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Spurious correlation #5,787 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in Fargo and the second variable is Solar power generated in Gabon.  The chart goes from 2012 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

It's simple, really. The smog from Fargo created a giant pollution dome that somehow redirected sunlight straight to Gabon, supercharging their solar panels. It's like nature's way of saying, "Oops, my bad for the pollution. Here, have some extra solar power on the house!" Plus, who knew that air pollution could pull off such an unexpected assist for renewable energy? It's a classic case of environmental mix-ups leading to a bright spot in an unlikely place. Nature works in mysterious, and apparently, hilarious ways!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image that showcases a TIME magazine cover featuring a cityscape with an overlay of thick smog in Fargo. Within the same image, include a sunny landscape in Gabon with neatly aligned solar panels absorbing the sun's rays. The focus should be on an unexpected beam of light breaking through the smog in Fargo and shining directly onto the solar panels in Gabon, enhancing their power generation. The scene should capture the quirky sense of collaboration between air pollution and sunlight, resulting in a surprisingly beneficial outcome for renewable energy. The image should have a simple and clear visual representation without any additional elements like words or speech bubbles. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Air pollution in Fargo and Solar power generated in Gabon. 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: Parallax art An image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie a funny image you would see on reddit A TIME magazine cover image Minimalism
ChatGPT: A TIME magazine cover image

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Air pollution in Fargo and Solar power generated in Gabon, in the following situation: It's simple, really. The smog from Fargo created a giant pollution dome that somehow redirected sunlight straight to Gabon, supercharging their solar panels. It's like nature's way of saying, "Oops, my bad for the pollution. Here, have some extra solar power on the house!" Plus, who knew that air pollution could pull off such an unexpected assist for renewable energy? It's a classic case of environmental mix-ups leading to a bright spot in an unlikely place. Nature works in mysterious, and apparently, hilarious ways!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: Picture a sprawling cityscape in Fargo, where thick smog hovers in the air, creating a dome of pollution above the city. Now, switch your focus to a sunny landscape in Gabon, where solar panels are lined up, absorbing the sun's rays. In an unexpected twist, a beam of light breaks through the smog and shines directly onto the solar panels, enhancing their power generation. It's an accidental collaboration between air pollution and sunlight, resulting in a surprisingly beneficial outcome for renewable energy in Gabon. Nature has a quirky sense of humor!

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: [ A TIME magazine cover image ] and depicting this scene: Picture a sprawling cityscape in Fargo, where thick smog hovers in the air, creating a dome of pollution above the city. Now, switch your focus to a sunny landscape in Gabon, where solar panels are lined up, absorbing the sun's rays. In an unexpected twist, a beam of light breaks through the smog and shines directly onto the solar panels, enhancing their power generation. It's an accidental collaboration between air pollution and sunlight, resulting in a surprisingly beneficial outcome for renewable energy in Gabon. Nature has a quirky sense of humor! Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image that showcases a TIME magazine cover featuring a cityscape with an overlay of thick smog in Fargo. Within the same image, include a sunny landscape in Gabon with neatly aligned solar panels absorbing the sun's rays. The focus should be on an unexpected beam of light breaking through the smog in Fargo and shining directly onto the solar panels in Gabon, enhancing their power generation. The scene should capture the quirky sense of collaboration between air pollution and sunlight, resulting in a surprisingly beneficial outcome for renewable energy. The image should have a simple and clear visual representation without any additional elements like words or speech bubbles.

*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 an increase in Air pollution in Fargo caused Solar power generated in Gabon to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus

Journal of Solar Ecology and Pollution Studies

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 witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics journal.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 Air pollution in Fargo and Solar power generated in Gabon. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title a clever pun.

Your research team used data from Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Information Administration to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 and p < 0.01 for 2012 to 2021.

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]]
"Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study sheds light on the intriguing relationship between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The burgeoning global concern over air pollution has motivated research on its impacts and potential remedies, prompting us to humorously ponder: can the sun, perhaps, outshine the effects of air pollution from an entire continent away? Harnessing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, we carried out a rigorous analysis to illuminate this unlikely intercontinental connection.

Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2012 to 2021. This suggests a robust statistical relationship between the air pollution levels measured in Fargo and the solar power generation thriving in the equatorial sunlight of Gabon. Surely, this solar-powered relationship is nothing to sneeze at, even if the Fargo air might tempt one to "choo-choo" (achoo).

Our results, while surprising, raise important questions about the role of solar power as a potential solution to offset the environmental impact of air pollution. So next time you're enjoying the sun's energy, give a thought to the air quality in Fargo - it's more connected than you might think!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics journal.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 Air pollution in Fargo and Solar power generated in Gabon. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study sheds light on the intriguing relationship between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The burgeoning global concern over air pollution has motivated research on its impacts and potential remedies, prompting us to humorously ponder: can the sun, perhaps, outshine the effects of air pollution from an entire continent away? Harnessing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, we carried out a rigorous analysis to illuminate this unlikely intercontinental connection.

Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2012 to 2021. This suggests a robust statistical relationship between the air pollution levels measured in Fargo and the solar power generation thriving in the equatorial sunlight of Gabon. Surely, this solar-powered relationship is nothing to sneeze at, even if the Fargo air might tempt one to "choo-choo" (achoo).

Our results, while surprising, raise important questions about the role of solar power as a potential solution to offset the environmental impact of air pollution. So next time you're enjoying the sun's energy, give a thought to the air quality in Fargo - it's more connected than you might think!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

Solar power and air pollution are two phenomena that, at first glance, may seem unrelated. However, as we attempt to shine light on the complex interplay between environmental factors and energy generation, it becomes clear that there may be more to this relationship than meets the eye. In this study, we endeavor to uncover the unexpected correlation between air pollution in Fargo, North Dakota, and solar power generation in Gabon, a country situated thousands of miles away.

The connection between these two seemingly disparate variables has sparked curiosity and skepticism alike. As we delve into this uncharted territory, we aim to enlighten readers on the statistical evidence that has emerged from our rigorous analysis. We believe that shedding light on this connection could provide valuable insight into the potential interactions between air quality and renewable energy sources. After all, it's important to keep an open mind when exploring unforeseen relationships - you never know what might "dawn" on you!

As we navigate through the data detailing air pollution levels in Fargo and the solar power generation capacity in Gabon, it is imperative to approach this investigation with intellectual curiosity and a healthy dose of humor. The statistics may be serious, but that doesn't mean we can't inject some sunny puns into the mix. After all, who doesn't love a good "light-hearted" approach to scientific inquiry?


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Air pollution in Fargo and Solar power generated in Gabon. 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 name a couple popular internet memes that are related to one of the topics.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study sheds light on the intriguing relationship between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The burgeoning global concern over air pollution has motivated research on its impacts and potential remedies, prompting us to humorously ponder: can the sun, perhaps, outshine the effects of air pollution from an entire continent away? Harnessing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, we carried out a rigorous analysis to illuminate this unlikely intercontinental connection.

Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2012 to 2021. This suggests a robust statistical relationship between the air pollution levels measured in Fargo and the solar power generation thriving in the equatorial sunlight of Gabon. Surely, this solar-powered relationship is nothing to sneeze at, even if the Fargo air might tempt one to "choo-choo" (achoo).

Our results, while surprising, raise important questions about the role of solar power as a potential solution to offset the environmental impact of air pollution. So next time you're enjoying the sun's energy, give a thought to the air quality in Fargo - it's more connected than you might think!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Solar power and air pollution are two phenomena that, at first glance, may seem unrelated. However, as we attempt to shine light on the complex interplay between environmental factors and energy generation, it becomes clear that there may be more to this relationship than meets the eye. In this study, we endeavor to uncover the unexpected correlation between air pollution in Fargo, North Dakota, and solar power generation in Gabon, a country situated thousands of miles away.
The connection between these two seemingly disparate variables has sparked curiosity and skepticism alike. As we delve into this uncharted territory, we aim to enlighten readers on the statistical evidence that has emerged from our rigorous analysis. We believe that shedding light on this connection could provide valuable insight into the potential interactions between air quality and renewable energy sources. After all, it's important to keep an open mind when exploring unforeseen relationships - you never know what might "dawn" on you!
As we navigate through the data detailing air pollution levels in Fargo and the solar power generation capacity in Gabon, it is imperative to approach this investigation with intellectual curiosity and a healthy dose of humor. The statistics may be serious, but that doesn't mean we can't inject some sunny puns into the mix. After all, who doesn't love a good "light-hearted" approach to scientific inquiry?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The connection between air pollution levels and solar power generation may seem like a leap of logic akin to trying to fit a square solar panel into a round hole. However, recent research has brought to light intriguing findings that invite us to explore this unlikely relationship. Smith et al. (2018) and Doe and Jones (2019) have contributed to the growing body of literature on air pollution and renewable energy, paving the way for our investigation into the unexpected impact of Fargo's emissions on Gabon's solar potential.

In "The Air Pollution Problem: A Comprehensive Analysis," Smith et al. (2018) elucidate the far-reaching consequences of air pollution, delving into its effects on climate, health, and ecosystems. Meanwhile, Doe and Jones (2019) critically examine the transition from traditional energy sources to renewable alternatives in "Shining the Spotlight on Solar Power." These studies lay the groundwork for our unconventional inquiry, providing a serious backdrop to our lighthearted exploration of this intercontinental phenomenon.

Turning a new leaf, we look beyond traditional scholarly sources to explore nonfiction books such as "The Great Smog of India: Air Pollution, Solar Solutions, and Other Unlikely Tales" and "Solar Power 101: From Gabon to Fargo and Everything In Between." Who knew that air pollution and solar power could share the same bookshelf?

On a more fanciful note, fiction literature also offers intriguing insights. In "The Sun Also Rises Over Fargo," the protagonist contemplates the paradox of finding solace in solar rays amid a city's smog, hinting at a connection that transcends geographical boundaries. Similarly, "Solar Eclipse: A Gabonese Adventure" weaves a tale of solar discovery and environmental impact, prompting readers to ponder the unseen forces at play in our world.

And now, for a delightful detour through the digital landscape, we encounter the viral meme "Distracted Boyfriend" – a playful analogy for the unexpected allure of solar power amidst the distractions of air pollution. Indeed, just as the boyfriend's wandering eye captures our attention, so too does the appeal of solar energy beckon us away from the grimy grasp of pollution. What a bright idea!

As our review has playfully highlighted, the existing literature sets the stage for our investigation into the unique connection between air pollution in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. With a dash of humor and a flicker of curiosity, we embark on this scholarly journey, illuminating a path that promises to brighten our understanding of these seemingly disparate environmental factors.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Air pollution in Fargo and Solar power generated in Gabon. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Information Administration . You used data from 2012 to 2021

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]]
"Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study sheds light on the intriguing relationship between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The burgeoning global concern over air pollution has motivated research on its impacts and potential remedies, prompting us to humorously ponder: can the sun, perhaps, outshine the effects of air pollution from an entire continent away? Harnessing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, we carried out a rigorous analysis to illuminate this unlikely intercontinental connection.

Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2012 to 2021. This suggests a robust statistical relationship between the air pollution levels measured in Fargo and the solar power generation thriving in the equatorial sunlight of Gabon. Surely, this solar-powered relationship is nothing to sneeze at, even if the Fargo air might tempt one to "choo-choo" (achoo).

Our results, while surprising, raise important questions about the role of solar power as a potential solution to offset the environmental impact of air pollution. So next time you're enjoying the sun's energy, give a thought to the air quality in Fargo - it's more connected than you might think!

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Solar power and air pollution are two phenomena that, at first glance, may seem unrelated. However, as we attempt to shine light on the complex interplay between environmental factors and energy generation, it becomes clear that there may be more to this relationship than meets the eye. In this study, we endeavor to uncover the unexpected correlation between air pollution in Fargo, North Dakota, and solar power generation in Gabon, a country situated thousands of miles away.
The connection between these two seemingly disparate variables has sparked curiosity and skepticism alike. As we delve into this uncharted territory, we aim to enlighten readers on the statistical evidence that has emerged from our rigorous analysis. We believe that shedding light on this connection could provide valuable insight into the potential interactions between air quality and renewable energy sources. After all, it's important to keep an open mind when exploring unforeseen relationships - you never know what might "dawn" on you!
As we navigate through the data detailing air pollution levels in Fargo and the solar power generation capacity in Gabon, it is imperative to approach this investigation with intellectual curiosity and a healthy dose of humor. The statistics may be serious, but that doesn't mean we can't inject some sunny puns into the mix. After all, who doesn't love a good "light-hearted" approach to scientific inquiry?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To investigate the potential interconnectedness between air pollution in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon, our research team embarked on a data journey that would make even the most seasoned statistician break a sweat. First, we scoured the digital archives of the Environmental Protection Agency, collecting air quality data for Fargo from 2012 to 2021. We meticulously combed through the data, filtering out any anomalies or outliers that might have skewed our analysis. As the saying goes, we wanted to ensure our findings weren't "polluted" by erroneous data.

Simultaneously, we delved into the sunny world of solar power, extracting solar energy production data from the sun-soaked lands of Gabon during the same time period. Sorting through the voluminous datasets, we filtered out any data points that were clouded by inconsistencies or inaccuracies. It was a meticulous process, akin to hunting for a solar eclipse in broad daylight - you had to know where to look, and a little bit of luck didn't hurt either.

The next step in our methodological odyssey involved the resurrection of long-forgotten statistical techniques to analyze the collected data. We employed a robust approach, including regression analysis, time series modeling, and sophisticated correlation tests. It was a statistical balancin act, juggling our desire for scholarly rigor with our innate passion for data-driven exploration.

To assess the strength and direction of the relationship between air pollution in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon, we calculated a variety of statistical measures, including the correlation coefficient and p-value. These metrics allowed us to gauge the extent to which changes in air pollution levels in Fargo were associated with variations in solar power generation in Gabon. It was an exercise in statistical fortitude, akin to navigating through a cloud of uncertainty with the guiding light of data science illuminating our path.

As we carefully navigated the labyrinth of statistical analyses, we remained ever-cognizant of the potential limitations and caveats inherent in our approach. The propensity for spurious correlations and the risk of overlooking confounding variables loomed large, like a shadow obscuring the accuracy of our findings. However, armed with our methodological prowess and a penchant for precision, we forged ahead, determined to shed light on this enigmatic connection between air pollution and solar power.

Our analysis ultimately unveiled a strikingly robust correlation between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon, taking us by surprise like a sudden solar flare on a seemingly tranquil day. The statistical evidence not only surpassed our initial expectations but also raised thought-provoking questions about the potential implications of this intercontinental linkage. It was a revelation that left us pondering the interconnectedness of the world, from the smoky skies of Fargo to the sun-drenched landscapes of Gabon.

The findings of our methodologically rigorous investigation offer a unique perspective on the intricate dance between environmental factors and renewable energy sources. As we peer into the statistical heavens, we are reminded of the profound interconnectedness of our planet and the unexpected ways in which seemingly disparate variables can converge. It's a reminder that even in the vast expanse of statistical analysis, there's always a ray of hope waiting to break through the clouds of uncertainty.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics journal.You draft the results section of an academic research paper. You speak in the past tense (you found...).
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in Fargo and Solar power generated in Gabon. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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

For the time period 2012 to 2021, you found a correlation 0.9938080, r-squared of 0.9876543, 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]]
"Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study sheds light on the intriguing relationship between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The burgeoning global concern over air pollution has motivated research on its impacts and potential remedies, prompting us to humorously ponder: can the sun, perhaps, outshine the effects of air pollution from an entire continent away? Harnessing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, we carried out a rigorous analysis to illuminate this unlikely intercontinental connection.

Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2012 to 2021. This suggests a robust statistical relationship between the air pollution levels measured in Fargo and the solar power generation thriving in the equatorial sunlight of Gabon. Surely, this solar-powered relationship is nothing to sneeze at, even if the Fargo air might tempt one to "choo-choo" (achoo).

Our results, while surprising, raise important questions about the role of solar power as a potential solution to offset the environmental impact of air pollution. So next time you're enjoying the sun's energy, give a thought to the air quality in Fargo - it's more connected than you might think!

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
Solar power and air pollution are two phenomena that, at first glance, may seem unrelated. However, as we attempt to shine light on the complex interplay between environmental factors and energy generation, it becomes clear that there may be more to this relationship than meets the eye. In this study, we endeavor to uncover the unexpected correlation between air pollution in Fargo, North Dakota, and solar power generation in Gabon, a country situated thousands of miles away.
The connection between these two seemingly disparate variables has sparked curiosity and skepticism alike. As we delve into this uncharted territory, we aim to enlighten readers on the statistical evidence that has emerged from our rigorous analysis. We believe that shedding light on this connection could provide valuable insight into the potential interactions between air quality and renewable energy sources. After all, it's important to keep an open mind when exploring unforeseen relationships - you never know what might "dawn" on you!
As we navigate through the data detailing air pollution levels in Fargo and the solar power generation capacity in Gabon, it is imperative to approach this investigation with intellectual curiosity and a healthy dose of humor. The statistics may be serious, but that doesn't mean we can't inject some sunny puns into the mix. After all, who doesn't love a good "light-hearted" approach to scientific inquiry?

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The analysis of the data collected from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration revealed a remarkably strong correlation between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The correlation coefficient obtained was 0.9938080, indicating a highly positive association between the two variables. With an r-squared value of 0.9876543, it further confirms that a substantial proportion of the fluctuations in solar power generation in Gabon can be explained by the variations in air pollution levels in Fargo.

The p-value of less than 0.01 signifies that the observed relationship is statistically significant, making it clear that this connection is not just a fluke but a bona fide statistical revelation. One might say that this correlation is as bright and clear as a sunny day - or as clear as the skies above Gabon on a pollution-free day!

The visually striking relationship observed is succinctly captured in Fig. 1, which presents a scatterplot highlighting the strong positive correlation between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The data points form a compelling line that represents the close connection between these distant environmental phenomena. It seems that the sun's rays have managed to reach all the way from Gabon to shine down on Fargo's air pollution levels, forging an unexpected connection that cannot be overlooked.

This unlikely bond between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon challenges conventional wisdom and emphasizes the importance of considering global interconnections. It is clear that unusual relationships may exist even across vast distances and disparate environmental conditions. One can't help but marvel at the extent to which these phenomena, seemingly worlds apart, are intricately linked. Who would have thought that the solar power in Gabon could provide a beacon of hope for mitigating the effects of air pollution in Fargo?

In conclusion, the findings of this research not only illuminate the surprising correlation between air pollution and solar power but also raise thought-provoking questions about the potential role of solar energy in offsetting the environmental impact of air pollution. This intercontinental connection showcases the broader implications of environmentally friendly energy solutions and prompts us to consider the global impact of local environmental factors. After all, when it comes to understanding the intricate relationship between air pollution and solar power, it's important to adopt a sunny disposition and approach it with a light heart - just like the power of solar energy itself!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Air pollution in Fargo and Solar power generated in Gabon. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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]]
"Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study sheds light on the intriguing relationship between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The burgeoning global concern over air pollution has motivated research on its impacts and potential remedies, prompting us to humorously ponder: can the sun, perhaps, outshine the effects of air pollution from an entire continent away? Harnessing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, we carried out a rigorous analysis to illuminate this unlikely intercontinental connection.

Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2012 to 2021. This suggests a robust statistical relationship between the air pollution levels measured in Fargo and the solar power generation thriving in the equatorial sunlight of Gabon. Surely, this solar-powered relationship is nothing to sneeze at, even if the Fargo air might tempt one to "choo-choo" (achoo).

Our results, while surprising, raise important questions about the role of solar power as a potential solution to offset the environmental impact of air pollution. So next time you're enjoying the sun's energy, give a thought to the air quality in Fargo - it's more connected than you might think!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The connection between air pollution levels and solar power generation may seem like a leap of logic akin to trying to fit a square solar panel into a round hole. However, recent research has brought to light intriguing findings that invite us to explore this unlikely relationship. Smith et al. (2018) and Doe and Jones (2019) have contributed to the growing body of literature on air pollution and renewable energy, paving the way for our investigation into the unexpected impact of Fargo's emissions on Gabon's solar potential.
In "The Air Pollution Problem: A Comprehensive Analysis," Smith et al. (2018) elucidate the far-reaching consequences of air pollution, delving into its effects on climate, health, and ecosystems. Meanwhile, Doe and Jones (2019) critically examine the transition from traditional energy sources to renewable alternatives in "Shining the Spotlight on Solar Power." These studies lay the groundwork for our unconventional inquiry, providing a serious backdrop to our lighthearted exploration of this intercontinental phenomenon.
Turning a new leaf, we look beyond traditional scholarly sources to explore nonfiction books such as "The Great Smog of India: Air Pollution, Solar Solutions, and Other Unlikely Tales" and "Solar Power 101: From Gabon to Fargo and Everything In Between." Who knew that air pollution and solar power could share the same bookshelf?
On a more fanciful note, fiction literature also offers intriguing insights. In "The Sun Also Rises Over Fargo," the protagonist contemplates the paradox of finding solace in solar rays amid a city's smog, hinting at a connection that transcends geographical boundaries. Similarly, "Solar Eclipse: A Gabonese Adventure" weaves a tale of solar discovery and environmental impact, prompting readers to ponder the unseen forces at play in our world.
And now, for a delightful detour through the digital landscape, we encounter the viral meme "Distracted Boyfriend" – a playful analogy for the unexpected allure of solar power amidst the distractions of air pollution. Indeed, just as the boyfriend's wandering eye captures our attention, so too does the appeal of solar energy beckon us away from the grimy grasp of pollution. What a bright idea!
As our review has playfully highlighted, the existing literature sets the stage for our investigation into the unique connection between air pollution in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. With a dash of humor and a flicker of curiosity, we embark on this scholarly journey, illuminating a path that promises to brighten our understanding of these seemingly disparate environmental factors.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data collected from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration revealed a remarkably strong correlation between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The correlation coefficient obtained was 0.9938080, indicating a highly positive association between the two variables. With an r-squared value of 0.9876543, it further confirms that a substantial proportion of the fluctuations in solar power generation in Gabon can be explained by the variations in air pollution levels in Fargo.
The p-value of less than 0.01 signifies that the observed relationship is statistically significant, making it clear that this connection is not just a fluke but a bona fide statistical revelation. One might say that this correlation is as bright and clear as a sunny day - or as clear as the skies above Gabon on a pollution-free day!
The visually striking relationship observed is succinctly captured in Fig. 1, which presents a scatterplot highlighting the strong positive correlation between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The data points form a compelling line that represents the close connection between these distant environmental phenomena. It seems that the sun's rays have managed to reach all the way from Gabon to shine down on Fargo's air pollution levels, forging an unexpected connection that cannot be overlooked.
This unlikely bond between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon challenges conventional wisdom and emphasizes the importance of considering global interconnections. It is clear that unusual relationships may exist even across vast distances and disparate environmental conditions. One can't help but marvel at the extent to which these phenomena, seemingly worlds apart, are intricately linked. Who would have thought that the solar power in Gabon could provide a beacon of hope for mitigating the effects of air pollution in Fargo?
In conclusion, the findings of this research not only illuminate the surprising correlation between air pollution and solar power but also raise thought-provoking questions about the potential role of solar energy in offsetting the environmental impact of air pollution. This intercontinental connection showcases the broader implications of environmentally friendly energy solutions and prompts us to consider the global impact of local environmental factors. After all, when it comes to understanding the intricate relationship between air pollution and solar power, it's important to adopt a sunny disposition and approach it with a light heart - just like the power of solar energy itself!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The results of this study provide compelling evidence of the unexpected yet robust connection between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. It is intriguing to consider the sun's ability to outshine the effects of air pollution from an entirely different continent, shedding light on the possibility of solar power as a formidable force in mitigating the environmental impact of air pollution. One might say that this solar-powered relationship shines brighter than a dad's "dad jokes" at a family gathering.

The findings of this research are in line with prior studies that have brought attention to the potential interplay between air pollution and renewable energy sources. Smith et al. (2018) and Doe and Jones (2019) have laid the groundwork for this investigation, and the current results robustly support and expand on their findings. It is truly remarkable to see how interconnected these seemingly disparate environmental factors are, much like the surprising connection between a pun and a groan.

The strong correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 indicates a highly positive association between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon, emphasizing the unexpected bond between these geographically distant environmental phenomena. This correlation, as bright and clear as a sunny day, defies conventional wisdom and prompts a deeper consideration of the global implications of local environmental conditions. The statistical significance of the observed relationship is as clear as the skies above Gabon on a pollution-free day – a rare and precious sight indeed.

The remarkable statistical association presented in this study challenges traditional notions and emphasizes the importance of recognizing global interconnections within the environment. Just as the solar power in Gabon provides a beacon of hope for mitigating the effects of air pollution in Fargo, so too does this research shine a light on the potential of renewable energy sources to combat the environmental impact of air pollution beyond geographical boundaries. It's like discovering the perfect punchline to a complex environmental quip – unexpected, but undeniably remarkable.

In conclusion, this study highlights the significance of considering solar power as a potential solution to offset the environmental impact of air pollution, illuminating the intricate relationship between these seemingly unrelated environmental factors. As we continue to explore the synergies between solar power and environmental quality, it is important to maintain a bright and sunny disposition, just like the power of solar energy itself. After all, a little bit of humor can make even the most complex environmental research shine a little brighter.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a witty academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a statistics 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 Air pollution in Fargo and Solar power generated in Gabon. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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]]
"Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study sheds light on the intriguing relationship between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The burgeoning global concern over air pollution has motivated research on its impacts and potential remedies, prompting us to humorously ponder: can the sun, perhaps, outshine the effects of air pollution from an entire continent away? Harnessing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, we carried out a rigorous analysis to illuminate this unlikely intercontinental connection.

Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2012 to 2021. This suggests a robust statistical relationship between the air pollution levels measured in Fargo and the solar power generation thriving in the equatorial sunlight of Gabon. Surely, this solar-powered relationship is nothing to sneeze at, even if the Fargo air might tempt one to "choo-choo" (achoo).

Our results, while surprising, raise important questions about the role of solar power as a potential solution to offset the environmental impact of air pollution. So next time you're enjoying the sun's energy, give a thought to the air quality in Fargo - it's more connected than you might think!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Solar power and air pollution are two phenomena that, at first glance, may seem unrelated. However, as we attempt to shine light on the complex interplay between environmental factors and energy generation, it becomes clear that there may be more to this relationship than meets the eye. In this study, we endeavor to uncover the unexpected correlation between air pollution in Fargo, North Dakota, and solar power generation in Gabon, a country situated thousands of miles away.
The connection between these two seemingly disparate variables has sparked curiosity and skepticism alike. As we delve into this uncharted territory, we aim to enlighten readers on the statistical evidence that has emerged from our rigorous analysis. We believe that shedding light on this connection could provide valuable insight into the potential interactions between air quality and renewable energy sources. After all, it's important to keep an open mind when exploring unforeseen relationships - you never know what might "dawn" on you!
As we navigate through the data detailing air pollution levels in Fargo and the solar power generation capacity in Gabon, it is imperative to approach this investigation with intellectual curiosity and a healthy dose of humor. The statistics may be serious, but that doesn't mean we can't inject some sunny puns into the mix. After all, who doesn't love a good "light-hearted" approach to scientific inquiry?

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data collected from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration revealed a remarkably strong correlation between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The correlation coefficient obtained was 0.9938080, indicating a highly positive association between the two variables. With an r-squared value of 0.9876543, it further confirms that a substantial proportion of the fluctuations in solar power generation in Gabon can be explained by the variations in air pollution levels in Fargo.
The p-value of less than 0.01 signifies that the observed relationship is statistically significant, making it clear that this connection is not just a fluke but a bona fide statistical revelation. One might say that this correlation is as bright and clear as a sunny day - or as clear as the skies above Gabon on a pollution-free day!
The visually striking relationship observed is succinctly captured in Fig. 1, which presents a scatterplot highlighting the strong positive correlation between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The data points form a compelling line that represents the close connection between these distant environmental phenomena. It seems that the sun's rays have managed to reach all the way from Gabon to shine down on Fargo's air pollution levels, forging an unexpected connection that cannot be overlooked.
This unlikely bond between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon challenges conventional wisdom and emphasizes the importance of considering global interconnections. It is clear that unusual relationships may exist even across vast distances and disparate environmental conditions. One can't help but marvel at the extent to which these phenomena, seemingly worlds apart, are intricately linked. Who would have thought that the solar power in Gabon could provide a beacon of hope for mitigating the effects of air pollution in Fargo?
In conclusion, the findings of this research not only illuminate the surprising correlation between air pollution and solar power but also raise thought-provoking questions about the potential role of solar energy in offsetting the environmental impact of air pollution. This intercontinental connection showcases the broader implications of environmentally friendly energy solutions and prompts us to consider the global impact of local environmental factors. After all, when it comes to understanding the intricate relationship between air pollution and solar power, it's important to adopt a sunny disposition and approach it with a light heart - just like the power of solar energy itself!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

The results of this study provide compelling evidence of the unexpected correlation between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The statistically significant relationship revealed, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 and an r-squared value of 0.9876543, suggests that the sunshine in Gabon is indeed casting its rays to combat the air pollution in Fargo. One might even say that the solar power in Gabon is reaching across continents to give Fargo a "solar hug"!

The implications of these findings go beyond mere statistical curiosity. They raise significant questions about the potential for solar energy to act as a counterbalance to the environmental impact of air pollution. As we consider the broader environmental and energy policy implications, it's clear that this connection is not something we can just "sweep under the rug" - although using solar power to combat air pollution might help us "sweep the skies" clean!

The visual representation of this unexpected bond, depicted in the compelling scatterplot, serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global environmental factors and energy sources. The sun's influence evidently extends far beyond its immediate surroundings, showing that even the sun likes to "stretch its rays" and embrace distant places.

In summary, this study not only sheds light on the surprising connection between air pollution and solar power but also serves as a reminder of the need to approach scientific inquiry with both rigor and lightheartedness. After all, uncovering such unexpected relationships is a reminder that science can be both enlightening and "punny" at the same time!

Given the strength of the evidence presented, no further research in this area is needed. It seems that we have truly reached the "peak" of understanding this unexpected intercontinental relationship!


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 Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Solar Ecology and Pollution Studies


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Solar Research Institute of Environmental Sustainability (SRIES)


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 Rays of Hope: Shedding Light on the Pollution-Solar Power Nexus with an abstract of This study sheds light on the intriguing relationship between air pollution levels in Fargo and solar power generation in Gabon. The burgeoning global concern over air pollution has motivated research on its impacts and potential remedies, prompting us to humorously ponder: can the sun, perhaps, outshine the effects of air pollution from an entire continent away? Harnessing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, we carried out a rigorous analysis to illuminate this unlikely intercontinental connection.
Our findings revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9938080 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2012 to 2021. This suggests a robust statistical relationship between the air pollution levels measured in Fargo and the solar power generation thriving in the equatorial sunlight of Gabon. Surely, this solar-powered relationship is nothing to sneeze at, even if the Fargo air might tempt one to "choo-choo" (achoo).
Our results, while surprising, raise important questions about the role of solar power as a potential solution to offset the environmental impact of air pollution. So next time you're enjoying the sun's energy, give a thought to the air quality in Fargo - it's more connected than you might think!

ChatGPT:

air pollution, solar power, intercontinental relationship, global concern, environmental impact, statistical analysis, correlation coefficient, solar power generation, environmental protection agency, energy information administration

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



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Data details

Air pollution in Fargo
Detailed data title: Percentage of days 'unhealthy' or worse air quality in Fargo, ND-MN
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in Fargo

Solar power generated in Gabon
Detailed data title: Total solar power generated in Gabon in billion kWh
Source: Energy Information Administration
See what else correlates with Solar power generated in Gabon

Correlation r = 0.9938080 (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 = 0.9876543 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 98.8% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Solar power generated in Gabon) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Air pollution in Fargo) over the 10 years from 2012 through 2021.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 6.4E-9. 0.0000000063836812303097380000
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 0.99 in 6.4E-7% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 156,649,426 random variables You don't actually need 156 million variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

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

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

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 9 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 9 because we have two variables measured over a period of 10 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.

[ 0.97, 1 ] 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.
2012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Air pollution in Fargo (Bad air quality days)00000000.0027548200.0247934
Solar power generated in Gabon (Billion kWh)0.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.0020.00244




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.
  4. Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.




Try it yourself

You can calculate the values on this page on your own! Try running the Python code to see the calculation results. 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([0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0.00275482,0,0.0247934,])
array_2 = np.array([0.002,0.002,0.002,0.002,0.002,0.002,0.002,0.002,0.002,0.00244,])
array_1_name = "Air pollution in Fargo"
array_2_name = "Solar power generated in Gabon"

# 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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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: 5787 · Black Variable ID: 21814 · Red Variable ID: 23677
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