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Spurious correlation #4,061 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in Los Angeles and the second variable is Arson in California.  The chart goes from 1985 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image

AI explanation

As the smog cleared, so did the arsonists' consciences. It turns out, they just couldn't bear to pollute the air any more than it already was!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' depicting a serene Los Angeles skyline with clear blue skies and people joyfully enjoying the fresh air, contrasted with a frustrated group of arsonists in the California countryside struggling to ignite fires amid the dampened dry forest floor caused by reduced air pollution. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Air pollution in Los Angeles and Arson in California. 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: Low poly An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' Oragami Whimsical illustration 3D Pixar Style
ChatGPT: An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars'

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Air pollution in Los Angeles and Arson in California, in the following situation: Because as the air quality improved in Los Angeles, people could finally breathe easier and weren't as fired up about setting things ablaze. With clearer skies, arsonists found it harder to ignite their passions for destruction, and the flames of their criminal desires dwindled. It turns out, with less smog, there's less fog in the minds of would-be fire bugs!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In Los Angeles, the sky clears up as air pollution decreases. People are outside enjoying the fresh air and clear blue skies. Meanwhile, in the countryside of California, arsonists are seen looking frustrated as their attempts to start fires are unsuccessful due to the dampened dry forest floor caused by the reduced air pollution.

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 'Star Wars' ] and depicting this scene: In Los Angeles, the sky clears up as air pollution decreases. People are outside enjoying the fresh air and clear blue skies. Meanwhile, in the countryside of California, arsonists are seen looking frustrated as their attempts to start fires are unsuccessful due to the dampened dry forest floor caused by the reduced air pollution. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: An image that looks like it is a scene from 'Star Wars' depicting a serene Los Angeles skyline with clear blue skies and people joyfully enjoying the fresh air, contrasted with a frustrated group of arsonists in the California countryside struggling to ignite fires amid the dampened dry forest floor caused by reduced air pollution.

*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 Air pollution in Los Angeles caused Arson in California to decrease. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California

Journal of Environmental Dynamics and Pollution Analysis

Jan 2024
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 Air pollution in Los Angeles and Arson in California. 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, make it sound serious.

Your research team used data from Environmental Protection Agency and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 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]]
Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
The relationship between air pollution and arson in California has been a burning question for researchers, with a notable lack of conclusive evidence. This paper aims to shed light on this infernal link by analyzing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. Our findings revealed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022.

It appears that as the air quality in Los Angeles deteriorates, the incidence of arson in California increases. The strong correlation suggests that there may indeed be a hazy connection between the smog in the city of angels and the fiery deeds that plague the state. The data echoes the sentiment that when it comes to arson, it's not only the heat that's responsible for igniting trouble, but the air pollution as well.

And just like smog inhibiting visibility, our findings revealed a less visible, yet significant relationship between air pollution and arson rates. This research raises the question: is smog not just a pollutant in the air but also a catalyst for fiery crimes? In the fiery realm of crime and environmental factors, it seems that what goes up in smog, must come down in flames.

In conclusion, our findings suggest that addressing air quality in Los Angeles may not only alleviate respiratory issues but also potentially dampen the flames of arson across California. As researchers, we are fired up about these results and hope they will spark further investigation into this smoldering relationship.


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 Air pollution in Los Angeles and Arson in California. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
The relationship between air pollution and arson in California has been a burning question for researchers, with a notable lack of conclusive evidence. This paper aims to shed light on this infernal link by analyzing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. Our findings revealed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022.

It appears that as the air quality in Los Angeles deteriorates, the incidence of arson in California increases. The strong correlation suggests that there may indeed be a hazy connection between the smog in the city of angels and the fiery deeds that plague the state. The data echoes the sentiment that when it comes to arson, it's not only the heat that's responsible for igniting trouble, but the air pollution as well.

And just like smog inhibiting visibility, our findings revealed a less visible, yet significant relationship between air pollution and arson rates. This research raises the question: is smog not just a pollutant in the air but also a catalyst for fiery crimes? In the fiery realm of crime and environmental factors, it seems that what goes up in smog, must come down in flames.

In conclusion, our findings suggest that addressing air quality in Los Angeles may not only alleviate respiratory issues but also potentially dampen the flames of arson across California. As researchers, we are fired up about these results and hope they will spark further investigation into this smoldering relationship.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

As researchers, we have always been drawn to fiery questions that ignite a burning desire for discovery. One such smoldering inquiry has been the potential relationship between air pollution and arson in California. The idea that smog in Los Angeles could be fueling fires across the state might sound like something out of a crime thriller, but we were determined to extinguish any doubts and shed light on this hazy connection.

Speaking of hazy connections, let's clear the air right away by addressing the elephant in the room - or perhaps in this case, the "smog" in the room. The correlation between air pollution and arson might seem like a far-fetched theory, but our findings have fanned the flames of evidence, revealing a compelling relationship between these two seemingly unrelated variables. It's as if smog is providing the kindling for arsonists, making it more than just a mere "air pollutant."

Now, let's not jump to conclusions like an overeager firefighter hurling himself at every flicker of a flame. Our study was designed to cut through the smoke and mirrors and analyze the hard data to see if there was any empirical evidence to support this infernal hypothesis. And boy, did we uncover some scorching results!

In the world of research, uncovering a significant correlation coefficient and a p-value of less than 0.01 is like finding a rare gem in a statistical minefield. It's the kind of statistical significance that makes a researcher want to shout, "Eureka, we've struck gold!" But instead of gold, we found a blazing correlation between air pollution and arson rates that got us heated up about the potential implications for public health and safety.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves like a wildfire racing through dry brush. Our study merely points to a suggestive relationship, and we can't just throw caution to the wind like an unattended campfire. We must approach this connection with the same rigor and scrutiny as we would any other scientific inquiry.

With that in mind, we invite you to join us on this fiery journey through the data as we unravel the smoldering link between smog and scorching in California. It's not every day that we get to explore a topic that's both scientifically intriguing and occasionally lends itself to a few fiery puns along the way. So, buckle up and make sure to bring your fire extinguisher because things are about to heat up!


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 Air pollution in Los Angeles and Arson in California. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

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

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

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

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
The relationship between air pollution and arson in California has been a burning question for researchers, with a notable lack of conclusive evidence. This paper aims to shed light on this infernal link by analyzing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. Our findings revealed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022.

It appears that as the air quality in Los Angeles deteriorates, the incidence of arson in California increases. The strong correlation suggests that there may indeed be a hazy connection between the smog in the city of angels and the fiery deeds that plague the state. The data echoes the sentiment that when it comes to arson, it's not only the heat that's responsible for igniting trouble, but the air pollution as well.

And just like smog inhibiting visibility, our findings revealed a less visible, yet significant relationship between air pollution and arson rates. This research raises the question: is smog not just a pollutant in the air but also a catalyst for fiery crimes? In the fiery realm of crime and environmental factors, it seems that what goes up in smog, must come down in flames.

In conclusion, our findings suggest that addressing air quality in Los Angeles may not only alleviate respiratory issues but also potentially dampen the flames of arson across California. As researchers, we are fired up about these results and hope they will spark further investigation into this smoldering relationship.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
As researchers, we have always been drawn to fiery questions that ignite a burning desire for discovery. One such smoldering inquiry has been the potential relationship between air pollution and arson in California. The idea that smog in Los Angeles could be fueling fires across the state might sound like something out of a crime thriller, but we were determined to extinguish any doubts and shed light on this hazy connection.
Speaking of hazy connections, let's clear the air right away by addressing the elephant in the room - or perhaps in this case, the "smog" in the room. The correlation between air pollution and arson might seem like a far-fetched theory, but our findings have fanned the flames of evidence, revealing a compelling relationship between these two seemingly unrelated variables. It's as if smog is providing the kindling for arsonists, making it more than just a mere "air pollutant."
Now, let's not jump to conclusions like an overeager firefighter hurling himself at every flicker of a flame. Our study was designed to cut through the smoke and mirrors and analyze the hard data to see if there was any empirical evidence to support this infernal hypothesis. And boy, did we uncover some scorching results!
In the world of research, uncovering a significant correlation coefficient and a p-value of less than 0.01 is like finding a rare gem in a statistical minefield. It's the kind of statistical significance that makes a researcher want to shout, "Eureka, we've struck gold!" But instead of gold, we found a blazing correlation between air pollution and arson rates that got us heated up about the potential implications for public health and safety.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves like a wildfire racing through dry brush. Our study merely points to a suggestive relationship, and we can't just throw caution to the wind like an unattended campfire. We must approach this connection with the same rigor and scrutiny as we would any other scientific inquiry.
With that in mind, we invite you to join us on this fiery journey through the data as we unravel the smoldering link between smog and scorching in California. It's not every day that we get to explore a topic that's both scientifically intriguing and occasionally lends itself to a few fiery puns along the way. So, buckle up and make sure to bring your fire extinguisher because things are about to heat up!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

The connection between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson in California has been a topic of interest for researchers seeking to understand the potential influences of environmental factors on criminal behavior. Smith, in "Environmental Factors and Crime: The Evidence from Los Angeles," examines the relationship between air quality and various types of criminal activities, including arson. The study provides initial evidence suggesting a possible link between smog levels and the incidence of arson in the region.

And just like a firefighter with a sense of humor, we can't resist a good "hot air" joke. It seems that in the world of environmental crime, what goes up in smog must come down in flames. Speaking of which, have you heard about the fire at the circus? It was in tents!

Furthermore, Doe's work in "The Impact of Air Pollution on Neighborhood Crime Rates in California" delves into the localized effects of air pollution on criminal behavior. The study identifies a positive correlation between air pollution levels and arson occurrences, particularly in densely populated urban areas such as Los Angeles.

It's clear that the research on this topic is heating up, much like a well-stoked campfire. In fact, one might say that the findings are quite "arso-mazing," just like a good dad joke. Why don't we ever tell secrets on a farm? Because the potatoes have eyes and the corn has ears!

Turning to non-fiction books with relevant themes, "Smog in the City: A Study of Air Pollution in Urban Environments" by Jones provides a comprehensive analysis of air quality challenges in metropolitan areas, shedding light on the potential societal implications of elevated pollution levels. Similarly, "The Arsonist's Handbook: Understanding Motives and Methods" by Firestone offers insights into the psychology and behavioral patterns of individuals involved in arson-related activities.

But let's not forget the fictional side of things, where authors have also explored the smoky realms of environmental crime. Works such as "Burning Bridges: A Suspense Novel" by Blaze and "The Smoke Signals Mystery" by Fumesimmer evoke the atmospheric intrigue surrounding arson and its possible connections to environmental elements.

And speaking of smoke signals, have you ever tried to catch a fugitive Colonel in the forest? It's like searching for a needle in a stack of camouflage!

Internet memes are also ablaze with references to both air pollution and arson, with popular images and catchphrases circulating on social media platforms. Memes such as the "Smokey Bear Says: Only You Can Prevent Air Pollution" and "Angry Cat with a Gas Mask" humorously capture the intersection of environmental awareness and criminal mischief, eliciting chuckles from online audiences.

This review demonstrates the multifaceted nature of the literature surrounding the connection between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson in California, encompassing serious scholarly inquiries, fictional explorations, and lighthearted cultural references. As researchers, it's essential to approach this topic with rigour but also a touch of levity - after all, studying fiery issues doesn't have to be a "burning" passion! Remember, when discussing serious matters, a well-timed dad joke can always help keep the conversation a "flame"!


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 Air pollution in Los Angeles and Arson in California. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency 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]]
Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
The relationship between air pollution and arson in California has been a burning question for researchers, with a notable lack of conclusive evidence. This paper aims to shed light on this infernal link by analyzing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. Our findings revealed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022.

It appears that as the air quality in Los Angeles deteriorates, the incidence of arson in California increases. The strong correlation suggests that there may indeed be a hazy connection between the smog in the city of angels and the fiery deeds that plague the state. The data echoes the sentiment that when it comes to arson, it's not only the heat that's responsible for igniting trouble, but the air pollution as well.

And just like smog inhibiting visibility, our findings revealed a less visible, yet significant relationship between air pollution and arson rates. This research raises the question: is smog not just a pollutant in the air but also a catalyst for fiery crimes? In the fiery realm of crime and environmental factors, it seems that what goes up in smog, must come down in flames.

In conclusion, our findings suggest that addressing air quality in Los Angeles may not only alleviate respiratory issues but also potentially dampen the flames of arson across California. As researchers, we are fired up about these results and hope they will spark further investigation into this smoldering relationship.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
As researchers, we have always been drawn to fiery questions that ignite a burning desire for discovery. One such smoldering inquiry has been the potential relationship between air pollution and arson in California. The idea that smog in Los Angeles could be fueling fires across the state might sound like something out of a crime thriller, but we were determined to extinguish any doubts and shed light on this hazy connection.
Speaking of hazy connections, let's clear the air right away by addressing the elephant in the room - or perhaps in this case, the "smog" in the room. The correlation between air pollution and arson might seem like a far-fetched theory, but our findings have fanned the flames of evidence, revealing a compelling relationship between these two seemingly unrelated variables. It's as if smog is providing the kindling for arsonists, making it more than just a mere "air pollutant."
Now, let's not jump to conclusions like an overeager firefighter hurling himself at every flicker of a flame. Our study was designed to cut through the smoke and mirrors and analyze the hard data to see if there was any empirical evidence to support this infernal hypothesis. And boy, did we uncover some scorching results!
In the world of research, uncovering a significant correlation coefficient and a p-value of less than 0.01 is like finding a rare gem in a statistical minefield. It's the kind of statistical significance that makes a researcher want to shout, "Eureka, we've struck gold!" But instead of gold, we found a blazing correlation between air pollution and arson rates that got us heated up about the potential implications for public health and safety.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves like a wildfire racing through dry brush. Our study merely points to a suggestive relationship, and we can't just throw caution to the wind like an unattended campfire. We must approach this connection with the same rigor and scrutiny as we would any other scientific inquiry.
With that in mind, we invite you to join us on this fiery journey through the data as we unravel the smoldering link between smog and scorching in California. It's not every day that we get to explore a topic that's both scientifically intriguing and occasionally lends itself to a few fiery puns along the way. So, buckle up and make sure to bring your fire extinguisher because things are about to heat up!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]
As the saying goes, when there's smoke, there's fire! In order to investigate the burning question of the relationship between air pollution and arson in California, we embarked on a scorching journey through the data. Our research team utilized a comprehensive approach that involved sifting through a smoky haze of information from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. We gathered data spanning from the year 1985 to 2022, ensuring a long enough time frame to capture any potential fiery patterns.

When it comes to scientific data collection, it's essential to avoid adding any fuel to the fire of speculation. Therefore, we employed rigorous methods to ensure the validity and reliability of our findings. The data on air quality in Los Angeles was meticulously obtained from various monitoring stations across the city, allowing us to capture the fluctuations in smog concentration over the years. Meanwhile, the arson statistics for California were collated from official records held by law enforcement agencies, ensuring that our analysis was based on concrete and verifiable information.

Now, let's talk statistics – but don't worry, I promise to keep the inferno of mathematical jargon to a minimum. To establish the relationship between air pollution and arson, we employed a sophisticated statistical analysis, including Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression models. These powerful tools allowed us to untangle the web of data and reveal any significant associations between the variables. And just like a campfire needs kindling, our statistical methods provided the spark that illuminated the potential link between smog and fiery crime.

To further explore the temporal aspect of this fiery relationship, we employed a time-series analysis that enabled us to track the fluctuations in both air pollution and arson rates over the years. This approach allowed us to identify any patterns or trends that may have emerged over time. It's safe to say that we didn't let any smoky nuances escape our scientific scrutiny, ensuring that our analysis was as thorough as a seasoned smoke jumper combing through charred underbrush.

In the realm of statistical analysis, it's important to tread carefully and avoid leaping to fiery conclusions based on mere correlations. Therefore, we meticulously controlled for potential confounding variables such as population density, socioeconomic factors, and weather conditions to ensure that the relationship between air pollution and arson stood up to rigorous scrutiny. After all, just like a seasoned firefighter, we couldn't leave any potential sources of bias smoldering unchecked.

In the end, our methodology was designed to shed light on the smog-arson connection with the utmost scientific rigor, while still allowing for a few puns along the way. So, put on your scientific firefighter gear and let's dive into the fiery depths of our methodology!


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 Air pollution in Los Angeles and Arson in California. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services .

For the time period 1985 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.8950196, r-squared of 0.8010601, 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]]
Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
The relationship between air pollution and arson in California has been a burning question for researchers, with a notable lack of conclusive evidence. This paper aims to shed light on this infernal link by analyzing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. Our findings revealed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022.

It appears that as the air quality in Los Angeles deteriorates, the incidence of arson in California increases. The strong correlation suggests that there may indeed be a hazy connection between the smog in the city of angels and the fiery deeds that plague the state. The data echoes the sentiment that when it comes to arson, it's not only the heat that's responsible for igniting trouble, but the air pollution as well.

And just like smog inhibiting visibility, our findings revealed a less visible, yet significant relationship between air pollution and arson rates. This research raises the question: is smog not just a pollutant in the air but also a catalyst for fiery crimes? In the fiery realm of crime and environmental factors, it seems that what goes up in smog, must come down in flames.

In conclusion, our findings suggest that addressing air quality in Los Angeles may not only alleviate respiratory issues but also potentially dampen the flames of arson across California. As researchers, we are fired up about these results and hope they will spark further investigation into this smoldering relationship.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
As researchers, we have always been drawn to fiery questions that ignite a burning desire for discovery. One such smoldering inquiry has been the potential relationship between air pollution and arson in California. The idea that smog in Los Angeles could be fueling fires across the state might sound like something out of a crime thriller, but we were determined to extinguish any doubts and shed light on this hazy connection.
Speaking of hazy connections, let's clear the air right away by addressing the elephant in the room - or perhaps in this case, the "smog" in the room. The correlation between air pollution and arson might seem like a far-fetched theory, but our findings have fanned the flames of evidence, revealing a compelling relationship between these two seemingly unrelated variables. It's as if smog is providing the kindling for arsonists, making it more than just a mere "air pollutant."
Now, let's not jump to conclusions like an overeager firefighter hurling himself at every flicker of a flame. Our study was designed to cut through the smoke and mirrors and analyze the hard data to see if there was any empirical evidence to support this infernal hypothesis. And boy, did we uncover some scorching results!
In the world of research, uncovering a significant correlation coefficient and a p-value of less than 0.01 is like finding a rare gem in a statistical minefield. It's the kind of statistical significance that makes a researcher want to shout, "Eureka, we've struck gold!" But instead of gold, we found a blazing correlation between air pollution and arson rates that got us heated up about the potential implications for public health and safety.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves like a wildfire racing through dry brush. Our study merely points to a suggestive relationship, and we can't just throw caution to the wind like an unattended campfire. We must approach this connection with the same rigor and scrutiny as we would any other scientific inquiry.
With that in mind, we invite you to join us on this fiery journey through the data as we unravel the smoldering link between smog and scorching in California. It's not every day that we get to explore a topic that's both scientifically intriguing and occasionally lends itself to a few fiery puns along the way. So, buckle up and make sure to bring your fire extinguisher because things are about to heat up!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

Our analysis revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California. This strong positive correlation signifies a noteworthy relationship between the two variables. It seems that when it comes to arson, the air in Los Angeles may be more than just "hot air" after all.

The r-squared value of 0.8010601 further confirms the robustness of this relationship, indicating that approximately 80% of the variation in arson rates can be explained by changes in air pollution levels. It's like finding a reliable flame to guide us through the smoky confusion of statistical analysis.

The p-value of less than 0.01 provides compelling evidence to reject the null hypothesis, suggesting that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by chance. It's as if the statistical gods themselves are signaling with a giant neon sign that this relationship is not a mere statistical anomaly but a meaningful phenomenon.

Fig. 1 depicts the scatterplot illustrating the strong positive correlation between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California. The data points align themselves in a manner that screams "Can you feel the heat?" The fiery relationship between these two variables is unmistakable, much like the unmistakable sound of a fire alarm going off.

As the old saying goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Our research adds weight to this adage, suggesting that where there's smog, there might also be an increased risk of arson. It seems that in the smog-filled landscape of Los Angeles, the potential for fiery crimes is more than just a smokescreen—a notion not to be brushed aside like dust in the wind.

In sum, our findings provide compelling evidence of a strong positive relationship between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California. It begs the question: could mitigating air pollution not only clear the haze in the sky but also douse the flames of arson? It's a hypothesis worth heating up the discussion for, as we move forward in exploring the implications of this infernal connection.



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 Air pollution in Los Angeles and Arson in California. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
The relationship between air pollution and arson in California has been a burning question for researchers, with a notable lack of conclusive evidence. This paper aims to shed light on this infernal link by analyzing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. Our findings revealed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022.

It appears that as the air quality in Los Angeles deteriorates, the incidence of arson in California increases. The strong correlation suggests that there may indeed be a hazy connection between the smog in the city of angels and the fiery deeds that plague the state. The data echoes the sentiment that when it comes to arson, it's not only the heat that's responsible for igniting trouble, but the air pollution as well.

And just like smog inhibiting visibility, our findings revealed a less visible, yet significant relationship between air pollution and arson rates. This research raises the question: is smog not just a pollutant in the air but also a catalyst for fiery crimes? In the fiery realm of crime and environmental factors, it seems that what goes up in smog, must come down in flames.

In conclusion, our findings suggest that addressing air quality in Los Angeles may not only alleviate respiratory issues but also potentially dampen the flames of arson across California. As researchers, we are fired up about these results and hope they will spark further investigation into this smoldering relationship.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The connection between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson in California has been a topic of interest for researchers seeking to understand the potential influences of environmental factors on criminal behavior. Smith, in "Environmental Factors and Crime: The Evidence from Los Angeles," examines the relationship between air quality and various types of criminal activities, including arson. The study provides initial evidence suggesting a possible link between smog levels and the incidence of arson in the region.
And just like a firefighter with a sense of humor, we can't resist a good "hot air" joke. It seems that in the world of environmental crime, what goes up in smog must come down in flames. Speaking of which, have you heard about the fire at the circus? It was in tents!
Furthermore, Doe's work in "The Impact of Air Pollution on Neighborhood Crime Rates in California" delves into the localized effects of air pollution on criminal behavior. The study identifies a positive correlation between air pollution levels and arson occurrences, particularly in densely populated urban areas such as Los Angeles.
It's clear that the research on this topic is heating up, much like a well-stoked campfire. In fact, one might say that the findings are quite "arso-mazing," just like a good dad joke. Why don't we ever tell secrets on a farm? Because the potatoes have eyes and the corn has ears!
Turning to non-fiction books with relevant themes, "Smog in the City: A Study of Air Pollution in Urban Environments" by Jones provides a comprehensive analysis of air quality challenges in metropolitan areas, shedding light on the potential societal implications of elevated pollution levels. Similarly, "The Arsonist's Handbook: Understanding Motives and Methods" by Firestone offers insights into the psychology and behavioral patterns of individuals involved in arson-related activities.
But let's not forget the fictional side of things, where authors have also explored the smoky realms of environmental crime. Works such as "Burning Bridges: A Suspense Novel" by Blaze and "The Smoke Signals Mystery" by Fumesimmer evoke the atmospheric intrigue surrounding arson and its possible connections to environmental elements.
And speaking of smoke signals, have you ever tried to catch a fugitive Colonel in the forest? It's like searching for a needle in a stack of camouflage!
Internet memes are also ablaze with references to both air pollution and arson, with popular images and catchphrases circulating on social media platforms. Memes such as the "Smokey Bear Says: Only You Can Prevent Air Pollution" and "Angry Cat with a Gas Mask" humorously capture the intersection of environmental awareness and criminal mischief, eliciting chuckles from online audiences.
This review demonstrates the multifaceted nature of the literature surrounding the connection between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson in California, encompassing serious scholarly inquiries, fictional explorations, and lighthearted cultural references. As researchers, it's essential to approach this topic with rigour but also a touch of levity - after all, studying fiery issues doesn't have to be a "burning" passion! Remember, when discussing serious matters, a well-timed dad joke can always help keep the conversation a "flame"!

[[RESULTS]]
Our analysis revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California. This strong positive correlation signifies a noteworthy relationship between the two variables. It seems that when it comes to arson, the air in Los Angeles may be more than just "hot air" after all.
The r-squared value of 0.8010601 further confirms the robustness of this relationship, indicating that approximately 80% of the variation in arson rates can be explained by changes in air pollution levels. It's like finding a reliable flame to guide us through the smoky confusion of statistical analysis.
The p-value of less than 0.01 provides compelling evidence to reject the null hypothesis, suggesting that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by chance. It's as if the statistical gods themselves are signaling with a giant neon sign that this relationship is not a mere statistical anomaly but a meaningful phenomenon.
Fig. 1 depicts the scatterplot illustrating the strong positive correlation between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California. The data points align themselves in a manner that screams "Can you feel the heat?" The fiery relationship between these two variables is unmistakable, much like the unmistakable sound of a fire alarm going off.
As the old saying goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Our research adds weight to this adage, suggesting that where there's smog, there might also be an increased risk of arson. It seems that in the smog-filled landscape of Los Angeles, the potential for fiery crimes is more than just a smokescreen—a notion not to be brushed aside like dust in the wind.
In sum, our findings provide compelling evidence of a strong positive relationship between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California. It begs the question: could mitigating air pollution not only clear the haze in the sky but also douse the flames of arson? It's a hypothesis worth heating up the discussion for, as we move forward in exploring the implications of this infernal connection.


-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our findings provide substantial evidence supporting the notion that air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California are indeed intertwined like a tangled mess of fire hoses. Just like the classic combustion triangle, it seems that when you add air pollution to the mix, you're fanning the flames of criminal activity. It's no wonder that the air quality in Los Angeles plays a significant role in the ignition of unlawful activities across the state.

Building upon prior research, our study reaffirms the initial evidence suggesting a link between smog levels and arson rates. We're not just blowing smoke here—our results solidify the "arso-mazing" relationship that has been heating up the literature. It's like finding a fiery nugget of truth buried beneath the ashes of speculation. And speaking of heat, did you hear about the fire at the circus? It was in tents!

Furthermore, our statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 and a convincing p-value of less than 0.01 add fuel to the fire of this argument. It's as if our findings are saying, "You can't just brush off this relationship like you do with dust in the wind!" Our research isn't just a statistical anomaly; it's a meaningful and substantial phenomenon—akin to finding a reliable flame to guide us through the smoky confusion of statistical analysis.

The robustness of our results, with an r-squared value of 0.8010601, provides even more kindling for the fire. It's like finding a source of warmth in the cold, dark world of statistical analysis. Our data points align themselves on the scatterplot in a manner that seems to shout, "Can you feel the heat?" The fiery relationship between these two variables is unmistakable, much like the unmistakable sound of a fire alarm going off.

In the end, our research provides a blaze of support for the idea that addressing air quality in Los Angeles may not only clear the skies but also help extinguish the flames of arson across the state. The hypothesis that smog may not just be a pollutant in the air but also a catalyst for fiery crimes is indeed worth heating up the discussion for, as we move forward in exploring the implications of this infernal connection. It's time to bring this simmering matter to the forefront and ignite further investigations into the smoldering relationship between air pollution and arson in California.


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 Air pollution in Los Angeles and Arson in California. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California

[[ABSTRACT]]
The relationship between air pollution and arson in California has been a burning question for researchers, with a notable lack of conclusive evidence. This paper aims to shed light on this infernal link by analyzing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. Our findings revealed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022.

It appears that as the air quality in Los Angeles deteriorates, the incidence of arson in California increases. The strong correlation suggests that there may indeed be a hazy connection between the smog in the city of angels and the fiery deeds that plague the state. The data echoes the sentiment that when it comes to arson, it's not only the heat that's responsible for igniting trouble, but the air pollution as well.

And just like smog inhibiting visibility, our findings revealed a less visible, yet significant relationship between air pollution and arson rates. This research raises the question: is smog not just a pollutant in the air but also a catalyst for fiery crimes? In the fiery realm of crime and environmental factors, it seems that what goes up in smog, must come down in flames.

In conclusion, our findings suggest that addressing air quality in Los Angeles may not only alleviate respiratory issues but also potentially dampen the flames of arson across California. As researchers, we are fired up about these results and hope they will spark further investigation into this smoldering relationship.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
As researchers, we have always been drawn to fiery questions that ignite a burning desire for discovery. One such smoldering inquiry has been the potential relationship between air pollution and arson in California. The idea that smog in Los Angeles could be fueling fires across the state might sound like something out of a crime thriller, but we were determined to extinguish any doubts and shed light on this hazy connection.
Speaking of hazy connections, let's clear the air right away by addressing the elephant in the room - or perhaps in this case, the "smog" in the room. The correlation between air pollution and arson might seem like a far-fetched theory, but our findings have fanned the flames of evidence, revealing a compelling relationship between these two seemingly unrelated variables. It's as if smog is providing the kindling for arsonists, making it more than just a mere "air pollutant."
Now, let's not jump to conclusions like an overeager firefighter hurling himself at every flicker of a flame. Our study was designed to cut through the smoke and mirrors and analyze the hard data to see if there was any empirical evidence to support this infernal hypothesis. And boy, did we uncover some scorching results!
In the world of research, uncovering a significant correlation coefficient and a p-value of less than 0.01 is like finding a rare gem in a statistical minefield. It's the kind of statistical significance that makes a researcher want to shout, "Eureka, we've struck gold!" But instead of gold, we found a blazing correlation between air pollution and arson rates that got us heated up about the potential implications for public health and safety.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves like a wildfire racing through dry brush. Our study merely points to a suggestive relationship, and we can't just throw caution to the wind like an unattended campfire. We must approach this connection with the same rigor and scrutiny as we would any other scientific inquiry.
With that in mind, we invite you to join us on this fiery journey through the data as we unravel the smoldering link between smog and scorching in California. It's not every day that we get to explore a topic that's both scientifically intriguing and occasionally lends itself to a few fiery puns along the way. So, buckle up and make sure to bring your fire extinguisher because things are about to heat up!

[[RESULTS]]
Our analysis revealed a remarkable correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California. This strong positive correlation signifies a noteworthy relationship between the two variables. It seems that when it comes to arson, the air in Los Angeles may be more than just "hot air" after all.
The r-squared value of 0.8010601 further confirms the robustness of this relationship, indicating that approximately 80% of the variation in arson rates can be explained by changes in air pollution levels. It's like finding a reliable flame to guide us through the smoky confusion of statistical analysis.
The p-value of less than 0.01 provides compelling evidence to reject the null hypothesis, suggesting that the observed correlation is unlikely to have occurred by chance. It's as if the statistical gods themselves are signaling with a giant neon sign that this relationship is not a mere statistical anomaly but a meaningful phenomenon.
Fig. 1 depicts the scatterplot illustrating the strong positive correlation between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California. The data points align themselves in a manner that screams "Can you feel the heat?" The fiery relationship between these two variables is unmistakable, much like the unmistakable sound of a fire alarm going off.
As the old saying goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Our research adds weight to this adage, suggesting that where there's smog, there might also be an increased risk of arson. It seems that in the smog-filled landscape of Los Angeles, the potential for fiery crimes is more than just a smokescreen—a notion not to be brushed aside like dust in the wind.
In sum, our findings provide compelling evidence of a strong positive relationship between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California. It begs the question: could mitigating air pollution not only clear the haze in the sky but also douse the flames of arson? It's a hypothesis worth heating up the discussion for, as we move forward in exploring the implications of this infernal connection.


-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our scorching research has uncovered a significant relationship between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson rates in California. It seems that when it comes to arson, we simply cannot dismiss the role of smog as more than just "hot air." These findings add an enlightening twist to the wildfire of research in exploring the intersection of environmental factors and criminal behavior.

And speaking of twists, let's not twist statistics like a chimney in a gusty wind. Our robust correlation coefficient and p-value lower than the temperature on a summer night emphasize the reliable nature of this fiery relationship. It's enough to make a researcher say, "Arson-tainly, the data doesn't lie!"

Moving forward, it's clear that addressing air quality in Los Angeles may offer more than a breath of fresh air. It could also extinguish the fiery spirits of arson across California. This correlation is a bright spark in the field of environmental criminology, shedding light on a potential avenue for crime prevention that's been hiding in the toxic haze.

Now, let's not add fuel to the fire of curiosity - it's time to douse it with a groan-worthy dad joke. Why did the arsonist become a researcher? Because they wanted to ignite new discoveries! If that pun doesn't fire you up, then perhaps we've exhausted the full potential of fiery humor in research papers.

In sum, our findings suggest that further investigation into this smoldering relationship would be like trying to reinvent the wheel - simply unnecessary. The evidence is as clear as a smoke-free sky after a rainstorm. Therefore, we can confidently put this infernal connection to rest. As researchers, we've definitely made a burning case for the link between air pollution in Los Angeles and arson in California—no more research needed in this area.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of academic journals. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding research, scientific, or academic journal that would publish a paper entited Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

Journal of Environmental Dynamics and Pollution Analysis


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 Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Studies


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 Analyzing the Heat: A Fiery Relationship Between Smog and Scorching in California with an abstract of The relationship between air pollution and arson in California has been a burning question for researchers, with a notable lack of conclusive evidence. This paper aims to shed light on this infernal link by analyzing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services. Our findings revealed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.8950196 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1985 to 2022.
It appears that as the air quality in Los Angeles deteriorates, the incidence of arson in California increases. The strong correlation suggests that there may indeed be a hazy connection between the smog in the city of angels and the fiery deeds that plague the state. The data echoes the sentiment that when it comes to arson, it's not only the heat that's responsible for igniting trouble, but the air pollution as well.
And just like smog inhibiting visibility, our findings revealed a less visible, yet significant relationship between air pollution and arson rates. This research raises the question: is smog not just a pollutant in the air but also a catalyst for fiery crimes? In the fiery realm of crime and environmental factors, it seems that what goes up in smog, must come down in flames.
In conclusion, our findings suggest that addressing air quality in Los Angeles may not only alleviate respiratory issues but also potentially dampen the flames of arson across California. As researchers, we are fired up about these results and hope they will spark further investigation into this smoldering relationship.

ChatGPT:

air pollution, arson, California, smog, environmental impact, correlation coefficient, FBI data, EPA data, Los Angeles air quality, crime rates, arson investigation, air quality control, pollutant impact, respiratory issues

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



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Data details

Air pollution in Los Angeles
Detailed data title: Percentage of days 'unhealthy' or worse air quality in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in Los Angeles

Arson in California
Detailed data title: The arson rate per 100,000 residents in California
Source: FBI Criminal Justice Information Services
See what else correlates with Arson in California

Correlation r = 0.8950196 (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 = 0.8010601 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 80.1% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Arson in California) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Air pollution in Los Angeles) over the 38 years from 1985 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 3.5E-14. 0.0000000000000349251060721157
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 0.9 in 3.5E-12% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 28,632,697,576,784 random variables You don't actually need 28 trillion variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

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

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

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 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.

[ 0.81, 0.94 ] 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
Air pollution in Los Angeles (Bad air quality days)50.13753.424749.58957.37748.219239.72637.534240.437232.054833.698628.767121.584712.328812.60278.2191818.032816.712320.821924.657520.218616.712314.246610.13715.027313.42474.1095910.684910.10936.849327.6712310.4116.830612.60275.479457.9452117.21317.397268.21918
Arson in California (Arson rate)77.472.466.866.865.465.162.871.265.259.354.156.349.243.843.642.643.839.938.335.333.934.931.329.124.821.119.119.519.418.418.919.821.921.62129.93.624.8




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([50.137,53.4247,49.589,57.377,48.2192,39.726,37.5342,40.4372,32.0548,33.6986,28.7671,21.5847,12.3288,12.6027,8.21918,18.0328,16.7123,20.8219,24.6575,20.2186,16.7123,14.2466,10.137,15.0273,13.4247,4.10959,10.6849,10.1093,6.84932,7.67123,10.411,6.8306,12.6027,5.47945,7.94521,17.2131,7.39726,8.21918,])
array_2 = np.array([77.4,72.4,66.8,66.8,65.4,65.1,62.8,71.2,65.2,59.3,54.1,56.3,49.2,43.8,43.6,42.6,43.8,39.9,38.3,35.3,33.9,34.9,31.3,29.1,24.8,21.1,19.1,19.5,19.4,18.4,18.9,19.8,21.9,21.6,21,29.9,3.6,24.8,])
array_1_name = "Air pollution in Los Angeles"
array_2_name = "Arson in California"

# 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.

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Correlation ID: 4061 · Black Variable ID: 20839 · Red Variable ID: 20071
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