables that may underpin this association. Nevada's unique terrain and its proximity to Area 51 could offer plausible explanations for the observed correlation, like a dad joke that makes you pause to reconsider its sheer brilliance. The idea of a political message hidden in crop circles suddenly doesn't seem so far-fetched.

It's essential to acknowledge the limitations of our study, despite its extraterrestrial allure. While our findings point to a tantalizing correlation, causality remains an elusive UFO in the night sky. The age-old question persists: do Republicans in Nevada truly see the stars, or are the stars coming down to visit them? Much like a UFO sighting, our findings leave a trail of curiosity and intrigue, beckoning further exploration into the cosmic dance between electoral behavior and unexplained sightings.

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 Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings in Nevada. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
The X-Files: Are Republican Votes in Nevada Linked to Nevada UFO Sightings? An Extraterrestrial Electoral Exploration

[[ABSTRACT]]
Recent analyses suggest a possible link between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the frequency of UFO sightings in the same state. Utilizing data from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and the National UFO Reporting Center, we set out to investigate this curious connection with statistical rigor. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9312705 and p < 0.01 for the time period from 1976 to 2018, igniting excitement in the scientific community akin to spotting a UFO in the night sky.

The results of our study raise intriguing questions about potential extraterrestrial influence on political inclinations. While it is tempting to crack a joke about politicians being "out of this world," our research takes a serious look at the implications of these findings. The correlation observed suggests that there could be a common variable, such as Nevada's unique terrain or its proximity to Area 51, that influences both Republican voting patterns and UFO sightings.

In conclusion, this research provides insight into a phenomenon that has long been the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories. Our findings not only offer a fresh perspective on electoral behavior but also prompt us to humorously ponder if politicians and aliens have more in common than meets the eye, perhaps they both have a penchant for probing.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The intersection of politics and the unexplained has long been a source of fascination for both conspiracy theorists and armchair observers of the political process. However, the notion of a potential connection between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings in the same state may seem more far-fetched than the idea of a UFO cruising through the Milky Way. Nevertheless, the recent analyses suggesting such a correlation prompted our investigation into this curious and, dare I say, otherworldly phenomenon.
As we delve into the murky waters of electoral behavior and extraterrestrial activity, it's important to maintain a balance between scientific rigor and a healthy dose of skepticism. After all, we don't want to be accused of engaging in "statistical abductions" by drawing spurious connections. And speaking of abductions, did you hear about the guy who claimed he was abducted by aliens? Turns out he was just sleepwalking to the fridge for a late-night snack. But I digress.
Our research is grounded in data sourced from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and the National UFO Reporting Center, ensuring that our investigation is as thorough and methodologically sound as possible. It's a bit like ensuring our spacecraft is equipped with the latest technology before venturing into the unknown – we want to be prepared for any close encounters of the statistical kind.
Before we proceed further, it's prudent to acknowledge the potential skepticism surrounding our research topic. The association between political leanings and UFO sightings may prompt some to raise an eyebrow higher than an alien spacecraft hovering over the desert. However, as scientists, it is our duty to explore the curious and the unexpected, even if it means straying into unconventional territory. And really, who wouldn't be thrilled to uncover a statistical anomaly that's more remarkable than finding a UFO-shaped chip in a bag of snacks?
Our study seeks to shed light on the mystery surrounding this potential correlation, offering a fresh perspective on the nuances of electoral behavior. Stay tuned as we embark on an extraterrestrial electoral exploration that transcends the boundaries of conventional political analysis. After all, where's the fun if we don't occasionally gaze at the stars and wonder if there's more to the political universe than meets the eye?

[[RESULTS]]
The data analysis revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9312705 (p < 0.01) between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the frequency of UFO sightings in the same state from 1976 to 2018. It seems that there may indeed be something "out of this world" at play here.
Fig. 1 beautifully illustrates the strong positive correlation between Republican votes for Senators and UFO sightings in Nevada. The plot is so clear, it's almost as if the UFOs themselves came down and etched it into the desert sands.
This correlation suggests that there may be a shared underlying factor driving both phenomena. Perhaps there's a political message hidden in those crop circles after all. It seems the aliens are not just observing from above; they might be influencing the voting booths as well.
The striking r-squared value of 0.8672648 further solidifies the strength of this association, leaving little room for doubt. This correlation is as evident as a flying saucer hovering over the Vegas strip.
In conclusion, our findings suggest a peculiar link between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the enigmatic presence of UFOs. While the extraterrestrial electoral exploration has presented statistically significant results, it leaves us with the question: are Republicans in Nevada truly seeing the stars, or are the stars coming down to visit them?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

As we wrap up this extraterrestrial electoral exploration, it's clear that the correlation between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and UFO sightings is stronger than the gravitational pull of a black hole. Our findings not only provide statistical evidence but also inject a dose of cosmic curiosity into the world of political science.

Now, about that correlation coefficient of 0.9312705 – it's almost as high as my dad's tolerance for puns, which is to say, it's out of this world! This correlation suggests that there might be something more than just political passion fueling the voting booths in Nevada. Could it be that the aliens are lobbying for their own representatives in the Senate? Talk about wanting representation across the galaxy!

What's more, the r-squared value of 0.8672648 is as conclusive as a UFO sighting captured on camera. The evidence is crystal clear; there's a connection here that's stronger than the force of a Death Star. Or perhaps, as we're in Nevada, we should say stronger than the pull of a slot machine in a casino.

In the end, our research not only raises fascinating questions about the interplay between earthly politics and extraterrestrial activity but also serves as a reminder that in the vast expanse of the universe, anything is possible – including UFOs influencing political behavior. It's almost as mind-boggling as trying to solve a Rubik's Cube in outer space!

To put it simply, our findings imply that there's something about the Nevada air that's causing both Republican votes and UFO sightings to soar. Maybe it's a case of "red, white, and UFO" instead of "red, white, and blue." It's an electrifying discovery that's sure to spark conversations both in scholarly circles and among conspiracy theorists alike.

In conclusion, our research presents compelling evidence of a correlation that's more than just a shot in the dark, it's as real as spotting a shooting star on a clear night. And with that delightful revelation, we can confidently assert that no further research is needed in this area. It's time to close the X-Files on this topic and leave the debate to the experts at Roswell – I mean, in political analysis.

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 X-Files: Are Republican Votes in Nevada Linked to Nevada UFO Sightings? An Extraterrestrial Electoral Exploration. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Extraterrestrial Political Science

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 X-Files: Are Republican Votes in Nevada Linked to Nevada UFO Sightings? An Extraterrestrial Electoral Exploration. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Cosmic Phenomena Research Institute

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 X-Files: Are Republican Votes in Nevada Linked to Nevada UFO Sightings? An Extraterrestrial Electoral Exploration with an abstract of Recent analyses suggest a possible link between Republican votes for Senators in Nevada and the frequency of UFO sightings in the same state. Utilizing data from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and the National UFO Reporting Center, we set out to investigate this curious connection with statistical rigor. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9312705 and p < 0.01 for the time period from 1976 to 2018, igniting excitement in the scientific community akin to spotting a UFO in the night sky.

The results of our study raise intriguing questions about potential extraterrestrial influence on political inclinations. While it is tempting to crack a joke about politicians being "out of this world," our research takes a serious look at the implications of these findings. The correlation observed suggests that there could be a common variable, such as Nevada's unique terrain or its proximity to Area 51, that influences both Republican voting patterns and UFO sightings.

In conclusion, this research provides insight into a phenomenon that has long been the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories. Our findings not only offer a fresh perspective on electoral behavior but also prompt us to humorously ponder if politicians and aliens have more in common than meets the eye, perhaps they both have a penchant for probing.

ChatGPT:

Nevada, Republican votes, UFO sightings, correlation, electoral behavior, MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, National UFO Reporting Center, statistical analysis, correlation coefficient, extraterrestrial influence, Area 51, political inclinations, terrain impact, conspiracy theories, aliens, electoral exploration, scientific findings

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

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Data details

Votes for Republican Senators in Nevada
Detailed data title: Total number of votes cast for Federal Republican Senate candidates in Nevada
Source: MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse
See what else correlates with Votes for Republican Senators in Nevada

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

Correlation r = 0.9312705 (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 = 0.8672648 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 86.7% of the change in the one variable (i.e., UFO sightings in Nevada) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Votes for Republican Senators in Nevada) over the 15 years from 1976 through 2018.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 4.6E-7.^Show 0.0000004598556382770889300000
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 0.93 in 4.6E-5% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 2,174,595 random variables^Note You don't actually need 2 million variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

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

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

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 14 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 14 because we have two variables measured over a period of 15 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.

[ 0.8, 0.98 ] 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.

	1976	1980	1982	1986	1988	1992	1994	1998	2000	2004	2006	2010	2012	2016	2018
Votes for Republican Senators in Nevada (Total votes)	63471	144224	120377	116606	161336	199413	156020	208220	330687	284640	322501	321361	457656	495079	441202
UFO sightings in Nevada (UFO sightings)	2	1	4	2	3	7	8	29	34	46	41	47	84	61	50

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([63471,144224,120377,116606,161336,199413,156020,208220,330687,284640,322501,321361,457656,495079,441202,])
array_2 = np.array([2,1,4,2,3,7,8,29,34,46,41,47,84,61,50,])
array_1_name = "Votes for Republican Senators in Nevada"
array_2_name = "UFO sightings in Nevada"

# 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 Votes for Republican Senators in Nevada
Line chart for only UFO sightings in Nevada
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: The X-Files: Are Republican Votes in Nevada Linked to Nevada UFO Sightings? An Extraterrestrial Electoral Exploration

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Correlation ID: 5043 · Black Variable ID: 26277 · Red Variable ID: 1173


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