Spurious correlation #5,702 · 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 Libertarian Senators in Missouri and the second variable is Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. The chart goes from 2004 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 Libertarian Senators in Missouri and the second variable is Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. The chart goes from 2004 to 2018, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As Senators in Missouri advocate for more personal freedom, the particles in the atmosphere also feel empowered to express themselves. This leads to a greater prevalence of democratic light scattering, creating the illusion of a blue sky as a form of peaceful protest against oppressive wavelengths. The sky is simply exercising its freedom of hue and choosing to reflect a specific shade that aligns with its individual atmospheric beliefs. After all, it's important for every sky to have the right to pigment expression, and this political influence is just a small part of the greater spectrum of sky rights. The sky's blueness is not just a matter of science, but a reflection of its political stance on enlightenment and liberty.

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: An image that looks like it is a scene from A Disney Movie depicting a group of grand, regal-looking lions standing on a rocky outcrop in a majestic savannah. As the sky arcs above them, it's filled with vibrant hues of blue, symbolizing the senators' call for personal freedom and peaceful protest. The lions are depicted with an air of nobility and determination, echoing the spirit of the Libertarian Senators as they gather for their cause. 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: Votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. 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: Macabre a meme An image that looks like it is a scene from A Disney Movie An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' Low poly
ChatGPT: An image that looks like it is a scene from A Disney 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 Votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue', in the following situation: As Senators in Missouri advocate for more personal freedom, the particles in the atmosphere also feel empowered to express themselves. This leads to a greater prevalence of democratic light scattering, creating the illusion of a blue sky as a form of peaceful protest against oppressive wavelengths. The sky is simply exercising its freedom of hue and choosing to reflect a specific shade that aligns with its individual atmospheric beliefs. After all, it's important for every sky to have the right to pigment expression, and this political influence is just a small part of the greater spectrum of sky rights. The sky's blueness is not just a matter of science, but a reflection of its political stance on enlightenment and liberty.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In Missouri, Libertarian Senators rally for personal freedom as the sky, empowered by particles in the atmosphere, exercises its right to reflect a blue hue as a form of peaceful protest, mirroring the Senators' advocacy.

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 Disney Movie ] and depicting this scene: In Missouri, Libertarian Senators rally for personal freedom as the sky, empowered by particles in the atmosphere, exercises its right to reflect a blue hue as a form of peaceful protest, mirroring the Senators' advocacy. 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 Disney Movie depicting a group of grand, regal-looking lions standing on a rocky outcrop in a majestic savannah. As the sky arcs above them, it's filled with vibrant hues of blue, symbolizing the senators' call for personal freedom and peaceful protest. The lions are depicted with an air of nobility and determination, echoing the spirit of the Libertarian Senators as they gather for their cause.

*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 increases in Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri positively influenced why is the sky blue (Google searches for 'why is the sky blue').\Make it sound serious until the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Libertarian Levity: A Delightfully Blue Skyline in Missouri

The Journal of Hilarious Hypotheses

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 dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then you might move on to cartoons and children's shows that you watched for research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Libertarian Levity: A Delightfully Blue Skyline in Missouri

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents a curious correlation between votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." Utilizing data from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and Google Trends, we endeavored to shed light on this enigmatic connection. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9193267 with a significance level of p < 0.01 for the years spanning 2004 to 2018.

The results of our analysis left us feeling quite "blue" with excitement. It appears that the uptick in searches about the sky's azure hue is remarkably linked to the number of Missourians casting their votes for Libertarian candidates. One might say the findings blew us away, leaving us feeling sky-high with amazement.

As to whether this correlation arises from a genuine curiosity regarding the atmospheric phenomena or a subtle indication of a political stance, we encourage further exploration. Our research serves as a lighthearted reminder that even in the realm of politics and internet search trends, there are always unexpected shades of humor waiting to be discovered.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The study of political behavior and its underlying motivations has long been a subject of fascination, akin to pondering the age-old question, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" In this case, however, our investigation delves into a unique and unexpected association between Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." It's a curious correlation that could prompt even the most serious political analysts to gaze upwards and wonder with a dad-joke-worthy twinkle in their eyes.
As we embark on this scholarly journey, we are reminded of the lighthearted quip: "Why don't we ever tell secrets on a farm? Because the potatoes have eyes and the corn has ears." Similarly, our research aims to uncover the hidden "secrets" behind this connection and provide a chuckle or two along the way.
The state of Missouri, known for its picturesque landscapes and diverse political landscape, provides a fitting backdrop for our investigation. Just as the state's terrain spans from lush forests to rolling plains, our inquiry spans across political and search engine landscapes in search of the elusive link between the color of the sky and political dispositions.
In the spirit of pure academic inquiry, we will endeavor to shed light on this intriguing relationship, all while tossing in some witticisms to brighten the mood. After all, as Mark Twain once said, "The secret of getting ahead is getting started," and we are certainly eager to embark on this whimsical and thought-provoking journey into the intersection of politics and the enduring question of why the sky adorns its iconic hue.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The investigation into the apparent connection between votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and the frequency of Google searches for "why is the sky blue" has prompted significant scholarly discourse. Smith et al. (2015) conducted a comprehensive analysis of political voting behaviors in the Midwest region, noting the unprecedented surge in Libertarian support during the 2008 election cycle. Additionally, Doe and Jones (2017) documented the burgeoning trend of internet users' queries regarding natural phenomena, particularly relating to atmospheric conditions and celestial phenomena.

While the aforementioned studies provide a serious exploration of political voting patterns and internet search trends, it is essential to acknowledge the potential for unexpected breakthroughs in understanding this peculiar correlation. In "The Atmosphere and You: A Guide to Understanding Earth's Skies," the authors expound upon the intricate scientific principles behind the sky's blue color, offering invaluable insight for both scholars and enthusiasts alike. Furthermore, "Political Pundits and Ponderings: Analyzing Unconventional Voting Patterns," tangentially explores the idiosyncratic voting proclivities of constituents within the context of unusual informational inquiries.

Going beyond the realm of non-fiction literature, classic and contemporary fiction also offers a lens through which to examine societal curiosities. "Blue Skies and Libertarians: A Literary Exploration," a gripping novel by an obscure author, hints at the interplay between political ideologies and the natural world. In a similar vein, the speculative fiction masterpiece "The Truth About Blue: A Tale of Political Intrigue and Astronomical Phenomena" delves into the enigmatic linkage between human behavior and the mysteries of the cosmos.

The scope of inquiry is broadened by the inclusion of cultural artifacts and media representations. The iconic cartoon series "The Adventures of Sky Blue and the Libertarian League" provides a satirical and light-hearted portrayal of political activism amidst thought-provoking quests for celestial knowledge. Meanwhile, the children's television program "Why Is the Sky Blue? An Investigation with Professor Polly" engages young audiences in the whimsical pursuit of understanding, albeit with a tinge of political undertones.

The multifaceted exploration of the relationship between Libertarian votes in Missouri and inquiries about the sky's hue not only showcases the interdisciplinary nature of this captivating subject but also emphasizes the potential for humor and levity to inform scholarly endeavors. In this endeavor, we aim to embrace the unexpected and infuse scholarly discourse with a touch of amusement, akin to the timeless dad joke: "I used to play piano by ear, but now I use my hands."

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. 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 Google Trends . You used data from 2004 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]]
Libertarian Levity: A Delightfully Blue Skyline in Missouri

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents a curious correlation between votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." Utilizing data from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and Google Trends, we endeavored to shed light on this enigmatic connection. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9193267 with a significance level of p < 0.01 for the years spanning 2004 to 2018.

The results of our analysis left us feeling quite "blue" with excitement. It appears that the uptick in searches about the sky's azure hue is remarkably linked to the number of Missourians casting their votes for Libertarian candidates. One might say the findings blew us away, leaving us feeling sky-high with amazement.

As to whether this correlation arises from a genuine curiosity regarding the atmospheric phenomena or a subtle indication of a political stance, we encourage further exploration. Our research serves as a lighthearted reminder that even in the realm of politics and internet search trends, there are always unexpected shades of humor waiting to be discovered.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The study of political behavior and its underlying motivations has long been a subject of fascination, akin to pondering the age-old question, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" In this case, however, our investigation delves into a unique and unexpected association between Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." It's a curious correlation that could prompt even the most serious political analysts to gaze upwards and wonder with a dad-joke-worthy twinkle in their eyes.
As we embark on this scholarly journey, we are reminded of the lighthearted quip: "Why don't we ever tell secrets on a farm? Because the potatoes have eyes and the corn has ears." Similarly, our research aims to uncover the hidden "secrets" behind this connection and provide a chuckle or two along the way.
The state of Missouri, known for its picturesque landscapes and diverse political landscape, provides a fitting backdrop for our investigation. Just as the state's terrain spans from lush forests to rolling plains, our inquiry spans across political and search engine landscapes in search of the elusive link between the color of the sky and political dispositions.
In the spirit of pure academic inquiry, we will endeavor to shed light on this intriguing relationship, all while tossing in some witticisms to brighten the mood. After all, as Mark Twain once said, "The secret of getting ahead is getting started," and we are certainly eager to embark on this whimsical and thought-provoking journey into the intersection of politics and the enduring question of why the sky adorns its iconic hue.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unravel the enigmatic connection between Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue," our research team employed a range of methodological approaches that were as diverse and colorful as the sky itself. We gathered data from a variety of sources, including the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and Google Trends, covering the years from 2004 to 2018. As we meticulously combed through the data, we made sure to maintain a keen eye for any unexpected twists and turns, much like a good plot twist in a mystery novel.

Our initial step involved collecting the electoral data related to Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab. We then cross-referenced this information with Google search trends for the query "why is the sky blue" using data obtained from Google Trends. This data extraction process felt akin to a scavenger hunt, with each piece of information adding to the narrative of our investigation. It was like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack, albeit with a droll twist.

With our dataset in hand, we diligently set out to examine the temporal patterns and correlations between Libertarian votes and Google searches regarding the sky's cerulean mystery. Utilizing advanced statistical analysis, including the calculation of correlation coefficients and significance levels, we sought to unearth any substantive links between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. As we delved into the statistical analyses, we couldn't help but wonder if the numbers would elicit a collective "sky-blue" of laughter from our colleagues.

Furthermore, in an effort to explore potential underlying mechanisms or mediating factors behind this connection, we conducted additional analyses to control for various demographic and socioeconomic variables. We incorporated factors such as population density, educational attainment, and internet penetration rates in our models. This process felt akin to untangling a complex riddle, with each variable adding a layer of intrigue to our investigation. We could almost hear the faint echo of a dad joke in the background, punctuating our research discussions.

Upon completing our intricate analyses, we carefully interpreted the results within the context of existing literature on political behavior and internet search trends. Our endeavor was akin to piecing together a puzzle, where every finding fit seamlessly into the larger picture of our investigation. It was like connecting the dots in a starry night sky, each discovery bringing us closer to unraveling the cosmic dance of political preferences and curiosity about the blueness of the sky.

In the end, our methodological journey through the data landscape was not unlike a rollercoaster ride through a whimsical amusement park – filled with unexpected twists, lighthearted detours, and the occasional comedic surprise. We remained ever mindful of the sage words of a good dad joke, underscoring the notion that in the pursuit of knowledge, a touch of levity can make even the most enigmatic correlations a delightful and laughter-inducing ride.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. 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]]
Libertarian Levity: A Delightfully Blue Skyline in Missouri

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents a curious correlation between votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." Utilizing data from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and Google Trends, we endeavored to shed light on this enigmatic connection. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9193267 with a significance level of p < 0.01 for the years spanning 2004 to 2018.

The results of our analysis left us feeling quite "blue" with excitement. It appears that the uptick in searches about the sky's azure hue is remarkably linked to the number of Missourians casting their votes for Libertarian candidates. One might say the findings blew us away, leaving us feeling sky-high with amazement.

As to whether this correlation arises from a genuine curiosity regarding the atmospheric phenomena or a subtle indication of a political stance, we encourage further exploration. Our research serves as a lighthearted reminder that even in the realm of politics and internet search trends, there are always unexpected shades of humor waiting to be discovered.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The investigation into the apparent connection between votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and the frequency of Google searches for "why is the sky blue" has prompted significant scholarly discourse. Smith et al. (2015) conducted a comprehensive analysis of political voting behaviors in the Midwest region, noting the unprecedented surge in Libertarian support during the 2008 election cycle. Additionally, Doe and Jones (2017) documented the burgeoning trend of internet users' queries regarding natural phenomena, particularly relating to atmospheric conditions and celestial phenomena.
While the aforementioned studies provide a serious exploration of political voting patterns and internet search trends, it is essential to acknowledge the potential for unexpected breakthroughs in understanding this peculiar correlation. In "The Atmosphere and You: A Guide to Understanding Earth's Skies," the authors expound upon the intricate scientific principles behind the sky's blue color, offering invaluable insight for both scholars and enthusiasts alike. Furthermore, "Political Pundits and Ponderings: Analyzing Unconventional Voting Patterns," tangentially explores the idiosyncratic voting proclivities of constituents within the context of unusual informational inquiries.
Going beyond the realm of non-fiction literature, classic and contemporary fiction also offers a lens through which to examine societal curiosities. "Blue Skies and Libertarians: A Literary Exploration," a gripping novel by an obscure author, hints at the interplay between political ideologies and the natural world. In a similar vein, the speculative fiction masterpiece "The Truth About Blue: A Tale of Political Intrigue and Astronomical Phenomena" delves into the enigmatic linkage between human behavior and the mysteries of the cosmos.
The scope of inquiry is broadened by the inclusion of cultural artifacts and media representations. The iconic cartoon series "The Adventures of Sky Blue and the Libertarian League" provides a satirical and light-hearted portrayal of political activism amidst thought-provoking quests for celestial knowledge. Meanwhile, the children's television program "Why Is the Sky Blue? An Investigation with Professor Polly" engages young audiences in the whimsical pursuit of understanding, albeit with a tinge of political undertones.
The multifaceted exploration of the relationship between Libertarian votes in Missouri and inquiries about the sky's hue not only showcases the interdisciplinary nature of this captivating subject but also emphasizes the potential for humor and levity to inform scholarly endeavors. In this endeavor, we aim to embrace the unexpected and infuse scholarly discourse with a touch of amusement, akin to the timeless dad joke: "I used to play piano by ear, but now I use my hands."

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of data from the years 2004 to 2018 yielded a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9193267 between the number of votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." This finding indicates a strong positive relationship between these two variables, suggesting that as the number of Libertarian votes increased, there was a corresponding surge in searches about the atmospheric phenomenon.
The r-squared value of 0.8451616 further underscores the robustness of this correlation, implying that approximately 84.5% of the variability in Google searches for "why is the sky blue" can be explained by the variation in Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri. This level of association is quite striking, akin to the sudden appearance of a "blue moon" in the midst of the political landscape.
Furthermore, the significance level of p < 0.01 provides compelling evidence to reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis that there is indeed a meaningful relationship between the variables under scrutiny. In other words, the probability of observing such a strong association between Libertarian votes and searches about the color of the sky by mere chance is exceedingly low, prompting us to ponder the depths of this intriguing correlation.
The scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually illustrates the pronounced positive correlation between the two variables, with a noticeable upward trend that mirrors the rising tide of interest in celestial inquiries alongside the increase in Libertarian support. One could say that this relationship truly "sky-rocketed" beyond our initial expectations.
In light of these findings, one might jest that Missourians were not only contemplating their political inclinations but also pondering the cosmic backdrop against which these political dramas unfold. It seems that the quest for political liberty and the quest to understand the boundless expanse above share an unexpected parallel, painting a whimsical portrait of the electorate's multifaceted curiosities.
Our results raise thought-provoking questions and elicit a chuckle, reminiscent of a classic dad joke: "What kind of shoes do ninjas wear? Sneakers!" In the same lighthearted spirit, we encourage further exploration of this correlation, understanding that even in the realm of political analysis, there are moments of levity waiting to be discovered.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The investigation into the correlation between votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue" has yielded intriguing results. The remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9193267 and a significance level of p < 0.01 provide compelling evidence of a robust relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. This unexpected linkage invites a shift in perspective, prompting us to ponder the intersection of political engagement and celestial curiosity.

Our findings offer a whimsical lens through which to view the electorate's multifaceted interests. It appears that Missourians' propensity to cast their support for Libertarian candidates coincides with an augmented curiosity about the natural phenomenon that graces their skyline. This parallel, akin to a celestial dance, paints a picture of civic engagement intertwined with contemplation of the ethereal expanse above, akin to a political "blue wave" cresting the skies.

The alignment of our results with prior research underscores the relevance of understanding the interplay between political voting behavior and unconventional informational inquiries. The surge in Libertarian support noted by Smith et al. (2015) and the burgeoning trend of internet users' queries regarding natural phenomena observed by Doe and Jones (2017) provide a complementary backdrop to our findings. It seems that Missourians' penchant for Libertarian votes and inquiries about the sky's color share an unexpected correlation, akin to the fusion of two distinct musical notes creating a harmonious chord.

As we contemplate the enigmatic connection between political ideologies and celestial inquisitions, we are reminded of the unexpected nuances that underpin scholarly investigations. This collaboration between the political and the existential serves as a delightful reminder that even in the realms of politics and internet search trends, there are moments of levity and curiosity waiting to be unearthed, much like a hidden dad joke waiting to be sprung at the perfect moment.

In traversing the territories of political dynamics and scientific inquiry, our research fortuitously unearths a bridge between the terrestrial and celestial realms. Through this unanticipated convergence, we leave the scholarly world with a parting dad joke: "Did you hear about the politician who was a proponent of renewable energy? He was quite the 'solar' advocate."

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.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 Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri and Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'. 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]]
Libertarian Levity: A Delightfully Blue Skyline in Missouri

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper presents a curious correlation between votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." Utilizing data from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and Google Trends, we endeavored to shed light on this enigmatic connection. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9193267 with a significance level of p < 0.01 for the years spanning 2004 to 2018.

The results of our analysis left us feeling quite "blue" with excitement. It appears that the uptick in searches about the sky's azure hue is remarkably linked to the number of Missourians casting their votes for Libertarian candidates. One might say the findings blew us away, leaving us feeling sky-high with amazement.

As to whether this correlation arises from a genuine curiosity regarding the atmospheric phenomena or a subtle indication of a political stance, we encourage further exploration. Our research serves as a lighthearted reminder that even in the realm of politics and internet search trends, there are always unexpected shades of humor waiting to be discovered.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The study of political behavior and its underlying motivations has long been a subject of fascination, akin to pondering the age-old question, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" In this case, however, our investigation delves into a unique and unexpected association between Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." It's a curious correlation that could prompt even the most serious political analysts to gaze upwards and wonder with a dad-joke-worthy twinkle in their eyes.
As we embark on this scholarly journey, we are reminded of the lighthearted quip: "Why don't we ever tell secrets on a farm? Because the potatoes have eyes and the corn has ears." Similarly, our research aims to uncover the hidden "secrets" behind this connection and provide a chuckle or two along the way.
The state of Missouri, known for its picturesque landscapes and diverse political landscape, provides a fitting backdrop for our investigation. Just as the state's terrain spans from lush forests to rolling plains, our inquiry spans across political and search engine landscapes in search of the elusive link between the color of the sky and political dispositions.
In the spirit of pure academic inquiry, we will endeavor to shed light on this intriguing relationship, all while tossing in some witticisms to brighten the mood. After all, as Mark Twain once said, "The secret of getting ahead is getting started," and we are certainly eager to embark on this whimsical and thought-provoking journey into the intersection of politics and the enduring question of why the sky adorns its iconic hue.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of data from the years 2004 to 2018 yielded a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9193267 between the number of votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." This finding indicates a strong positive relationship between these two variables, suggesting that as the number of Libertarian votes increased, there was a corresponding surge in searches about the atmospheric phenomenon.
The r-squared value of 0.8451616 further underscores the robustness of this correlation, implying that approximately 84.5% of the variability in Google searches for "why is the sky blue" can be explained by the variation in Libertarian votes for Senators in Missouri. This level of association is quite striking, akin to the sudden appearance of a "blue moon" in the midst of the political landscape.
Furthermore, the significance level of p < 0.01 provides compelling evidence to reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis that there is indeed a meaningful relationship between the variables under scrutiny. In other words, the probability of observing such a strong association between Libertarian votes and searches about the color of the sky by mere chance is exceedingly low, prompting us to ponder the depths of this intriguing correlation.
The scatterplot (Fig. 1) visually illustrates the pronounced positive correlation between the two variables, with a noticeable upward trend that mirrors the rising tide of interest in celestial inquiries alongside the increase in Libertarian support. One could say that this relationship truly "sky-rocketed" beyond our initial expectations.
In light of these findings, one might jest that Missourians were not only contemplating their political inclinations but also pondering the cosmic backdrop against which these political dramas unfold. It seems that the quest for political liberty and the quest to understand the boundless expanse above share an unexpected parallel, painting a whimsical portrait of the electorate's multifaceted curiosities.
Our results raise thought-provoking questions and elicit a chuckle, reminiscent of a classic dad joke: "What kind of shoes do ninjas wear? Sneakers!" In the same lighthearted spirit, we encourage further exploration of this correlation, understanding that even in the realm of political analysis, there are moments of levity waiting to be discovered.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has illuminated a remarkably robust and statistically significant correlation between the votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." The findings of this study not only left us feeling blue with excitement but also provided a delightful platform for a myriad of sky-themed puns and dad jokes.

The exhibition of such a strong association suggests that the electorate's interest in celestial phenomena may be intertwined with their political inclinations, prompting Missourians to ponder not only the color of the sky but also the political hues in their representation. It seems that the quest for political liberty and the quest to understand the boundless expanse above share an unexpected parallel, painting a whimsical portrait of the electorate's multifaceted curiosities. It's as if voters were not just reaching for the stars, but also casting their ballots in alignment with their ponderings about the skies above.

On a lighter note, one might quip, "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything," much like the unexpectedly pervasive nature of this correlation. This research serves as a lighthearted reminder that even in the realm of political analysis, there are moments of levity waiting to be discovered, much like an unexpected punchline in a serious conversation.

In summary, the results of this study urge further investigation, sparking an interest in exploring the intersection of celestial curiosity and political behavior. As Mark Twain once amusingly remarked, "Let us endeavor to live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." In the same spirit, let us endeavor to delve into the depths of this curious correlation, embracing both the scholarly pursuit and the occasional comedic interlude.

Ultimately, the findings of this study lead us to assert that further research in this area is unnecessary. The evidence presented has sufficiently highlighted the unexpected and amusing connection between Libertarian votes in Missouri and the eternal nudge to ponder the cerulean canopy above. After all, why search for more when we've already found the delightfully peculiar and comically intriguing connection between political preferences and skyward wonderment?

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 Libertarian Levity: A Delightfully Blue Skyline in Missouri. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Hilarious Hypotheses

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 Libertarian Levity: A Delightfully Blue Skyline in Missouri. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Zany Political Philosophy

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 Libertarian Levity: A Delightfully Blue Skyline in Missouri with an abstract of This paper presents a curious correlation between votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri and Google searches for "why is the sky blue." Utilizing data from the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and Google Trends, we endeavored to shed light on this enigmatic connection. Our findings revealed a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9193267 with a significance level of p < 0.01 for the years spanning 2004 to 2018.
The results of our analysis left us feeling quite "blue" with excitement. It appears that the uptick in searches about the sky's azure hue is remarkably linked to the number of Missourians casting their votes for Libertarian candidates. One might say the findings blew us away, leaving us feeling sky-high with amazement.
As to whether this correlation arises from a genuine curiosity regarding the atmospheric phenomena or a subtle indication of a political stance, we encourage further exploration. Our research serves as a lighthearted reminder that even in the realm of politics and internet search trends, there are always unexpected shades of humor waiting to be discovered.

ChatGPT:

Libertarian Senators Missouri, Google searches sky blue, enigmatic correlation, MIT Election Data Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, correlation coefficient, significance level, Missourians voting Libertarian, atmospheric phenomena curiosity, political stance indication, internet search trends, unexpected humor political analysis

*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 Libertarian Senators in Missouri
Detailed data title: Percentage of votes cast for Federal Libertarian Senate candidates in Missouri
Source: MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse
See what else correlates with Votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri

Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'
Detailed data title: Relative volume of Google searches for 'why is the sky blue' (Worldwide, without quotes)
Source: Google Trends
Additional Info: ^{See full details} Relative search volume (not absolute numbers)

See what else correlates with Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'

Correlation r = 0.9193267 (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 = 0.8451616 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 84.5% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Google searches for 'why is the sky blue') is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri) over the 6 years from 2004 through 2018.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 0.0095.^Show 0.0094997489734786730000000000
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 0.92 in 0.95% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 105 random variables^Note Which I absolutely did.
with the same 5 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 5 because we have two variables measured over a period of 6 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.

[ 0.42, 0.99 ] 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.

	2004	2006	2010	2012	2016	2018
Votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri (Percentage of votes)	0.725982	2.24538	3.0178	6.07045	2.41694	1.11846
Google searches for 'why is the sky blue' (Rel. search volume)	22.0833	19.25	41.5	72.75	16.75	14.1667

Why this works

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.
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.
Very low n: There are not many data points included in this analysis. Even if the p-value is high, we should be suspicious of using so few datapoints in a correlation.

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([0.725982,2.24538,3.0178,6.07045,2.41694,1.11846,])
array_2 = np.array([22.0833,19.25,41.5,72.75,16.75,14.1667,])
array_1_name = "Votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri"
array_2_name = "Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'"

# 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
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Portable line chart (png)
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Line chart for only Votes for Libertarian Senators in Missouri
Line chart for only Google searches for 'why is the sky blue'
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Libertarian Levity: A Delightfully Blue Skyline in Missouri

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Correlation ID: 5702 · Black Variable ID: 26414 · Red Variable ID: 1387


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