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Spurious correlation #1,065 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Arson in Alabama and the second variable is The number of library assistants in Alabama.  The chart goes from 2003 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

Many library assistants were getting bored and needed some heat in their jobs, so they deliberately sparked up their workplace environment. As the saying goes, where there's smoke, there's a hiring freeze!

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: [Symbolism] Generate a scene depicting a small town in Alabama where a pile of burning books emits smoke outside an old brick library. Inside, shelves are in disarray and a frantic librarian tries to rearrange the scattered books. A line of eager applicants forms outside the library, all in their best clothes and holding resumes. The air is filled with the scent of smoke, and the sound of crackling flames can be heard in the distance. Improvement: Produce a visual representation of a small-town Alabama, capturing the burning books outside the brick library, shelves in disarray, a frantic librarian, and a line of eager applicants. Emphasize the symbolism in the scene, conveying the urgency and impact of the chaotic setting visually without using words or speech bubbles. 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 situation described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here is a situation: As Arson rates increased in Alabama, the demand for library assistants also saw a surprising spike. It turns out that as more and more books were being burned, the need for extra help in restocking and organizing the remaining library collections became a pressing concern. This unprecedented correlation has led to a new theory that the smoky scent of arson made librarians more attractive employees, leading to an influx of job applications for library assistant positions across the state.. Given that situation, which of the following image descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand and the tone of the explanation. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: Sci-fi fantacy Symbolism Psychedelic Cyberpunk Brutalism
ChatGPT: Symbolism

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated and the explanation described. Do not reference graphs or charts; describe physical objects.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that depicts the following situation. Keep the description simple. As Arson rates increased in Alabama, the demand for library assistants also saw a surprising spike. It turns out that as more and more books were being burned, the need for extra help in restocking and organizing the remaining library collections became a pressing concern. This unprecedented correlation has led to a new theory that the smoky scent of arson made librarians more attractive employees, leading to an influx of job applications for library assistant positions across the state.
ChatGPT: In a small town in Alabama, smoke rises from a pile of burning books outside an old brick library. Inside, shelves are in disarray, and a librarian frantically tries to rearrange the scattered books. A line of eager applicants forms outside the library, all wearing their best clothing and carrying their resumes. The air is filled with the scent of smoke, and the sound of crackling flames in the distance.

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: [ Symbolism ] and depicting this scene: In a small town in Alabama, smoke rises from a pile of burning books outside an old brick library. Inside, shelves are in disarray, and a librarian frantically tries to rearrange the scattered books. A line of eager applicants forms outside the library, all wearing their best clothing and carrying their resumes. The air is filled with the scent of smoke, and the sound of crackling flames in the distance. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: [Symbolism] Generate a scene depicting a small town in Alabama where a pile of burning books emits smoke outside an old brick library. Inside, shelves are in disarray and a frantic librarian tries to rearrange the scattered books. A line of eager applicants forms outside the library, all in their best clothes and holding resumes. The air is filled with the scent of smoke, and the sound of crackling flames can be heard in the distance. Improvement: Produce a visual representation of a small-town Alabama, capturing the burning books outside the brick library, shelves in disarray, a frantic librarian, and a line of eager applicants. Emphasize the symbolism in the scene, conveying the urgency and impact of the chaotic setting visually without using words or speech bubbles.

*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 Arson in Alabama positively influenced The number of library assistants in Alabama. Include one good pun.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants

The Journal of Pyromania and Library Science

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 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 Arson in Alabama and The number of library assistants in Alabama. You can't resist a good dad joke. Add a relevant dad joke related to the content every couple of sentences.

Make the title a clever pun.

Your research team used data from FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and Bureau of Larbor Statistics to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 and p < 0.01 for 2003 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]]
Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants

[[ABSTRACT]]
Arson and library assistants, two seemingly unrelated entities, have been on the hot seat of academic curiosity for years. In this study, we kindle the flames of inquiry to investigate the sizzling connection between these two variables, igniting a fiery passion for data analysis. With a glint in our eye and a burning desire for knowledge, we harnessed data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to shed light on this smoldering mystery.

Our findings reveal a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 and a p-value less than 0.01, confirming a significant relationship between the incidence of arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants employed in the state from 2003 to 2022. This red-hot correlation sparks curiosity, leading us to ponder the notion that perhaps the presence of additional library assistants serves as a deterrent against arson, extinguishing potential fires of mischief before they can blaze out of control.

Our study not only kindles a flame of understanding but also ignites a spark of laughter, as we bring a literal meaning to the phrase "arson prevention." After all, it seems that in Alabama, the more library assistants there are, the fewer people are playing with fire. Every number-crunching researcher knows that you can never go wrong with a good old book at hand when things start heating up.

In conclusion, our research casts a bright light on the unexpected link between arson and library assistants, offering potential avenues for further inquiry and arson-prevention initiatives. As we close this chapter, we hope our findings will fuel further investigation and perhaps even raise a few eyebrows, as we bring a touch of warmth to the sometimes chilly world of academic research.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 Arson in Alabama and The number of library assistants in Alabama. 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]]
Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants

[[ABSTRACT]]
Arson and library assistants, two seemingly unrelated entities, have been on the hot seat of academic curiosity for years. In this study, we kindle the flames of inquiry to investigate the sizzling connection between these two variables, igniting a fiery passion for data analysis. With a glint in our eye and a burning desire for knowledge, we harnessed data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to shed light on this smoldering mystery.

Our findings reveal a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 and a p-value less than 0.01, confirming a significant relationship between the incidence of arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants employed in the state from 2003 to 2022. This red-hot correlation sparks curiosity, leading us to ponder the notion that perhaps the presence of additional library assistants serves as a deterrent against arson, extinguishing potential fires of mischief before they can blaze out of control.

Our study not only kindles a flame of understanding but also ignites a spark of laughter, as we bring a literal meaning to the phrase "arson prevention." After all, it seems that in Alabama, the more library assistants there are, the fewer people are playing with fire. Every number-crunching researcher knows that you can never go wrong with a good old book at hand when things start heating up.

In conclusion, our research casts a bright light on the unexpected link between arson and library assistants, offering potential avenues for further inquiry and arson-prevention initiatives. As we close this chapter, we hope our findings will fuel further investigation and perhaps even raise a few eyebrows, as we bring a touch of warmth to the sometimes chilly world of academic research.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

Greetings, esteemed colleagues and fellow seekers of knowledge. As we embark on this incendiary journey, I invite you to join me in unraveling the enigmatic connection between arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants in the Heart of Dixie. Pardon the pun, but we're about to light a fire under the age-old stereotype of bookworms and fire hazards.

Ah, but before we dive into the blazing heat of our findings, let's first ponder the curious relationship between arson and the custodians of knowledge: library assistants. Why, you ask? Well, as the saying goes, "where there's smoke, there's fire," and it appears that where there are more library assistants, there seems to be less smoke – both literally and figuratively.

Now, let's not jump to conclusions, but it seems that the correlation between arson and the number of library assistants in Alabama is hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July. It's almost as if the presence of these diligent moths to the flame of knowledge is associated with a decreased tendency for someone to play with matches. Call us conspiracy theorists, but it's as if these library assistants are the unsung heroes preventing the plot of a potential "Fahrenheit 451" from turning into reality.

In the realm of academic research, we often seek to shed light on the darkest corners of societal phenomena, but who would have thought that the flickering glow of arson would intersect with the steady flame of library assistance? Maybe all those stories of youthful indiscretions being snuffed out by diligent librarians actually have some statistical merit after all.

And hey, speaking of fire prevention, did you hear about the burnt-out security guard at the library? He got tired of all the "burning" questions, so he quit and became an arson investigator instead. But I digress – let's stoke the fire of inquiry and scour the embers of our data for the sparks of correlation and causation. After all, there's nothing like a good pun to kindle the flames of academic discourse.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 Arson in Alabama and The number of library assistants in Alabama. 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. Perhaps you also got inspiration from some board games that are vaugely related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants

[[ABSTRACT]]
Arson and library assistants, two seemingly unrelated entities, have been on the hot seat of academic curiosity for years. In this study, we kindle the flames of inquiry to investigate the sizzling connection between these two variables, igniting a fiery passion for data analysis. With a glint in our eye and a burning desire for knowledge, we harnessed data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to shed light on this smoldering mystery.

Our findings reveal a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 and a p-value less than 0.01, confirming a significant relationship between the incidence of arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants employed in the state from 2003 to 2022. This red-hot correlation sparks curiosity, leading us to ponder the notion that perhaps the presence of additional library assistants serves as a deterrent against arson, extinguishing potential fires of mischief before they can blaze out of control.

Our study not only kindles a flame of understanding but also ignites a spark of laughter, as we bring a literal meaning to the phrase "arson prevention." After all, it seems that in Alabama, the more library assistants there are, the fewer people are playing with fire. Every number-crunching researcher knows that you can never go wrong with a good old book at hand when things start heating up.

In conclusion, our research casts a bright light on the unexpected link between arson and library assistants, offering potential avenues for further inquiry and arson-prevention initiatives. As we close this chapter, we hope our findings will fuel further investigation and perhaps even raise a few eyebrows, as we bring a touch of warmth to the sometimes chilly world of academic research.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Greetings, esteemed colleagues and fellow seekers of knowledge. As we embark on this incendiary journey, I invite you to join me in unraveling the enigmatic connection between arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants in the Heart of Dixie. Pardon the pun, but we're about to light a fire under the age-old stereotype of bookworms and fire hazards.
Ah, but before we dive into the blazing heat of our findings, let's first ponder the curious relationship between arson and the custodians of knowledge: library assistants. Why, you ask? Well, as the saying goes, "where there's smoke, there's fire," and it appears that where there are more library assistants, there seems to be less smoke – both literally and figuratively.
Now, let's not jump to conclusions, but it seems that the correlation between arson and the number of library assistants in Alabama is hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July. It's almost as if the presence of these diligent moths to the flame of knowledge is associated with a decreased tendency for someone to play with matches. Call us conspiracy theorists, but it's as if these library assistants are the unsung heroes preventing the plot of a potential "Fahrenheit 451" from turning into reality.
In the realm of academic research, we often seek to shed light on the darkest corners of societal phenomena, but who would have thought that the flickering glow of arson would intersect with the steady flame of library assistance? Maybe all those stories of youthful indiscretions being snuffed out by diligent librarians actually have some statistical merit after all.
And hey, speaking of fire prevention, did you hear about the burnt-out security guard at the library? He got tired of all the "burning" questions, so he quit and became an arson investigator instead. But I digress – let's stoke the fire of inquiry and scour the embers of our data for the sparks of correlation and causation. After all, there's nothing like a good pun to kindle the flames of academic discourse.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

In "Smith et al." (2018), the authors find a positive correlation between the incidence of arson in Alabama and various socioeconomic factors. The study delves into the complex web of relationships between arson, poverty, and education, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of this incendiary crime. However, what this study fails to account for is the potential impact of an army of bookish heroes – the library assistants.

Did you hear about the librarian who got fired? Apparently, he was "booked" for arson. It seems even the literary world isn't immune to the fiery allure of a good old-fashioned pun.

Expanding on the discussion of civic services and crime prevention, "Doe and Jones" (2020) suggest a need to explore unconventional variables in the equation of arson prevention. While their focus is on community policing and public infrastructure, one cannot help but wonder if the presence of dedicated library assistants could also play a role in dampening the flames of criminal intent.

Speaking of dedication, have you read "The Library Book" by Susan Orlean? It's a truly captivating exploration of the role of libraries in society, although I don't recall any chapters on arson prevention. And let's not forget about "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury. Although a work of fiction, it certainly adds fuel to our burning questions about the relationship between arson and the guardians of literature.

Drawing inspiration from the world of games, we may consider the analogy of library assistants as the "firefighters" of the literary world, armed not with hoses but with knowledge, ready to extinguish the flames of ignorance and indifference. Just like in the game "Flash Point: Fire Rescue," these unsung heroes rush to contain the blaze, employing strategic maneuvers to safeguard the treasures within the library.

Returning to the serious discourse, "Clarke and Lewis" (2021) present a comprehensive analysis of the labor market in Alabama, including detailed data on employment trends across various sectors. However, their study overlooks the potential impact of staffing levels in public institutions, such as libraries, on the prevalence of arson. It seems that the fiery link between arson and library assistants remains a smoldering mystery in the realm of academic literature.

And finally, in the beloved classic "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown, we bid goodnight to the flames of speculation as we turn the page on this fiery chapter of inquiry, eagerly awaiting further research to illuminate the path ahead. After all, there's nothing like a good dad joke to keep the embers of curiosity glowing.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 Arson in Alabama and The number of library assistants in Alabama. 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 FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and Bureau of Larbor Statistics . You used data from 2003 to 2022

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

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants

[[ABSTRACT]]
Arson and library assistants, two seemingly unrelated entities, have been on the hot seat of academic curiosity for years. In this study, we kindle the flames of inquiry to investigate the sizzling connection between these two variables, igniting a fiery passion for data analysis. With a glint in our eye and a burning desire for knowledge, we harnessed data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to shed light on this smoldering mystery.

Our findings reveal a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 and a p-value less than 0.01, confirming a significant relationship between the incidence of arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants employed in the state from 2003 to 2022. This red-hot correlation sparks curiosity, leading us to ponder the notion that perhaps the presence of additional library assistants serves as a deterrent against arson, extinguishing potential fires of mischief before they can blaze out of control.

Our study not only kindles a flame of understanding but also ignites a spark of laughter, as we bring a literal meaning to the phrase "arson prevention." After all, it seems that in Alabama, the more library assistants there are, the fewer people are playing with fire. Every number-crunching researcher knows that you can never go wrong with a good old book at hand when things start heating up.

In conclusion, our research casts a bright light on the unexpected link between arson and library assistants, offering potential avenues for further inquiry and arson-prevention initiatives. As we close this chapter, we hope our findings will fuel further investigation and perhaps even raise a few eyebrows, as we bring a touch of warmth to the sometimes chilly world of academic research.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Greetings, esteemed colleagues and fellow seekers of knowledge. As we embark on this incendiary journey, I invite you to join me in unraveling the enigmatic connection between arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants in the Heart of Dixie. Pardon the pun, but we're about to light a fire under the age-old stereotype of bookworms and fire hazards.
Ah, but before we dive into the blazing heat of our findings, let's first ponder the curious relationship between arson and the custodians of knowledge: library assistants. Why, you ask? Well, as the saying goes, "where there's smoke, there's fire," and it appears that where there are more library assistants, there seems to be less smoke – both literally and figuratively.
Now, let's not jump to conclusions, but it seems that the correlation between arson and the number of library assistants in Alabama is hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July. It's almost as if the presence of these diligent moths to the flame of knowledge is associated with a decreased tendency for someone to play with matches. Call us conspiracy theorists, but it's as if these library assistants are the unsung heroes preventing the plot of a potential "Fahrenheit 451" from turning into reality.
In the realm of academic research, we often seek to shed light on the darkest corners of societal phenomena, but who would have thought that the flickering glow of arson would intersect with the steady flame of library assistance? Maybe all those stories of youthful indiscretions being snuffed out by diligent librarians actually have some statistical merit after all.
And hey, speaking of fire prevention, did you hear about the burnt-out security guard at the library? He got tired of all the "burning" questions, so he quit and became an arson investigator instead. But I digress – let's stoke the fire of inquiry and scour the embers of our data for the sparks of correlation and causation. After all, there's nothing like a good pun to kindle the flames of academic discourse.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To unleash the heat in our investigation, we utilized a staggeringly eclectic mix of data collection methods that would make even the most seasoned statistician sweat. Our methodological approach was akin to juggling flaming torches while walking on hot coals – both exhilarating and at times slightly perilous. We gathered data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tapping into a treasure trove of information spanning the scorching years from 2003 to 2022.

First, we put on our investigative hats and set out on a quest to collect the arson data. Channeling our inner Sherlock Holmes, we combed through historical records from law enforcement agencies, scrutinizing reports, and sifting through the ashes (figuratively speaking, of course) of arson incidents in Alabama. It was a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but instead of a needle, we were seeking out fiery incidents amidst the statistical haystack.

Once we had corralled the arson data, it was time to set our sights on the number of library assistants. Our approach was as strategic as a game of chess, with every move carefully calculated and executed. We delved into the employment statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, zeroing in on the figures for the noble custodians of knowledge – the library assistants. It was as if we were crafting a literary masterpiece, carefully selecting the characters that would populate the narrative of our research.

As we wrangled with the datasets, we also took a page from the book of unconventional research methods. To add a dash of serendipity to our endeavor, we engaged in the time-honored tradition of divination by tea leaves. After all, what better way to glean insights into the mysterious dance between arson and library assistants than by seeking hidden patterns in the swirling patterns of our Earl Grey? Alas, the tea leaves remained silent on the matter, but we take solace in the fact that our statistical analyses were far more illuminating.

With data in hand and a glint of excitement in our eyes, we dove headfirst into the fiery inferno of statistical analysis. Employing correlation coefficients, regression models, and a sprinkle of hypothesis testing, we set out to fan the flames of insight and draw meaningful conclusions about the relationship between arson and the number of library assistants. It was a bit like a high-stakes game of chance, except instead of poker chips, we were betting on the significance of our findings.

A bit like trying to find the perfect campfire marshmallow stick, our methodological journey involved some trial and error, but in the end, we emerged with a scorching revelation: there exists a significant correlation between the incidence of arson in Alabama and the employment of library assistants in the state.

Oh, and speaking of campfires, did you hear about the librarian who moonlights as a fire dancer? She’s the master of both the Dewey Decimal system and the art of twirling flaming batons – talk about multitasking!



Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 Arson in Alabama and The number of library assistants in Alabama. 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 FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and Bureau of Larbor Statistics .

For the time period 2003 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.7726386, r-squared of 0.5969703, 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]]
Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants

[[ABSTRACT]]
Arson and library assistants, two seemingly unrelated entities, have been on the hot seat of academic curiosity for years. In this study, we kindle the flames of inquiry to investigate the sizzling connection between these two variables, igniting a fiery passion for data analysis. With a glint in our eye and a burning desire for knowledge, we harnessed data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to shed light on this smoldering mystery.

Our findings reveal a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 and a p-value less than 0.01, confirming a significant relationship between the incidence of arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants employed in the state from 2003 to 2022. This red-hot correlation sparks curiosity, leading us to ponder the notion that perhaps the presence of additional library assistants serves as a deterrent against arson, extinguishing potential fires of mischief before they can blaze out of control.

Our study not only kindles a flame of understanding but also ignites a spark of laughter, as we bring a literal meaning to the phrase "arson prevention." After all, it seems that in Alabama, the more library assistants there are, the fewer people are playing with fire. Every number-crunching researcher knows that you can never go wrong with a good old book at hand when things start heating up.

In conclusion, our research casts a bright light on the unexpected link between arson and library assistants, offering potential avenues for further inquiry and arson-prevention initiatives. As we close this chapter, we hope our findings will fuel further investigation and perhaps even raise a few eyebrows, as we bring a touch of warmth to the sometimes chilly world of academic research.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
Greetings, esteemed colleagues and fellow seekers of knowledge. As we embark on this incendiary journey, I invite you to join me in unraveling the enigmatic connection between arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants in the Heart of Dixie. Pardon the pun, but we're about to light a fire under the age-old stereotype of bookworms and fire hazards.
Ah, but before we dive into the blazing heat of our findings, let's first ponder the curious relationship between arson and the custodians of knowledge: library assistants. Why, you ask? Well, as the saying goes, "where there's smoke, there's fire," and it appears that where there are more library assistants, there seems to be less smoke – both literally and figuratively.
Now, let's not jump to conclusions, but it seems that the correlation between arson and the number of library assistants in Alabama is hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July. It's almost as if the presence of these diligent moths to the flame of knowledge is associated with a decreased tendency for someone to play with matches. Call us conspiracy theorists, but it's as if these library assistants are the unsung heroes preventing the plot of a potential "Fahrenheit 451" from turning into reality.
In the realm of academic research, we often seek to shed light on the darkest corners of societal phenomena, but who would have thought that the flickering glow of arson would intersect with the steady flame of library assistance? Maybe all those stories of youthful indiscretions being snuffed out by diligent librarians actually have some statistical merit after all.
And hey, speaking of fire prevention, did you hear about the burnt-out security guard at the library? He got tired of all the "burning" questions, so he quit and became an arson investigator instead. But I digress – let's stoke the fire of inquiry and scour the embers of our data for the sparks of correlation and causation. After all, there's nothing like a good pun to kindle the flames of academic discourse.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

Our analysis of the data collected from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 between the number of arson incidents in Alabama and the employment of library assistants in the state from 2003 to 2022. This suggests a strong positive relationship, indicating that as the number of library assistants increases, the incidence of arson decreases. In other words, it seems that the more you help people with knowledge, the less they want to go up in smoke.

Fig. 1: Scatterplot showing the relationship between arson incidents and the number of library assistants in Alabama from 2003 to 2022 (to be inserted).

Now, you might be thinking, "What do arson and library assistants have in common? They seem as different as night and day!" But our findings certainly fuel a fiery discussion on the unexpected connections in the world around us. After all, who would have guessed that literary enthusiasts could double as firefighters in the battle against arson?

As we delve deeper into our findings, we observe an r-squared value of 0.5969703, indicating that approximately 59.70% of the variation in the number of arson incidents can be explained by the variation in the employment of library assistants in Alabama. This suggests that the presence of library assistants may be a significant factor in reducing the likelihood of arson, adding a new chapter to the age-old story of knowledge triumphing over ignorance.

In the spirit of fanning the flames of inquiry, let's not extinguish the burning questions that arise from this unexpected correlation. Sure, the link between arson and library assistants may seem like a tall tale, but the data speak for themselves. It's almost as if the books and knowledge imparted by library assistants act as a cooling mist in the face of an oncoming wildfire of mischief and mayhem.

To add a touch of humor to our scorching findings, here's a fitting dad joke: Why did the librarian get kicked off the plane? Because it was overbooked! But in all seriousness, our research sheds light on a remarkable relationship that challenges common assumptions and offers potential insights for fire prevention efforts and the role of knowledge in reducing societal risks.

In conclusion, our research ignites a spark of curiosity and inquiry, while also bringing a sense of warmth and humor to the often serious world of academic research. We hope that our findings will not only kindle further investigation but also entertain and inspire, much like a well-told campfire story on a starry night.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 Arson in Alabama and The number of library assistants in Alabama. 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]]
Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants

[[ABSTRACT]]
Arson and library assistants, two seemingly unrelated entities, have been on the hot seat of academic curiosity for years. In this study, we kindle the flames of inquiry to investigate the sizzling connection between these two variables, igniting a fiery passion for data analysis. With a glint in our eye and a burning desire for knowledge, we harnessed data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to shed light on this smoldering mystery.

Our findings reveal a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 and a p-value less than 0.01, confirming a significant relationship between the incidence of arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants employed in the state from 2003 to 2022. This red-hot correlation sparks curiosity, leading us to ponder the notion that perhaps the presence of additional library assistants serves as a deterrent against arson, extinguishing potential fires of mischief before they can blaze out of control.

Our study not only kindles a flame of understanding but also ignites a spark of laughter, as we bring a literal meaning to the phrase "arson prevention." After all, it seems that in Alabama, the more library assistants there are, the fewer people are playing with fire. Every number-crunching researcher knows that you can never go wrong with a good old book at hand when things start heating up.

In conclusion, our research casts a bright light on the unexpected link between arson and library assistants, offering potential avenues for further inquiry and arson-prevention initiatives. As we close this chapter, we hope our findings will fuel further investigation and perhaps even raise a few eyebrows, as we bring a touch of warmth to the sometimes chilly world of academic research.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
In "Smith et al." (2018), the authors find a positive correlation between the incidence of arson in Alabama and various socioeconomic factors. The study delves into the complex web of relationships between arson, poverty, and education, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of this incendiary crime. However, what this study fails to account for is the potential impact of an army of bookish heroes – the library assistants.
Did you hear about the librarian who got fired? Apparently, he was "booked" for arson. It seems even the literary world isn't immune to the fiery allure of a good old-fashioned pun.
Expanding on the discussion of civic services and crime prevention, "Doe and Jones" (2020) suggest a need to explore unconventional variables in the equation of arson prevention. While their focus is on community policing and public infrastructure, one cannot help but wonder if the presence of dedicated library assistants could also play a role in dampening the flames of criminal intent.
Speaking of dedication, have you read "The Library Book" by Susan Orlean? It's a truly captivating exploration of the role of libraries in society, although I don't recall any chapters on arson prevention. And let's not forget about "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury. Although a work of fiction, it certainly adds fuel to our burning questions about the relationship between arson and the guardians of literature.
Drawing inspiration from the world of games, we may consider the analogy of library assistants as the "firefighters" of the literary world, armed not with hoses but with knowledge, ready to extinguish the flames of ignorance and indifference. Just like in the game "Flash Point: Fire Rescue," these unsung heroes rush to contain the blaze, employing strategic maneuvers to safeguard the treasures within the library.
Returning to the serious discourse, "Clarke and Lewis" (2021) present a comprehensive analysis of the labor market in Alabama, including detailed data on employment trends across various sectors. However, their study overlooks the potential impact of staffing levels in public institutions, such as libraries, on the prevalence of arson. It seems that the fiery link between arson and library assistants remains a smoldering mystery in the realm of academic literature.
And finally, in the beloved classic "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown, we bid goodnight to the flames of speculation as we turn the page on this fiery chapter of inquiry, eagerly awaiting further research to illuminate the path ahead. After all, there's nothing like a good dad joke to keep the embers of curiosity glowing.

[[RESULTS]]
Our analysis of the data collected from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 between the number of arson incidents in Alabama and the employment of library assistants in the state from 2003 to 2022. This suggests a strong positive relationship, indicating that as the number of library assistants increases, the incidence of arson decreases. In other words, it seems that the more you help people with knowledge, the less they want to go up in smoke.
Fig. 1: Scatterplot showing the relationship between arson incidents and the number of library assistants in Alabama from 2003 to 2022 (to be inserted).
Now, you might be thinking, "What do arson and library assistants have in common? They seem as different as night and day!" But our findings certainly fuel a fiery discussion on the unexpected connections in the world around us. After all, who would have guessed that literary enthusiasts could double as firefighters in the battle against arson?
As we delve deeper into our findings, we observe an r-squared value of 0.5969703, indicating that approximately 59.70% of the variation in the number of arson incidents can be explained by the variation in the employment of library assistants in Alabama. This suggests that the presence of library assistants may be a significant factor in reducing the likelihood of arson, adding a new chapter to the age-old story of knowledge triumphing over ignorance.
In the spirit of fanning the flames of inquiry, let's not extinguish the burning questions that arise from this unexpected correlation. Sure, the link between arson and library assistants may seem like a tall tale, but the data speak for themselves. It's almost as if the books and knowledge imparted by library assistants act as a cooling mist in the face of an oncoming wildfire of mischief and mayhem.
To add a touch of humor to our scorching findings, here's a fitting dad joke: Why did the librarian get kicked off the plane? Because it was overbooked! But in all seriousness, our research sheds light on a remarkable relationship that challenges common assumptions and offers potential insights for fire prevention efforts and the role of knowledge in reducing societal risks.
In conclusion, our research ignites a spark of curiosity and inquiry, while also bringing a sense of warmth and humor to the often serious world of academic research. We hope that our findings will not only kindle further investigation but also entertain and inspire, much like a well-told campfire story on a starry night.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The scorching correlation coefficient and the p-value less than 0.01 in our study provide compelling evidence for the significant relationship between the incidence of arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants employed in the state. This echoes the findings of previous research by Smith et al. (2018) and Doe and Jones (2020), both of whom hint at the potential influence of unconventional variables, such as library assistants, in the context of arson prevention. It seems that while these connections may at first appear as unlikely as a banana peel in a bonfire, they actually stoke the flames of inquiry and foster a new understanding of crime dynamics.

Furthermore, our results align with the notion proposed by "Clarke and Lewis" (2021) regarding the oversight of staffing levels in public institutions, unveiling the smoldering mystery of the heated link between arson and library assistants that has long been overlooked in the literature. It's as though we've uncovered a hidden treasure amid the stacks of books, shedding a fiery light on the integral role of knowledge guardians in the battle against incendiary mischief.

The high r-squared value of approximately 59.70% highlights the substantial impact of the employment of library assistants on the variation in arson incidents, strengthening the case for their role as fire extinguishers in the realm of crime prevention. This reinforces the idea that knowledge and education can act as powerful tools in dampening the flames of criminal intent—imagine if every criminal pondered, "I'd rather not go up in smoke today" before committing an act of arson.

One cannot help but recall the analogy of library assistants as the "firefighters" of the literary world, gesturing towards the dual role they play in combating the figurative and literal fires that threaten society. It's almost as if these unsung heroes are equipped not with hoses but with knowledge, poised to extinguish ignorance and indifference before they ignite into destructive blazes—a notion as warming as a crackling fire on a winter's night.

In the midst of these profound revelations, let's not forget the significance of a well-timed dad joke to keep the embers of inquiry glowing. Consider this: Why did the librarian get kicked off the plane? Because it was overbooked! Indeed, just like an overbooked flight, our research has managed to overlap seemingly disparate concepts and spark a fiery discussion, bringing warmth and humor to the often serious world of academic investigation.

As we fan the flames of curiosity, our study paves the way for further exploration of the interplay between seemingly unrelated variables and offers a flickering light of hope for innovative arson-prevention initiatives. In the end, one might say that our findings stand as a glowing testament to the unexpected wonders of the research journey, casting warmth and illumination on the path ahead.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a 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 Arson in Alabama and The number of library assistants in Alabama. 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]]
Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants

[[ABSTRACT]]
Arson and library assistants, two seemingly unrelated entities, have been on the hot seat of academic curiosity for years. In this study, we kindle the flames of inquiry to investigate the sizzling connection between these two variables, igniting a fiery passion for data analysis. With a glint in our eye and a burning desire for knowledge, we harnessed data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to shed light on this smoldering mystery.

Our findings reveal a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 and a p-value less than 0.01, confirming a significant relationship between the incidence of arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants employed in the state from 2003 to 2022. This red-hot correlation sparks curiosity, leading us to ponder the notion that perhaps the presence of additional library assistants serves as a deterrent against arson, extinguishing potential fires of mischief before they can blaze out of control.

Our study not only kindles a flame of understanding but also ignites a spark of laughter, as we bring a literal meaning to the phrase "arson prevention." After all, it seems that in Alabama, the more library assistants there are, the fewer people are playing with fire. Every number-crunching researcher knows that you can never go wrong with a good old book at hand when things start heating up.

In conclusion, our research casts a bright light on the unexpected link between arson and library assistants, offering potential avenues for further inquiry and arson-prevention initiatives. As we close this chapter, we hope our findings will fuel further investigation and perhaps even raise a few eyebrows, as we bring a touch of warmth to the sometimes chilly world of academic research.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Greetings, esteemed colleagues and fellow seekers of knowledge. As we embark on this incendiary journey, I invite you to join me in unraveling the enigmatic connection between arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants in the Heart of Dixie. Pardon the pun, but we're about to light a fire under the age-old stereotype of bookworms and fire hazards.
Ah, but before we dive into the blazing heat of our findings, let's first ponder the curious relationship between arson and the custodians of knowledge: library assistants. Why, you ask? Well, as the saying goes, "where there's smoke, there's fire," and it appears that where there are more library assistants, there seems to be less smoke – both literally and figuratively.
Now, let's not jump to conclusions, but it seems that the correlation between arson and the number of library assistants in Alabama is hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July. It's almost as if the presence of these diligent moths to the flame of knowledge is associated with a decreased tendency for someone to play with matches. Call us conspiracy theorists, but it's as if these library assistants are the unsung heroes preventing the plot of a potential "Fahrenheit 451" from turning into reality.
In the realm of academic research, we often seek to shed light on the darkest corners of societal phenomena, but who would have thought that the flickering glow of arson would intersect with the steady flame of library assistance? Maybe all those stories of youthful indiscretions being snuffed out by diligent librarians actually have some statistical merit after all.
And hey, speaking of fire prevention, did you hear about the burnt-out security guard at the library? He got tired of all the "burning" questions, so he quit and became an arson investigator instead. But I digress – let's stoke the fire of inquiry and scour the embers of our data for the sparks of correlation and causation. After all, there's nothing like a good pun to kindle the flames of academic discourse.

[[RESULTS]]
Our analysis of the data collected from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 between the number of arson incidents in Alabama and the employment of library assistants in the state from 2003 to 2022. This suggests a strong positive relationship, indicating that as the number of library assistants increases, the incidence of arson decreases. In other words, it seems that the more you help people with knowledge, the less they want to go up in smoke.
Fig. 1: Scatterplot showing the relationship between arson incidents and the number of library assistants in Alabama from 2003 to 2022 (to be inserted).
Now, you might be thinking, "What do arson and library assistants have in common? They seem as different as night and day!" But our findings certainly fuel a fiery discussion on the unexpected connections in the world around us. After all, who would have guessed that literary enthusiasts could double as firefighters in the battle against arson?
As we delve deeper into our findings, we observe an r-squared value of 0.5969703, indicating that approximately 59.70% of the variation in the number of arson incidents can be explained by the variation in the employment of library assistants in Alabama. This suggests that the presence of library assistants may be a significant factor in reducing the likelihood of arson, adding a new chapter to the age-old story of knowledge triumphing over ignorance.
In the spirit of fanning the flames of inquiry, let's not extinguish the burning questions that arise from this unexpected correlation. Sure, the link between arson and library assistants may seem like a tall tale, but the data speak for themselves. It's almost as if the books and knowledge imparted by library assistants act as a cooling mist in the face of an oncoming wildfire of mischief and mayhem.
To add a touch of humor to our scorching findings, here's a fitting dad joke: Why did the librarian get kicked off the plane? Because it was overbooked! But in all seriousness, our research sheds light on a remarkable relationship that challenges common assumptions and offers potential insights for fire prevention efforts and the role of knowledge in reducing societal risks.
In conclusion, our research ignites a spark of curiosity and inquiry, while also bringing a sense of warmth and humor to the often serious world of academic research. We hope that our findings will not only kindle further investigation but also entertain and inspire, much like a well-told campfire story on a starry night.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In wrapping up this incendiary investigation, we find ourselves fired up with the knowledge that the sizzling correlation between arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants is no mere flash in the pan. Our findings not only highlight the unexpectedly toasty relationship between these variables but also spark a warm glow of understanding in the realm of fire prevention.

As we close the book on this study, let's remember that while correlations can be hot stuff, causation is not always straightforward. Nevertheless, it's clear that the presence of library assistants may play a significant role in thwarting arson, proving that sometimes the best defense against a fire is a librarian armed with knowledge and a solid understanding of the Dewey Decimal System.

In the immortal words of Mark Twain, "The mind is a fire to be kindled, not a vessel to be filled." And in the case of our research, it seems that the more minds are kindled with knowledge through the assistance of library staff, the less likely they are to play with matches. It's as if the scent of old books can douse the flames of mischief before they ever catch alight.

In light of these findings, it's safe to say that we've turned a new page in the annals of arson prevention. As much as we'd love to keep the fire burning on this topic, it seems that the heat is off when it comes to further research. After all, you can only have so much fun with fire before things get a little too heated.


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 Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Pyromania and Library Science


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Quirky Social Science Research (SQSSR)


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 Playing with Fire: The Scorching Relationship Between Arson in Alabama and the Number of Library Assistants with an abstract of Arson and library assistants, two seemingly unrelated entities, have been on the hot seat of academic curiosity for years. In this study, we kindle the flames of inquiry to investigate the sizzling connection between these two variables, igniting a fiery passion for data analysis. With a glint in our eye and a burning desire for knowledge, we harnessed data from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to shed light on this smoldering mystery.
Our findings reveal a scorching correlation coefficient of 0.7726386 and a p-value less than 0.01, confirming a significant relationship between the incidence of arson in Alabama and the number of library assistants employed in the state from 2003 to 2022. This red-hot correlation sparks curiosity, leading us to ponder the notion that perhaps the presence of additional library assistants serves as a deterrent against arson, extinguishing potential fires of mischief before they can blaze out of control.
Our study not only kindles a flame of understanding but also ignites a spark of laughter, as we bring a literal meaning to the phrase "arson prevention." After all, it seems that in Alabama, the more library assistants there are, the fewer people are playing with fire. Every number-crunching researcher knows that you can never go wrong with a good old book at hand when things start heating up.
In conclusion, our research casts a bright light on the unexpected link between arson and library assistants, offering potential avenues for further inquiry and arson-prevention initiatives. As we close this chapter, we hope our findings will fuel further investigation and perhaps even raise a few eyebrows, as we bring a touch of warmth to the sometimes chilly world of academic research.

ChatGPT:

arson, library assistants, Alabama, correlation coefficient, data analysis, FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, Bureau of Labor Statistics, incidence of arson, deterrent against arson, arson prevention, research findings, unexpected link, arson-prevention initiatives

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



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Data details

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

The number of library assistants in Alabama
Detailed data title: BLS estimate of library assistants, clerical in Alabama
Source: Bureau of Larbor Statistics
See what else correlates with The number of library assistants in Alabama

Correlation r = 0.7726386 (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 = 0.5969703 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 59.7% of the change in the one variable (i.e., The number of library assistants in Alabama) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Arson in Alabama) over the 20 years from 2003 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 6.5E-5. 0.0000652599232854737200000000
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 0.77 in 0.0065% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 15,323 random variables Which I absolutely did.
with the same 19 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 19 because we have two variables measured over a period of 20 years. It's just the number of years minus ( the number of variables minus one ), which in this case simplifies to the number of years minus one.
you would randomly expect to find a correlation as strong as this one.

[ 0.5, 0.91 ] 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.
20032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Arson in Alabama (Arson rate)11.510.69.114.714.813.510.315.416.521.615.725.715.921.714.4160.10.48.913.1
The number of library assistants in Alabama (Laborers)1070830960101011701090970121012201390139014001200129012301250970960970940




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([11.5,10.6,9.1,14.7,14.8,13.5,10.3,15.4,16.5,21.6,15.7,25.7,15.9,21.7,14.4,16,0.1,0.4,8.9,13.1,])
array_2 = np.array([1070,830,960,1010,1170,1090,970,1210,1220,1390,1390,1400,1200,1290,1230,1250,970,960,970,940,])
array_1_name = "Arson in Alabama"
array_2_name = "The number of library assistants in Alabama"

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

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



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

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

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

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Correlation ID: 1065 · Black Variable ID: 20082 · Red Variable ID: 4587
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