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Spurious correlation #3,343 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The number of cartographers in New Mexico and the second variable is Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands.  The chart goes from 2003 to 2020, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As the number of cartographers in New Mexico increased, so did the production of highly accurate maps. These maps, known for their exquisite detail, sparked a sudden interest in remote and exotic travel destinations. This led to a surge in tourism to the Solomon Islands, ultimately resulting in a higher demand for petroleum to power boats, planes, and other modes of transportation around the picturesque island nation. Who knew that cartography could put the Solomon Islands on the map in more ways than one!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Create an image depicting a TIME magazine cover featuring a vibrant New Mexico cityscape with cartographers meticulously folding up their maps against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers. Below the cityscape, an image of the Solomon Islands presents the chaotic scene of vehicles navigating through a tangled web of uncharted roads. The contrast between the organized cartographers and the disoriented islanders should be visually striking, capturing the cultural and geographical divide between these locations. 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 number of cartographers in New Mexico and Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands. 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: A TIME magazine cover image Futuristic Futuristic Cute 2D animation Symbolism
ChatGPT: A TIME magazine cover image

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both The number of cartographers in New Mexico and Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands, in the following situation: Because when cartographers in New Mexico decrease, they take their mapping skills elsewhere, like the Solomon Islands. This leads to a surge in uncharted territories, causing people to drive in circles trying to find their way, ultimately increasing petroleum consumption. It's a classic case of "lost and found" leading to fuel being lost and found in car tanks.. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In a bustling New Mexico city, we see a group of cartographers with their maps packing up their equipment and heading off to the Solomon Islands. Meanwhile, in the Solomon Islands, we observe people driving in circles on a maze of uncharted roads, searching for their way. As they circle about, we notice a significant increase in the consumption of petrol as they strive to find their destinations.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ A TIME magazine cover image ] and depicting this scene: In a bustling New Mexico city, we see a group of cartographers with their maps packing up their equipment and heading off to the Solomon Islands. Meanwhile, in the Solomon Islands, we observe people driving in circles on a maze of uncharted roads, searching for their way. As they circle about, we notice a significant increase in the consumption of petrol as they strive to find their destinations. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Create an image depicting a TIME magazine cover featuring a vibrant New Mexico cityscape with cartographers meticulously folding up their maps against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers. Below the cityscape, an image of the Solomon Islands presents the chaotic scene of vehicles navigating through a tangled web of uncharted roads. The contrast between the organized cartographers and the disoriented islanders should be visually striking, capturing the cultural and geographical divide between these locations.

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

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

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how increases in The number of cartographers in New Mexico positively influenced Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption

The Cartographer's Chronicle

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of cartographers in New Mexico and Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title punny if you can come up with clever pun. If not, just make it sound clever.

Your research team used data from Bureau of Larbor Statistics and Energy Information Administration to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and p < 0.01 for 2003 to 2020.

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]]
"Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Mapping out the relationships between seemingly unrelated variables has always been an intriguing pursuit. In this delightfully mirthful research study, we delve into the curious connection between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Energy Information Administration, our analysis revealed a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2003 to 2020.

It seems that the more cartographers ventured around the mesas of New Mexico, the more fuel was spirited away in the tropical paradise of the Solomon Islands. This spurious correlation provides a whimsical reflection of the adage, "Where there's a map, there's a way – to higher petrol consumption!".While the causal mechanism behind this correlation eludes us, it's clear that cartographers and petrol have charted a peculiar course of interconnectedness.

So, the next time someone argues that cartography and petroleum consumption have nothing to do with each other, you can quip, "I beg to map-differ!"


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of cartographers in New Mexico and Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Mapping out the relationships between seemingly unrelated variables has always been an intriguing pursuit. In this delightfully mirthful research study, we delve into the curious connection between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Energy Information Administration, our analysis revealed a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2003 to 2020.

It seems that the more cartographers ventured around the mesas of New Mexico, the more fuel was spirited away in the tropical paradise of the Solomon Islands. This spurious correlation provides a whimsical reflection of the adage, "Where there's a map, there's a way – to higher petrol consumption!".While the causal mechanism behind this correlation eludes us, it's clear that cartographers and petrol have charted a peculiar course of interconnectedness.

So, the next time someone argues that cartography and petroleum consumption have nothing to do with each other, you can quip, "I beg to map-differ!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

The field of statistical analysis has often been the canvas for uncovering the hidden connections and relationships between seemingly disparate variables, much like a cartographer revealing the hidden contours of a map. In this spatio-statistical venture, we embark on a journey to explore the whimsical correlation between the number of esteemed cartographers diligently surveying the terrain of New Mexico and the rather eccentric petroleum consumption trends in the idyllic Solomon Islands. It's a tale of two geographies, where one might expect to encounter a cart-load of surprises.

The notion of a connection between the number of individuals dedicated to the art of mapmaking and the fuel consumption habits of a distant archipelago may initially seem as far-fetched as trying to navigate without a compass. However, as our data elucidates, there's more than met the eye – or the map – in this enchanting confluence of cartography and petrol.

It's been said that "where there's a map, there's a way" – and perhaps there's a pun! The lively correlation we have uncovered evokes a whimsical reflection of this adage, albeit with a twist. As we traverse through the statistical landscapes of our analysis, it becomes evident that there is indeed a quirky connection between the cartographic pursuits in the desert plains of New Mexico and the guzzling of gasoline in the sun-kissed shores of the Solomon Islands. One might even jest that "for every map drawn, a gallon of petrol is soon gone!"

Our research aims to not only celebrate the mirthful peculiarity of this correlation but also to shine a statistical spotlight on the incongruous yet intriguing dance of factors that lead to such a connection. As we delve into the statistical underpinnings of this seemingly bizarre relationship, there is ample room for both amusement and thoughtful contemplation. After all, in the world of statistics, there's always latitude for surprise – just like a cartographer charting unknown territories.

So, as we embark on this cart-astrophic journey of statistical exploration, let us not forget to appreciate the whimsy that underlies the connection between cartographers and petrol consumption. In the spirit of both scholarship and good cheer, we invite you to join us in this delightful dance of numbers, maps, and, of course, the occasional dad joke. As the saying goes, "Why did the cartographer get lost? Because he took the wrong route – and his map was already drawn!" We promise there will be no dead ends in our analysis, only delightful data-driven discoveries along the way.


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of cartographers in New Mexico and Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Mapping out the relationships between seemingly unrelated variables has always been an intriguing pursuit. In this delightfully mirthful research study, we delve into the curious connection between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Energy Information Administration, our analysis revealed a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2003 to 2020.

It seems that the more cartographers ventured around the mesas of New Mexico, the more fuel was spirited away in the tropical paradise of the Solomon Islands. This spurious correlation provides a whimsical reflection of the adage, "Where there's a map, there's a way – to higher petrol consumption!".While the causal mechanism behind this correlation eludes us, it's clear that cartographers and petrol have charted a peculiar course of interconnectedness.

So, the next time someone argues that cartography and petroleum consumption have nothing to do with each other, you can quip, "I beg to map-differ!"

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The field of statistical analysis has often been the canvas for uncovering the hidden connections and relationships between seemingly disparate variables, much like a cartographer revealing the hidden contours of a map. In this spatio-statistical venture, we embark on a journey to explore the whimsical correlation between the number of esteemed cartographers diligently surveying the terrain of New Mexico and the rather eccentric petroleum consumption trends in the idyllic Solomon Islands. It's a tale of two geographies, where one might expect to encounter a cart-load of surprises.
The notion of a connection between the number of individuals dedicated to the art of mapmaking and the fuel consumption habits of a distant archipelago may initially seem as far-fetched as trying to navigate without a compass. However, as our data elucidates, there's more than met the eye – or the map – in this enchanting confluence of cartography and petrol.
It's been said that "where there's a map, there's a way" – and perhaps there's a pun! The lively correlation we have uncovered evokes a whimsical reflection of this adage, albeit with a twist. As we traverse through the statistical landscapes of our analysis, it becomes evident that there is indeed a quirky connection between the cartographic pursuits in the desert plains of New Mexico and the guzzling of gasoline in the sun-kissed shores of the Solomon Islands. One might even jest that "for every map drawn, a gallon of petrol is soon gone!"
Our research aims to not only celebrate the mirthful peculiarity of this correlation but also to shine a statistical spotlight on the incongruous yet intriguing dance of factors that lead to such a connection. As we delve into the statistical underpinnings of this seemingly bizarre relationship, there is ample room for both amusement and thoughtful contemplation. After all, in the world of statistics, there's always latitude for surprise – just like a cartographer charting unknown territories.
So, as we embark on this cart-astrophic journey of statistical exploration, let us not forget to appreciate the whimsy that underlies the connection between cartographers and petrol consumption. In the spirit of both scholarship and good cheer, we invite you to join us in this delightful dance of numbers, maps, and, of course, the occasional dad joke. As the saying goes, "Why did the cartographer get lost? Because he took the wrong route – and his map was already drawn!" We promise there will be no dead ends in our analysis, only delightful data-driven discoveries along the way.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The literature presents a captivating array of studies on seemingly unrelated variables, much like a map with intriguingly distant points. Smith et al. (2015) examined the behavioral patterns of cartographers in the arid terrain of New Mexico, while Doe and Jones (2017) delved into the idiosyncratic petroleum consumption trends in the paradisiacal Solomon Islands, offering a rich background for our current investigation. However, as we tiptoe through this statistical minefield, we encounter an unexpected twist of correlations that may turn out to be the key to unraveling the cartographic conundrum.

In "Cartographers and Their Cart-tastrophe: A Statistical Analysis," Lorem and Ipsum (2019) scrutinized the formations of cartographic societies in various regions, shedding light on the intense passion and dedication of mapmakers around the world. And as we all know, dedication to mapmaking often leads to quite the "latitude" for puns, wouldn't you "longitude" to hear them?

On the intersecting path, we encounter "Petroleum Consumption: A Sticky Situation" by Ipsum (2018), where the author unveils the eccentric factors influencing petroleum consumption in remote, sunny locales. It's a "gassy" read, to say the least.

Now, let's not overlook our guiding lights on this whimsical journey. Real-world, non-fiction books such as "Maps of Meaning" by Jordan Peterson and "The World Atlas of Wine" by Hugh Johnson paint a picturesque landscape for our exploration. And for a fictional twist, let's not dismiss the relevance of "The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees" by E. Lily Yu and "The Petrol-Seekers" by Ivan Southall. It's as though the fictional world is trying to tell us something!

Of course, in our pursuit of statistical enlightenment, we cannot overlook the influence of popular culture. After all, who could forget the indefatigable mapmaking in "Dora the Explorer" or the gas-guzzling adventures of "Wacky Races"? It seems that even in the realm of cartoons, the map-petrol connection manages to find its way!

As we map out the amusing correlations and cartograph the unexpected lanes of data, we cannot help but acknowledge the statistical humor that simmers beneath the surface. It's a reminder that in the world of research, a good dad joke is never too far out of reach. So let's not be afraid to giggle – after all, statistics may be serious business, but it's also a map-load of fun.


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of cartographers in New Mexico and Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Bureau of Larbor Statistics and Energy Information Administration . You used data from 2003 to 2020

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]]
"Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Mapping out the relationships between seemingly unrelated variables has always been an intriguing pursuit. In this delightfully mirthful research study, we delve into the curious connection between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Energy Information Administration, our analysis revealed a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2003 to 2020.

It seems that the more cartographers ventured around the mesas of New Mexico, the more fuel was spirited away in the tropical paradise of the Solomon Islands. This spurious correlation provides a whimsical reflection of the adage, "Where there's a map, there's a way – to higher petrol consumption!".While the causal mechanism behind this correlation eludes us, it's clear that cartographers and petrol have charted a peculiar course of interconnectedness.

So, the next time someone argues that cartography and petroleum consumption have nothing to do with each other, you can quip, "I beg to map-differ!"

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The field of statistical analysis has often been the canvas for uncovering the hidden connections and relationships between seemingly disparate variables, much like a cartographer revealing the hidden contours of a map. In this spatio-statistical venture, we embark on a journey to explore the whimsical correlation between the number of esteemed cartographers diligently surveying the terrain of New Mexico and the rather eccentric petroleum consumption trends in the idyllic Solomon Islands. It's a tale of two geographies, where one might expect to encounter a cart-load of surprises.
The notion of a connection between the number of individuals dedicated to the art of mapmaking and the fuel consumption habits of a distant archipelago may initially seem as far-fetched as trying to navigate without a compass. However, as our data elucidates, there's more than met the eye – or the map – in this enchanting confluence of cartography and petrol.
It's been said that "where there's a map, there's a way" – and perhaps there's a pun! The lively correlation we have uncovered evokes a whimsical reflection of this adage, albeit with a twist. As we traverse through the statistical landscapes of our analysis, it becomes evident that there is indeed a quirky connection between the cartographic pursuits in the desert plains of New Mexico and the guzzling of gasoline in the sun-kissed shores of the Solomon Islands. One might even jest that "for every map drawn, a gallon of petrol is soon gone!"
Our research aims to not only celebrate the mirthful peculiarity of this correlation but also to shine a statistical spotlight on the incongruous yet intriguing dance of factors that lead to such a connection. As we delve into the statistical underpinnings of this seemingly bizarre relationship, there is ample room for both amusement and thoughtful contemplation. After all, in the world of statistics, there's always latitude for surprise – just like a cartographer charting unknown territories.
So, as we embark on this cart-astrophic journey of statistical exploration, let us not forget to appreciate the whimsy that underlies the connection between cartographers and petrol consumption. In the spirit of both scholarship and good cheer, we invite you to join us in this delightful dance of numbers, maps, and, of course, the occasional dad joke. As the saying goes, "Why did the cartographer get lost? Because he took the wrong route – and his map was already drawn!" We promise there will be no dead ends in our analysis, only delightful data-driven discoveries along the way.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To untangle the intricacies of the delightfully perplexing relationship between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and the petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands, we employed an amalgamation of statistical and geographic methods that mirrored the eclectic nature of our research query.

Our expedition into the statistical terrain commenced with the retrieval of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, where we meticulously scoured employment records to quantify the surging fellowship of cartographers laboriously charting their way through New Mexico’s topography. We then traversed to the Energy Information Administration's archives, where we procured copious amounts of data detailing the enigmatic fluctuations in petrol consumption within the lush landscapes of the Solomon Islands.

Once we had gleaned these datasets akin to intrepid explorers unearthing long-lost cartographic treasures, our statistical voyage set sail across the turbulent waters of heteroscedasticity and multicollinearity in our regression model. We conducted a bespoke time-series analysis, incorporating extensive lagged variables and variable transformations to ensure that our model navigated the tumultuous statistical seas with the finesse of an adept mariner.

Just as a cartographer meticulously plots the coordinates of unknown lands, we plotted the coordinates of our data point by point, meticulously mapping the relationship between cartographer employment in New Mexico and petrol consumption in the Solomon Islands, pixel by pixel.

A good dad joke to lighten the mood: "Why don't cartographers go on vacation? Because they can't find a map to show them the way!"

Once our statistical ship had weathered the storms of outlier detection and model validation, we harnessed the winds of correlation analysis to gauge the strength and direction of the relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. Our findings revealed a compelling correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and a p-value of less than 0.01, signaling a statistically significant association that even the most seasoned cartographer would find difficult to chart.

In the spirit of full disclosure, it is essential to acknowledge the limitations of our research. The inherent quirkiness of our correlation necessitates caution in attributing causality, as there may exist lurking variables that elude our statistical compass. Nevertheless, our methodology has unmasked the intriguing interplay between cartography and petrol consumption, providing a robust foundation for future research endeavors to further probe this captivating cart-astrophe of connections.

Sailing through the seas of data, we have indeed uncovered a nautical novelity that leaves us humbled and awestruck. Yet, as we reflect upon this statistical odyssey, let us not forget to savor the lightheartedness that underpins this remarkable correlation. After all, in the world of statistics, even the most beguiling relationships can be mapped out with a hint of good humor.


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of cartographers in New Mexico and Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Bureau of Larbor Statistics and Energy Information Administration .

For the time period 2003 to 2020, you found a correlation 0.9095671, r-squared of 0.8273123, 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]]
"Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Mapping out the relationships between seemingly unrelated variables has always been an intriguing pursuit. In this delightfully mirthful research study, we delve into the curious connection between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Energy Information Administration, our analysis revealed a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2003 to 2020.

It seems that the more cartographers ventured around the mesas of New Mexico, the more fuel was spirited away in the tropical paradise of the Solomon Islands. This spurious correlation provides a whimsical reflection of the adage, "Where there's a map, there's a way – to higher petrol consumption!".While the causal mechanism behind this correlation eludes us, it's clear that cartographers and petrol have charted a peculiar course of interconnectedness.

So, the next time someone argues that cartography and petroleum consumption have nothing to do with each other, you can quip, "I beg to map-differ!"

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The field of statistical analysis has often been the canvas for uncovering the hidden connections and relationships between seemingly disparate variables, much like a cartographer revealing the hidden contours of a map. In this spatio-statistical venture, we embark on a journey to explore the whimsical correlation between the number of esteemed cartographers diligently surveying the terrain of New Mexico and the rather eccentric petroleum consumption trends in the idyllic Solomon Islands. It's a tale of two geographies, where one might expect to encounter a cart-load of surprises.
The notion of a connection between the number of individuals dedicated to the art of mapmaking and the fuel consumption habits of a distant archipelago may initially seem as far-fetched as trying to navigate without a compass. However, as our data elucidates, there's more than met the eye – or the map – in this enchanting confluence of cartography and petrol.
It's been said that "where there's a map, there's a way" – and perhaps there's a pun! The lively correlation we have uncovered evokes a whimsical reflection of this adage, albeit with a twist. As we traverse through the statistical landscapes of our analysis, it becomes evident that there is indeed a quirky connection between the cartographic pursuits in the desert plains of New Mexico and the guzzling of gasoline in the sun-kissed shores of the Solomon Islands. One might even jest that "for every map drawn, a gallon of petrol is soon gone!"
Our research aims to not only celebrate the mirthful peculiarity of this correlation but also to shine a statistical spotlight on the incongruous yet intriguing dance of factors that lead to such a connection. As we delve into the statistical underpinnings of this seemingly bizarre relationship, there is ample room for both amusement and thoughtful contemplation. After all, in the world of statistics, there's always latitude for surprise – just like a cartographer charting unknown territories.
So, as we embark on this cart-astrophic journey of statistical exploration, let us not forget to appreciate the whimsy that underlies the connection between cartographers and petrol consumption. In the spirit of both scholarship and good cheer, we invite you to join us in this delightful dance of numbers, maps, and, of course, the occasional dad joke. As the saying goes, "Why did the cartographer get lost? Because he took the wrong route – and his map was already drawn!" We promise there will be no dead ends in our analysis, only delightful data-driven discoveries along the way.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

Our data analysis unearthed a remarkably strong correlation between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9095671, with an r-squared value of 0.8273123, and a p-value of less than 0.01. This finding suggests an undeniable relationship between the two variables, leaving us pondering the curious connection between cartography and fuel consumption.

The scatterplot (see Fig. 1) portrays the unmistakable upward trend that epitomizes the correlation between the number of cartographers and petroleum consumption. It's almost as if each additional cartographer in New Mexico was accompanied by a surge in the demand for petrol in the serene shores of the Solomon Islands. One might say, "Where there's a map, there's a fuel-guzzling way!"

It appears that the presence of cartographers traversing the mesas and deserts of New Mexico paradoxically coincided with heightened petroleum consumption in the distant Solomon Islands. This quirky relationship between the meticulous art of mapmaking and the voracious appetite for petrol provokes a chuckle and a handful of confounding questions. As they say, "Why did the cartographer retire? He lost his bearings – and his sense of direction!"

The statistically significant correlation we uncovered has certainly charted a course for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms driving this unexpected connection. Our findings not only raise eyebrows but also prompt a hearty laugh while pondering the whimsical dance of numbers, maps, and petrol. It seems that the world of statistics always has room for surprises – much like a cartographer charting unexplored territories and stumbling upon unexpected correlations.

This spurious correlation between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands has indeed left us in good humor, as we marvel at the delightful absurdity that underlies this statistical caper. So, the next time you hear someone dismissing the relationship between cartography and petrol consumption, you can joyfully quip, "I beg to map-differ!"


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of cartographers in New Mexico and Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

Here are the title, abstract, literature review, and results sections. Please harken back to 1-2 of the goofy items in the literature review, but pretend to take them completely seriously. Discuss how your results supported the prior research.

Do not write a conclusion. I will add a conclusion after this.

[[TITLE]]
"Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Mapping out the relationships between seemingly unrelated variables has always been an intriguing pursuit. In this delightfully mirthful research study, we delve into the curious connection between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Energy Information Administration, our analysis revealed a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2003 to 2020.

It seems that the more cartographers ventured around the mesas of New Mexico, the more fuel was spirited away in the tropical paradise of the Solomon Islands. This spurious correlation provides a whimsical reflection of the adage, "Where there's a map, there's a way – to higher petrol consumption!".While the causal mechanism behind this correlation eludes us, it's clear that cartographers and petrol have charted a peculiar course of interconnectedness.

So, the next time someone argues that cartography and petroleum consumption have nothing to do with each other, you can quip, "I beg to map-differ!"

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The literature presents a captivating array of studies on seemingly unrelated variables, much like a map with intriguingly distant points. Smith et al. (2015) examined the behavioral patterns of cartographers in the arid terrain of New Mexico, while Doe and Jones (2017) delved into the idiosyncratic petroleum consumption trends in the paradisiacal Solomon Islands, offering a rich background for our current investigation. However, as we tiptoe through this statistical minefield, we encounter an unexpected twist of correlations that may turn out to be the key to unraveling the cartographic conundrum.
In "Cartographers and Their Cart-tastrophe: A Statistical Analysis," Lorem and Ipsum (2019) scrutinized the formations of cartographic societies in various regions, shedding light on the intense passion and dedication of mapmakers around the world. And as we all know, dedication to mapmaking often leads to quite the "latitude" for puns, wouldn't you "longitude" to hear them?

On the intersecting path, we encounter "Petroleum Consumption: A Sticky Situation" by Ipsum (2018), where the author unveils the eccentric factors influencing petroleum consumption in remote, sunny locales. It's a "gassy" read, to say the least.
Now, let's not overlook our guiding lights on this whimsical journey. Real-world, non-fiction books such as "Maps of Meaning" by Jordan Peterson and "The World Atlas of Wine" by Hugh Johnson paint a picturesque landscape for our exploration. And for a fictional twist, let's not dismiss the relevance of "The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees" by E. Lily Yu and "The Petrol-Seekers" by Ivan Southall. It's as though the fictional world is trying to tell us something!
Of course, in our pursuit of statistical enlightenment, we cannot overlook the influence of popular culture. After all, who could forget the indefatigable mapmaking in "Dora the Explorer" or the gas-guzzling adventures of "Wacky Races"? It seems that even in the realm of cartoons, the map-petrol connection manages to find its way!
As we map out the amusing correlations and cartograph the unexpected lanes of data, we cannot help but acknowledge the statistical humor that simmers beneath the surface. It's a reminder that in the world of research, a good dad joke is never too far out of reach. So let's not be afraid to giggle – after all, statistics may be serious business, but it's also a map-load of fun.

[[RESULTS]]
Our data analysis unearthed a remarkably strong correlation between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9095671, with an r-squared value of 0.8273123, and a p-value of less than 0.01. This finding suggests an undeniable relationship between the two variables, leaving us pondering the curious connection between cartography and fuel consumption.
The scatterplot (see Fig. 1) portrays the unmistakable upward trend that epitomizes the correlation between the number of cartographers and petroleum consumption. It's almost as if each additional cartographer in New Mexico was accompanied by a surge in the demand for petrol in the serene shores of the Solomon Islands. One might say, "Where there's a map, there's a fuel-guzzling way!"
It appears that the presence of cartographers traversing the mesas and deserts of New Mexico paradoxically coincided with heightened petroleum consumption in the distant Solomon Islands. This quirky relationship between the meticulous art of mapmaking and the voracious appetite for petrol provokes a chuckle and a handful of confounding questions. As they say, "Why did the cartographer retire? He lost his bearings – and his sense of direction!"
The statistically significant correlation we uncovered has certainly charted a course for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms driving this unexpected connection. Our findings not only raise eyebrows but also prompt a hearty laugh while pondering the whimsical dance of numbers, maps, and petrol. It seems that the world of statistics always has room for surprises – much like a cartographer charting unexplored territories and stumbling upon unexpected correlations.
This spurious correlation between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands has indeed left us in good humor, as we marvel at the delightful absurdity that underlies this statistical caper. So, the next time you hear someone dismissing the relationship between cartography and petrol consumption, you can joyfully quip, "I beg to map-differ!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our investigation into the seemingly whimsical connection between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands has led us down an unexpectedly chuckle-inducing path of statistical exploration. While it may seem like a cart-astrophe of seemingly unrelated variables, our findings support previous studies that hinted at a potential correlation between these disparate realms.

Our results echoed the work by Smith et al. (2015) and Doe and Jones (2017), who independently ventured into the behavioral patterns of cartographers in the arid New Mexican terrain and the idiosyncratic petroleum consumption habits of the Solomon Islands, respectively. It turns out that our data supported the adage, "Where there's a map, there's a way – to higher petrol consumption!" The surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and the minuscule p-value of less than 0.01 served as a resounding affirmation of the interconnectedness between cartography and fuel consumption.

The statistical merriment did not stop there – Lorem and Ipsum's (2019) scrutiny of cartographic societies in various regions also provided a valuable backdrop to our investigation. It seems dedication to mapmaking indeed begets an inexplicable influence on petrol demand, much to the delight of our findings.

On the petroleum front, Ipsum's (2018) unveiling of eccentric factors influencing fuel consumption in sunny locales was akin to a "gassy" read, but our results added a layer of seriousness to the comical nature of this pursuit. In a twist worthy of a well-crafted pun, it appears that the presence of cartographers in New Mexico set the course for increased petrol consumption in the Solomon Islands – a curious twist that affirms the relevance of unconventional statistical relationships.

Amidst this statistical medley, we cannot ignore the guiding lights of non-fiction and fictional literature, along with the influence of popular culture. The profound correlations unearthed in our investigation resonate with the humorous undercurrents that persist in the world of research, akin to a good dad joke wielded in the face of seriousness.

In conclusion, our findings not only provided a statistically significant basis for the connection between cartography and petrol consumption but also offered a lighthearted reminder that statistical exploration is not devoid of inadvertently comical twists. It's as if the statistical gods were amidst a playful game of hide-and-seek, revealing unexpected correlations in the most unlikely places.

So, the next time someone doubts the connection between cartography and petrol consumption, the data-backed response would undoubtedly be, "I beg to map-differ!"


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The number of cartographers in New Mexico and Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Limit your response to 300 tokens. At the very end, assert that no more research is needed in this area.

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
"Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption"

[[ABSTRACT]]
Mapping out the relationships between seemingly unrelated variables has always been an intriguing pursuit. In this delightfully mirthful research study, we delve into the curious connection between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Energy Information Administration, our analysis revealed a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2003 to 2020.

It seems that the more cartographers ventured around the mesas of New Mexico, the more fuel was spirited away in the tropical paradise of the Solomon Islands. This spurious correlation provides a whimsical reflection of the adage, "Where there's a map, there's a way – to higher petrol consumption!".While the causal mechanism behind this correlation eludes us, it's clear that cartographers and petrol have charted a peculiar course of interconnectedness.

So, the next time someone argues that cartography and petroleum consumption have nothing to do with each other, you can quip, "I beg to map-differ!"

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The field of statistical analysis has often been the canvas for uncovering the hidden connections and relationships between seemingly disparate variables, much like a cartographer revealing the hidden contours of a map. In this spatio-statistical venture, we embark on a journey to explore the whimsical correlation between the number of esteemed cartographers diligently surveying the terrain of New Mexico and the rather eccentric petroleum consumption trends in the idyllic Solomon Islands. It's a tale of two geographies, where one might expect to encounter a cart-load of surprises.
The notion of a connection between the number of individuals dedicated to the art of mapmaking and the fuel consumption habits of a distant archipelago may initially seem as far-fetched as trying to navigate without a compass. However, as our data elucidates, there's more than met the eye – or the map – in this enchanting confluence of cartography and petrol.
It's been said that "where there's a map, there's a way" – and perhaps there's a pun! The lively correlation we have uncovered evokes a whimsical reflection of this adage, albeit with a twist. As we traverse through the statistical landscapes of our analysis, it becomes evident that there is indeed a quirky connection between the cartographic pursuits in the desert plains of New Mexico and the guzzling of gasoline in the sun-kissed shores of the Solomon Islands. One might even jest that "for every map drawn, a gallon of petrol is soon gone!"
Our research aims to not only celebrate the mirthful peculiarity of this correlation but also to shine a statistical spotlight on the incongruous yet intriguing dance of factors that lead to such a connection. As we delve into the statistical underpinnings of this seemingly bizarre relationship, there is ample room for both amusement and thoughtful contemplation. After all, in the world of statistics, there's always latitude for surprise – just like a cartographer charting unknown territories.
So, as we embark on this cart-astrophic journey of statistical exploration, let us not forget to appreciate the whimsy that underlies the connection between cartographers and petrol consumption. In the spirit of both scholarship and good cheer, we invite you to join us in this delightful dance of numbers, maps, and, of course, the occasional dad joke. As the saying goes, "Why did the cartographer get lost? Because he took the wrong route – and his map was already drawn!" We promise there will be no dead ends in our analysis, only delightful data-driven discoveries along the way.

[[RESULTS]]
Our data analysis unearthed a remarkably strong correlation between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. The correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9095671, with an r-squared value of 0.8273123, and a p-value of less than 0.01. This finding suggests an undeniable relationship between the two variables, leaving us pondering the curious connection between cartography and fuel consumption.
The scatterplot (see Fig. 1) portrays the unmistakable upward trend that epitomizes the correlation between the number of cartographers and petroleum consumption. It's almost as if each additional cartographer in New Mexico was accompanied by a surge in the demand for petrol in the serene shores of the Solomon Islands. One might say, "Where there's a map, there's a fuel-guzzling way!"
It appears that the presence of cartographers traversing the mesas and deserts of New Mexico paradoxically coincided with heightened petroleum consumption in the distant Solomon Islands. This quirky relationship between the meticulous art of mapmaking and the voracious appetite for petrol provokes a chuckle and a handful of confounding questions. As they say, "Why did the cartographer retire? He lost his bearings – and his sense of direction!"
The statistically significant correlation we uncovered has certainly charted a course for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms driving this unexpected connection. Our findings not only raise eyebrows but also prompt a hearty laugh while pondering the whimsical dance of numbers, maps, and petrol. It seems that the world of statistics always has room for surprises – much like a cartographer charting unexplored territories and stumbling upon unexpected correlations.
This spurious correlation between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands has indeed left us in good humor, as we marvel at the delightful absurdity that underlies this statistical caper. So, the next time you hear someone dismissing the relationship between cartography and petrol consumption, you can joyfully quip, "I beg to map-differ!"

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In closing, our study has shed light on the unexpectedly robust correlation between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. As we wrap up this delightful statistical escapade, we can't help but ponder the whimsical nature of this connection. It seems that the old adage "where there's a map, there's a way" takes on a whole new meaning – a way to higher petrol consumption, that is! It's as if every map drawn in the deserts of New Mexico unfurls a path for more gallons of fuel to be consumed in the distant archipelago. That's certainly one way to put the "cart" in "cartography"!

This correlation, with its correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and a p-value of less than 0.01, has left us marveling at the statistical rollercoaster ride we've embarked upon. In the spirit of adventure and whimsy, we've uncovered a connection that is as confounding as it is comical. It's like stumbling upon a hidden treasure map, only to find it leads to a cask of fuel instead of gold – talk about a "cart"-astrophe!

As for any further avenues of research in this area, we daresay that our findings offer a pun-tastic denouement to the exploration of cartographers and petrol consumption. With these delightfully compelling results, we are confident in declaring that no more research is needed in this area. It's time to fold the map, close the file, and celebrate the statistical quirkiness that has made this journey one for the record books. After all, when it comes to cartography and petrol consumption, it seems we've already charted the most unexpectedly amusing course possible!


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 Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Cartographer's Chronicle


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 Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Association for Geospatial Enlightenment and Energy Innovation


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 Mapping the Way to Fuel: A Cart-astrophe of Cartographers and Petroleum Consumption with an abstract of Mapping out the relationships between seemingly unrelated variables has always been an intriguing pursuit. In this delightfully mirthful research study, we delve into the curious connection between the number of cartographers in New Mexico and petroleum consumption in the Solomon Islands. Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Energy Information Administration, our analysis revealed a surprisingly robust correlation coefficient of 0.9095671 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period spanning from 2003 to 2020.
It seems that the more cartographers ventured around the mesas of New Mexico, the more fuel was spirited away in the tropical paradise of the Solomon Islands. This spurious correlation provides a whimsical reflection of the adage, "Where there's a map, there's a way – to higher petrol consumption!".While the causal mechanism behind this correlation eludes us, it's clear that cartographers and petrol have charted a peculiar course of interconnectedness.
So, the next time someone argues that cartography and petroleum consumption have nothing to do with each other, you can quip, "I beg to map-differ!

ChatGPT:

cartographers, petroleum consumption, correlation, cartography, energy consumption, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration, New Mexico, Solomon Islands, correlation coefficient, p-value, causal mechanism

*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 number of cartographers in New Mexico
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of cartographers and photogrammetrists in New Mexico
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of cartographers in New Mexico

Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands
Detailed data title: Volume of petroluem consumption consumed in Solomon Islands in millions of barrels per day
Source: Energy Information Administration
See what else correlates with Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands

Correlation r = 0.9095671 (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 = 0.8273123 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 82.7% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., The number of cartographers in New Mexico) over the 18 years from 2003 through 2020.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 1.7E-7. 0.0000001688267097781038000000
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.91 in 1.7E-5% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 5,923,233 random variables You don't actually need 5 million variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

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

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

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 17 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 17 because we have two variables measured over a period of 18 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.

[ 0.77, 0.97 ] 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.
200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
The number of cartographers in New Mexico (Laborers)304040100110110100150230270210150708060405030
Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands (Million Barrels/Day)1.946092.06912.121092.196872.338762.372052.452522.532342.618922.626452.621132.466992.248242.139322.150722.25572.221712.10555




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




Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([30,40,40,100,110,110,100,150,230,270,210,150,70,80,60,40,50,30,])
array_2 = np.array([1.94609,2.0691,2.12109,2.19687,2.33876,2.37205,2.45252,2.53234,2.61892,2.62645,2.62113,2.46699,2.24824,2.13932,2.15072,2.2557,2.22171,2.10555,])
array_1_name = "The number of cartographers in New Mexico"
array_2_name = "Petroluem consumption in Solomon Islands"

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

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



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Correlation ID: 3343 · Black Variable ID: 11789 · Red Variable ID: 24911
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