about · email me · subscribe
Spurious correlation #2,794 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Margarita and the second variable is Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana.  The chart goes from 1985 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

Fewer Margaritas, fewer car troubles. With less Margarita in the mix, it seems the thieves couldn't find the right recipe for a successful heist.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Create an image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie. Depict a playground with the name "Margarita" written on the fence in colorful letters attracting a crowd of children racing around in vibrant, whimsical pedal cars. As the name's popularity fades, show the children gradually dispersing, and the pedal cars being left untouched, secure, and undisturbed in the serene setting of the playground. Aim for vibrant colors and animated, playful expressions on the children's faces to capture the enchanting and nostalgic essence of a Pixar scene. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Popularity of the first name Margarita and Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. 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: Vaporwave An image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie Minimalism Psychedelic a meme
ChatGPT: An image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Popularity of the first name Margarita and Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana, in the following situation: As the name Margarita fell out of favor, so did the desire to "steal the limelight." With less Margaritas around, thieves lost their motivation to take a "joyride" in Indiana, leading to a decrease in motor vehicle thefts.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: A playground with the name "Margarita" written on the fence in colorful letters attracts a crowd of children racing around in pedal cars. However, as the name's popularity fades, the children disperse and the pedal cars are left untouched, secure and undisturbed.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ An image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie ] and depicting this scene: A playground with the name "Margarita" written on the fence in colorful letters attracts a crowd of children racing around in pedal cars. However, as the name's popularity fades, the children disperse and the pedal cars are left untouched, secure and undisturbed. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Create an image that looks like it is a scene from a Pixar movie. Depict a playground with the name "Margarita" written on the fence in colorful letters attracting a crowd of children racing around in vibrant, whimsical pedal cars. As the name's popularity fades, show the children gradually dispersing, and the pedal cars being left untouched, secure, and undisturbed in the serene setting of the playground. Aim for vibrant colors and animated, playful expressions on the children's faces to capture the enchanting and nostalgic essence of a Pixar scene.

*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 a decrease in Popularity of the first name Margarita caused Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana to decrease.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana

Journal of Quirky Sociological Studies

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Margarita and Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Make the title a clever pun.

Your research team used data from US Social Security Administration and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and p < 0.01 for 1985 to 2022.

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

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in the state of Indiana. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on an offbeat quest to uncover any potential link between a favored moniker and automobile misappropriations. The resulting correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1985 to 2022 presents an eyebrow-raising revelation, reminiscent of a theft in the night. Our findings may raise eyebrows, not unlike witnessing a car alarm go off unexpectedly.


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Margarita and Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. Make lots of 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]]
On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in the state of Indiana. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on an offbeat quest to uncover any potential link between a favored moniker and automobile misappropriations. The resulting correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1985 to 2022 presents an eyebrow-raising revelation, reminiscent of a theft in the night. Our findings may raise eyebrows, not unlike witnessing a car alarm go off unexpectedly.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The relationship between names and social phenomena has long intrigued researchers, from the curious case of "Harry Potter" leading to a surge in the popularity of owls as pets to the uncanny tendency for people named Dennis to become dentists. In this vein, our study takes on the enigmatic connection between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. While seemingly as unrelated as pickles and ice cream, our investigation reveals a surprising correlation that will surely turn heads, much like catching a glimpse of a stolen car being hotwired.

Indiana, known for its Hoosier hospitality and love for fast cars, served as the backdrop for our offbeat inquiry. Utilizing data from the US Social Security Administration on the frequency of the name Margarita and the FBI's repository of motor vehicle thefts, we set out to untangle the web of coincidence, much like deciphering a cryptic license plate number.

At first glance, one may wonder how a name associated with a refreshing cocktail could possibly bear any relation to the illicit act of car theft. However, as we shall delve into, the statistical evidence points to a connection more peculiar than finding a pair of fuzzy dice in a stolen sedan.

Join us on this scholarly adventure as we navigate through the labyrinth of data, hoping to shed light on a correlation as unexpected as finding a parking ticket on a stolen vehicle. Sit back, fasten your seatbelt, and prepare for a ride that promises to be as surprising as stumbling upon a stolen Vespa in a cornfield.


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Margarita and Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. Make lots of 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 some movies that you watched that are tangentially related to the topic.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in the state of Indiana. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on an offbeat quest to uncover any potential link between a favored moniker and automobile misappropriations. The resulting correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1985 to 2022 presents an eyebrow-raising revelation, reminiscent of a theft in the night. Our findings may raise eyebrows, not unlike witnessing a car alarm go off unexpectedly.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The relationship between names and social phenomena has long intrigued researchers, from the curious case of "Harry Potter" leading to a surge in the popularity of owls as pets to the uncanny tendency for people named Dennis to become dentists. In this vein, our study takes on the enigmatic connection between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. While seemingly as unrelated as pickles and ice cream, our investigation reveals a surprising correlation that will surely turn heads, much like catching a glimpse of a stolen car being hotwired.
Indiana, known for its Hoosier hospitality and love for fast cars, served as the backdrop for our offbeat inquiry. Utilizing data from the US Social Security Administration on the frequency of the name Margarita and the FBI's repository of motor vehicle thefts, we set out to untangle the web of coincidence, much like deciphering a cryptic license plate number.
At first glance, one may wonder how a name associated with a refreshing cocktail could possibly bear any relation to the illicit act of car theft. However, as we shall delve into, the statistical evidence points to a connection more peculiar than finding a pair of fuzzy dice in a stolen sedan.
Join us on this scholarly adventure as we navigate through the labyrinth of data, hoping to shed light on a correlation as unexpected as finding a parking ticket on a stolen vehicle. Sit back, fasten your seatbelt, and prepare for a ride that promises to be as surprising as stumbling upon a stolen Vespa in a cornfield.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The relationship between names and their potential impact on various social phenomena has been a subject of scholarly interest and debate. Smith et al. (2010) investigated the influence of uncommon names on individual career outcomes, while Doe and Jones (2015) explored the correlation between popular names and consumer purchasing behavior. However, the connection between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana has remained a mysterious and understudied phenomenon.

In "Unusual Names in Society," the authors find that individuals with unique or uncommon names may experience both positive and negative social consequences, such as increased attention from others or potential discrimination in employment. Similarly, in "The Power of Names," the analysis suggests that the emotional resonance and cultural associations of a name can shape an individual's identity and their interactions within society.

Turning to a more lighthearted exploration of name-related phenomena, "The Great Gatsby" presents an intriguing study of the impact of a character's name on their social standing and relationships, offering parallel insights on the potential influence of names in shaping societal behavior. Additionally, "The Catcher in the Rye" provides a literary exploration of identity and individuality through the lens of a character's name, prompting reflection on the potential societal implications of specific names.

While working on this research, the authors also delved into several films that provided tangential insights into the association between names and societal phenomena. Films like "Gone in 60 Seconds" and "The Italian Job" offered a cinematic perspective on the allure of motor vehicles, while also serving as a metaphorical backdrop for our investigation into the unexpected correlation between the name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana.

As our inquiry delves into the curious correlation between the name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts, we aim to unravel an enigma as confounding as finding a getaway car parked in a drive-thru. The intersection of nomenclature and societal trends presents a paradoxical puzzle, as perplexing as discovering a stolen car with a "Baby on Board" sticker. Through this exploration, we hope to shed light on a correlation as surprising as finding a personalized license plate on a purloined vehicle.


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Margarita and Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. Make lots of 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 US Social Security Administration and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services . You used data from 1985 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]]
On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in the state of Indiana. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on an offbeat quest to uncover any potential link between a favored moniker and automobile misappropriations. The resulting correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1985 to 2022 presents an eyebrow-raising revelation, reminiscent of a theft in the night. Our findings may raise eyebrows, not unlike witnessing a car alarm go off unexpectedly.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The relationship between names and social phenomena has long intrigued researchers, from the curious case of "Harry Potter" leading to a surge in the popularity of owls as pets to the uncanny tendency for people named Dennis to become dentists. In this vein, our study takes on the enigmatic connection between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. While seemingly as unrelated as pickles and ice cream, our investigation reveals a surprising correlation that will surely turn heads, much like catching a glimpse of a stolen car being hotwired.
Indiana, known for its Hoosier hospitality and love for fast cars, served as the backdrop for our offbeat inquiry. Utilizing data from the US Social Security Administration on the frequency of the name Margarita and the FBI's repository of motor vehicle thefts, we set out to untangle the web of coincidence, much like deciphering a cryptic license plate number.
At first glance, one may wonder how a name associated with a refreshing cocktail could possibly bear any relation to the illicit act of car theft. However, as we shall delve into, the statistical evidence points to a connection more peculiar than finding a pair of fuzzy dice in a stolen sedan.
Join us on this scholarly adventure as we navigate through the labyrinth of data, hoping to shed light on a correlation as unexpected as finding a parking ticket on a stolen vehicle. Sit back, fasten your seatbelt, and prepare for a ride that promises to be as surprising as stumbling upon a stolen Vespa in a cornfield.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To uncover the mystery behind the correlation between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana, our research team employed a multifaceted approach that combined statistical analysis, data mining, and a touch of whimsy. While we can't reveal all of our secrets, here's a glimpse into our zany yet rigorous methodology.

First, we combed through the treasure trove of data provided by the US Social Security Administration, seeking out the frequency of the name Margarita registered in the state of Indiana from 1985 to 2022. Like intrepid explorers seeking a rare gem, we navigated through the annals of birth certificates and compiled a comprehensive dataset that served as the basis for our investigation.

Next, we turned our gaze to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services' repository of motor vehicle thefts in Indiana during the same time period. With a Sherlockian determination, we sifted through the reports of stolen sedans, pilfered pickup trucks, and purloined Priuses, documenting each incident with the precision of a crime scene investigator.

Once we had amassed our eccentric arsenal of data, we set forth to unleash the formidable powers of statistical analysis. With a sprinkle of serendipity and a dash of derring-do, we calculated correlation coefficients, regression models, and p-values that would make even the most stoic researcher crack a smile. Our statistical tools acted as the compass guiding us through the bewildering terrain of data.

In the spirit of scientific inquiry and unorthodox methods, we also partook in an unconventional ritual involving a crystal ball, a ouija board, and a Magic 8-Ball to channel the forces of chance and unearth hidden patterns. While some may raise an eyebrow at our esoteric pursuits, we firmly believe that every avenue of investigation is worth exploring, even if it involves a bit of whimsy.

Lastly, armed with an unwavering dedication to curiosity and a touch of levity, our team dissected the tangled web of data with the finesse of a master puzzle solver. Much like an intrepid explorer hacking through the foliage of a dense jungle, we bravely navigated through the complexities of our datasets, emerging victorious with findings that promise to captivate and perplex in equal measure.

In conclusion, our research methodology encapsulates the spirit of scholarly inquiry combined with a pinch of eccentricity. Through a blend of traditional statistical analysis, unorthodox divination techniques, and a sprinkle of good-natured humor, we have unraveled a peculiar correlation that is as confounding as trying to hotwire a lemonade stand.


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Margarita and Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. Make lots of 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 US Social Security Administration and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services .

For the time period 1985 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.9558922, r-squared of 0.9137299, 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]]
On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in the state of Indiana. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on an offbeat quest to uncover any potential link between a favored moniker and automobile misappropriations. The resulting correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1985 to 2022 presents an eyebrow-raising revelation, reminiscent of a theft in the night. Our findings may raise eyebrows, not unlike witnessing a car alarm go off unexpectedly.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The relationship between names and social phenomena has long intrigued researchers, from the curious case of "Harry Potter" leading to a surge in the popularity of owls as pets to the uncanny tendency for people named Dennis to become dentists. In this vein, our study takes on the enigmatic connection between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. While seemingly as unrelated as pickles and ice cream, our investigation reveals a surprising correlation that will surely turn heads, much like catching a glimpse of a stolen car being hotwired.
Indiana, known for its Hoosier hospitality and love for fast cars, served as the backdrop for our offbeat inquiry. Utilizing data from the US Social Security Administration on the frequency of the name Margarita and the FBI's repository of motor vehicle thefts, we set out to untangle the web of coincidence, much like deciphering a cryptic license plate number.
At first glance, one may wonder how a name associated with a refreshing cocktail could possibly bear any relation to the illicit act of car theft. However, as we shall delve into, the statistical evidence points to a connection more peculiar than finding a pair of fuzzy dice in a stolen sedan.
Join us on this scholarly adventure as we navigate through the labyrinth of data, hoping to shed light on a correlation as unexpected as finding a parking ticket on a stolen vehicle. Sit back, fasten your seatbelt, and prepare for a ride that promises to be as surprising as stumbling upon a stolen Vespa in a cornfield.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

RESULTS

The results of our investigation into the correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana are nothing short of astonishing. The analysis revealed a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and an r-squared value of 0.9137299, both reaching statistical significance at p < 0.01. It appears that there is more in the name Margarita than meets the eye, much like discovering a hidden compartment in a stolen car.

As depicted in Figure 1, our scatterplot showcases the unmistakably strong relationship between the frequency of the name Margarita and the occurrences of motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. The upward trend in the data points is as clear as seeing a car thief using a flashlight in the dead of night, leaving no room for doubt about the bond between these seemingly disparate variables.

The consistency of this relationship over the period spanning 1985 to 2022 piqued our intrigue, much like finding a vanity license plate on a stolen vehicle. The steep trajectory in the popularity of the name Margarita accompanies a parallel surge in motor vehicle thefts, mirroring each other like a set of perfectly polished hubcaps.

Our findings not only raise eyebrows but also ignite a spark of curiosity akin to uncovering a GPS tracker in a stolen vehicle. It appears that the ramifications of a name can reverberate through unexpected corridors of society, much like echoes bouncing off the walls of an impounded parking garage.

Altogether, our results indicate a robust and thought-provoking relationship between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. This revelation leaves us pondering the enigmatic nature of human behavior, not unlike trying to decipher a cryptic message left on a car windshield.


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Margarita and Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. Make lots of 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]]
On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in the state of Indiana. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on an offbeat quest to uncover any potential link between a favored moniker and automobile misappropriations. The resulting correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1985 to 2022 presents an eyebrow-raising revelation, reminiscent of a theft in the night. Our findings may raise eyebrows, not unlike witnessing a car alarm go off unexpectedly.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The relationship between names and their potential impact on various social phenomena has been a subject of scholarly interest and debate. Smith et al. (2010) investigated the influence of uncommon names on individual career outcomes, while Doe and Jones (2015) explored the correlation between popular names and consumer purchasing behavior. However, the connection between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana has remained a mysterious and understudied phenomenon.
In "Unusual Names in Society," the authors find that individuals with unique or uncommon names may experience both positive and negative social consequences, such as increased attention from others or potential discrimination in employment. Similarly, in "The Power of Names," the analysis suggests that the emotional resonance and cultural associations of a name can shape an individual's identity and their interactions within society.
Turning to a more lighthearted exploration of name-related phenomena, "The Great Gatsby" presents an intriguing study of the impact of a character's name on their social standing and relationships, offering parallel insights on the potential influence of names in shaping societal behavior. Additionally, "The Catcher in the Rye" provides a literary exploration of identity and individuality through the lens of a character's name, prompting reflection on the potential societal implications of specific names.
While working on this research, the authors also delved into several films that provided tangential insights into the association between names and societal phenomena. Films like "Gone in 60 Seconds" and "The Italian Job" offered a cinematic perspective on the allure of motor vehicles, while also serving as a metaphorical backdrop for our investigation into the unexpected correlation between the name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana.
As our inquiry delves into the curious correlation between the name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts, we aim to unravel an enigma as confounding as finding a getaway car parked in a drive-thru. The intersection of nomenclature and societal trends presents a paradoxical puzzle, as perplexing as discovering a stolen car with a "Baby on Board" sticker. Through this exploration, we hope to shed light on a correlation as surprising as finding a personalized license plate on a purloined vehicle.

[[RESULTS]]
RESULTS
The results of our investigation into the correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana are nothing short of astonishing. The analysis revealed a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and an r-squared value of 0.9137299, both reaching statistical significance at p < 0.01. It appears that there is more in the name Margarita than meets the eye, much like discovering a hidden compartment in a stolen car.
As depicted in Figure 1, our scatterplot showcases the unmistakably strong relationship between the frequency of the name Margarita and the occurrences of motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. The upward trend in the data points is as clear as seeing a car thief using a flashlight in the dead of night, leaving no room for doubt about the bond between these seemingly disparate variables.
The consistency of this relationship over the period spanning 1985 to 2022 piqued our intrigue, much like finding a vanity license plate on a stolen vehicle. The steep trajectory in the popularity of the name Margarita accompanies a parallel surge in motor vehicle thefts, mirroring each other like a set of perfectly polished hubcaps.
Our findings not only raise eyebrows but also ignite a spark of curiosity akin to uncovering a GPS tracker in a stolen vehicle. It appears that the ramifications of a name can reverberate through unexpected corridors of society, much like echoes bouncing off the walls of an impounded parking garage.
Altogether, our results indicate a robust and thought-provoking relationship between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. This revelation leaves us pondering the enigmatic nature of human behavior, not unlike trying to decipher a cryptic message left on a car windshield.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our study uncovers a novel and rather intriguing correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and the incidence of motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. What may initially appear as an amusing coincidence has revealed a statistically significant relationship that demands further exploration. Our findings echo the curious and often serendipitous nature of social phenomena, much like stumbling upon a hidden treasure in the glove compartment of an old car.

The literature review presented an amusing yet thought-provoking discourse on the potential influence of names on social dynamics, invoking parallels from literary works and cinematic portrayals of societal behavior. The influence of a name on individual identity and social interactions as highlighted in "The Great Gatsby" and "The Catcher in the Rye" offered intriguing perspectives that resonate with our unexpected discovery. Who would have thought that the name Margarita could have such a "grand theft-auto" impact on societal trends?

Our findings support the notion that names can hold unforeseen sway over societal trends, akin to finding an unexpectedly high insurance premium for a stolen vehicle. The robust correlation coefficient and r-squared value buttress the significance of the relationship, much like the impenetrable security system of a luxury car. It seems that an ordinary name may harbor extraordinary societal implications, not unlike finding a high-speed chase in a quiet suburban neighborhood.

In light of our results, it behooves us to contemplate the implications of our unearthed correlation, reminding us of the unforeseen consequences of seemingly innocuous factors. The connection between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana undeniably raises eyebrows, just as spotting a banana peel behind the wheel of a hotwired car would prompt a chuckle and a furrowed brow.

This unforeseen correlation leaves us pondering the enigmatic nature of human behavior, much like unraveling the mystery of a car's missing radio. It emphasizes the need for further exploration into the complex web of societal influences, much like diving into the underbelly of the auto theft underworld. As we step back to reflect on the ramifications of our findings, we are left with a lingering sense of wonder, not unlike the inexplicable allure of a car with a full tank of gas parked in an abandoned lot.


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Popularity of the first name Margarita and Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. Make lots of 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]]
On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana

[[ABSTRACT]]
This paper delves into the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in the state of Indiana. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on an offbeat quest to uncover any potential link between a favored moniker and automobile misappropriations. The resulting correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1985 to 2022 presents an eyebrow-raising revelation, reminiscent of a theft in the night. Our findings may raise eyebrows, not unlike witnessing a car alarm go off unexpectedly.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The relationship between names and social phenomena has long intrigued researchers, from the curious case of "Harry Potter" leading to a surge in the popularity of owls as pets to the uncanny tendency for people named Dennis to become dentists. In this vein, our study takes on the enigmatic connection between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. While seemingly as unrelated as pickles and ice cream, our investigation reveals a surprising correlation that will surely turn heads, much like catching a glimpse of a stolen car being hotwired.
Indiana, known for its Hoosier hospitality and love for fast cars, served as the backdrop for our offbeat inquiry. Utilizing data from the US Social Security Administration on the frequency of the name Margarita and the FBI's repository of motor vehicle thefts, we set out to untangle the web of coincidence, much like deciphering a cryptic license plate number.
At first glance, one may wonder how a name associated with a refreshing cocktail could possibly bear any relation to the illicit act of car theft. However, as we shall delve into, the statistical evidence points to a connection more peculiar than finding a pair of fuzzy dice in a stolen sedan.
Join us on this scholarly adventure as we navigate through the labyrinth of data, hoping to shed light on a correlation as unexpected as finding a parking ticket on a stolen vehicle. Sit back, fasten your seatbelt, and prepare for a ride that promises to be as surprising as stumbling upon a stolen Vespa in a cornfield.

[[RESULTS]]
RESULTS
The results of our investigation into the correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana are nothing short of astonishing. The analysis revealed a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and an r-squared value of 0.9137299, both reaching statistical significance at p < 0.01. It appears that there is more in the name Margarita than meets the eye, much like discovering a hidden compartment in a stolen car.
As depicted in Figure 1, our scatterplot showcases the unmistakably strong relationship between the frequency of the name Margarita and the occurrences of motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. The upward trend in the data points is as clear as seeing a car thief using a flashlight in the dead of night, leaving no room for doubt about the bond between these seemingly disparate variables.
The consistency of this relationship over the period spanning 1985 to 2022 piqued our intrigue, much like finding a vanity license plate on a stolen vehicle. The steep trajectory in the popularity of the name Margarita accompanies a parallel surge in motor vehicle thefts, mirroring each other like a set of perfectly polished hubcaps.
Our findings not only raise eyebrows but also ignite a spark of curiosity akin to uncovering a GPS tracker in a stolen vehicle. It appears that the ramifications of a name can reverberate through unexpected corridors of society, much like echoes bouncing off the walls of an impounded parking garage.
Altogether, our results indicate a robust and thought-provoking relationship between the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in Indiana. This revelation leaves us pondering the enigmatic nature of human behavior, not unlike trying to decipher a cryptic message left on a car windshield.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our study has provided compelling evidence of a surprising correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in the state of Indiana. The statistical results revealed a relationship as strong as a steering wheel lock and an unattended convertible. Just as a car alarm jolts a peaceful neighborhood, our findings may shake up the conventional wisdom of what influences criminal behavior.

The implications of our research have left us with more questions than answers, much like a car owner questioning why their vehicle is more prone to theft than a less glamorous sedan. Perhaps this connection between the name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts is a cautionary tale, warning parents against naming their children after popular cocktails. After all, we wouldn't want a surge in the name "Martini" to lead to an influx of grand theft auto incidents.

As tempting as it may be to dive deeper into the potential mechanisms underlying this correlation, we are hesitant to encourage a wave of similarly outlandish studies. It would be as reckless as leaving your car unlocked while running errands. Instead, we propose that this research be taken with a grain of road salt and that further explorations in this direction be left for those with a taste for the unconventional or a flair for the dramatic.

In conclusion, we firmly assert that no more research is needed in this area. The wheels of academia must keep rolling, steering clear of such frivolous pursuits, lest we find ourselves entangled in a web of correlations as tangled as a hot-wired ignition. Let this study serve as a quirky and cautionary tale, much like a map to navigate the tricky terrain of quirky research endeavors.


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 On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Quirky Sociological 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 On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Center for Beverage-Related Societal Impacts (CBSI)


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 On the Rocks: The Margarita Name's Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts in Indiana with an abstract of This paper delves into the peculiar correlation between the popularity of the first name Margarita and motor vehicle thefts in the state of Indiana. Leveraging data from the US Social Security Administration and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on an offbeat quest to uncover any potential link between a favored moniker and automobile misappropriations. The resulting correlation coefficient of 0.9558922 and p < 0.01 for the period spanning 1985 to 2022 presents an eyebrow-raising revelation, reminiscent of a theft in the night. Our findings may raise eyebrows, not unlike witnessing a car alarm go off unexpectedly.

ChatGPT:

"Margarita name popularity," "motor vehicle thefts in Indiana," "correlation between name and crime," "FBI Criminal Justice Information Services data," "US Social Security Administration data," "correlation coefficient for car thefts and name popularity," "automobile misappropriations," "name association with crime statistics," "correlation study for car thefts and name popularity in Indiana," "statistical analysis of crime and name popularity."

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



Random correlation

Discover a new correlation

View all correlations

View all research papers

Report an error


Data details

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

Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana
Detailed data title: The motor vehicle theft rate per 100,000 residents in Indiana
Source: FBI Criminal Justice Information Services
See what else correlates with Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana

Correlation r = 0.9558922 (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 = 0.9137299 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 91.4% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Popularity of the first name Margarita) over the 38 years from 1985 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 9.7E-21. 0.0000000000000000000096555687
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 0.96 in 9.7E-19% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 103,567,177,767,581,925,376 random variables You don't actually need 103 quintillion 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 37 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 37 because we have two variables measured over a period of 38 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.

[ 0.92, 0.98 ] 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.
19851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Popularity of the first name Margarita (Babies born)3964393694024655405785325295114574654683943673783603332892592702762452292091691651441451321251341251071108894112
Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana (Motor Vehicle Theft rate)328.5327.5354.5353.5391.1439464.8450.3428.1434.8465.7424.9428359.2341.4346.8350.9329.5335338.7347342305.8274.4215.4208227.4208.6215.9210204.7217.7221.3226.9204.5228.5209.8199.4




Why this works

  1. Data dredging: I have 25,153 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 632,673,409 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
  2. Lack of causal connection: There is probably Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
    no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
  3. Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
    p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.




Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([396,439,369,402,465,540,578,532,529,511,457,465,468,394,367,378,360,333,289,259,270,276,245,229,209,169,165,144,145,132,125,134,125,107,110,88,94,112,])
array_2 = np.array([328.5,327.5,354.5,353.5,391.1,439,464.8,450.3,428.1,434.8,465.7,424.9,428,359.2,341.4,346.8,350.9,329.5,335,338.7,347,342,305.8,274.4,215.4,208,227.4,208.6,215.9,210,204.7,217.7,221.3,226.9,204.5,228.5,209.8,199.4,])
array_1_name = "Popularity of the first name Margarita"
array_2_name = "Motor vehicle thefts in Indiana"

# 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. 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:


View another random correlation

How fun was this correlation?

Thanks for shining a light on this correlation!


Correlation ID: 2794 · Black Variable ID: 2942 · Red Variable ID: 20175
about · subscribe · emailme@tylervigen.com · twitter

CC BY 4.0