Spurious correlation #8,138 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Uranus and Earth and the second variable is The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota. The chart goes from 2003 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Uranus and Earth and the second variable is The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota. The chart goes from 2003 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As the gap closed, Uranus emitted a subtle gravitational pull that inexplicably led to a surge in remote work opportunities for procurement clerks. As the Minnesotan clerks discovered they could now easily work for intergalactic companies, they couldn't resist the chance to broaden their horizons and set their sights on new, out-of-this-world career paths. This unexpected job market shift left Minnesota with a shortage of procurement aficionados, proving that when it comes to cosmic career changes, even the smallest celestial adjustments can have a planet-sized impact. It seems that when Uranus gets closer, the work opportunities are truly out of this world! Who knew that planetary proximity could launch a procurement exodus?

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a breathtaking parallax art scene: as Uranus creeps eerily close to Earth against a mesmerizing starry backdrop, a group of procurement clerks in Minnesota transition to remote work. The clerks are in awe, gazing upwards at the cosmic wonder, their excitement palpable. The image captures the juxtaposition of the cosmic proximity of the planets and the clerks undergoing a career transition due to the interplay between planetary alignment and evolving job market dynamics. 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: The distance between Uranus and Earth and The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota. 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 Cubism a funny image macro A photo-realistic image a Polaroid photo
ChatGPT: Parallax 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 The distance between Uranus and Earth and The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota, in the following situation: As the gap closed, Uranus emitted a subtle gravitational pull that inexplicably led to a surge in remote work opportunities for procurement clerks. As the Minnesotan clerks discovered they could now easily work for intergalactic companies, they couldn't resist the chance to broaden their horizons and set their sights on new, out-of-this-world career paths. This unexpected job market shift left Minnesota with a shortage of procurement aficionados, proving that when it comes to cosmic career changes, even the smallest celestial adjustments can have a planet-sized impact. It seems that when Uranus gets closer, the work opportunities are truly out of this world! Who knew that planetary proximity could launch a procurement exodus?. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a vast and starry sky, Uranus looms closer to Earth, creating a mesmerizing sight. Meanwhile, in the state of Minnesota, a group of procurement clerks is seen transitioning to remote work, their eyes gazing towards the cosmic wonder above. The scene depicts Uranus drawing near to Earth while remote-working procurement clerks in Minnesota enthusiastically embrace new intergalactic career opportunities, symbolizing the interplay between planetary proximity and burgeoning job market changes.

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: [ Parallax art ] and depicting this scene: In a vast and starry sky, Uranus looms closer to Earth, creating a mesmerizing sight. Meanwhile, in the state of Minnesota, a group of procurement clerks is seen transitioning to remote work, their eyes gazing towards the cosmic wonder above. The scene depicts Uranus drawing near to Earth while remote-working procurement clerks in Minnesota enthusiastically embrace new intergalactic career opportunities, symbolizing the interplay between planetary proximity and burgeoning job market changes. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a breathtaking parallax art scene: as Uranus creeps eerily close to Earth against a mesmerizing starry backdrop, a group of procurement clerks in Minnesota transition to remote work. The clerks are in awe, gazing upwards at the cosmic wonder, their excitement palpable. The image captures the juxtaposition of the cosmic proximity of the planets and the clerks undergoing a career transition due to the interplay between planetary alignment and evolving job market dynamics.

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

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.
^{Show prompt for explanation} Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how a decrease in The distance between Uranus and Earth caused The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota to decrease. Make it feel plausible.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

From Uranus and Back: Exploring the Orbital Distance Effect on Procurement Clerk Populations in Minnesota

The Journal of Cosmic Procurement Science

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!

^{Show prompt used to generate this paper} Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.

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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Earth and The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota. 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 cite some social media posts you read that seem to be related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"From Uranus and Back: Exploring the Orbital Distance Effect on Procurement Clerk Populations in Minnesota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the seemingly unrelated realms of celestial dynamics and employment statistics to investigate the potential correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in the state of Minnesota. Using data sourced from Astropy for astronomical measurements and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for employment figures, we identified a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period from 2003 to 2022. While on the surface, this link may appear as distant as the icy expanse of space, our findings suggest a compelling relationship worthy of further investigation. The implications of these unexpected associations are not just cosmic but may extend far closer to home – perhaps to the procurement processes that seemingly defy gravity in their complexity and necessity. This study sheds light on the interconnectedness of the universe, both celestial and terrestrial, in the most unanticipated and lighthearted of ways.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intertwining realms of astronomy and economics have often been as distant as the celestial bodies themselves, with one focused on the grand movements of the cosmos and the other on the everyday intricacies of labor and commerce. However, as we peer into the vast expanse of space and the minutiae of employment statistics, we find ourselves in a peculiar position to explore an unexpected and enthralling connection. This study aims to unpack the potential relationship between the orbital distance separating Uranus and Earth and the population of procurement clerks in the land of 10,000 lakes, also known as Minnesota.
At first glance, exploring the distance between Uranus and Earth may seem as whimsical as a journey through a nebula. However, as we venture deeper into the cosmos of statistical analysis, we uncover a potential gravitational pull between these seemingly unrelated variables. Just as gravitational forces shape the trajectories of celestial bodies, could there be an unseen force at play that influences the employment landscape of procurement clerks in Minnesota?
Our investigation draws upon data from Astropy, a treasure trove of astronomical measurements, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the bedrock of employment figures. By bringing these disparate streams of data together, we strive to reveal the cosmic dance that might inadvertently influence the earthly toils of procurement clerks. As we embark on this odyssey through data analysis, we aim to uncover insights that may appear as distant as the Kuiper Belt from Earth but hold the potential to illuminate unexpected connections in our universe.
With a correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 unearthed from our analysis spanning nearly two decades, the statistical constellations seem to align in favor of a compelling relationship. It is as if the planets themselves are whispering a statistical sonnet in our ears, beckoning us to decode the cosmic ballet that intersects with the ebb and flow of labor markets. The implications of these findings are as vast as interstellar space, with potential repercussions that reverberate through the terrestrial domain of procurement processes and economic dynamics, despite the light-hearted surprise underlying the unlikely association.
In unraveling the cosmic threads that weave through the fabric of employment data, we aim not only to shed light on the unexpected associations between distant realms but also to infuse our scientific exploration with a sense of wonder that transcends the ordinary confines of academic inquiry. So, join us as we boldly go where no research has gone before, traversing the expanse between Uranus and the procurement clerks of Minnesota, and perhaps uncovering the cosmic humor hidden in the statistical universe. After all, in the world of science and research, the unexpected should always be expected, much like a wandering comet crashing a mundane statistical analysis party.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

When considering the seemingly unlikely connection between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in the state of Minnesota, it is essential to review the existing literature that may shed light on this remarkable correlation. The authors aim to unravel the veil of skepticism surrounding this relationship and highlight the unexpected cosmic dance that influences the terrestrial domain of employment statistics.

Smith et al. conducted a comprehensive study on celestial dynamics and its potential impact on human activities, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cosmic movements and earthly phenomena. Their work, however, mainly focused on the broader implications of planetary motion rather than delving into the peculiar intersection of astronomical distances and labor market dynamics. Nonetheless, their insightful exploration of the cosmic tapestry lays a foundation for further investigation into the uncharted territories of celestial correlations.

Turning to the frontier of economic analyses, Doe's seminal work on employment patterns in Midwestern states provides an illuminating perspective on the fluctuations of labor markets, albeit without venturing into the cosmic panorama. While Doe's research offers valuable insights into the demographic shifts and employment trends in Minnesota, it does not explicitly address the potential influence of celestial mechanics on the procurement clerk population in the state.

The authors find that the literature in the field of astrophysics and labor economics presents a scarcity of direct references linking the orbital distance between Uranus and Earth with the employment landscape in Minnesota. However, the interdisciplinary nature of this investigation prompts us to consider unconventional sources that may offer inadvertent glimpses into this cosmic correlation.

In "Cosmic Connections: The Interplay of Celestial Bodies and Terrestrial Realms," the authors delve into the metaphorical parallels between astronomical phenomena and human endeavors, providing anecdotal evidence of cosmic influences on daily activities. While the book does not present empirical data, its whimsical narrative sparks contemplation on the potential impact of celestial distances on human occupations, even those as seemingly mundane as procurement clerk positions in Minnesota.

Similarly, "The Planetary Procurement Paradox" by Jones entertains the idea of planetary alignments shaping economic patterns, albeit in a fictional context. In a light-hearted and humorous manner, the author weaves a tale of interplanetary forces exerting a subtle yet profound influence on the procurement processes in a mythical land, prompting readers to ponder the far-reaching implications of cosmic whimsy on mundane occupational landscapes.

Anecdotal evidence from social media posts also provides intriguing insights into the perceived connection between celestial phenomena and employment scenarios. A tweet by @SpaceEconEnigma speculates on the mysterious correlation between the retrograde motion of outer planets and the demand for procurement clerks, igniting a lively discussion on the potential cosmic undercurrents shaping job markets. While inherently speculative, these informal observations hint at a broader societal curiosity surrounding the interplay of celestial mechanics and labor dynamics.

In synthesizing the existing literature and weaving through unconventional sources, the authors endeavor to uncover the unexpected humor and lightheartedness hidden within the statistical universe, as it manifests in the nexus between Uranus and the procurement clerks of Minnesota. While the literature review may lack direct empirical studies on this peculiar correlation, it sets the stage for a paradigm-shifting exploration at the confluence of cosmic wonders and terrestrial toils.

------

I hope this literature review tickles your funny bone while shedding light on the unexpected correlations between Uranus and economics!

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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Earth and The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Caclculated using Astropy and Bureau of Larbor Statistics . You used data from 2003 to 2022

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

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"From Uranus and Back: Exploring the Orbital Distance Effect on Procurement Clerk Populations in Minnesota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the seemingly unrelated realms of celestial dynamics and employment statistics to investigate the potential correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in the state of Minnesota. Using data sourced from Astropy for astronomical measurements and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for employment figures, we identified a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period from 2003 to 2022. While on the surface, this link may appear as distant as the icy expanse of space, our findings suggest a compelling relationship worthy of further investigation. The implications of these unexpected associations are not just cosmic but may extend far closer to home – perhaps to the procurement processes that seemingly defy gravity in their complexity and necessity. This study sheds light on the interconnectedness of the universe, both celestial and terrestrial, in the most unanticipated and lighthearted of ways.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The intertwining realms of astronomy and economics have often been as distant as the celestial bodies themselves, with one focused on the grand movements of the cosmos and the other on the everyday intricacies of labor and commerce. However, as we peer into the vast expanse of space and the minutiae of employment statistics, we find ourselves in a peculiar position to explore an unexpected and enthralling connection. This study aims to unpack the potential relationship between the orbital distance separating Uranus and Earth and the population of procurement clerks in the land of 10,000 lakes, also known as Minnesota.
At first glance, exploring the distance between Uranus and Earth may seem as whimsical as a journey through a nebula. However, as we venture deeper into the cosmos of statistical analysis, we uncover a potential gravitational pull between these seemingly unrelated variables. Just as gravitational forces shape the trajectories of celestial bodies, could there be an unseen force at play that influences the employment landscape of procurement clerks in Minnesota?
Our investigation draws upon data from Astropy, a treasure trove of astronomical measurements, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the bedrock of employment figures. By bringing these disparate streams of data together, we strive to reveal the cosmic dance that might inadvertently influence the earthly toils of procurement clerks. As we embark on this odyssey through data analysis, we aim to uncover insights that may appear as distant as the Kuiper Belt from Earth but hold the potential to illuminate unexpected connections in our universe.
With a correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 unearthed from our analysis spanning nearly two decades, the statistical constellations seem to align in favor of a compelling relationship. It is as if the planets themselves are whispering a statistical sonnet in our ears, beckoning us to decode the cosmic ballet that intersects with the ebb and flow of labor markets. The implications of these findings are as vast as interstellar space, with potential repercussions that reverberate through the terrestrial domain of procurement processes and economic dynamics, despite the light-hearted surprise underlying the unlikely association.
In unraveling the cosmic threads that weave through the fabric of employment data, we aim not only to shed light on the unexpected associations between distant realms but also to infuse our scientific exploration with a sense of wonder that transcends the ordinary confines of academic inquiry. So, join us as we boldly go where no research has gone before, traversing the expanse between Uranus and the procurement clerks of Minnesota, and perhaps uncovering the cosmic humor hidden in the statistical universe. After all, in the world of science and research, the unexpected should always be expected, much like a wandering comet crashing a mundane statistical analysis party.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unravel the enigmatic intersection of celestial dynamics and labor statistics, our research team embarked on a methodological journey as intriguing as a cosmic pilgrimage. By harnessing the power of data from Astropy and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we sought to uncover the hidden gravitational tango between the orbital distance separating Uranus and Earth and the population of procurement clerks in the state of Minnesota.

First and foremost, we obtained precise measurements of the distance between Uranus and Earth at various intervals from 2003 to 2022, courtesy of the esteemed Astropy database. These celestial coordinates were meticulously curated to capture the subtle fluctuations in the cosmic tapestry, akin to charting the erratic motions of an intergalactic dance party. Utilizing computational astrophysics, we navigated the vast expanse of space-time to precisely delineate the dynamic relationship between these distant celestial bodies.

Simultaneously, we delved into the seemingly disparate but remarkably interconnected domain of employment statistics, tapping into the Bureau of Labor Statistics database to extract the number of procurement clerks employed in the state of Minnesota over the same temporal span. This involved traversing the labyrinthine pathways of occupational data, akin to navigating through the complex gravitational fields of a black hole, albeit with significantly less danger of being spaghettified.

With our celestial and terrestrial datasets in hand, we ventured into the realm of statistical analysis, employing intricate methodologies worthy of deciphering the cosmic signals that may be hidden amidst the economic murmurs. We applied rigorous correlation analyses to discern discernible patterns in the data, cautiously avoiding the temptation to anthropomorphize our statistical models into cosmic entities with personalities and quirks.

Furthermore, we implemented sophisticated time-series analyses, akin to peering through a cosmic time telescope, to capture the temporal fluctuations in both the orbital distance between Uranus and Earth and the mirthful ebb and flow of procurement clerk populations in Minnesota. Our statistical voyages through multidimensional data spaces sought not only to explore the direct correlations but also to unravel potential lagged effects, much like untangling a cosmic shoelace knotted in the fabric of space-time.

In a bid to robustly validate our findings, we engaged in a rigorous battery of statistical tests, including hypothesis testing and time-series modeling, to confirm the celestial tug-of-war that might clandestinely influence the socio-economic dance of labor markets. Additionally, we conducted sensitivity analyses to explore the magnitude of uncertainty in our estimations, akin to gauging the mysterious fluctuations of dark matter that permeate the cosmic expanse.

It is imperative to note that, despite the light-hearted banter infused in this methodology, our research endeavors were undergirded by sound scientific principles and the solemn duty to uphold the integrity of inquiry. While we frolicked through the cosmic playground of statistical analyses, our enthusiasm was tempered by rigor and attention to methodological precision, akin to stargazing with the focused gaze of an astronomer fixated on a recalcitrant quasar.

In conclusion, our methodological odyssey navigated the celestial and terrestrial realms with a spirit of curiosity and scientific rigor, akin to a cosmic jamboree that unites the serious pursuit of knowledge with the lighthearted whimsy of unexpected connections. With data in hand and statistical tests wielded like cosmic scepters, we endeavored to unveil the potential cosmic dance that enmeshes the distant reach of Uranus with the mundane yet essential employment dynamics of procurement clerks in Minnesota. Together, let us forge ahead, navigating the interstellar byways with the zeal of cosmic cartographers and the statistical acumen of data voyagers.

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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Earth and The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Caclculated using Astropy and Bureau of Larbor Statistics .

For the time period 2003 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.9760918, r-squared of 0.9527551, 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]]
"From Uranus and Back: Exploring the Orbital Distance Effect on Procurement Clerk Populations in Minnesota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the seemingly unrelated realms of celestial dynamics and employment statistics to investigate the potential correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in the state of Minnesota. Using data sourced from Astropy for astronomical measurements and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for employment figures, we identified a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period from 2003 to 2022. While on the surface, this link may appear as distant as the icy expanse of space, our findings suggest a compelling relationship worthy of further investigation. The implications of these unexpected associations are not just cosmic but may extend far closer to home – perhaps to the procurement processes that seemingly defy gravity in their complexity and necessity. This study sheds light on the interconnectedness of the universe, both celestial and terrestrial, in the most unanticipated and lighthearted of ways.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The intertwining realms of astronomy and economics have often been as distant as the celestial bodies themselves, with one focused on the grand movements of the cosmos and the other on the everyday intricacies of labor and commerce. However, as we peer into the vast expanse of space and the minutiae of employment statistics, we find ourselves in a peculiar position to explore an unexpected and enthralling connection. This study aims to unpack the potential relationship between the orbital distance separating Uranus and Earth and the population of procurement clerks in the land of 10,000 lakes, also known as Minnesota.
At first glance, exploring the distance between Uranus and Earth may seem as whimsical as a journey through a nebula. However, as we venture deeper into the cosmos of statistical analysis, we uncover a potential gravitational pull between these seemingly unrelated variables. Just as gravitational forces shape the trajectories of celestial bodies, could there be an unseen force at play that influences the employment landscape of procurement clerks in Minnesota?
Our investigation draws upon data from Astropy, a treasure trove of astronomical measurements, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the bedrock of employment figures. By bringing these disparate streams of data together, we strive to reveal the cosmic dance that might inadvertently influence the earthly toils of procurement clerks. As we embark on this odyssey through data analysis, we aim to uncover insights that may appear as distant as the Kuiper Belt from Earth but hold the potential to illuminate unexpected connections in our universe.
With a correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 unearthed from our analysis spanning nearly two decades, the statistical constellations seem to align in favor of a compelling relationship. It is as if the planets themselves are whispering a statistical sonnet in our ears, beckoning us to decode the cosmic ballet that intersects with the ebb and flow of labor markets. The implications of these findings are as vast as interstellar space, with potential repercussions that reverberate through the terrestrial domain of procurement processes and economic dynamics, despite the light-hearted surprise underlying the unlikely association.
In unraveling the cosmic threads that weave through the fabric of employment data, we aim not only to shed light on the unexpected associations between distant realms but also to infuse our scientific exploration with a sense of wonder that transcends the ordinary confines of academic inquiry. So, join us as we boldly go where no research has gone before, traversing the expanse between Uranus and the procurement clerks of Minnesota, and perhaps uncovering the cosmic humor hidden in the statistical universe. After all, in the world of science and research, the unexpected should always be expected, much like a wandering comet crashing a mundane statistical analysis party.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]

ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The results of our study revealed a striking correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in Minnesota for the time period from 2003 to 2022. The correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 indicates a remarkably strong positive relationship between these seemingly disparate variables, with an r-squared value of 0.9527551, suggesting that over 95% of the variation in procurement clerk population in Minnesota can be explained by the distance between Uranus and Earth. The p-value of less than 0.01 further substantiates the robustness of this relationship, rendering it statistically significant.

Interestingly, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) illustrates this correlation vividly, with the data points forming a near-perfect diagonal line from the lower left to the upper right, as though Uranus itself is casting a gravitational influence on the employment landscape of Minnesota. It's almost as if the statistical forces were aligning with the orbital dynamics, echoing the celestial tug-of-war between planets. The statistical patterns seem to twinkle like a constellation, revealing an unexpected cosmic choreography that dances hand in hand with the procurement clerk population in Minnesota.

These results not only hint at the gravitational pull between distant celestial bodies and earthly labor dynamics but also evoke a sense of cosmic wonder and whimsy, akin to discovering an unexpected shooting star during a routine scientific observation. The implications of these findings stretch beyond the statistical realm and portend a deeper interconnectedness between the celestial and terrestrial spheres, offering a lighthearted reminder that even the most unlikely associations can unfurl amid the staid world of data analysis.

In retrospect, it appears that the cosmos and employment statistics may not be as distant as they seem, weaving subtle threads of correlation that manifest in the most unexpected places. In the grand tapestry of the universe, the interplay between Uranus and the procurement clerks of Minnesota may just be a small yet delightful stitch in the larger cosmic quilt.

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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Earth and The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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]]
"From Uranus and Back: Exploring the Orbital Distance Effect on Procurement Clerk Populations in Minnesota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the seemingly unrelated realms of celestial dynamics and employment statistics to investigate the potential correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in the state of Minnesota. Using data sourced from Astropy for astronomical measurements and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for employment figures, we identified a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period from 2003 to 2022. While on the surface, this link may appear as distant as the icy expanse of space, our findings suggest a compelling relationship worthy of further investigation. The implications of these unexpected associations are not just cosmic but may extend far closer to home – perhaps to the procurement processes that seemingly defy gravity in their complexity and necessity. This study sheds light on the interconnectedness of the universe, both celestial and terrestrial, in the most unanticipated and lighthearted of ways.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
When considering the seemingly unlikely connection between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in the state of Minnesota, it is essential to review the existing literature that may shed light on this remarkable correlation. The authors aim to unravel the veil of skepticism surrounding this relationship and highlight the unexpected cosmic dance that influences the terrestrial domain of employment statistics.
Smith et al. conducted a comprehensive study on celestial dynamics and its potential impact on human activities, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cosmic movements and earthly phenomena. Their work, however, mainly focused on the broader implications of planetary motion rather than delving into the peculiar intersection of astronomical distances and labor market dynamics. Nonetheless, their insightful exploration of the cosmic tapestry lays a foundation for further investigation into the uncharted territories of celestial correlations.
Turning to the frontier of economic analyses, Doe's seminal work on employment patterns in Midwestern states provides an illuminating perspective on the fluctuations of labor markets, albeit without venturing into the cosmic panorama. While Doe's research offers valuable insights into the demographic shifts and employment trends in Minnesota, it does not explicitly address the potential influence of celestial mechanics on the procurement clerk population in the state.
The authors find that the literature in the field of astrophysics and labor economics presents a scarcity of direct references linking the orbital distance between Uranus and Earth with the employment landscape in Minnesota. However, the interdisciplinary nature of this investigation prompts us to consider unconventional sources that may offer inadvertent glimpses into this cosmic correlation.
In "Cosmic Connections: The Interplay of Celestial Bodies and Terrestrial Realms," the authors delve into the metaphorical parallels between astronomical phenomena and human endeavors, providing anecdotal evidence of cosmic influences on daily activities. While the book does not present empirical data, its whimsical narrative sparks contemplation on the potential impact of celestial distances on human occupations, even those as seemingly mundane as procurement clerk positions in Minnesota.
Similarly, "The Planetary Procurement Paradox" by Jones entertains the idea of planetary alignments shaping economic patterns, albeit in a fictional context. In a light-hearted and humorous manner, the author weaves a tale of interplanetary forces exerting a subtle yet profound influence on the procurement processes in a mythical land, prompting readers to ponder the far-reaching implications of cosmic whimsy on mundane occupational landscapes.
Anecdotal evidence from social media posts also provides intriguing insights into the perceived connection between celestial phenomena and employment scenarios. A tweet by @SpaceEconEnigma speculates on the mysterious correlation between the retrograde motion of outer planets and the demand for procurement clerks, igniting a lively discussion on the potential cosmic undercurrents shaping job markets. While inherently speculative, these informal observations hint at a broader societal curiosity surrounding the interplay of celestial mechanics and labor dynamics.
In synthesizing the existing literature and weaving through unconventional sources, the authors endeavor to uncover the unexpected humor and lightheartedness hidden within the statistical universe, as it manifests in the nexus between Uranus and the procurement clerks of Minnesota. While the literature review may lack direct empirical studies on this peculiar correlation, it sets the stage for a paradigm-shifting exploration at the confluence of cosmic wonders and terrestrial toils.
--
I hope this literature review tickles your funny bone while shedding light on the unexpected correlations between Uranus and economics!

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our study revealed a striking correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in Minnesota for the time period from 2003 to 2022. The correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 indicates a remarkably strong positive relationship between these seemingly disparate variables, with an r-squared value of 0.9527551, suggesting that over 95% of the variation in procurement clerk population in Minnesota can be explained by the distance between Uranus and Earth. The p-value of less than 0.01 further substantiates the robustness of this relationship, rendering it statistically significant.
Interestingly, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) illustrates this correlation vividly, with the data points forming a near-perfect diagonal line from the lower left to the upper right, as though Uranus itself is casting a gravitational influence on the employment landscape of Minnesota. It's almost as if the statistical forces were aligning with the orbital dynamics, echoing the celestial tug-of-war between planets. The statistical patterns seem to twinkle like a constellation, revealing an unexpected cosmic choreography that dances hand in hand with the procurement clerk population in Minnesota.
These results not only hint at the gravitational pull between distant celestial bodies and earthly labor dynamics but also evoke a sense of cosmic wonder and whimsy, akin to discovering an unexpected shooting star during a routine scientific observation. The implications of these findings stretch beyond the statistical realm and portend a deeper interconnectedness between the celestial and terrestrial spheres, offering a lighthearted reminder that even the most unlikely associations can unfurl amid the staid world of data analysis.
In retrospect, it appears that the cosmos and employment statistics may not be as distant as they seem, weaving subtle threads of correlation that manifest in the most unexpected places. In the grand tapestry of the universe, the interplay between Uranus and the procurement clerks of Minnesota may just be a small yet delightful stitch in the larger cosmic quilt.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our study has unraveled an intriguing tapestry of statistical interplay, weaving together the cosmic ballet of Uranus with the earthly domain of procurement clerks in Minnesota. The correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 mirrors the celestial precision of planetary orbits, underscoring a strong positive relationship that defies the conventional boundaries of empirical inquiry. Similarly, the p-value of less than 0.01 dances in tandem with the gravitational pull of statistical significance, tethering our findings to the rigorous standards of scientific scrutiny.

Drawing from the lighthearted glimpses into celestial correlations in the literature review, our results not only corroborate the prior research but also elevate the cosmic whimsy into the realm of empirical discovery. The unexpected cosmic choreography that emerges from the scatterplot beckons us to contemplate the profound influence of planetary distances on the occupational landscapes, hinting at a celestial symphony that orchestrates the movements of procurement clerks as though they were celestial bodies themselves.

Our findings align with the whimsical anecdotes that pepper the scientific discourse, illustrating the inextricable link between cosmic phenomena and the common workplace. It is as though the gravitational pull of Uranus reaches across the solar system to sketch its influence on the procurement clerk population, transforming statistical patterns into constellations of correlation that shimmer with cosmic wonder.

In essence, our results echo the sentiment of the literature review – that the universe conceals unexpected humor within the statistical realm, offering a glimpse of cosmic whimsy hidden amidst the seemingly mundane occupational landscape. As we stand at the intersection of Uranus and employment statistics, our study not only contributes to the empirical understanding of celestial influence but also evokes a broader appreciation for the interconnectedness of the universe, infusing the staid world of data analysis with a playful reminder of the cosmic dance that underlies the most improbable associations.

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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Uranus and Earth and The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota. Make it seem dry like academic research paper, but with lots of subtle hidden offhand remarks, jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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]]
"From Uranus and Back: Exploring the Orbital Distance Effect on Procurement Clerk Populations in Minnesota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the seemingly unrelated realms of celestial dynamics and employment statistics to investigate the potential correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in the state of Minnesota. Using data sourced from Astropy for astronomical measurements and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for employment figures, we identified a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period from 2003 to 2022. While on the surface, this link may appear as distant as the icy expanse of space, our findings suggest a compelling relationship worthy of further investigation. The implications of these unexpected associations are not just cosmic but may extend far closer to home – perhaps to the procurement processes that seemingly defy gravity in their complexity and necessity. This study sheds light on the interconnectedness of the universe, both celestial and terrestrial, in the most unanticipated and lighthearted of ways.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The intertwining realms of astronomy and economics have often been as distant as the celestial bodies themselves, with one focused on the grand movements of the cosmos and the other on the everyday intricacies of labor and commerce. However, as we peer into the vast expanse of space and the minutiae of employment statistics, we find ourselves in a peculiar position to explore an unexpected and enthralling connection. This study aims to unpack the potential relationship between the orbital distance separating Uranus and Earth and the population of procurement clerks in the land of 10,000 lakes, also known as Minnesota.
At first glance, exploring the distance between Uranus and Earth may seem as whimsical as a journey through a nebula. However, as we venture deeper into the cosmos of statistical analysis, we uncover a potential gravitational pull between these seemingly unrelated variables. Just as gravitational forces shape the trajectories of celestial bodies, could there be an unseen force at play that influences the employment landscape of procurement clerks in Minnesota?
Our investigation draws upon data from Astropy, a treasure trove of astronomical measurements, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the bedrock of employment figures. By bringing these disparate streams of data together, we strive to reveal the cosmic dance that might inadvertently influence the earthly toils of procurement clerks. As we embark on this odyssey through data analysis, we aim to uncover insights that may appear as distant as the Kuiper Belt from Earth but hold the potential to illuminate unexpected connections in our universe.
With a correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 unearthed from our analysis spanning nearly two decades, the statistical constellations seem to align in favor of a compelling relationship. It is as if the planets themselves are whispering a statistical sonnet in our ears, beckoning us to decode the cosmic ballet that intersects with the ebb and flow of labor markets. The implications of these findings are as vast as interstellar space, with potential repercussions that reverberate through the terrestrial domain of procurement processes and economic dynamics, despite the light-hearted surprise underlying the unlikely association.
In unraveling the cosmic threads that weave through the fabric of employment data, we aim not only to shed light on the unexpected associations between distant realms but also to infuse our scientific exploration with a sense of wonder that transcends the ordinary confines of academic inquiry. So, join us as we boldly go where no research has gone before, traversing the expanse between Uranus and the procurement clerks of Minnesota, and perhaps uncovering the cosmic humor hidden in the statistical universe. After all, in the world of science and research, the unexpected should always be expected, much like a wandering comet crashing a mundane statistical analysis party.

[[RESULTS]]
The results of our study revealed a striking correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in Minnesota for the time period from 2003 to 2022. The correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 indicates a remarkably strong positive relationship between these seemingly disparate variables, with an r-squared value of 0.9527551, suggesting that over 95% of the variation in procurement clerk population in Minnesota can be explained by the distance between Uranus and Earth. The p-value of less than 0.01 further substantiates the robustness of this relationship, rendering it statistically significant.
Interestingly, the scatterplot (Fig. 1) illustrates this correlation vividly, with the data points forming a near-perfect diagonal line from the lower left to the upper right, as though Uranus itself is casting a gravitational influence on the employment landscape of Minnesota. It's almost as if the statistical forces were aligning with the orbital dynamics, echoing the celestial tug-of-war between planets. The statistical patterns seem to twinkle like a constellation, revealing an unexpected cosmic choreography that dances hand in hand with the procurement clerk population in Minnesota.
These results not only hint at the gravitational pull between distant celestial bodies and earthly labor dynamics but also evoke a sense of cosmic wonder and whimsy, akin to discovering an unexpected shooting star during a routine scientific observation. The implications of these findings stretch beyond the statistical realm and portend a deeper interconnectedness between the celestial and terrestrial spheres, offering a lighthearted reminder that even the most unlikely associations can unfurl amid the staid world of data analysis.
In retrospect, it appears that the cosmos and employment statistics may not be as distant as they seem, weaving subtle threads of correlation that manifest in the most unexpected places. In the grand tapestry of the universe, the interplay between Uranus and the procurement clerks of Minnesota may just be a small yet delightful stitch in the larger cosmic quilt.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our foray into the celestial and employment realms has yielded unexpected and whimsical insights into the potential interplay between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the population of procurement clerks in the state of Minnesota. The striking correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 unveil a cosmic dance of statistical significance, akin to the gravity-defying maneuvers of the procurement processes themselves.

It seems that, much like the celestial bodies themselves, the employment landscape in Minnesota might be subject to unseen gravitational pulls from the depths of space. The statistical constellations have aligned, hinting at a cosmic choreography that intersects with the mundane yet essential labor dynamics. It's as if Uranus is quietly nudging the procurement clerks of Minnesota in a celestial game of cosmic hide-and-seek.

While the implications of these findings may seem as vast as the cosmos, they provide a lighthearted reminder that even in the seemingly straightforward world of data analysis, unexpected celestial waltzes can emerge. This study not only highlights the interconnectedness of distant realms but also infuses the scientific inquiry with a sense of wonder and whimsy, akin to stumbling upon a comet in the midst of routine statistical analysis.

In the spirit of scientific discovery and cosmic humor, it is clear that further exploration of the cosmic tapestry's influence on earthly employment is warranted. However, it appears that for now, the statistical allure of Uranus and the procurement clerks of Minnesota has been adequately illuminated, and no further research is needed in this uniquely light-hearted celestial-terrestrial domain.

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 From Uranus and Back: Exploring the Orbital Distance Effect on Procurement Clerk Populations in Minnesota. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Cosmic Procurement Science

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited From Uranus and Back: Exploring the Orbital Distance Effect on Procurement Clerk Populations in Minnesota. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Center for Planetary Population Dynamics

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 From Uranus and Back: Exploring the Orbital Distance Effect on Procurement Clerk Populations in Minnesota with an abstract of This paper delves into the seemingly unrelated realms of celestial dynamics and employment statistics to investigate the potential correlation between the distance separating Uranus and Earth and the number of procurement clerks in the state of Minnesota. Using data sourced from Astropy for astronomical measurements and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for employment figures, we identified a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9760918 and a p-value of less than 0.01 during the period from 2003 to 2022. While on the surface, this link may appear as distant as the icy expanse of space, our findings suggest a compelling relationship worthy of further investigation. The implications of these unexpected associations are not just cosmic but may extend far closer to home – perhaps to the procurement processes that seemingly defy gravity in their complexity and necessity. This study sheds light on the interconnectedness of the universe, both celestial and terrestrial, in the most unanticipated and lighthearted of ways.

ChatGPT:

"Uranus orbital distance effect," "procurement clerk populations," "Minnesota employment statistics," "celestial dynamics correlation," "Astrometry and employment," "Uranus-Earth distance correlation," "Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis," "Minnesota procurement processes," "interconnectedness of the universe," "unexpected associations in employment," "correlation coefficient in celestial dynamics."

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

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Data details

The distance between Uranus and Earth
Detailed data title: The average distance between Uranus and Earth as measured on the first day of each month
Source: Caclculated using Astropy
Additional Info: ^{See full details} I wrote a Python script using Astropy to calculate the distance between the named planets on the first day of each month for every year.

See what else correlates with The distance between Uranus and Earth

The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of procurement clerks in Minnesota
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota

Correlation r = 0.9760918 (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 = 0.9527551 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 95.3% of the change in the one variable (i.e., The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., The distance between Uranus and Earth) over the 20 years from 2003 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.2E-13.^Show 0.0000000000002222834638911509
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme.^Note More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.98 in 2.2E-11% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 4,498,760,197,878 random variables^Note You don't actually need 4 trillion 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 19 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 19 because we have two variables measured over a period of 20 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.

[ 0.94, 0.99 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
^{Read more about the confidence interval} The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

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

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

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.

	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
The distance between Uranus and Earth (Planetary distance (AU))	20.022	20.044	20.066	20.0828	20.0955	20.1014	20.1066	20.1042	20.0963	20.0802	20.0642	20.0409	20.0135	19.9796	19.9483	19.9114	19.8717	19.8262	19.7833	19.7342
The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota (Procurement Clerks)	1600	1630	1650	1830	2030	2100	2010	1870	2020	1930	1990	1910	1610	1430	1380	1330	1120	890	740	660

Why this works

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

For the purposes of this project, I counted a point as an outlier if it the residual was two standard deviations from the mean.

(This bullet point only shows up in the details page on charts that do, in fact, have outliers.)
They stand out on the scatterplot above: notice the dots that are far away from any other dots. I intentionally mishandeled outliers, which makes the correlation look extra strong.

Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([20.022,20.044,20.066,20.0828,20.0955,20.1014,20.1066,20.1042,20.0963,20.0802,20.0642,20.0409,20.0135,19.9796,19.9483,19.9114,19.8717,19.8262,19.7833,19.7342,])
array_2 = np.array([1600,1630,1650,1830,2030,2100,2010,1870,2020,1930,1990,1910,1610,1430,1380,1330,1120,890,740,660,])
array_1_name = "The distance between Uranus and Earth"
array_2_name = "The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota"

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

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

Reuseable content

You may re-use the images on this page for any purpose, even commercial purposes, without asking for permission. The only requirement is that you attribute Tyler Vigen. ^Note Attribution can take many different forms. If you leave the "tylervigen.com" link in the image, that satisfies it just fine. If you remove it and move it to a footnote, that's fine too. You can also just write "Charts courtesy of Tyler Vigen" at the bottom of an article.

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

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

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

Full license details.
For more on re-use permissions, or to get a signed release form, see tylervigen.com/permission.

Download images for these variables:

High resolution line chart ^Note The image linked here is a Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG). It is the highest resolution that is possible to achieve. It scales up beyond the size of the observable universe without pixelating. You do not need to email me asking if I have a higher resolution image. I do not. The physical limitations of our universe prevent me from providing you with an image that is any higher resolution than this one.

If you insert it into a PowerPoint presentation (a tool well-known for managing things that are the scale of the universe), you can right-click > "Ungroup" or "Create Shape" and then edit the lines and text directly. You can also change the colors this way.

Alternatively you can use a tool like Inkscape.
High resolution line chart, optimized for mobile
Alternative high resolution line chart
Scatterplot
Portable line chart (png)
Portable line chart (png), optimized for mobile
Line chart for only The distance between Uranus and Earth
Line chart for only The number of procurement clerks in Minnesota
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: From Uranus and Back: Exploring the Orbital Distance Effect on Procurement Clerk Populations in Minnesota

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Correlation ID: 8138 · Black Variable ID: 1943 · Red Variable ID: 10026


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