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Spurious correlation #5,612 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Alexus and the second variable is Air pollution in Sonora, California.  The chart goes from 1981 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the popularity of the first name Alexus rose, more and more cars were sporting "Alexus" license plate frames, leading to an influx of luxurious SUVs and creating a Lexus convoy to Sonora. This influx of vehicles revved up the air pollution in a race nobody wanted to win. It seems like the name Alexus wasn't just turning heads, but also turning the air quality index up a notch. Who knew a simple name could have such exhaust-ing consequences!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: An image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie, with a street in Sonora, California, dotted with luxurious SUVs bearing "Alexus" license plate frames. The vehicles are depicted driving through the city streets, creating an atmosphere of opulence and growing popularity. Meanwhile, the hazy layer of air pollution, accentuated by the exhaust fumes from the procession, casts a surreal glow over the city, symbolizing the increasing air quality index. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Popularity of the first name Alexus and Air pollution in Sonora, California. 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: inspired by bauhaus An image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie inspired by bauhaus Woodblock painting Scalar art
ChatGPT: An image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Popularity of the first name Alexus and Air pollution in Sonora, California, in the following situation: As the popularity of the first name Alexus rose, more and more cars were sporting "Alexus" license plate frames, leading to an influx of luxurious SUVs and creating a Lexus convoy to Sonora. This influx of vehicles revved up the air pollution in a race nobody wanted to win. It seems like the name Alexus wasn't just turning heads, but also turning the air quality index up a notch. Who knew a simple name could have such exhaust-ing consequences!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In Sonora, California, luxurious SUVs decked out with "Alexus" license plate frames drove through the streets in a procession, showing off the growing popularity of the name Alexus. The vehicles' exhaust fumes now joined the usual air pollution, creating a hazy layer over the city as the air quality index ticked upwards.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ An image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie ] and depicting this scene: In Sonora, California, luxurious SUVs decked out with "Alexus" license plate frames drove through the streets in a procession, showing off the growing popularity of the name Alexus. The vehicles' exhaust fumes now joined the usual air pollution, creating a hazy layer over the city as the air quality index ticked upwards. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: An image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie, with a street in Sonora, California, dotted with luxurious SUVs bearing "Alexus" license plate frames. The vehicles are depicted driving through the city streets, creating an atmosphere of opulence and growing popularity. Meanwhile, the hazy layer of air pollution, accentuated by the exhaust fumes from the procession, casts a surreal glow over the city, symbolizing the increasing air quality index.

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how increases in Popularity of the first name Alexus positively influenced Air pollution in Sonora, California. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California

The Journal of Ecological Nameology

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Alexus and Air pollution in Sonora, California. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Make the title an alliteration.

Your research team used data from US Social Security Administration and Environmental Protection Agency to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 and p < 0.01 for 1981 to 2022.

Please respond in this format (replace "Lorem ipsum dolor sit" with your title and abstract)

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research explores the curious correlation between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, we scrutinized the potential link between the ascent of the name Alexus and the presence of airborne contaminants over the period from 1981 to 2022. We observed a strikingly high correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a palpable relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Our findings prompt contemplation of the possible causative factors behind this intriguing relationship. While one might initially dismiss this as mere coincidence, the notion that air pollution levels could influence naming preferences or vice versa bears acknowledgment. This study not only adds to the current discourse on environmental health and societal trends but also offers an unexpected lens through which to view the interplay between human behavior and environmental conditions.

By shedding light on this unanticipated connection, we hope to spark conversations within both the scientific community and the broader public, challenging conventional assumptions and eliciting thoughtful reflections on the intricate, often whimsical, interactions that shape our environment and our culture.


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 introduction section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Alexus and Air pollution in Sonora, California. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research explores the curious correlation between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, we scrutinized the potential link between the ascent of the name Alexus and the presence of airborne contaminants over the period from 1981 to 2022. We observed a strikingly high correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a palpable relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Our findings prompt contemplation of the possible causative factors behind this intriguing relationship. While one might initially dismiss this as mere coincidence, the notion that air pollution levels could influence naming preferences or vice versa bears acknowledgment. This study not only adds to the current discourse on environmental health and societal trends but also offers an unexpected lens through which to view the interplay between human behavior and environmental conditions.

By shedding light on this unanticipated connection, we hope to spark conversations within both the scientific community and the broader public, challenging conventional assumptions and eliciting thoughtful reflections on the intricate, often whimsical, interactions that shape our environment and our culture.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
**[[INTRODUCTION]]**

Greetings, esteemed readers, academics, and aficionados of delightful research ventures! Welcome to a whimsical exploration into the enigmatic relationship between the proliferation of the first name Alexus and the atmospheric composition of Sonora, California. In this scholarly endeavor, we aim to unravel the gossamer strands that intricately tie the popularity of a name to the invisible tendrils of air pollution, weaving a tale as fanciful as it is academically rigorous.

The fusion of seemingly unrelated disciplines – onomastics and environmental science – has birthed a peculiar offspring, one that raises eyebrows, piques curiosity, and prompts inquisitive minds to ponder the mysteries that swirl amid the California air. Our inquiry traverses the realms of nomenclature and nebulae, seeking the elusive bond between human nomenclature and earthly emissions.

As contemporaries of the venerable Shakespeare might have quipped, "What’s in a name? That which we call Alexus by any other name would smell as sweet… or foul, as the case may be." This research embarks on a journey that leads us not only through the verdant hills of Sonora but also through the vast intellectual landscapes of statistical analysis and sociological interpretation.

With a flair for the unexpected and an unwavering commitment to scholarly rigor, we endeavor to tease out the tangled skeins of correlation and causation between the breath of Sonora and the moniker of Alexus. As we traverse this surreal terrain, we dare to challenge the conventional wisdom that suggests these realms exist in isolation, invoking laughter, surprise, and perhaps even a touch of befuddlement along the way.

Join us, then, as we revel in the dreamlike interplay of air pollution and appellations, examining the tumultuous tango between environmental composition and human designation, and uncovering the kernels of truth that lie concealed within this droll and eccentric nexus. Let us embark on this peculiar pilgrimage with a spirit of mirth and a penchant for audacious inquiry!


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Alexus and Air pollution in Sonora, California. 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 devolve ever further, and mention something completely ridiculous, like you conducted literature review by reading CVS receipts.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research explores the curious correlation between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, we scrutinized the potential link between the ascent of the name Alexus and the presence of airborne contaminants over the period from 1981 to 2022. We observed a strikingly high correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a palpable relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Our findings prompt contemplation of the possible causative factors behind this intriguing relationship. While one might initially dismiss this as mere coincidence, the notion that air pollution levels could influence naming preferences or vice versa bears acknowledgment. This study not only adds to the current discourse on environmental health and societal trends but also offers an unexpected lens through which to view the interplay between human behavior and environmental conditions.

By shedding light on this unanticipated connection, we hope to spark conversations within both the scientific community and the broader public, challenging conventional assumptions and eliciting thoughtful reflections on the intricate, often whimsical, interactions that shape our environment and our culture.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Greetings, esteemed readers, academics, and aficionados of delightful research ventures! Welcome to a whimsical exploration into the enigmatic relationship between the proliferation of the first name Alexus and the atmospheric composition of Sonora, California. In this scholarly endeavor, we aim to unravel the gossamer strands that intricately tie the popularity of a name to the invisible tendrils of air pollution, weaving a tale as fanciful as it is academically rigorous.
The fusion of seemingly unrelated disciplines – onomastics and environmental science – has birthed a peculiar offspring, one that raises eyebrows, piques curiosity, and prompts inquisitive minds to ponder the mysteries that swirl amid the California air. Our inquiry traverses the realms of nomenclature and nebulae, seeking the elusive bond between human nomenclature and earthly emissions.
As contemporaries of the venerable Shakespeare might have quipped, "What’s in a name? That which we call Alexus by any other name would smell as sweet… or foul, as the case may be." This research embarks on a journey that leads us not only through the verdant hills of Sonora but also through the vast intellectual landscapes of statistical analysis and sociological interpretation.
With a flair for the unexpected and an unwavering commitment to scholarly rigor, we endeavor to tease out the tangled skeins of correlation and causation between the breath of Sonora and the moniker of Alexus. As we traverse this surreal terrain, we dare to challenge the conventional wisdom that suggests these realms exist in isolation, invoking laughter, surprise, and perhaps even a touch of befuddlement along the way.
Join us, then, as we revel in the dreamlike interplay of air pollution and appellations, examining the tumultuous tango between environmental composition and human designation, and uncovering the kernels of truth that lie concealed within this droll and eccentric nexus. Let us embark on this peculiar pilgrimage with a spirit of mirth and a penchant for audacious inquiry!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The quest to fathom the unfathomable connection between the ascendancy of the name Alexus and the atmospheric constitution of Sonora, California has spurred a plethora of scholarly inquiries from various disciplines. Smith and Doe (2010) conducted an incisive analysis of naming trends in relation to environmental factors, positing intriguing associations between air quality and the lexical preferences of expectant parents. Similarly, Jones et al. (2015) delved into the societal implications of air pollution, offering a nuanced exploration of its potential influence on cultural phenomena, albeit without specifically delving into naming patterns.

In "Airborne Allure: A Linguistic and Ecological Examination," Travers (2017) straddles the intersection of linguistics and environmental studies, conducting a thorough investigation into the potential effects of pollution on naming conventions. The author provocatively suggests that airborne contaminants might elicit subconscious lexical choices, perhaps leading to an inadvertent prevalence of certain names.

Shifting to the domain of imaginative literature, "The Poisoned Sky Chronicles" by A.V. Storm (2019) presents a fanciful narrative that intertwines the ethereal allure of names with the malevolent miasma of airborne toxins. While a work of fiction, it nonetheless proffers a whimsical pondering of the potential interplay between pollutants and nomenclature, prompting playful musings on the enigmatic dance of human appellations amid environmental phenomena.

Continuing our odyssey into the esoteric, it must be noted that the literature review process unearthed unconventional sources, including but not limited to transient musings on supermarket receipts, overheard conversations at the local coffee shop, and the occasional flight of fancy induced by particularly vivid daydreams. While unconventional, these sources have prompted unexpected insights and moments of unanticipated hilarity, demonstrating the capricious nature of scholarly pursuits.

Thus, this hodgepodge of reputable studies, speculative fiction, and the occasional flight of fancy forms the intriguing backdrop against which our investigation unfolds. It is from this mishmash of scholarly deliberation and whimsical wonderment that we draw inspiration for our own foray into the peculiar fusion of air pollution and the etymology of Alexus.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the methodology section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Alexus and Air pollution in Sonora, California. 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 US Social Security Administration and Environmental Protection Agency . You used data from 1981 to 2022

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

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research explores the curious correlation between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, we scrutinized the potential link between the ascent of the name Alexus and the presence of airborne contaminants over the period from 1981 to 2022. We observed a strikingly high correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a palpable relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Our findings prompt contemplation of the possible causative factors behind this intriguing relationship. While one might initially dismiss this as mere coincidence, the notion that air pollution levels could influence naming preferences or vice versa bears acknowledgment. This study not only adds to the current discourse on environmental health and societal trends but also offers an unexpected lens through which to view the interplay between human behavior and environmental conditions.

By shedding light on this unanticipated connection, we hope to spark conversations within both the scientific community and the broader public, challenging conventional assumptions and eliciting thoughtful reflections on the intricate, often whimsical, interactions that shape our environment and our culture.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Greetings, esteemed readers, academics, and aficionados of delightful research ventures! Welcome to a whimsical exploration into the enigmatic relationship between the proliferation of the first name Alexus and the atmospheric composition of Sonora, California. In this scholarly endeavor, we aim to unravel the gossamer strands that intricately tie the popularity of a name to the invisible tendrils of air pollution, weaving a tale as fanciful as it is academically rigorous.
The fusion of seemingly unrelated disciplines – onomastics and environmental science – has birthed a peculiar offspring, one that raises eyebrows, piques curiosity, and prompts inquisitive minds to ponder the mysteries that swirl amid the California air. Our inquiry traverses the realms of nomenclature and nebulae, seeking the elusive bond between human nomenclature and earthly emissions.
As contemporaries of the venerable Shakespeare might have quipped, "What’s in a name? That which we call Alexus by any other name would smell as sweet… or foul, as the case may be." This research embarks on a journey that leads us not only through the verdant hills of Sonora but also through the vast intellectual landscapes of statistical analysis and sociological interpretation.
With a flair for the unexpected and an unwavering commitment to scholarly rigor, we endeavor to tease out the tangled skeins of correlation and causation between the breath of Sonora and the moniker of Alexus. As we traverse this surreal terrain, we dare to challenge the conventional wisdom that suggests these realms exist in isolation, invoking laughter, surprise, and perhaps even a touch of befuddlement along the way.
Join us, then, as we revel in the dreamlike interplay of air pollution and appellations, examining the tumultuous tango between environmental composition and human designation, and uncovering the kernels of truth that lie concealed within this droll and eccentric nexus. Let us embark on this peculiar pilgrimage with a spirit of mirth and a penchant for audacious inquiry!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To disentangle the whimsical web connecting the burgeoning popularity of the first name Alexus and the ethereal dance of air pollutants in Sonora, California, our research team initiated a methodological carnival befitting the extraordinary nature of our enquiry. We pored over troves of data as diverse and kaleidoscopic as the names themselves, gleaning insights from the annals of the US Social Security Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Our data gymnastics commenced with a rousing performance of name extraction and classification, wherein we employed a delightfully convoluted algorithm that traversed the digital landscapes of birth registries and census records. Through this intricate process, we meticulously tabulated the proliferating instances of the appellation Alexus, akin to archaeologists unearthing ancient relics, albeit with far superior computational prowess.

Simultaneously, our airborne sleuths embarked on a daring quest through the virtual atmospheres of environmental databases, conflating air quality indices and atmospheric emissions with a fervor befitting the intrepid adventurers of yore. Like intrepid aerial cartographers, we charted the ethereal terrains of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter, cast against the backdrop of Sonora's celestial firmament.

With these phantasmagorical datasets in hand, we summoned the spectral specter of statistical analysis, invoking the spirits of correlation coefficients and regression models to demystify the enigmatic association betwixt name popularity and airborne shenanigans. Our trusty statistical apparatus gallantly yielded to our inquiries, bestowing upon us a correlation coefficient of 0.8178309, accompanied by a resoundingly significant p-value of less than 0.01, thus affirming the palpable resonance between these seemingly disparate entities.

The grand finale of our methodological escapade featured a veritable carnival of confounding variables, where we waltzed through the labyrinth of confounders and covariates with an aplomb that befitted the nimble steps of a harlequin. By harnessing the powers of multiple regression analysis, we endeavored to disentangle the intricate threads of causality, discerning the telltale whispers that hinted at the interplay between the tendrils of air pollution and the throngs of Alexuses gracing the idyllic landscapes of Sonora.

Ultimately, our methodological odyssey wields a blend of tenacity, playfulness, and scholarly rigor, inviting curious onlookers to partake in our whimsical pursuit of knowledge, while leaving ample room for levity and irreverence in our mingling with matters both ethereal and earthly. With an audacious quirk and a touch of whimsy, we exhort our fellow researchers to join us in this delightful rhapsody of exploration.


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 Popularity of the first name Alexus and Air pollution in Sonora, California. 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 US Social Security Administration and Environmental Protection Agency .

For the time period 1981 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.8178309, r-squared of 0.6688475, 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]]
Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research explores the curious correlation between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, we scrutinized the potential link between the ascent of the name Alexus and the presence of airborne contaminants over the period from 1981 to 2022. We observed a strikingly high correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a palpable relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Our findings prompt contemplation of the possible causative factors behind this intriguing relationship. While one might initially dismiss this as mere coincidence, the notion that air pollution levels could influence naming preferences or vice versa bears acknowledgment. This study not only adds to the current discourse on environmental health and societal trends but also offers an unexpected lens through which to view the interplay between human behavior and environmental conditions.

By shedding light on this unanticipated connection, we hope to spark conversations within both the scientific community and the broader public, challenging conventional assumptions and eliciting thoughtful reflections on the intricate, often whimsical, interactions that shape our environment and our culture.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
Greetings, esteemed readers, academics, and aficionados of delightful research ventures! Welcome to a whimsical exploration into the enigmatic relationship between the proliferation of the first name Alexus and the atmospheric composition of Sonora, California. In this scholarly endeavor, we aim to unravel the gossamer strands that intricately tie the popularity of a name to the invisible tendrils of air pollution, weaving a tale as fanciful as it is academically rigorous.
The fusion of seemingly unrelated disciplines – onomastics and environmental science – has birthed a peculiar offspring, one that raises eyebrows, piques curiosity, and prompts inquisitive minds to ponder the mysteries that swirl amid the California air. Our inquiry traverses the realms of nomenclature and nebulae, seeking the elusive bond between human nomenclature and earthly emissions.
As contemporaries of the venerable Shakespeare might have quipped, "What’s in a name? That which we call Alexus by any other name would smell as sweet… or foul, as the case may be." This research embarks on a journey that leads us not only through the verdant hills of Sonora but also through the vast intellectual landscapes of statistical analysis and sociological interpretation.
With a flair for the unexpected and an unwavering commitment to scholarly rigor, we endeavor to tease out the tangled skeins of correlation and causation between the breath of Sonora and the moniker of Alexus. As we traverse this surreal terrain, we dare to challenge the conventional wisdom that suggests these realms exist in isolation, invoking laughter, surprise, and perhaps even a touch of befuddlement along the way.
Join us, then, as we revel in the dreamlike interplay of air pollution and appellations, examining the tumultuous tango between environmental composition and human designation, and uncovering the kernels of truth that lie concealed within this droll and eccentric nexus. Let us embark on this peculiar pilgrimage with a spirit of mirth and a penchant for audacious inquiry!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

In our investigation of the connection between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California, we encountered a fascinating revelation. The correlation coefficient between these two seemingly disparate entities stood at a notable 0.8178309. This robust correlation was further substantiated by an r-squared value of 0.6688475, indicating that approximately 66.9% of the variance in the popularity of the name Alexus could be explained by variations in air pollution levels. With a p-value of less than 0.01, we found compelling evidence to reject the null hypothesis and support the presence of a significant relationship.

Fig. 1 illustrates the scatterplot that graphically represents the strong positive association between the proliferation of the name Alexus and the ambient air pollution levels in Sonora, California. It's a chart that not only depicts the convergence of data points but also perhaps the convergence of fate for those named Alexus in the vicinity.

Now, before you accuse us of massaging the data to create an illusion of causation, let us clarify that correlation does not imply causation—although in this case, it surely raises a few eyebrows. While we cannot claim to have unraveled the precise mechanisms underpinning this peculiar relationship, our findings nudge us toward a realm where statistical intrigue meets sociological cabaret. The implications are as captivating as they are confounding, prompting one to wonder if the very air we breathe could subtly influence our naming predilections or if, in a tongue-in-cheek twist, parents are subliminally inspired to christen their offspring in homage to the local atmospheric nuances.

It is our hope that this study will not only invite further scholarly scrutiny but also tickle the curious fancies of those captivated by the whimsical dance between human nomenclature and environmental phenomena. As the tendrils of our research unfurl, we invite you to join us in contemplating the unforeseen ties that bind our nomenclatural proclivities with the ethereal whispers of the California sky.

In conclusion, our findings, while unexpected, open up a realm of inquiry that is as lighthearted as it is thought-provoking, illuminating the shadowy corners where fact and fancy playfully intertwine. We invite you to drown in the whimsy, my dear readers, for the journey promises to be as airy as it is enlightening.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the discussion section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Alexus and Air pollution in Sonora, California. 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]]
Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research explores the curious correlation between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, we scrutinized the potential link between the ascent of the name Alexus and the presence of airborne contaminants over the period from 1981 to 2022. We observed a strikingly high correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a palpable relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Our findings prompt contemplation of the possible causative factors behind this intriguing relationship. While one might initially dismiss this as mere coincidence, the notion that air pollution levels could influence naming preferences or vice versa bears acknowledgment. This study not only adds to the current discourse on environmental health and societal trends but also offers an unexpected lens through which to view the interplay between human behavior and environmental conditions.

By shedding light on this unanticipated connection, we hope to spark conversations within both the scientific community and the broader public, challenging conventional assumptions and eliciting thoughtful reflections on the intricate, often whimsical, interactions that shape our environment and our culture.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The quest to fathom the unfathomable connection between the ascendancy of the name Alexus and the atmospheric constitution of Sonora, California has spurred a plethora of scholarly inquiries from various disciplines. Smith and Doe (2010) conducted an incisive analysis of naming trends in relation to environmental factors, positing intriguing associations between air quality and the lexical preferences of expectant parents. Similarly, Jones et al. (2015) delved into the societal implications of air pollution, offering a nuanced exploration of its potential influence on cultural phenomena, albeit without specifically delving into naming patterns.
In "Airborne Allure: A Linguistic and Ecological Examination," Travers (2017) straddles the intersection of linguistics and environmental studies, conducting a thorough investigation into the potential effects of pollution on naming conventions. The author provocatively suggests that airborne contaminants might elicit subconscious lexical choices, perhaps leading to an inadvertent prevalence of certain names.
Shifting to the domain of imaginative literature, "The Poisoned Sky Chronicles" by A.V. Storm (2019) presents a fanciful narrative that intertwines the ethereal allure of names with the malevolent miasma of airborne toxins. While a work of fiction, it nonetheless proffers a whimsical pondering of the potential interplay between pollutants and nomenclature, prompting playful musings on the enigmatic dance of human appellations amid environmental phenomena.
Continuing our odyssey into the esoteric, it must be noted that the literature review process unearthed unconventional sources, including but not limited to transient musings on supermarket receipts, overheard conversations at the local coffee shop, and the occasional flight of fancy induced by particularly vivid daydreams. While unconventional, these sources have prompted unexpected insights and moments of unanticipated hilarity, demonstrating the capricious nature of scholarly pursuits.
Thus, this hodgepodge of reputable studies, speculative fiction, and the occasional flight of fancy forms the intriguing backdrop against which our investigation unfolds. It is from this mishmash of scholarly deliberation and whimsical wonderment that we draw inspiration for our own foray into the peculiar fusion of air pollution and the etymology of Alexus.

[[RESULTS]]
In our investigation of the connection between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California, we encountered a fascinating revelation. The correlation coefficient between these two seemingly disparate entities stood at a notable 0.8178309. This robust correlation was further substantiated by an r-squared value of 0.6688475, indicating that approximately 66.9% of the variance in the popularity of the name Alexus could be explained by variations in air pollution levels. With a p-value of less than 0.01, we found compelling evidence to reject the null hypothesis and support the presence of a significant relationship.
Fig. 1 illustrates the scatterplot that graphically represents the strong positive association between the proliferation of the name Alexus and the ambient air pollution levels in Sonora, California. It's a chart that not only depicts the convergence of data points but also perhaps the convergence of fate for those named Alexus in the vicinity.
Now, before you accuse us of massaging the data to create an illusion of causation, let us clarify that correlation does not imply causation—although in this case, it surely raises a few eyebrows. While we cannot claim to have unraveled the precise mechanisms underpinning this peculiar relationship, our findings nudge us toward a realm where statistical intrigue meets sociological cabaret. The implications are as captivating as they are confounding, prompting one to wonder if the very air we breathe could subtly influence our naming predilections or if, in a tongue-in-cheek twist, parents are subliminally inspired to christen their offspring in homage to the local atmospheric nuances.
It is our hope that this study will not only invite further scholarly scrutiny but also tickle the curious fancies of those captivated by the whimsical dance between human nomenclature and environmental phenomena. As the tendrils of our research unfurl, we invite you to join us in contemplating the unforeseen ties that bind our nomenclatural proclivities with the ethereal whispers of the California sky.
In conclusion, our findings, while unexpected, open up a realm of inquiry that is as lighthearted as it is thought-provoking, illuminating the shadowy corners where fact and fancy playfully intertwine. We invite you to drown in the whimsy, my dear readers, for the journey promises to be as airy as it is enlightening.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The results of our investigation into the correlation between the burgeoning popularity of the moniker Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California, astoundingly substantiate the previously speculated association. While our initial foray into this enigmatic liaison may have raised a few eyebrows – much like the name itself – the statistical underpinnings are as solid as the air in Sonora is befouled (or at least, they appear to be). Our robust correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 aligns harmoniously with the prior literature, offering resonance to the mirthful musings and cheeky conjectures that dared to entertain the possibility of an indissoluble bond between atmospheric impurities and lexical inclinations.

As we conscientiously navigate the whimsical arena where statistical significance meets lexical allure, we must acknowledge the compelling congruence with the work of Smith and Doe (2010), who first broached the notion of environmental factors influencing naming trends. It is as if the very winds that carry pollutants also whisper the names of generations yet unborn, an anthropomorphized ode to the atmospheric symphony playing out in the valleys of Sonora. Likewise, the findings of Travers (2017) take on a surreal significance, as the eerily poetic notion of airborne contaminants eliciting unconscious lexical preferences appears less whimsical and more resonant under the weight of empirical substantiation.

By embracing the atypical wisdom gleaned from unexpected facets of scholarly inquiry – including, but not limited to, the whimsical ponderings of speculative fiction and the capricious nature of everyday inspirations – we have painted a vivid, and somewhat surreal, tableau of the interplay between societal trends and environmental influence. This peculiar nexus challenges convention, invoking an air of levity in the solemn corridors of academic discourse, beckoning us to explore its conundrums with a dash of playfulness and a touch of bemusement.

In this tempestuous whirlwind of statistical intrigue and sociological serendipity, we stand at the threshold of a humorous and thought-provoking odyssey. Indeed, as our study unfurls an unforeseen narrative between the whimsically christened and the ethereal whispers of the California sky, we invite our esteemed colleagues to imbibe in the titillating banquet of intrigue that our findings have unveiled – a veritable feast for the mind, seasoned with just a touch of 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 Popularity of the first name Alexus and Air pollution in Sonora, California. 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]]
Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research explores the curious correlation between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, we scrutinized the potential link between the ascent of the name Alexus and the presence of airborne contaminants over the period from 1981 to 2022. We observed a strikingly high correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a palpable relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Our findings prompt contemplation of the possible causative factors behind this intriguing relationship. While one might initially dismiss this as mere coincidence, the notion that air pollution levels could influence naming preferences or vice versa bears acknowledgment. This study not only adds to the current discourse on environmental health and societal trends but also offers an unexpected lens through which to view the interplay between human behavior and environmental conditions.

By shedding light on this unanticipated connection, we hope to spark conversations within both the scientific community and the broader public, challenging conventional assumptions and eliciting thoughtful reflections on the intricate, often whimsical, interactions that shape our environment and our culture.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Greetings, esteemed readers, academics, and aficionados of delightful research ventures! Welcome to a whimsical exploration into the enigmatic relationship between the proliferation of the first name Alexus and the atmospheric composition of Sonora, California. In this scholarly endeavor, we aim to unravel the gossamer strands that intricately tie the popularity of a name to the invisible tendrils of air pollution, weaving a tale as fanciful as it is academically rigorous.
The fusion of seemingly unrelated disciplines – onomastics and environmental science – has birthed a peculiar offspring, one that raises eyebrows, piques curiosity, and prompts inquisitive minds to ponder the mysteries that swirl amid the California air. Our inquiry traverses the realms of nomenclature and nebulae, seeking the elusive bond between human nomenclature and earthly emissions.
As contemporaries of the venerable Shakespeare might have quipped, "What’s in a name? That which we call Alexus by any other name would smell as sweet… or foul, as the case may be." This research embarks on a journey that leads us not only through the verdant hills of Sonora but also through the vast intellectual landscapes of statistical analysis and sociological interpretation.
With a flair for the unexpected and an unwavering commitment to scholarly rigor, we endeavor to tease out the tangled skeins of correlation and causation between the breath of Sonora and the moniker of Alexus. As we traverse this surreal terrain, we dare to challenge the conventional wisdom that suggests these realms exist in isolation, invoking laughter, surprise, and perhaps even a touch of befuddlement along the way.
Join us, then, as we revel in the dreamlike interplay of air pollution and appellations, examining the tumultuous tango between environmental composition and human designation, and uncovering the kernels of truth that lie concealed within this droll and eccentric nexus. Let us embark on this peculiar pilgrimage with a spirit of mirth and a penchant for audacious inquiry!

[[RESULTS]]
In our investigation of the connection between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California, we encountered a fascinating revelation. The correlation coefficient between these two seemingly disparate entities stood at a notable 0.8178309. This robust correlation was further substantiated by an r-squared value of 0.6688475, indicating that approximately 66.9% of the variance in the popularity of the name Alexus could be explained by variations in air pollution levels. With a p-value of less than 0.01, we found compelling evidence to reject the null hypothesis and support the presence of a significant relationship.
Fig. 1 illustrates the scatterplot that graphically represents the strong positive association between the proliferation of the name Alexus and the ambient air pollution levels in Sonora, California. It's a chart that not only depicts the convergence of data points but also perhaps the convergence of fate for those named Alexus in the vicinity.
Now, before you accuse us of massaging the data to create an illusion of causation, let us clarify that correlation does not imply causation—although in this case, it surely raises a few eyebrows. While we cannot claim to have unraveled the precise mechanisms underpinning this peculiar relationship, our findings nudge us toward a realm where statistical intrigue meets sociological cabaret. The implications are as captivating as they are confounding, prompting one to wonder if the very air we breathe could subtly influence our naming predilections or if, in a tongue-in-cheek twist, parents are subliminally inspired to christen their offspring in homage to the local atmospheric nuances.
It is our hope that this study will not only invite further scholarly scrutiny but also tickle the curious fancies of those captivated by the whimsical dance between human nomenclature and environmental phenomena. As the tendrils of our research unfurl, we invite you to join us in contemplating the unforeseen ties that bind our nomenclatural proclivities with the ethereal whispers of the California sky.
In conclusion, our findings, while unexpected, open up a realm of inquiry that is as lighthearted as it is thought-provoking, illuminating the shadowy corners where fact and fancy playfully intertwine. We invite you to drown in the whimsy, my dear readers, for the journey promises to be as airy as it is enlightening.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In closing, dear readers, we have embarked on a journey that transcends the ordinary confines of research, riding the zephyrs of statistical significance and the current of societal whims. Our findings have unfurled a curious tableau where the popular moniker of Alexus intertwines with the very air we respire in Sonora, California. The suggestion that air pollution levels could sway naming proclivities or vice versa may seem as perplexing as finding a needle in a smog stack, but our robust correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 beckons us to ponder these delightful possibilities.

As we peek into this peculiar Pandora's box of statistical intrigue and sociological theatrics, we are reminded that the world of research is not always somber and predictable but is also home to the playful capers of correlation. The scatterplot we unveiled serves not only as a visual feast for the eyes but also as a testament to the enchanting waltz between atmospheric composition and human designation.

We must, however, exercise caution in our interpretations, for correlation, though tantalizing, does not necessitate causation – a reminder as refreshing as a gust of cleaner air in Sonora. But let us bask in the mystique of this unexpected correlation, for it invites us to ponder the hidden influences that swirl amidst the winds of nomenclature and the currents of pollution.

In the tradition of scientific inquiry, our pursuit leads us to acknowledge that while our paper may teeter on the edge of whimsy, it adds a splash of extraordinary color to the canvas of research. And with this, we declare, in a tone as solemn as a helium balloon, that further investigation in this baffling but beguiling nexus is as superfluous as an inflatable dartboard. It is a realm where levity and scholarly intrigue intertwine, and we invite you, dear readers, to relish in this airy excursion and find inspiration in the unexpected. As the wisps of our research drift into the scholarly ether, we bid farewell to this comical confluence of air, appellations, and academic musings, for in this whimsical tale, the conclusion is as open-ended as the flurries of change that sweep the skies of Sonora.

And so, like the wind aloft, we disperse, our minds abuzz with the giddy embrace of the imponderables, and our hearts lighter with the laughter that accompanies the unforeseen.


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 Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Ecological Nameology


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 Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Quirky Sociological Studies


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled Astonishing Alexus: Analyzing the Association between Air Pollution and the Proliferation of the Name Alexus in Sonora, California with an abstract of This research explores the curious correlation between the popularity of the first name Alexus and air pollution levels in Sonora, California. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, we scrutinized the potential link between the ascent of the name Alexus and the presence of airborne contaminants over the period from 1981 to 2022. We observed a strikingly high correlation coefficient of 0.8178309 with a statistically significant p-value of less than 0.01, suggesting a palpable relationship between these seemingly unrelated phenomena.
Our findings prompt contemplation of the possible causative factors behind this intriguing relationship. While one might initially dismiss this as mere coincidence, the notion that air pollution levels could influence naming preferences or vice versa bears acknowledgment. This study not only adds to the current discourse on environmental health and societal trends but also offers an unexpected lens through which to view the interplay between human behavior and environmental conditions.
By shedding light on this unanticipated connection, we hope to spark conversations within both the scientific community and the broader public, challenging conventional assumptions and eliciting thoughtful reflections on the intricate, often whimsical, interactions that shape our environment and our culture.

ChatGPT:

Sonora California, air pollution, name Alexus, US Social Security Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, airborne contaminants, correlation coefficient, statistical significance, naming preferences, environmental health, societal trends, human behavior, environmental conditions, scientific community, public conversations, conventional assumptions

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



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Data details

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

Air pollution in Sonora, California
Detailed data title: Percentage of days with air quality at 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' or worse in Sonora, CA
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in Sonora, California

Correlation r = 0.8178309 (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 = 0.6688475 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 66.9% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Air pollution in Sonora, California) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Popularity of the first name Alexus) over the 42 years from 1981 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 3.8E-11. 0.0000000000381162588768614660
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.82 in 3.8E-9% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 26,235,523,356 random variables You don't actually need 26 billion 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 41 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 41 because we have two variables measured over a period of 42 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.

[ 0.68, 0.9 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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


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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
198119821983198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Popularity of the first name Alexus (Babies born)511611069121379208376745112712231720168816751419129511319818217305565454854153082661791831481128561514032251825
Air pollution in Sonora, California (Bad air quality days)14.715700000011.55382.280133.791476.666678.450712.602718.630114.560421.857914.794522.191827.671222.31413.424726.301415.61644.371585.479454.3835610.714310.4115.263162.191783.380283.571430.5494514.790423.0219812.71196.906086.034480.5586591.416430.5555560.27933




Why this works

  1. Data dredging: I have 25,237 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 636,906,169 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
  2. Lack of causal connection: There is probably Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
    no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
  3. Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
    p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.




Try it yourself

You can calculate the values on this page on your own! Try running the Python code to see the calculation results. Step 1: Download and install Python on your computer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([5,11,6,11,0,6,9,12,13,79,208,376,745,1127,1223,1720,1688,1675,1419,1295,1131,981,821,730,556,545,485,415,308,266,179,183,148,112,85,61,51,40,32,25,18,25,])
array_2 = np.array([14.7157,0,0,0,0,0,0,11.5538,2.28013,3.79147,6.66667,8.4507,12.6027,18.6301,14.5604,21.8579,14.7945,22.1918,27.6712,22.314,13.4247,26.3014,15.6164,4.37158,5.47945,4.38356,10.7143,10.411,5.26316,2.19178,3.38028,3.57143,0.549451,4.79042,3.02198,12.7119,6.90608,6.03448,0.558659,1.41643,0.555556,0.27933,])
array_1_name = "Popularity of the first name Alexus"
array_2_name = "Air pollution in Sonora, California"

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

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



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

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

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

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Correlation ID: 5612 · Black Variable ID: 2341 · Red Variable ID: 21276
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