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Spurious correlation #7,117 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is xkcd comics published about politics and the second variable is Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League.  The chart goes from 2007 to 2013, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the number of xkcd comics about politics increased, so did the usage of puns related to spiked balls and serving in the comics. Exposure to these puns caused a ripple effect in the comedic volleyball community, leading to an uptick in wordplay during matches. This unexpected spike in volleyball-themed humor served to uplift the Russian men's national volleyball team, providing them with the extra boost they needed to set, bump, and spike their way to a higher placement in the FIVB Volleyball World League.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Prompt: Generate an image in the style of data cyber art depicting a cartoonist's studio, with a wall covered in xkcd comics about politics. In the foreground, a group of Russian men's national volleyball players are gathered around a table, laughing and sharing volleyball-themed puns from the comics. Their coach smiles proudly in the background as they triumphantly hold a trophy from the FIVB Volleyball World League, showcasing their higher placement. The overall scene should have a vibrant and joyful atmosphere, highlighting the camaraderie and achievement of the volleyball players. 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: xkcd comics published about politics and Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League. 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: Symbolism Data cyber art Surrealism Cubism Cubism
ChatGPT: Data cyber art

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both xkcd comics published about politics and Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League, in the following situation: As the number of xkcd comics about politics increased, so did the usage of puns related to spiked balls and serving in the comics. Exposure to these puns caused a ripple effect in the comedic volleyball community, leading to an uptick in wordplay during matches. This unexpected spike in volleyball-themed humor served to uplift the Russian men's national volleyball team, providing them with the extra boost they needed to set, bump, and spike their way to a higher placement in the FIVB Volleyball World League.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a cartoonist's studio, a wall is covered with xkcd comics about politics, with more being added over time. In the foreground, a group of Russian men's national volleyball players are gathered around a table, laughing and sharing volleyball-themed puns from the comics. Their coach smiles proudly in the background as they triumphantly hold a trophy from the FIVB Volleyball World League, showcasing their higher placement.

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: [ Data cyber art ] and depicting this scene: In a cartoonist's studio, a wall is covered with xkcd comics about politics, with more being added over time. In the foreground, a group of Russian men's national volleyball players are gathered around a table, laughing and sharing volleyball-themed puns from the comics. Their coach smiles proudly in the background as they triumphantly hold a trophy from the FIVB Volleyball World League, showcasing their higher placement. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Prompt: Generate an image in the style of data cyber art depicting a cartoonist's studio, with a wall covered in xkcd comics about politics. In the foreground, a group of Russian men's national volleyball players are gathered around a table, laughing and sharing volleyball-themed puns from the comics. Their coach smiles proudly in the background as they triumphantly hold a trophy from the FIVB Volleyball World League, showcasing their higher placement. The overall scene should have a vibrant and joyful atmosphere, highlighting the camaraderie and achievement of the volleyball players.

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how increases in xkcd comics published about politics positively influenced Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League. Make it feel plausible.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League

Journal of Humor Studies

Feb 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 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 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 xkcd comics published about politics and Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Make the title an alliteration.

Your research team used data from AI analysis of xkcd comics and Wikipedia to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 and p < 0.01 for 2007 to 2013.

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]]
Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the curious connection between the political themes in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a nonchalant attitude towards such an improbable link, we employed cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and data from Wikipedia to unravel this enigmatic relationship. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2007 to 2013. Despite the ominous specter of spurious correlations lurking in the realm of data analysis, our rigorous methodology leaves little doubt as to the robustness of this peculiar association. The implications of these findings may spark lively conversations, or at the very least, serve as fodder for some whimsical banter among volleyball enthusiasts and comic aficionados alike.


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 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 xkcd comics published about politics and Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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]]
Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the curious connection between the political themes in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a nonchalant attitude towards such an improbable link, we employed cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and data from Wikipedia to unravel this enigmatic relationship. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2007 to 2013. Despite the ominous specter of spurious correlations lurking in the realm of data analysis, our rigorous methodology leaves little doubt as to the robustness of this peculiar association. The implications of these findings may spark lively conversations, or at the very least, serve as fodder for some whimsical banter among volleyball enthusiasts and comic aficionados alike.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
INTRODUCTION

The world of sports and the realm of political satire may seem as disparate as a volleyball court and a stand-up comedy stage. However, it is precisely the unexpected and seemingly illogical connections that often stimulate the curiosity of researchers and provoke them to delve into uncharted territories of inquiry. In this vein, our study sets out to examine the curious correlation between the political themes depicted in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a hint of nonchalance and an ample dose of skepticism, we embarked on this endeavor with the intention of unraveling a correlation that, at first glance, appears as improbable as a volleyball player attempting to enact a political satire.

The context in which the subject of our study resides is nothing short of intriguing. xkcd, a webcomic created by Randall Munroe, is known for its blend of sarcasm, intelligence, and, yes, occasional references to politics. On the other hand, the Russian men's national volleyball team has carved out its own place in the annals of athletic history, showcasing power, finesse, and a level of performance that demands attention. Yet, it is not often that one contemplates the intersection of these two distinct entities—to do so might seem as peculiar as pondering the relationship between a spike on the volleyball court and a spike in political tension.

As we wade into this terrain of unlikely connections, we are acutely aware of the potential pitfalls that come with such an endeavor. The realm of data analysis is rife with the lurking specter of spurious correlations, ready to ensnare the unwary researcher in its tangled web of statistical noise. Nevertheless, armed with a combination of cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and empirical data from the FIVB World League, we forged ahead, determined to uncover any semblance of a meaningful relationship between these two seemingly incongruous elements.

In this paper, we present the results of our investigation, revealing a correlation that, if nothing else, will ignite lively conversations among enthusiasts of volleyball and comedy alike. Although we approach this subject with the gravitas befitting a scholarly pursuit, we cannot help but acknowledge the whimsical nature of the connection we endeavor to explore. Indeed, this study may serve as fodder for those seeking to inject a bit of lightheartedness into the sometimes weighty world of academic debate.

Stay tuned for the revelation of our findings, a fusion of statistical rigor and unforeseen amusement. The intersection of xkcd and volleyball, it turns out, may not be as arbitrary as one might think.


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 xkcd comics published about politics and Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then name a couple popular internet memes that are related to one of the topics.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the curious connection between the political themes in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a nonchalant attitude towards such an improbable link, we employed cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and data from Wikipedia to unravel this enigmatic relationship. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2007 to 2013. Despite the ominous specter of spurious correlations lurking in the realm of data analysis, our rigorous methodology leaves little doubt as to the robustness of this peculiar association. The implications of these findings may spark lively conversations, or at the very least, serve as fodder for some whimsical banter among volleyball enthusiasts and comic aficionados alike.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
INTRODUCTION
The world of sports and the realm of political satire may seem as disparate as a volleyball court and a stand-up comedy stage. However, it is precisely the unexpected and seemingly illogical connections that often stimulate the curiosity of researchers and provoke them to delve into uncharted territories of inquiry. In this vein, our study sets out to examine the curious correlation between the political themes depicted in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a hint of nonchalance and an ample dose of skepticism, we embarked on this endeavor with the intention of unraveling a correlation that, at first glance, appears as improbable as a volleyball player attempting to enact a political satire.
The context in which the subject of our study resides is nothing short of intriguing. xkcd, a webcomic created by Randall Munroe, is known for its blend of sarcasm, intelligence, and, yes, occasional references to politics. On the other hand, the Russian men's national volleyball team has carved out its own place in the annals of athletic history, showcasing power, finesse, and a level of performance that demands attention. Yet, it is not often that one contemplates the intersection of these two distinct entities—to do so might seem as peculiar as pondering the relationship between a spike on the volleyball court and a spike in political tension.
As we wade into this terrain of unlikely connections, we are acutely aware of the potential pitfalls that come with such an endeavor. The realm of data analysis is rife with the lurking specter of spurious correlations, ready to ensnare the unwary researcher in its tangled web of statistical noise. Nevertheless, armed with a combination of cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and empirical data from the FIVB World League, we forged ahead, determined to uncover any semblance of a meaningful relationship between these two seemingly incongruous elements.
In this paper, we present the results of our investigation, revealing a correlation that, if nothing else, will ignite lively conversations among enthusiasts of volleyball and comedy alike. Although we approach this subject with the gravitas befitting a scholarly pursuit, we cannot help but acknowledge the whimsical nature of the connection we endeavor to explore. Indeed, this study may serve as fodder for those seeking to inject a bit of lightheartedness into the sometimes weighty world of academic debate.
Stay tuned for the revelation of our findings, a fusion of statistical rigor and unforeseen amusement. The intersection of xkcd and volleyball, it turns out, may not be as arbitrary as one might think.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

Smith (2010) explored the nuanced and intricate relationship between satire and sports, delving into the unexpected parallels that may arise when seemingly incongruous domains intersect. This work laid the groundwork for probing the potential connections between the witty political commentary found in xkcd comics and the competitive world of men's volleyball.

Doe (2013) conducted a thorough analysis of humor in the context of athletic events, shedding light on the impact of comedic elements on both athletes and spectators. This study brought to the fore the idea that humor and sports may not be as mutually exclusive as commonly perceived, setting the stage for our exploration of political puns and volleyball prowess.

Jones (2015) examined the impact of external influences on sports performance, offering insights into the ways in which diverse factors, including cultural and sociopolitical phenomena, may subtly shape athletic outcomes. This line of inquiry provides a lens through which to scrutinize the potential effects of political satire, as manifested in xkcd comics, on the feats of the Russian men's national volleyball team.

In "Humor in Sports: A Psychological Perspective," the authors elucidate on the multifaceted role of humor in the realm of sports, touching upon its effects on performance, camaraderie, and spectator experience. While the connection to political satire may not be explicit in this work, it nonetheless underscores the pervasive influence of humor in athletic contexts.

Poking Fun at Politics: An Anatomy of Political Satire by Witty and Punny Comics serves as an in-depth exploration of the art of political humor within the realm of webcomics. While not directly related to sports, the insights gleaned from this book provide a broader understanding of the impact and reach of political satire, thus informing our approach to examining the influence of xkcd on the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team.

Fiction books such as "The Spike Chronicles: A Tale of Volleyball and Vexing Politics" and "Net Gains: Politics in the World of Volleyball" impart a whimsical aura to our review, infusing a touch of literary charm into the otherwise stoic realm of academic discourse. While not scholarly works in the traditional sense, these titles invite a playful exploration of the improbable link between xkcd comics and the world of men's volleyball.

Furthermore, the popular internet meme "Putin Playing Volleyball in a xkcd Comic" has garnered attention for its whimsical juxtaposition of political figures and athletic pursuits, reflecting the latent associations between politics and volleyball that pervade the public consciousness. This cultural artifact serves as a testament to the enigmatic allure of the intersection between xkcd and the Russian men's national volleyball team, offering a source of intrigue and amusement that underlies our scholarly pursuit.


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 xkcd comics published about politics and Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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 AI analysis of xkcd comics and Wikipedia . You used data from 2007 to 2013

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]]
Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the curious connection between the political themes in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a nonchalant attitude towards such an improbable link, we employed cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and data from Wikipedia to unravel this enigmatic relationship. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2007 to 2013. Despite the ominous specter of spurious correlations lurking in the realm of data analysis, our rigorous methodology leaves little doubt as to the robustness of this peculiar association. The implications of these findings may spark lively conversations, or at the very least, serve as fodder for some whimsical banter among volleyball enthusiasts and comic aficionados alike.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
INTRODUCTION
The world of sports and the realm of political satire may seem as disparate as a volleyball court and a stand-up comedy stage. However, it is precisely the unexpected and seemingly illogical connections that often stimulate the curiosity of researchers and provoke them to delve into uncharted territories of inquiry. In this vein, our study sets out to examine the curious correlation between the political themes depicted in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a hint of nonchalance and an ample dose of skepticism, we embarked on this endeavor with the intention of unraveling a correlation that, at first glance, appears as improbable as a volleyball player attempting to enact a political satire.
The context in which the subject of our study resides is nothing short of intriguing. xkcd, a webcomic created by Randall Munroe, is known for its blend of sarcasm, intelligence, and, yes, occasional references to politics. On the other hand, the Russian men's national volleyball team has carved out its own place in the annals of athletic history, showcasing power, finesse, and a level of performance that demands attention. Yet, it is not often that one contemplates the intersection of these two distinct entities—to do so might seem as peculiar as pondering the relationship between a spike on the volleyball court and a spike in political tension.
As we wade into this terrain of unlikely connections, we are acutely aware of the potential pitfalls that come with such an endeavor. The realm of data analysis is rife with the lurking specter of spurious correlations, ready to ensnare the unwary researcher in its tangled web of statistical noise. Nevertheless, armed with a combination of cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and empirical data from the FIVB World League, we forged ahead, determined to uncover any semblance of a meaningful relationship between these two seemingly incongruous elements.
In this paper, we present the results of our investigation, revealing a correlation that, if nothing else, will ignite lively conversations among enthusiasts of volleyball and comedy alike. Although we approach this subject with the gravitas befitting a scholarly pursuit, we cannot help but acknowledge the whimsical nature of the connection we endeavor to explore. Indeed, this study may serve as fodder for those seeking to inject a bit of lightheartedness into the sometimes weighty world of academic debate.
Stay tuned for the revelation of our findings, a fusion of statistical rigor and unforeseen amusement. The intersection of xkcd and volleyball, it turns out, may not be as arbitrary as one might think.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

Our research employed a multidimensional approach to investigate the ostensible relationship between xkcd comics with political themes and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. The data collection process was conducted with meticulous care, utilizing a blend of advanced AI analysis of xkcd comics and empirical data sourced from Wikipedia and other relevant online platforms.

The first step in our methodology involved the selection and categorization of xkcd comics with overt political themes. This process entailed the development of a comprehensive taxonomy to classify the nuanced and often sardonic political content present in the xkcd corpus. The AI analysis algorithms were meticulously trained to identify and extract these pertinent comics, ensuring the inclusion of a wide array of political issues, from international geopolitics to the intricacies of legislative processes.

Subsequently, the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League was scrutinized through historical match records, statistical data, and expert evaluations sourced from authoritative sports resources. Notably, the team's placement and performance across the years of 2007 to 2013 were examined in detail, providing a robust foundation for our correlation analysis.

Statistical analysis was then carried out to identify any potential correlation between the selected xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team. Correlation coefficients were calculated using advanced computational models, accounting for potential confounding variables and employing appropriate measures to mitigate the influence of spurious associations.

Furthermore, the analysis incorporated a nuanced exploration of temporal sequences, seeking to elucidate potential time-dependent relationships between the publication of xkcd comics with political themes and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. This temporal dimension added an additional layer of complexity to our investigation, allowing for the exploration of dynamic influences and potential causal mechanisms, if any were to be discovered.

In the spirit of transparency and reproducibility, we acknowledge the limitations inherent in our chosen methodologies. While the integration of AI analysis of xkcd comics and empirical sports data presented a novel approach, the complexity of the relationship under scrutiny necessitated a prudent acknowledgment of the inherent challenges in establishing causality from observational data. Nonetheless, our efforts in navigating the intricacies of this peculiar intersection between comedic political commentary and athletic prowess have yielded intriguing insights that we present in the subsequent section.


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 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 xkcd comics published about politics and Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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 AI analysis of xkcd comics and Wikipedia .

For the time period 2007 to 2013, you found a correlation 0.9068050, r-squared of 0.8222953, 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]]
Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the curious connection between the political themes in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a nonchalant attitude towards such an improbable link, we employed cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and data from Wikipedia to unravel this enigmatic relationship. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2007 to 2013. Despite the ominous specter of spurious correlations lurking in the realm of data analysis, our rigorous methodology leaves little doubt as to the robustness of this peculiar association. The implications of these findings may spark lively conversations, or at the very least, serve as fodder for some whimsical banter among volleyball enthusiasts and comic aficionados alike.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
INTRODUCTION
The world of sports and the realm of political satire may seem as disparate as a volleyball court and a stand-up comedy stage. However, it is precisely the unexpected and seemingly illogical connections that often stimulate the curiosity of researchers and provoke them to delve into uncharted territories of inquiry. In this vein, our study sets out to examine the curious correlation between the political themes depicted in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a hint of nonchalance and an ample dose of skepticism, we embarked on this endeavor with the intention of unraveling a correlation that, at first glance, appears as improbable as a volleyball player attempting to enact a political satire.
The context in which the subject of our study resides is nothing short of intriguing. xkcd, a webcomic created by Randall Munroe, is known for its blend of sarcasm, intelligence, and, yes, occasional references to politics. On the other hand, the Russian men's national volleyball team has carved out its own place in the annals of athletic history, showcasing power, finesse, and a level of performance that demands attention. Yet, it is not often that one contemplates the intersection of these two distinct entities—to do so might seem as peculiar as pondering the relationship between a spike on the volleyball court and a spike in political tension.
As we wade into this terrain of unlikely connections, we are acutely aware of the potential pitfalls that come with such an endeavor. The realm of data analysis is rife with the lurking specter of spurious correlations, ready to ensnare the unwary researcher in its tangled web of statistical noise. Nevertheless, armed with a combination of cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and empirical data from the FIVB World League, we forged ahead, determined to uncover any semblance of a meaningful relationship between these two seemingly incongruous elements.
In this paper, we present the results of our investigation, revealing a correlation that, if nothing else, will ignite lively conversations among enthusiasts of volleyball and comedy alike. Although we approach this subject with the gravitas befitting a scholarly pursuit, we cannot help but acknowledge the whimsical nature of the connection we endeavor to explore. Indeed, this study may serve as fodder for those seeking to inject a bit of lightheartedness into the sometimes weighty world of academic debate.
Stay tuned for the revelation of our findings, a fusion of statistical rigor and unforeseen amusement. The intersection of xkcd and volleyball, it turns out, may not be as arbitrary as one might think.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The data analysis revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 between the number of xkcd comics featuring political themes and the placement of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. This correlation was accompanied by an r-squared value of 0.8222953, suggesting that over 80% of the variability in the volleyball team's performance can be explained by the political content of the webcomics. The p-value of less than 0.01 further underscores the statistical significance of this correlation, lending credence to the unlikely association between these seemingly disparate entities.

Fig. 1 portrays a scatterplot illustrating the robust relationship between the two variables, providing a visual representation of the uncanny correlation uncovered in this study. The figure serves as a testament to the unexpected connections that can emerge from the depths of data analysis, reminding us that even in the realm of research, there may be a fair share of surprises akin to stumbling upon a volleyball court in the midst of a political commentary.

The implications of these findings, while at first glance perplexing, prompt a reevaluation of the interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated phenomena. The fusion of political satire and sports performance, as evidenced by our results, introduces a humorous twist to the conventional understanding of athletic achievement. While this correlation may initially appear as incongruous as a volleyball player diligently following the script of a satirical play, our findings beckon for further contemplation and, perhaps, a touch of whimsy in the ever-serious world of academic inquiry.


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 xkcd comics published about politics and Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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]]
Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the curious connection between the political themes in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a nonchalant attitude towards such an improbable link, we employed cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and data from Wikipedia to unravel this enigmatic relationship. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2007 to 2013. Despite the ominous specter of spurious correlations lurking in the realm of data analysis, our rigorous methodology leaves little doubt as to the robustness of this peculiar association. The implications of these findings may spark lively conversations, or at the very least, serve as fodder for some whimsical banter among volleyball enthusiasts and comic aficionados alike.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
Smith (2010) explored the nuanced and intricate relationship between satire and sports, delving into the unexpected parallels that may arise when seemingly incongruous domains intersect. This work laid the groundwork for probing the potential connections between the witty political commentary found in xkcd comics and the competitive world of men's volleyball.
Doe (2013) conducted a thorough analysis of humor in the context of athletic events, shedding light on the impact of comedic elements on both athletes and spectators. This study brought to the fore the idea that humor and sports may not be as mutually exclusive as commonly perceived, setting the stage for our exploration of political puns and volleyball prowess.
Jones (2015) examined the impact of external influences on sports performance, offering insights into the ways in which diverse factors, including cultural and sociopolitical phenomena, may subtly shape athletic outcomes. This line of inquiry provides a lens through which to scrutinize the potential effects of political satire, as manifested in xkcd comics, on the feats of the Russian men's national volleyball team.
In "Humor in Sports: A Psychological Perspective," the authors elucidate on the multifaceted role of humor in the realm of sports, touching upon its effects on performance, camaraderie, and spectator experience. While the connection to political satire may not be explicit in this work, it nonetheless underscores the pervasive influence of humor in athletic contexts.
Poking Fun at Politics: An Anatomy of Political Satire by Witty and Punny Comics serves as an in-depth exploration of the art of political humor within the realm of webcomics. While not directly related to sports, the insights gleaned from this book provide a broader understanding of the impact and reach of political satire, thus informing our approach to examining the influence of xkcd on the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team.
Fiction books such as "The Spike Chronicles: A Tale of Volleyball and Vexing Politics" and "Net Gains: Politics in the World of Volleyball" impart a whimsical aura to our review, infusing a touch of literary charm into the otherwise stoic realm of academic discourse. While not scholarly works in the traditional sense, these titles invite a playful exploration of the improbable link between xkcd comics and the world of men's volleyball.
Furthermore, the popular internet meme "Putin Playing Volleyball in a xkcd Comic" has garnered attention for its whimsical juxtaposition of political figures and athletic pursuits, reflecting the latent associations between politics and volleyball that pervade the public consciousness. This cultural artifact serves as a testament to the enigmatic allure of the intersection between xkcd and the Russian men's national volleyball team, offering a source of intrigue and amusement that underlies our scholarly pursuit.

[[RESULTS]]
The data analysis revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 between the number of xkcd comics featuring political themes and the placement of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. This correlation was accompanied by an r-squared value of 0.8222953, suggesting that over 80% of the variability in the volleyball team's performance can be explained by the political content of the webcomics. The p-value of less than 0.01 further underscores the statistical significance of this correlation, lending credence to the unlikely association between these seemingly disparate entities.
Fig. 1 portrays a scatterplot illustrating the robust relationship between the two variables, providing a visual representation of the uncanny correlation uncovered in this study. The figure serves as a testament to the unexpected connections that can emerge from the depths of data analysis, reminding us that even in the realm of research, there may be a fair share of surprises akin to stumbling upon a volleyball court in the midst of a political commentary.
The implications of these findings, while at first glance perplexing, prompt a reevaluation of the interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated phenomena. The fusion of political satire and sports performance, as evidenced by our results, introduces a humorous twist to the conventional understanding of athletic achievement. While this correlation may initially appear as incongruous as a volleyball player diligently following the script of a satirical play, our findings beckon for further contemplation and, perhaps, a touch of whimsy in the ever-serious world of academic inquiry.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The correlation unveiled in this study adds a unique dimension to the scholarly discourse on the interplay between culture, humor, and athletic performance. The robust relationship between the political themes in xkcd comics and the placement of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League reaffirms the notion that unexpected connections may lurk beneath the surface of apparently unrelated domains.

Contrary to the initial bewilderment that one might experience when confronted with such an improbable association, the results align with previous research that has navigated the terrain of satire, humor, and their impact on sports outcomes. The groundbreaking work of Smith (2010) in exploring the intersection of satire and sports laid the groundwork for our investigation. Likewise, the insights gleaned from Jones's (2015) examination of external influences on sports performance resonate with the unanticipated influence of political satire on the prowess of the Russian men's national volleyball team, lending credence to the validity of this intriguing correlation.

Expanding upon Doe's (2013) analysis, our findings provide empirical support for the notion that humor, in the form of political puns and witticisms, may indeed exert a palpable influence on athletic achievements, challenging the conventional wisdom that sports and levity are disparate realms. Moreover, the whimsical items in the literature review, such as "The Spike Chronicles: A Tale of Volleyball and Vexing Politics" and "Net Gains: Politics in the World of Volleyball," serve as a poignant reminder that seemingly fanciful notions may harbor substantive implications worthy of scholarly contemplation.

It is imperative to caution against inferring causation from correlation; nevertheless, the observed correlation coefficient of 0.9068050, accompanied by a p-value of less than 0.01, instills a degree of confidence in the robustness of the association between the two seemingly incongruous variables. This leads one to ponder the possibility of a volleyball player catching a spiked ball with the finesse of delivering a punchline—both requiring precise timing and nuanced execution.

While our study alludes to the captivating overlap between political satire and athletic achievement, it refrains from definitive conclusions and instead invites further inquiry into the uncharted territory where humor, politics, and sports converge. Our results evoke a lighthearted air, akin to stumbling upon a comical twist in an otherwise serious narrative, underscoring the interwoven nature of humor and athleticism that transcends conventional categorizations. The unlikely fusion of xkcd comics and the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League rekindles the enchanting allure of the unexpected, leaving scholars and enthusiasts alike poised at the precipice of delightful wonderment.


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 xkcd comics published about politics and Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. 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]]
Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League

[[ABSTRACT]]
This study delves into the curious connection between the political themes in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a nonchalant attitude towards such an improbable link, we employed cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and data from Wikipedia to unravel this enigmatic relationship. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2007 to 2013. Despite the ominous specter of spurious correlations lurking in the realm of data analysis, our rigorous methodology leaves little doubt as to the robustness of this peculiar association. The implications of these findings may spark lively conversations, or at the very least, serve as fodder for some whimsical banter among volleyball enthusiasts and comic aficionados alike.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
INTRODUCTION
The world of sports and the realm of political satire may seem as disparate as a volleyball court and a stand-up comedy stage. However, it is precisely the unexpected and seemingly illogical connections that often stimulate the curiosity of researchers and provoke them to delve into uncharted territories of inquiry. In this vein, our study sets out to examine the curious correlation between the political themes depicted in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a hint of nonchalance and an ample dose of skepticism, we embarked on this endeavor with the intention of unraveling a correlation that, at first glance, appears as improbable as a volleyball player attempting to enact a political satire.
The context in which the subject of our study resides is nothing short of intriguing. xkcd, a webcomic created by Randall Munroe, is known for its blend of sarcasm, intelligence, and, yes, occasional references to politics. On the other hand, the Russian men's national volleyball team has carved out its own place in the annals of athletic history, showcasing power, finesse, and a level of performance that demands attention. Yet, it is not often that one contemplates the intersection of these two distinct entities—to do so might seem as peculiar as pondering the relationship between a spike on the volleyball court and a spike in political tension.
As we wade into this terrain of unlikely connections, we are acutely aware of the potential pitfalls that come with such an endeavor. The realm of data analysis is rife with the lurking specter of spurious correlations, ready to ensnare the unwary researcher in its tangled web of statistical noise. Nevertheless, armed with a combination of cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and empirical data from the FIVB World League, we forged ahead, determined to uncover any semblance of a meaningful relationship between these two seemingly incongruous elements.
In this paper, we present the results of our investigation, revealing a correlation that, if nothing else, will ignite lively conversations among enthusiasts of volleyball and comedy alike. Although we approach this subject with the gravitas befitting a scholarly pursuit, we cannot help but acknowledge the whimsical nature of the connection we endeavor to explore. Indeed, this study may serve as fodder for those seeking to inject a bit of lightheartedness into the sometimes weighty world of academic debate.
Stay tuned for the revelation of our findings, a fusion of statistical rigor and unforeseen amusement. The intersection of xkcd and volleyball, it turns out, may not be as arbitrary as one might think.

[[RESULTS]]
The data analysis revealed a remarkably strong correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 between the number of xkcd comics featuring political themes and the placement of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. This correlation was accompanied by an r-squared value of 0.8222953, suggesting that over 80% of the variability in the volleyball team's performance can be explained by the political content of the webcomics. The p-value of less than 0.01 further underscores the statistical significance of this correlation, lending credence to the unlikely association between these seemingly disparate entities.
Fig. 1 portrays a scatterplot illustrating the robust relationship between the two variables, providing a visual representation of the uncanny correlation uncovered in this study. The figure serves as a testament to the unexpected connections that can emerge from the depths of data analysis, reminding us that even in the realm of research, there may be a fair share of surprises akin to stumbling upon a volleyball court in the midst of a political commentary.
The implications of these findings, while at first glance perplexing, prompt a reevaluation of the interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated phenomena. The fusion of political satire and sports performance, as evidenced by our results, introduces a humorous twist to the conventional understanding of athletic achievement. While this correlation may initially appear as incongruous as a volleyball player diligently following the script of a satirical play, our findings beckon for further contemplation and, perhaps, a touch of whimsy in the ever-serious world of academic inquiry.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has shed light on the remarkable correlation between the political content of xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. The robust correlation coefficient and statistical significance of our findings underscore the seemingly improbable relationship between these two distinct domains. As we contemplate the implications of this correlation, we are reminded that the world of sports and satire may not be as disparate as one might assume – much like a volleyball spiked across the net, unexpected connections can surprise even the most attentive observers.

Our results invite a reconsideration of the interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated phenomena, prompting contemplation on the role of whimsy in the realm of athletic achievement. While our study may initially appear as whimsical as a volleyball player attempting political satire mid-game, it nonetheless underscores the potential for unanticipated correlations to enrich our understanding of the world around us. This association between xkcd comics and volleyball performance, while curious, stands as a testament to the unpredictability of data analysis – a reminder that statistical inquiry can yield surprising connections, not unlike stumbling upon a volleyball court in the midst of a political commentary.

Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of our study. Correlation does not imply causation, and the nature of the relationship between xkcd comics and volleyball performance remains an enigma, much like an inside joke waiting to be deciphered. As such, we caution against drawing hasty conclusions or assuming a direct influence of webcomics on athletic prowess. The intersection of xkcd and volleyball, while intriguing, may simply serve as a reminder of the whimsical nature of statistical analysis and the potential for serendipitous discoveries in scholarly inquiry.

In the spirit of academic rigor, we assert that further research in this area may not yield substantial insights, much like attempting to find logic in a nonsensical comic strip. Instead, we encourage scholars to embrace the lighthearted absurdity of this correlation and find amusement in the unexpected, as there are times when statistical analysis can surprise us, not unlike discovering a punchline in an unlikely setting. Therefore, we submit that the enigmatic relationship between political puns and powerful placement in the world of volleyball may perhaps be best appreciated with a touch of bemused curiosity, serving as a lighthearted diversion in the serious realm of academic inquiry.

No further research is needed in this area.


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 Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Humor 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 Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Center for Humorous Acronym Research and Development (CHARD)


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 Political Puns and Powerful Placement: Exploring the Correlation between xkcd Comics and Men's Volleyball in the FIVB World League with an abstract of This study delves into the curious connection between the political themes in xkcd comics and the performance of the Russian men's national volleyball team in the FIVB World League. With a nonchalant attitude towards such an improbable link, we employed cutting-edge AI analysis of xkcd comics and data from Wikipedia to unravel this enigmatic relationship. Our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9068050 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the years spanning from 2007 to 2013. Despite the ominous specter of spurious correlations lurking in the realm of data analysis, our rigorous methodology leaves little doubt as to the robustness of this peculiar association. The implications of these findings may spark lively conversations, or at the very least, serve as fodder for some whimsical banter among volleyball enthusiasts and comic aficionados alike.

ChatGPT:

xkcd comics, political themes, Russian men's national volleyball team, FIVB World League, correlation analysis, AI analysis, Wikipedia data, correlation coefficient, p-value, spurious correlations, data analysis methodology, whimsical banter, volleyball enthusiasts, comic aficionados

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



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Data details

xkcd comics published about politics
Detailed data title: The number of xkcd comics published each year about politics
Source: AI analysis of xkcd comics
Additional Info: I designed a Python workflow to perform OCR on every xkcd comic, feed that text into a large language model, and ask the model whether this comic was about the category named in the title.

See what else correlates with xkcd comics published about politics

Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League
Source: Wikipedia
See what else correlates with Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League

Correlation r = 0.9068050 (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 = 0.8222953 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 82.2% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., xkcd comics published about politics) over the 7 years from 2007 through 2013.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 0.0048. 0.0048406177378436020000000000
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 0.91 in 0.48% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 207 random variables Which I absolutely did.
with the same 6 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 6 because we have two variables measured over a period of 7 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.

[ 0.48, 0.99 ] 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.
2007200820092010201120122013
xkcd comics published about politics (xkcd comics)5101086153
Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League (Position)2332181




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. 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. Step 1: Download and install Python on your computer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([5,10,10,8,6,15,3,])
array_2 = np.array([2,3,3,2,1,8,1,])
array_1_name = "xkcd comics published about politics"
array_2_name = "Russia men's national volleyball team placement in FIVB Volleyball World League"

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

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



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

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

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

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Correlation ID: 7117 · Black Variable ID: 20019 · Red Variable ID: 383
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