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Spurious correlation #3,688 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Neptune and Earth and the second variable is Burglaries in South Dakota.  The chart goes from 1985 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As Neptune gets closer, its gravitational pull on South Dakota strengthens, creating a security force field. This deters burglars and keeps the state safe. Additionally, the cosmic rearrangement disrupts the space-time continuum for thieves, making it harder for them to operate.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of a quaint South Dakota town under a starry night sky, with the distant glow of Neptune filling the horizon. The town's houses and businesses stand peacefully and secure, undisturbed by any criminal activity. The icy blue glow of Neptune creates a serene and otherworldly ambiance, casting a cold, protective light across the tranquil landscape. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: The distance between Neptune and Earth and Burglaries in South Dakota. 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: Minimalism Brutalism A TIME magazine cover image A Discovery magazine cover image An image that looks like it is a scene from A Disney Movie
ChatGPT: A Discovery magazine cover image

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both The distance between Neptune and Earth and Burglaries in South Dakota, in the following situation: Well, you see, as Neptune gets closer, its icy vibes chill out the burglary activity in South Dakota. Thieves can't handle the cold, so they hightail it to warmer pastures, leaving the Dakotans in peace. It's just a case of celestial policing at its finest!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: Imagine Neptune moving closer to Earth in the night sky, its icy blue glow spreading a cold chill across the vast distance. At the same time, in South Dakota, houses and businesses remain undisturbed by burglaries as the icy presence of Neptune seems to deter any criminal activity, creating a peaceful and secure atmosphere under the celestial watch of the distant planet.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ A Discovery magazine cover image ] and depicting this scene: Imagine Neptune moving closer to Earth in the night sky, its icy blue glow spreading a cold chill across the vast distance. At the same time, in South Dakota, houses and businesses remain undisturbed by burglaries as the icy presence of Neptune seems to deter any criminal activity, creating a peaceful and secure atmosphere under the celestial watch of the distant planet. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of a quaint South Dakota town under a starry night sky, with the distant glow of Neptune filling the horizon. The town's houses and businesses stand peacefully and secure, undisturbed by any criminal activity. The icy blue glow of Neptune creates a serene and otherworldly ambiance, casting a cold, protective light across the tranquil landscape.

*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 The distance between Neptune and Earth caused Burglaries in South Dakota to decrease.\Make it sound serious until the end.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota

The Journal of Cosmic Criminology

Jan 2024

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




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

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and Earth and Burglaries in South Dakota. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

Your research team used data from Caclculated using Astropy and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 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]]
"Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we investigate the intriguing relationship between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the serene prairies of South Dakota. Drawing upon data calculated using Astropy and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research delves into the celestial-terrestrial link that has confounded statisticians for far too long. Surprisingly, our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 and a p-value less than 0.01, suggesting a potentially influential cosmic force at play. Our analysis spans the years 1985 to 2022, unearthing a connection that transcends mundane explanations and propels us into the realms of astro-criminology. So, be mindful of the planetary conjunctions and retrogrades, for they might just spark a string of unexpected celestial capers in South Dakota!


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

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and Earth and Burglaries in South Dakota. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we investigate the intriguing relationship between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the serene prairies of South Dakota. Drawing upon data calculated using Astropy and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research delves into the celestial-terrestrial link that has confounded statisticians for far too long. Surprisingly, our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 and a p-value less than 0.01, suggesting a potentially influential cosmic force at play. Our analysis spans the years 1985 to 2022, unearthing a connection that transcends mundane explanations and propels us into the realms of astro-criminology. So, be mindful of the planetary conjunctions and retrogrades, for they might just spark a string of unexpected celestial capers in South Dakota!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

Ah, the mysterious and often perplexing world of celestial phenomena and its potential impact on earthly affairs. While some might scoff at the idea of planetary positions influencing human behavior, we, as intrepid scholars, are not so quick to dismiss the cosmic possibilities. Our study aims to shed light on the enigmatic connection between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the tranquil landscapes of South Dakota.

Now, you might be thinking, "Neptune and burglaries in South Dakota? What on Earth (or Neptune) could they have in common?" Well, hold onto your telescopes and crime-scene tape, because we're about to unravel the cosmic caper that has left researchers scratching their heads for eons.

As with any study, our investigation began with an insatiable curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism. Armed with data meticulously calculated using the powerful Astropy software and the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on a journey that would take us beyond the mundane and into the celestial depths of statistical inquiry. Our quest was not without its challenges, navigating through the labyrinthine corridors of astrological lore and the hallowed halls of criminological analysis. But fear not, for we emerged victorious, armed with insights that promise to reshape the way we perceive the intersection of the cosmos and criminal activity.

Our findings, quite frankly, are nothing short of astonishing. A correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 revealed itself, along with a p-value less than 0.01, signaling a substantial relationship between planetary distances and the prevalence of burglaries in South Dakota. Yes, you read that right - statistically significant evidence of a celestial influence on earthly crime! It appears that the celestial bodies might be orchestrating more than just their cosmic dance - they could very well be choreographing a celestial caper right in our own backyard.

Through rigorous analysis spanning the years 1985 to 2022, our study has unearthed a connection that transcends the boundaries of conventional understanding. So, dear reader, brace yourself for a journey into the uncharted realms of astro-criminology as we unravel the cosmic mischief that may just be lurking behind the scenes of earthly transgressions. And remember, as we delve into the depths of our celestial findings, be sure to keep an eye on the stars and planets – for they may hold more surprises than meets the telescope!


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

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and Earth and Burglaries in South Dakota. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

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

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

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then name a few real TV shows that sound like they might be relevant to the topic that you watched as research.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we investigate the intriguing relationship between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the serene prairies of South Dakota. Drawing upon data calculated using Astropy and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research delves into the celestial-terrestrial link that has confounded statisticians for far too long. Surprisingly, our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 and a p-value less than 0.01, suggesting a potentially influential cosmic force at play. Our analysis spans the years 1985 to 2022, unearthing a connection that transcends mundane explanations and propels us into the realms of astro-criminology. So, be mindful of the planetary conjunctions and retrogrades, for they might just spark a string of unexpected celestial capers in South Dakota!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
Ah, the mysterious and often perplexing world of celestial phenomena and its potential impact on earthly affairs. While some might scoff at the idea of planetary positions influencing human behavior, we, as intrepid scholars, are not so quick to dismiss the cosmic possibilities. Our study aims to shed light on the enigmatic connection between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the tranquil landscapes of South Dakota.
Now, you might be thinking, "Neptune and burglaries in South Dakota? What on Earth (or Neptune) could they have in common?" Well, hold onto your telescopes and crime-scene tape, because we're about to unravel the cosmic caper that has left researchers scratching their heads for eons.
As with any study, our investigation began with an insatiable curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism. Armed with data meticulously calculated using the powerful Astropy software and the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on a journey that would take us beyond the mundane and into the celestial depths of statistical inquiry. Our quest was not without its challenges, navigating through the labyrinthine corridors of astrological lore and the hallowed halls of criminological analysis. But fear not, for we emerged victorious, armed with insights that promise to reshape the way we perceive the intersection of the cosmos and criminal activity.
Our findings, quite frankly, are nothing short of astonishing. A correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 revealed itself, along with a p-value less than 0.01, signaling a substantial relationship between planetary distances and the prevalence of burglaries in South Dakota. Yes, you read that right - statistically significant evidence of a celestial influence on earthly crime! It appears that the celestial bodies might be orchestrating more than just their cosmic dance - they could very well be choreographing a celestial caper right in our own backyard.
Through rigorous analysis spanning the years 1985 to 2022, our study has unearthed a connection that transcends the boundaries of conventional understanding. So, dear reader, brace yourself for a journey into the uncharted realms of astro-criminology as we unravel the cosmic mischief that may just be lurking behind the scenes of earthly transgressions. And remember, as we delve into the depths of our celestial findings, be sure to keep an eye on the stars and planets – for they may hold more surprises than meets the telescope!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

To contextualize our findings, it is pertinent to first examine the existing literature on the potential influence of celestial bodies on earthly phenomena. Smith et al. (2015) and Doe (2017) conducted comprehensive analyses of planetary distances and their implications for various aspects of human behavior. While their studies did not directly address the specific link between Neptune-Earth distance and burglaries in South Dakota, they did provide a foundational understanding of the potential cosmic implications on terrestrial activities.

Turning to a more esoteric approach, Jones (2018) delved into the realms of astrology and its purported impact on human events. Though dismissed by many as pseudoscience, astrology has maintained a steadfast following and has occasionally intersected with academic inquiries into celestial influences. While Jones did not explicitly explore the Neptune-Earth distance, the broader thematic focus on celestial forces and their interaction with human affairs bears relevance to our investigation.

Shifting our gaze beyond the confines of statistical analysis, books such as "The Planets" by Dava Sobel and "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan offer insightful discussions on the broader cosmic tapestry. These works, while not directly related to criminological phenomena, provide a nuanced perspective on the interconnectedness of celestial bodies and the intricacies of their gravitational influences.

In the realm of fiction, authors have often woven celestial themes into their narratives, echoing the timeless allure of the stars. Works like "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams and "Neptune's Brood" by Charles Stross may not offer empirical insights into planetary criminology, but they certainly add a whimsical dimension to celestial musings.

As part of our multidisciplinary approach, the researchers engaged in a thorough exploration of popular culture. Television shows such as "The X-Files" and "Stranger Things" offered glimpses into the paranormal and the unexplained, providing valuable inspiration and, dare we say, a dash of cosmic intrigue to our research endeavors.

In the spirit of scholarly inquiry, it is imperative to appreciate the diverse perspectives that contribute to our understanding of celestial phenomena and their potential impact on human activities. This eclectic spectrum of literature and media forms the backdrop against which our groundbreaking findings emerge, adding a touch of cosmic curiosity to the scholarly discourse on astro-criminology.


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

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and Earth and Burglaries in South Dakota. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Caclculated using Astropy and 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]]
"Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we investigate the intriguing relationship between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the serene prairies of South Dakota. Drawing upon data calculated using Astropy and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research delves into the celestial-terrestrial link that has confounded statisticians for far too long. Surprisingly, our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 and a p-value less than 0.01, suggesting a potentially influential cosmic force at play. Our analysis spans the years 1985 to 2022, unearthing a connection that transcends mundane explanations and propels us into the realms of astro-criminology. So, be mindful of the planetary conjunctions and retrogrades, for they might just spark a string of unexpected celestial capers in South Dakota!

[[INTRODUCTION]]
Ah, the mysterious and often perplexing world of celestial phenomena and its potential impact on earthly affairs. While some might scoff at the idea of planetary positions influencing human behavior, we, as intrepid scholars, are not so quick to dismiss the cosmic possibilities. Our study aims to shed light on the enigmatic connection between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the tranquil landscapes of South Dakota.
Now, you might be thinking, "Neptune and burglaries in South Dakota? What on Earth (or Neptune) could they have in common?" Well, hold onto your telescopes and crime-scene tape, because we're about to unravel the cosmic caper that has left researchers scratching their heads for eons.
As with any study, our investigation began with an insatiable curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism. Armed with data meticulously calculated using the powerful Astropy software and the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on a journey that would take us beyond the mundane and into the celestial depths of statistical inquiry. Our quest was not without its challenges, navigating through the labyrinthine corridors of astrological lore and the hallowed halls of criminological analysis. But fear not, for we emerged victorious, armed with insights that promise to reshape the way we perceive the intersection of the cosmos and criminal activity.
Our findings, quite frankly, are nothing short of astonishing. A correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 revealed itself, along with a p-value less than 0.01, signaling a substantial relationship between planetary distances and the prevalence of burglaries in South Dakota. Yes, you read that right - statistically significant evidence of a celestial influence on earthly crime! It appears that the celestial bodies might be orchestrating more than just their cosmic dance - they could very well be choreographing a celestial caper right in our own backyard.
Through rigorous analysis spanning the years 1985 to 2022, our study has unearthed a connection that transcends the boundaries of conventional understanding. So, dear reader, brace yourself for a journey into the uncharted realms of astro-criminology as we unravel the cosmic mischief that may just be lurking behind the scenes of earthly transgressions. And remember, as we delve into the depths of our celestial findings, be sure to keep an eye on the stars and planets – for they may hold more surprises than meets the telescope!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

Given the unorthodox nature of our research question, the methodology employed in this study required a blend of celestial astrophysics and crime data analysis that would make even the most seasoned researcher do a celestial double take. The amalgamation of these seemingly disparate fields involved accessing diverse sources, including data meticulously calculated using the illustrious Astropy software and the esteemed FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, spanning the years 1985 to 2022.

To commence our astronomical escapade, the first step was to procure precise data on the ever-changing distance between Neptune and Earth. It wouldn't do to rely solely on the trusty old tape measure, so we turned to Astropy, harnessing its cosmic computing prowess to track the celestial ballet of these distant planetary neighbors. Their celestial tango was meticulously recorded and translated into reliable metrics, ensuring that no cosmic covert operations would elude our quantifiable scrutiny.

As for the earthly side of the equation, unlocking the enigma of burglaries in South Dakota demanded a different set of investigative tools. We turned to the troves of data housed within the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, navigating through the labyrinthine corridors of criminological records with the finesse of celestial sleuths. The temporal scope of our inquiry, from 1985 to 2022, allowed us to capture the ebb and flow of criminal activity with the precision of a cosmic magnifying glass, teasing apart the threads of criminal exploits against the backdrop of the celestial symphony.

With Neptune's celestial waltz and South Dakota's criminal narratives dutifully captured in our data dragnet, the stars aligned for the real statistical wizardry to unfold. Our analysis unfurled a panoply of statistical methods, including correlation analysis, time series modeling, and inferential tests, all orchestrated to uncover the celestial clues hidden within the earthly commotion. Armed with these analytical tools, our quest to decipher the cosmic code influencing earthly misdeeds became a celestial odyssey like no other.

But our methodology did not end there. To illuminate the potential influence of celestial dynamics on earthly felonies, we employed sophisticated regression models to disentangle the celestial signature from the earthly noise. This statistical séance allowed us to quantify the magnitude of Neptune's sway on the incidence of burglaries, illuminating a cosmic correlation that defied conventional criminological constellations.

The statistical rigor and cosmic finesse with which we threaded the celestial and criminological needles in this methodology stand as a testament to the intrepid spirit of inquiry that propels us into the cosmic unknown.

And remember, just as mercury's retrograde may bring communication chaos, our methodological escapade aimed to bring clarity to the celestial capers unfolding in South Dakota.


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

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and Earth and Burglaries in South Dakota. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Caclculated using Astropy and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services .

For the time period 1985 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.9107110, r-squared of 0.8293946, 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]]
"Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we investigate the intriguing relationship between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the serene prairies of South Dakota. Drawing upon data calculated using Astropy and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research delves into the celestial-terrestrial link that has confounded statisticians for far too long. Surprisingly, our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 and a p-value less than 0.01, suggesting a potentially influential cosmic force at play. Our analysis spans the years 1985 to 2022, unearthing a connection that transcends mundane explanations and propels us into the realms of astro-criminology. So, be mindful of the planetary conjunctions and retrogrades, for they might just spark a string of unexpected celestial capers in South Dakota!

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
Ah, the mysterious and often perplexing world of celestial phenomena and its potential impact on earthly affairs. While some might scoff at the idea of planetary positions influencing human behavior, we, as intrepid scholars, are not so quick to dismiss the cosmic possibilities. Our study aims to shed light on the enigmatic connection between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the tranquil landscapes of South Dakota.
Now, you might be thinking, "Neptune and burglaries in South Dakota? What on Earth (or Neptune) could they have in common?" Well, hold onto your telescopes and crime-scene tape, because we're about to unravel the cosmic caper that has left researchers scratching their heads for eons.
As with any study, our investigation began with an insatiable curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism. Armed with data meticulously calculated using the powerful Astropy software and the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on a journey that would take us beyond the mundane and into the celestial depths of statistical inquiry. Our quest was not without its challenges, navigating through the labyrinthine corridors of astrological lore and the hallowed halls of criminological analysis. But fear not, for we emerged victorious, armed with insights that promise to reshape the way we perceive the intersection of the cosmos and criminal activity.
Our findings, quite frankly, are nothing short of astonishing. A correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 revealed itself, along with a p-value less than 0.01, signaling a substantial relationship between planetary distances and the prevalence of burglaries in South Dakota. Yes, you read that right - statistically significant evidence of a celestial influence on earthly crime! It appears that the celestial bodies might be orchestrating more than just their cosmic dance - they could very well be choreographing a celestial caper right in our own backyard.
Through rigorous analysis spanning the years 1985 to 2022, our study has unearthed a connection that transcends the boundaries of conventional understanding. So, dear reader, brace yourself for a journey into the uncharted realms of astro-criminology as we unravel the cosmic mischief that may just be lurking behind the scenes of earthly transgressions. And remember, as we delve into the depths of our celestial findings, be sure to keep an eye on the stars and planets – for they may hold more surprises than meets the telescope!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The statistical analysis of the relationship between the distance between Neptune and Earth and the occurrences of burglaries in the idyllic plains of South Dakota yielded some truly stellar results. Our research uncovered a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9107110, indicating a strong positive association between these seemingly disparate variables. To put it simply, as the distance between Neptune and Earth changes, so do the burglary rates in South Dakota – a connection that is truly out of this world!

In addition to the impressive correlation coefficient, our analysis revealed an r-squared value of 0.8293946. This statistic, often referred to as the coefficient of determination, tells us that approximately 83% of the variability in burglary rates in South Dakota can be explained by the changes in the distance between Neptune and Earth. It seems that the celestial ballet of the planets may be more than just a cosmic spectacle – it could very well be choreographing a covert criminal waltz on our earthly stage!

The significance of these findings was further underscored by the p-value, which was found to be less than 0.01. This indicates that the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship between planetary distances and burglary rates by mere chance is less than 1%, lending substantial support to the notion of a genuine celestial influence on earthly felonies. It appears that the celestial bodies may not just be content with their cosmic roles; they might be dabbling in some celestial mischief just beyond the stratosphere.

To provide a visual representation of this celestial-criminal connection, we present the compelling Fig. 1, a scatterplot that vividly illustrates the robust correlation between the distance between Neptune and Earth and burglary rates in South Dakota. A picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, it vividly portrays the intriguing dance of the planets and crime rates on the prairies of South Dakota.

In conclusion, our findings have unveiled a celestial influence on the occurrence of burglaries in South Dakota that defies conventional explanation and propels us into the realm of astro-criminology. The unity between the distant planets and earthly transgressions may be one of the universe's greatest capers yet! So, keep an eye on the stars and stay vigilant – it seems that the cosmic neighborhood may be more influential than we ever imagined.


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

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and Earth and Burglaries in South Dakota. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
"Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we investigate the intriguing relationship between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the serene prairies of South Dakota. Drawing upon data calculated using Astropy and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research delves into the celestial-terrestrial link that has confounded statisticians for far too long. Surprisingly, our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 and a p-value less than 0.01, suggesting a potentially influential cosmic force at play. Our analysis spans the years 1985 to 2022, unearthing a connection that transcends mundane explanations and propels us into the realms of astro-criminology. So, be mindful of the planetary conjunctions and retrogrades, for they might just spark a string of unexpected celestial capers in South Dakota!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
To contextualize our findings, it is pertinent to first examine the existing literature on the potential influence of celestial bodies on earthly phenomena. Smith et al. (2015) and Doe (2017) conducted comprehensive analyses of planetary distances and their implications for various aspects of human behavior. While their studies did not directly address the specific link between Neptune-Earth distance and burglaries in South Dakota, they did provide a foundational understanding of the potential cosmic implications on terrestrial activities.
Turning to a more esoteric approach, Jones (2018) delved into the realms of astrology and its purported impact on human events. Though dismissed by many as pseudoscience, astrology has maintained a steadfast following and has occasionally intersected with academic inquiries into celestial influences. While Jones did not explicitly explore the Neptune-Earth distance, the broader thematic focus on celestial forces and their interaction with human affairs bears relevance to our investigation.
Shifting our gaze beyond the confines of statistical analysis, books such as "The Planets" by Dava Sobel and "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan offer insightful discussions on the broader cosmic tapestry. These works, while not directly related to criminological phenomena, provide a nuanced perspective on the interconnectedness of celestial bodies and the intricacies of their gravitational influences.
In the realm of fiction, authors have often woven celestial themes into their narratives, echoing the timeless allure of the stars. Works like "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams and "Neptune's Brood" by Charles Stross may not offer empirical insights into planetary criminology, but they certainly add a whimsical dimension to celestial musings.
As part of our multidisciplinary approach, the researchers engaged in a thorough exploration of popular culture. Television shows such as "The X-Files" and "Stranger Things" offered glimpses into the paranormal and the unexplained, providing valuable inspiration and, dare we say, a dash of cosmic intrigue to our research endeavors.
In the spirit of scholarly inquiry, it is imperative to appreciate the diverse perspectives that contribute to our understanding of celestial phenomena and their potential impact on human activities. This eclectic spectrum of literature and media forms the backdrop against which our groundbreaking findings emerge, adding a touch of cosmic curiosity to the scholarly discourse on astro-criminology.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis of the relationship between the distance between Neptune and Earth and the occurrences of burglaries in the idyllic plains of South Dakota yielded some truly stellar results. Our research uncovered a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9107110, indicating a strong positive association between these seemingly disparate variables. To put it simply, as the distance between Neptune and Earth changes, so do the burglary rates in South Dakota – a connection that is truly out of this world!
In addition to the impressive correlation coefficient, our analysis revealed an r-squared value of 0.8293946. This statistic, often referred to as the coefficient of determination, tells us that approximately 83% of the variability in burglary rates in South Dakota can be explained by the changes in the distance between Neptune and Earth. It seems that the celestial ballet of the planets may be more than just a cosmic spectacle – it could very well be choreographing a covert criminal waltz on our earthly stage!
The significance of these findings was further underscored by the p-value, which was found to be less than 0.01. This indicates that the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship between planetary distances and burglary rates by mere chance is less than 1%, lending substantial support to the notion of a genuine celestial influence on earthly felonies. It appears that the celestial bodies may not just be content with their cosmic roles; they might be dabbling in some celestial mischief just beyond the stratosphere.
To provide a visual representation of this celestial-criminal connection, we present the compelling Fig. 1, a scatterplot that vividly illustrates the robust correlation between the distance between Neptune and Earth and burglary rates in South Dakota. A picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, it vividly portrays the intriguing dance of the planets and crime rates on the prairies of South Dakota.
In conclusion, our findings have unveiled a celestial influence on the occurrence of burglaries in South Dakota that defies conventional explanation and propels us into the realm of astro-criminology. The unity between the distant planets and earthly transgressions may be one of the universe's greatest capers yet! So, keep an eye on the stars and stay vigilant – it seems that the cosmic neighborhood may be more influential than we ever imagined.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The stellar results of our study reveal a celestial-criminal connection that defies conventional explanation and plunges us into the uncharted territories of astro-criminology. Our findings not only support prior research on planetary influences but also add a cosmic dimension to our understanding of earthly felonies. By unraveling the striking correlation between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and burglary rates in South Dakota, we have stepped into the cosmic ballet of the planets and uncovered a celestial caper that requires further investigation.

Building upon the literature review, our results align with the earlier works of Smith et al. (2015) and Doe (2017), who delved into the implications of planetary distances for human behavior. While their studies did not specifically address Neptune-Earth distance and burglaries, our findings substantiate the broader notion of celestial influences on terrestrial activities. It seems that the gravitational dance of the planets extends its reach to the realm of criminality, adding a twinkling twist to the tapestry of cosmic influence.

Moreover, our findings echo the esoteric insights of Jones (2018), albeit in a more statistically robust manner. While the realm of astrology may evoke skepticism, our research reinforces the thematic focus on celestial forces and their interaction with human affairs. The celestial stage is set for a cosmic enigma, and our results serve as a catalyst for reimagining the influence of the heavens on earthly events.

The interdisciplinary exploration of popular culture, including the whimsical narratives of authors like Douglas Adams and Charles Stross, may have seemed lighthearted in the literature review, but our findings lend unexpected weight to the cosmic musings of their works. Perhaps, these authors were onto something when they intertwined celestial themes into their narratives, embedding a sprinkle of truth within the fabric of their fictional celestial tales.

Extraterrestrial influences on terrestrial phenomena have long captivated the human imagination, often manifesting in popular media like "The X-Files" and "Stranger Things". While these shows may have initially seemed tangential to our research, our findings now underscore the subtle interplay between the celestial and the criminal, igniting a cosmic curiosity that echoes the intrigue of these televised mysteries.

In essence, our research has unveiled a galactic influence on the occurrence of burglaries in South Dakota, expanding the realms of statistical inquiry into celestial phenomena and their potential impact on earthly transgressions. The interstellar tango of Neptune and Earth may harbor secrets yet undiscovered, and our scholarly investigation merely scratches the surface of this celestial criminal waltz. So, let us continue to gaze at the stars with a newfound curiosity, for they may hold the key to unlocking the cosmic mysteries that influence our earthly affairs.


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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and Earth and Burglaries in South Dakota. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
"Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota"

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we investigate the intriguing relationship between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the serene prairies of South Dakota. Drawing upon data calculated using Astropy and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research delves into the celestial-terrestrial link that has confounded statisticians for far too long. Surprisingly, our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 and a p-value less than 0.01, suggesting a potentially influential cosmic force at play. Our analysis spans the years 1985 to 2022, unearthing a connection that transcends mundane explanations and propels us into the realms of astro-criminology. So, be mindful of the planetary conjunctions and retrogrades, for they might just spark a string of unexpected celestial capers in South Dakota!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
Ah, the mysterious and often perplexing world of celestial phenomena and its potential impact on earthly affairs. While some might scoff at the idea of planetary positions influencing human behavior, we, as intrepid scholars, are not so quick to dismiss the cosmic possibilities. Our study aims to shed light on the enigmatic connection between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the tranquil landscapes of South Dakota.
Now, you might be thinking, "Neptune and burglaries in South Dakota? What on Earth (or Neptune) could they have in common?" Well, hold onto your telescopes and crime-scene tape, because we're about to unravel the cosmic caper that has left researchers scratching their heads for eons.
As with any study, our investigation began with an insatiable curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism. Armed with data meticulously calculated using the powerful Astropy software and the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services, we embarked on a journey that would take us beyond the mundane and into the celestial depths of statistical inquiry. Our quest was not without its challenges, navigating through the labyrinthine corridors of astrological lore and the hallowed halls of criminological analysis. But fear not, for we emerged victorious, armed with insights that promise to reshape the way we perceive the intersection of the cosmos and criminal activity.
Our findings, quite frankly, are nothing short of astonishing. A correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 revealed itself, along with a p-value less than 0.01, signaling a substantial relationship between planetary distances and the prevalence of burglaries in South Dakota. Yes, you read that right - statistically significant evidence of a celestial influence on earthly crime! It appears that the celestial bodies might be orchestrating more than just their cosmic dance - they could very well be choreographing a celestial caper right in our own backyard.
Through rigorous analysis spanning the years 1985 to 2022, our study has unearthed a connection that transcends the boundaries of conventional understanding. So, dear reader, brace yourself for a journey into the uncharted realms of astro-criminology as we unravel the cosmic mischief that may just be lurking behind the scenes of earthly transgressions. And remember, as we delve into the depths of our celestial findings, be sure to keep an eye on the stars and planets – for they may hold more surprises than meets the telescope!

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis of the relationship between the distance between Neptune and Earth and the occurrences of burglaries in the idyllic plains of South Dakota yielded some truly stellar results. Our research uncovered a remarkably high correlation coefficient of 0.9107110, indicating a strong positive association between these seemingly disparate variables. To put it simply, as the distance between Neptune and Earth changes, so do the burglary rates in South Dakota – a connection that is truly out of this world!
In addition to the impressive correlation coefficient, our analysis revealed an r-squared value of 0.8293946. This statistic, often referred to as the coefficient of determination, tells us that approximately 83% of the variability in burglary rates in South Dakota can be explained by the changes in the distance between Neptune and Earth. It seems that the celestial ballet of the planets may be more than just a cosmic spectacle – it could very well be choreographing a covert criminal waltz on our earthly stage!
The significance of these findings was further underscored by the p-value, which was found to be less than 0.01. This indicates that the likelihood of observing such a strong relationship between planetary distances and burglary rates by mere chance is less than 1%, lending substantial support to the notion of a genuine celestial influence on earthly felonies. It appears that the celestial bodies may not just be content with their cosmic roles; they might be dabbling in some celestial mischief just beyond the stratosphere.
To provide a visual representation of this celestial-criminal connection, we present the compelling Fig. 1, a scatterplot that vividly illustrates the robust correlation between the distance between Neptune and Earth and burglary rates in South Dakota. A picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, it vividly portrays the intriguing dance of the planets and crime rates on the prairies of South Dakota.
In conclusion, our findings have unveiled a celestial influence on the occurrence of burglaries in South Dakota that defies conventional explanation and propels us into the realm of astro-criminology. The unity between the distant planets and earthly transgressions may be one of the universe's greatest capers yet! So, keep an eye on the stars and stay vigilant – it seems that the cosmic neighborhood may be more influential than we ever imagined.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, our research has peeled back the cosmic curtain to reveal an unexpected cosmic caper unfolding in the peaceful plains of South Dakota. The robust correlation coefficient and r-squared value have left us starry-eyed, confirming the celestial influence on earthly affairs is more than just a far-flung notion. It appears that the planets, like mischievous cosmic culprits, may have orchestrated a grand heist of statistical significance right before our telescopic lenses!

Our findings, while remarkably stellar, raise more questions than answers. Should we consider astrological forecasts in crime prevention strategies? Could the ebb and flow of burglary rates be as predictable as planetary orbits? Statisticians and astrologers alike might find themselves in a celestial standoff, each armed with their own predictions and hypotheses.

One thing is certain: this celestial-criminal connection demands further investigation and exploration. However, in the spirit of intergalactic conservation of research resources, we assert that no further investigation is required in this domain. This research, as out-of-this-world as it may be, has sufficiently illuminated the cosmic dance of the planets and the earthly capers in South Dakota. So, let's raise a glass to the celestial waltz of variables and bid adieu, knowing that our statistical superstars have shed light on a stellar mystery of astronomical proportions!


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 Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Cosmic Criminology


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 Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Association for Cosmic Crime Research and Investigation


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 Stellar Thievery: Unveiling the Galactic Influence on Burglaries in South Dakota with an abstract of In this study, we investigate the intriguing relationship between the distance separating Neptune and Earth and the occurrence of burglaries in the serene prairies of South Dakota. Drawing upon data calculated using Astropy and the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, our research delves into the celestial-terrestrial link that has confounded statisticians for far too long. Surprisingly, our findings reveal a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9107110 and a p-value less than 0.01, suggesting a potentially influential cosmic force at play. Our analysis spans the years 1985 to 2022, unearthing a connection that transcends mundane explanations and propels us into the realms of astro-criminology. So, be mindful of the planetary conjunctions and retrogrades, for they might just spark a string of unexpected celestial capers in South Dakota!

ChatGPT:

Stellar influence on crime, South Dakota burglaries, celestial-terrestrial correlation, Neptune-Earth distance, Astropy data analysis, FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, astro-criminology, planetary conjunctions and crime, celestial capers, statistical correlation in criminology

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



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Data details

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

See what else correlates with The distance between Neptune and Earth

Burglaries in South Dakota
Detailed data title: The burglary rate per 100,000 residents in South Dakota
Source: FBI Criminal Justice Information Services
See what else correlates with Burglaries in South Dakota

Correlation r = 0.9107110 (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 = 0.8293946 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 82.9% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Burglaries in South Dakota) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., The distance between Neptune and Earth) over the 38 years from 1985 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.2E-15. 0.0000000000000021624320568763
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

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

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.91 in 2.2E-13% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 462,442,275,039,398 random variables You don't actually need 462 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.

[ 0.83, 0.95 ] 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
The distance between Neptune and Earth (Planetary distance (AU))30.233330.224530.214830.205830.195630.187130.179530.172930.16630.159430.152130.143730.134230.123430.111830.099430.088130.077230.067430.057930.051230.044330.037430.028930.021930.012830.002829.990729.981729.971829.962829.953229.948829.943429.938729.931729.928629.9224
Burglaries in South Dakota (Burglary rate)546.2553.5534.1517.9474.7527.4589.8541.4549.2546.2540.7557553.9468.6444383.7407.1399376.3408.5323.3386.7332.4333.6322.6390.9355.4393.3400.1330.1346.1348.4324.6284.7300.1340.1269.7263




Why this works

  1. Data dredging: I have 25,153 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 632,673,409 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
  2. Lack of causal connection: There is probably Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
    no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
  3. Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
    p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.
  4. Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.




Try it yourself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([30.2333,30.2245,30.2148,30.2058,30.1956,30.1871,30.1795,30.1729,30.166,30.1594,30.1521,30.1437,30.1342,30.1234,30.1118,30.0994,30.0881,30.0772,30.0674,30.0579,30.0512,30.0443,30.0374,30.0289,30.0219,30.0128,30.0028,29.9907,29.9817,29.9718,29.9628,29.9532,29.9488,29.9434,29.9387,29.9317,29.9286,29.9224,])
array_2 = np.array([546.2,553.5,534.1,517.9,474.7,527.4,589.8,541.4,549.2,546.2,540.7,557,553.9,468.6,444,383.7,407.1,399,376.3,408.5,323.3,386.7,332.4,333.6,322.6,390.9,355.4,393.3,400.1,330.1,346.1,348.4,324.6,284.7,300.1,340.1,269.7,263,])
array_1_name = "The distance between Neptune and Earth"
array_2_name = "Burglaries in South Dakota"

# 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: 3688 · Black Variable ID: 1941 · Red Variable ID: 20120
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