Spurious correlation #4,547 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and the second variable is Google searches for 'how to trap a spider'. The chart goes from 2007 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and the second variable is Google searches for 'how to trap a spider'. The chart goes from 2007 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As air quality improved, the spiders in New Castle, Pennsylvania started feeling more energized and active. Their usual sluggishness and laziness was replaced with increased alertness and agility. This newfound vitality allowed them to outsmart and evade any amateur attempts at trapping, leading to a decreased need for people to search for 'how to trap a spider' on Google. The spiders basically upgraded from laid-back, smoke-inhaling couch potatoes to nimble, clear-air athletes, leaving the good folks of New Castle scratching their heads and hoping that the spiders didn't pick up any martial arts skills along the way. The air may be cleaner, but the spider-catching game just got a whole lot trickier!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: A high-tech rendition of this scene could show a futuristic cityscape of New Castle, Pennsylvania with sleek, tall buildings and advanced transportation systems. Within this setting, we could see larger-than-life holographic representations of spiders displaying remarkable agility and dexterity as they elegantly evade various attempts at trapping them. The spiders could be depicted with a modern, metallic sheen to convey a high-tech aesthetic, while the cityscape could incorporate advanced air-purifying technologies in the background, symbolizing the improved air quality. This juxtaposition of advanced technology and the newfound nimbleness of the city's spiders would make for a visually compelling and thought-provoking image. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.

This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for 'how to trap a spider'. 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: Art nouveau High-tech Scalar art A scene from Skyrim 3D Pixar Style
ChatGPT: High-tech

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for 'how to trap a spider', in the following situation: As air quality improved, the spiders in New Castle, Pennsylvania started feeling more energized and active. Their usual sluggishness and laziness was replaced with increased alertness and agility. This newfound vitality allowed them to outsmart and evade any amateur attempts at trapping, leading to a decreased need for people to search for 'how to trap a spider' on Google. The spiders basically upgraded from laid-back, smoke-inhaling couch potatoes to nimble, clear-air athletes, leaving the good folks of New Castle scratching their heads and hoping that the spiders didn't pick up any martial arts skills along the way. The air may be cleaner, but the spider-catching game just got a whole lot trickier!. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In New Castle, Pennsylvania, the city's improved air quality had an unexpected consequence. As the pollution cleared, spiders became more active and agile, effortlessly dodging the amateur attempts at trapping them. This led to a decrease in Google searches for 'how to trap a spider', leaving the folks of New Castle amazed at the sudden nimbleness of these eight-legged athletes.

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: [ High-tech ] and depicting this scene: In New Castle, Pennsylvania, the city's improved air quality had an unexpected consequence. As the pollution cleared, spiders became more active and agile, effortlessly dodging the amateur attempts at trapping them. This led to a decrease in Google searches for 'how to trap a spider', leaving the folks of New Castle amazed at the sudden nimbleness of these eight-legged athletes. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: A high-tech rendition of this scene could show a futuristic cityscape of New Castle, Pennsylvania with sleek, tall buildings and advanced transportation systems. Within this setting, we could see larger-than-life holographic representations of spiders displaying remarkable agility and dexterity as they elegantly evade various attempts at trapping them. The spiders could be depicted with a modern, metallic sheen to convey a high-tech aesthetic, while the cityscape could incorporate advanced air-purifying technologies in the background, symbolizing the improved air quality. This juxtaposition of advanced technology and the newfound nimbleness of the city's spiders would make for a visually compelling and thought-provoking image.

*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.
^{Show prompt for explanation} Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how a decrease in Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania caused how to trap a spider (Google searches for 'how to trap a spider') to decrease. Make it feel plausible.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

Caught in a Web of Pollution: The Arachnophobic Effects of Air Quality in New Castle, Pennsylvania

The Journal of Ecological Entanglements

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!

^{Show prompt used to generate this paper} 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 goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the results section of an academic research paper. You speak in the past tense (you found...).
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for 'how to trap a spider'. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Environmental Protection Agency and Google Trends .

For the time period 2007 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.8139199, r-squared of 0.6624657, 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]]
Caught in a Web of Pollution: The Arachnophobic Effects of Air Quality in New Castle, Pennsylvania

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we examine the curious relationship between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for "how to trap a spider." While previous research has focused on the health and environmental implications of air pollution, our team delved into the unexpected realm of arachnophobia. Utilizing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Google Trends, we found a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.8139199 (p < 0.01) for the period from 2007 to 2022. Our findings suggest a strong association between deteriorating air quality and heightened concern for spider incursions, indicating a potential shift in public consciousness from particulate matter to the fear of eight-legged intruders. Our study not only sheds light on the unexplored impact of air pollution on human behavior but also weaves together the intricate threads linking environmental factors and irrational fears. So, the next time you think about air pollution, remember, it's not just about the air - it's about what might be lurking in the corners thanks to the air!

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The study of air pollution has traditionally been centered around its effects on human health, the environment, and climate change. However, in recent years, researchers have become entangled in a different web of inquiry - the potential connection between air quality and arachnophobia. While this may seem like a stretch, or perhaps a web that has been spun too thin, our investigation aims to take a closer look at the curious relationship between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and the anxious Google searches for "how to trap a spider."
Now, you might be scratching your head and asking, "What does air pollution have to do with trapping spiders?" Well, dear reader, allow us to weave you a tale that will captivate and ensnare your intellectual curiosity. As it turns out, the impact of air pollution may extend beyond the visible haze in the sky and the particulate matter settling on our windowsills. Could it be that as air quality decreases, so too does our tolerance for these eight-legged emissaries of the arachnid world?
It's no secret that New Castle has faced its fair share of air quality challenges over the years. From industrial emissions to vehicular exhaust, the town has found itself at the center of a swirling vortex of pollutants. But could this environmental turmoil be creating a ripple effect that extends into the realm of human fear and loathing of spiders? This study aims to untangle the threads of this intricate web of interconnected phenomena.
As we embark on this journey, we invite you to open your minds to the unexpected and embrace the notion that sometimes, the most surprising connections can be found in the most unlikely places. So, sit tight, grab your bug spray (or a newspaper for the brave-hearted), and join us as we venture into the labyrinthine world of air pollution and arachnophobia.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]

ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The statistical analysis of the data revealed a striking correlation between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for "how to trap a spider." The correlation coefficient of 0.8139199, along with an r-squared value of 0.6624657, signifies a robust relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. With a p-value of less than 0.01, the association between deteriorating air quality and the public's heightened interest in spider-trapping techniques appears to be statistically significant.

Figure 1 presents a scatterplot illustrating the substantial correlation between air pollution and the frequency of Google searches for methods to capture our arachnid acquaintances. Without giving too much away, it's clear that as air pollution levels rise, so does the apparent concern for spider encounters. This figure provides a visual depiction of the intricacies of this unconventional association and certainly leaves us tangled in a web of intriguing research findings.

The strength of this correlation suggests that as the air quality in New Castle worsens, individuals are turning to internet searches for solutions to mitigate their spider-related fears. This may indicate a heightened awareness of the potential for spider encounters in environments with poor air quality, as individuals seek to arm themselves with knowledge to confront these eight-legged intruders. It appears that the impact of air pollution extends beyond physical health and environmental welfare to influence human behavior in unexpected ways, transcending the conventional boundaries of air quality research.

The implications of these findings are not to be brushed aside like an unwanted cobweb. They prompt further consideration of the broader societal repercussions of air pollution, beyond its direct health and environmental effects. Understanding the nuanced relationship between air quality and human behaviors, particularly in the context of fear and anxiety, is crucial for crafting comprehensive strategies to address the multifaceted implications of air pollution.

In conclusion, our study contributes to the expanding web of knowledge on the unexpected effects of air pollution. It not only highlights a meaningful connection between air quality and arachnophobia but also underscores the importance of broadening our perspectives to uncover the unanticipated consequences of environmental factors. The next time you contemplate the impact of air pollution, you might want to consider the hidden arachnophobic undercurrents that may be lurking in the shadows. With this newfound insight, let's endeavor to clean up our air not only for the sake of our health but also to spare ourselves from the hair-raising escapades of spider capture.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a goofy academic researcher writing an academic paper. You follow the rules, but you throw out convention regularly to make jokes and funny asides.You draft the discussion section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for 'how to trap a spider'. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

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

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

[[TITLE]]
Caught in a Web of Pollution: The Arachnophobic Effects of Air Quality in New Castle, Pennsylvania

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we examine the curious relationship between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for "how to trap a spider." While previous research has focused on the health and environmental implications of air pollution, our team delved into the unexpected realm of arachnophobia. Utilizing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Google Trends, we found a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.8139199 (p < 0.01) for the period from 2007 to 2022. Our findings suggest a strong association between deteriorating air quality and heightened concern for spider incursions, indicating a potential shift in public consciousness from particulate matter to the fear of eight-legged intruders. Our study not only sheds light on the unexplored impact of air pollution on human behavior but also weaves together the intricate threads linking environmental factors and irrational fears. So, the next time you think about air pollution, remember, it's not just about the air - it's about what might be lurking in the corners thanks to the air!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
The impact of air pollution on human behavior and psychology has been a topic of growing interest in recent years. Smith et al. (2015) meticulously detailed the physiological and cognitive effects of prolonged exposure to high levels of air contaminants. The interplay between air quality and mental health has also been explored by Doe and Jones (2018), who highlighted the potential for air pollution to influence anxiety and phobic responses in individuals. While these studies have provided valuable insights into the complex relationship between environmental factors and human emotions, our investigation delves into uncharted territory by focusing on a rather curious manifestation of altered behavior - the quest to capture and contain spiders.
In "The Polluted Mind: How Air Quality Affects Cognitive Function" by Green, the authors address the less obvious cognitive impacts of air pollution, shedding light on the potential for environmental factors to influence seemingly unrelated aspects of human thought and behavior. Furthermore, "Air Toxins and Their Effects on Public Health" by Brown delves into the wide-ranging consequences of air pollution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches to understanding its broader societal ramifications.
Moving beyond the realm of empirical research, works of fiction such as "The Spider Trap Mysteries" by Aranea Webb and "Arachnophobia: A Tale of Eight-Legged Terror" by Charlotte Spinner have captured the imaginations of readers with their eerie narrative explorations of spider encounters in urban environments. While not academic in nature, these literary creations offer a glimpse into the intersection of urban life, fear, and the creatures that lurk in its shadows.
As our inquiry into this perplexing correlation unfolded, our research team embraced unconventional avenues of exploration, including perusing the backs of assorted shampoo bottles for insights into the bizarre behaviors of spiders. Although the findings from these unconventional sources may be taken with a grain of salt (and perhaps a dollop of conditioner), they nonetheless underscore the need for interdisciplinary approaches to unraveling the enigmatic relationship between air pollution and arachnophobia.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis of the data revealed a striking correlation between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for "how to trap a spider." The correlation coefficient of 0.8139199, along with an r-squared value of 0.6624657, signifies a robust relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. With a p-value of less than 0.01, the association between deteriorating air quality and the public's heightened interest in spider-trapping techniques appears to be statistically significant.
Figure 1 presents a scatterplot illustrating the substantial correlation between air pollution and the frequency of Google searches for methods to capture our arachnid acquaintances. Without giving too much away, it's clear that as air pollution levels rise, so does the apparent concern for spider encounters. This figure provides a visual depiction of the intricacies of this unconventional association and certainly leaves us tangled in a web of intriguing research findings.
The strength of this correlation suggests that as the air quality in New Castle worsens, individuals are turning to internet searches for solutions to mitigate their spider-related fears. This may indicate a heightened awareness of the potential for spider encounters in environments with poor air quality, as individuals seek to arm themselves with knowledge to confront these eight-legged intruders. It appears that the impact of air pollution extends beyond physical health and environmental welfare to influence human behavior in unexpected ways, transcending the conventional boundaries of air quality research.
The implications of these findings are not to be brushed aside like an unwanted cobweb. They prompt further consideration of the broader societal repercussions of air pollution, beyond its direct health and environmental effects. Understanding the nuanced relationship between air quality and human behaviors, particularly in the context of fear and anxiety, is crucial for crafting comprehensive strategies to address the multifaceted implications of air pollution.
In conclusion, our study contributes to the expanding web of knowledge on the unexpected effects of air pollution. It not only highlights a meaningful connection between air quality and arachnophobia but also underscores the importance of broadening our perspectives to uncover the unanticipated consequences of environmental factors. The next time you contemplate the impact of air pollution, you might want to consider the hidden arachnophobic undercurrents that may be lurking in the shadows. With this newfound insight, let's endeavor to clean up our air not only for the sake of our health but also to spare ourselves from the hair-raising escapades of spider capture.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our investigation into the connection between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for "how to trap a spider" has yielded fascinating results that intertwine the seemingly unrelated realms of environmental quality and arachnophobia. Our findings align with previous research that has probed the influence of air pollution on human behavior and psychology, adding a tantalizing twist by bringing spiders into the mix.

The literature review paved the way for our study, emphasizing the underexplored impact of air quality on human thoughts and behaviors. Moreover, it introduced the notion that the mind can become "polluted" by environmental factors, shedding light on the potential for seemingly unrelated aspects of human cognition to be affected by air pollution – a notion we perhaps spun into new territories, or should we say, "webbed" into new territories?

The results of our investigation stand as a testament to the robustness of the relationship between air pollution and the public's interest in spider-trapping techniques. The striking correlation coefficient of 0.8139199 not only demonstrates a strong association but also serves as a sticky reminder that factors lurking in the air can have far-reaching effects beyond what meets the eye. Our findings support the contention that deteriorating air quality could indeed be intertwined with heightened concerns about spider incursions, hinting at a shift in public consciousness from particulate matter to the fear of eight-legged intruders.

These results are not to be brushed off like a cobweb; they beckon further inquiry into the complexities of human behavior and environmental influences. The implications of our findings extend beyond the confines of traditional air quality research, spinning a web of intriguing insights into the manifold consequences of environmental deterioration. By shedding light on this peculiar correlation, our study underscores the importance of broadening our perspectives to uncover the unexpected impacts of environmental factors – and perhaps untangle the enigmatic relationship between air pollution and arachnophobia.

In sum, our investigation has revealed the captivating interplay between air pollution and the quest to conquer our arachnid acquaintances – an unlikely connection that speaks to the intricate interweaving of environmental factors and human behavior. As our understanding of air pollution expands, it is not just about the air – it's about the unexpected webs of influence that may ensnare our thoughts and actions, leaving us to navigate the complex maze of environmental and psychological interconnections.

And if you ever find yourself pondering the implications of air pollution, don't forget to keep an eye out for unexpected arachnid antics – much like the unexpected antics in the world of academic research.

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

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for 'how to trap a spider'. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Stay serious and dry most of the time, but then occasionally let your wit shine through.

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

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
Caught in a Web of Pollution: The Arachnophobic Effects of Air Quality in New Castle, Pennsylvania

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we examine the curious relationship between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for "how to trap a spider." While previous research has focused on the health and environmental implications of air pollution, our team delved into the unexpected realm of arachnophobia. Utilizing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Google Trends, we found a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.8139199 (p < 0.01) for the period from 2007 to 2022. Our findings suggest a strong association between deteriorating air quality and heightened concern for spider incursions, indicating a potential shift in public consciousness from particulate matter to the fear of eight-legged intruders. Our study not only sheds light on the unexplored impact of air pollution on human behavior but also weaves together the intricate threads linking environmental factors and irrational fears. So, the next time you think about air pollution, remember, it's not just about the air - it's about what might be lurking in the corners thanks to the air!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The study of air pollution has traditionally been centered around its effects on human health, the environment, and climate change. However, in recent years, researchers have become entangled in a different web of inquiry - the potential connection between air quality and arachnophobia. While this may seem like a stretch, or perhaps a web that has been spun too thin, our investigation aims to take a closer look at the curious relationship between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and the anxious Google searches for "how to trap a spider."
Now, you might be scratching your head and asking, "What does air pollution have to do with trapping spiders?" Well, dear reader, allow us to weave you a tale that will captivate and ensnare your intellectual curiosity. As it turns out, the impact of air pollution may extend beyond the visible haze in the sky and the particulate matter settling on our windowsills. Could it be that as air quality decreases, so too does our tolerance for these eight-legged emissaries of the arachnid world?
It's no secret that New Castle has faced its fair share of air quality challenges over the years. From industrial emissions to vehicular exhaust, the town has found itself at the center of a swirling vortex of pollutants. But could this environmental turmoil be creating a ripple effect that extends into the realm of human fear and loathing of spiders? This study aims to untangle the threads of this intricate web of interconnected phenomena.
As we embark on this journey, we invite you to open your minds to the unexpected and embrace the notion that sometimes, the most surprising connections can be found in the most unlikely places. So, sit tight, grab your bug spray (or a newspaper for the brave-hearted), and join us as we venture into the labyrinthine world of air pollution and arachnophobia.

[[RESULTS]]
The statistical analysis of the data revealed a striking correlation between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for "how to trap a spider." The correlation coefficient of 0.8139199, along with an r-squared value of 0.6624657, signifies a robust relationship between these seemingly disparate variables. With a p-value of less than 0.01, the association between deteriorating air quality and the public's heightened interest in spider-trapping techniques appears to be statistically significant.
Figure 1 presents a scatterplot illustrating the substantial correlation between air pollution and the frequency of Google searches for methods to capture our arachnid acquaintances. Without giving too much away, it's clear that as air pollution levels rise, so does the apparent concern for spider encounters. This figure provides a visual depiction of the intricacies of this unconventional association and certainly leaves us tangled in a web of intriguing research findings.
The strength of this correlation suggests that as the air quality in New Castle worsens, individuals are turning to internet searches for solutions to mitigate their spider-related fears. This may indicate a heightened awareness of the potential for spider encounters in environments with poor air quality, as individuals seek to arm themselves with knowledge to confront these eight-legged intruders. It appears that the impact of air pollution extends beyond physical health and environmental welfare to influence human behavior in unexpected ways, transcending the conventional boundaries of air quality research.
The implications of these findings are not to be brushed aside like an unwanted cobweb. They prompt further consideration of the broader societal repercussions of air pollution, beyond its direct health and environmental effects. Understanding the nuanced relationship between air quality and human behaviors, particularly in the context of fear and anxiety, is crucial for crafting comprehensive strategies to address the multifaceted implications of air pollution.
In conclusion, our study contributes to the expanding web of knowledge on the unexpected effects of air pollution. It not only highlights a meaningful connection between air quality and arachnophobia but also underscores the importance of broadening our perspectives to uncover the unanticipated consequences of environmental factors. The next time you contemplate the impact of air pollution, you might want to consider the hidden arachnophobic undercurrents that may be lurking in the shadows. With this newfound insight, let's endeavor to clean up our air not only for the sake of our health but also to spare ourselves from the hair-raising escapades of spider capture.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In summary, our research has illuminated a fascinating relationship between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and the public's interest in spider-trapping techniques. The robust correlation coefficient and statistically significant association between these variables support the notion that deteriorating air quality is entwined with heightened concerns about spider encounters. It seems that as air pollution levels climb, so does the collective anxiety surrounding these eight-legged visitors. Our findings underscore the intricate and, dare I say, sticky web of connections between environmental factors and human behavior.

While it may be tempting to brush off this association as a mere cobweb of coincidence, the implications are far-reaching. This study encourages us to expand our thinking beyond the visible impacts of air pollution and consider the unforeseen consequences, such as the spidery specter looming in the corners of our minds. And just like a spider spinning its web, these findings weave a compelling narrative of the ripple effects of environmental quality on irrational fears.

So, as we wrap up this web of discoveries, it's clear that we've unraveled a fascinating intersection of air pollution and arachnophobia. The next time you ponder the effects of air pollution, remember that it's not just about the air - it's about the unexpected phobias that may skitter into our thoughts. With this newfound knowledge, let's aim to clean up our air not only for health reasons but also to spare ourselves from spider-induced shivers. In conclusion, we assert with great confidence that no further research is needed in this area; we've caught this subject in a web of thorough investigation! Spidey-senses, activate - over and out!

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 Caught in a Web of Pollution: The Arachnophobic Effects of Air Quality in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Ecological Entanglements

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 Caught in a Web of Pollution: The Arachnophobic Effects of Air Quality in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Society for Arachnid Environmental Health and Research Integration (SAEHRI)

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 Caught in a Web of Pollution: The Arachnophobic Effects of Air Quality in New Castle, Pennsylvania with an abstract of In this study, we examine the curious relationship between air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Google searches for "how to trap a spider." While previous research has focused on the health and environmental implications of air pollution, our team delved into the unexpected realm of arachnophobia. Utilizing data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Google Trends, we found a staggering correlation coefficient of 0.8139199 (p < 0.01) for the period from 2007 to 2022. Our findings suggest a strong association between deteriorating air quality and heightened concern for spider incursions, indicating a potential shift in public consciousness from particulate matter to the fear of eight-legged intruders. Our study not only sheds light on the unexplored impact of air pollution on human behavior but also weaves together the intricate threads linking environmental factors and irrational fears. So, the next time you think about air pollution, remember, it's not just about the air - it's about what might be lurking in the corners thanks to the air!

ChatGPT:

air pollution, New Castle Pennsylvania, arachnophobia, spider trap, Environmental Protection Agency, Google Trends, correlation coefficient, particulate matter, public consciousness, human behavior, irrational fears, environmental factors

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

Random correlation

Discover a new correlation

View all correlations

View all research papers

Report an error

Data details

Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania
Detailed data title: Percentage of days with air quality at 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' or worse in New Castle, PA
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania

Google searches for 'how to trap a spider'
Detailed data title: Relative volume of Google searches for 'how to trap a spider' (Worldwide, without quotes)
Source: Google Trends
Additional Info: ^{See full details} Relative search volume (not absolute numbers)

See what else correlates with Google searches for 'how to trap a spider'

Correlation r = 0.8139199 (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 = 0.6624657 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 66.2% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Google searches for 'how to trap a spider') is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania) over the 16 years from 2007 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 0.00012.^Show 0.0001246793937781668300000000
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme.^Note 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 0.81 in 0.012% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 8,021 random variables^Note Which I absolutely did.
with the same 15 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 15 because we have two variables measured over a period of 16 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.

[ 0.53, 0.93 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
^{Read more about the confidence interval} 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: ^Note 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.

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania (Bad air quality days)	3.0137	0.819672	0.273973	0.821918	1.09589	2.73224	0.821918	0.547945	0.273973	0.28169	0	0	0	0	0	0.823045
Google searches for 'how to trap a spider' (Rel. search volume)	12.9167	5.66667	4.41667	4	5.16667	12.9167	8.25	5.5	6.66667	4.16667	5.75	7.16667	5.66667	6.75	5.83333	6.25

Why this works

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.
Lack of causal connection: There is probably^Note 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.
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^Note 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.
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. ^Note 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. ^{Show the steps to do this.} 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([3.0137,0.819672,0.273973,0.821918,1.09589,2.73224,0.821918,0.547945,0.273973,0.28169,0,0,0,0,0,0.823045,])
array_2 = np.array([12.9167,5.66667,4.41667,4,5.16667,12.9167,8.25,5.5,6.66667,4.16667,5.75,7.16667,5.66667,6.75,5.83333,6.25,])
array_1_name = "Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania"
array_2_name = "Google searches for 'how to trap a spider'"

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

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

Reuseable content

You may re-use the images on this page for any purpose, even commercial purposes, without asking for permission. The only requirement is that you attribute Tyler Vigen. ^Note Attribution can take many different forms. If you leave the "tylervigen.com" link in the image, that satisfies it just fine. If you remove it and move it to a footnote, that's fine too. You can also just write "Charts courtesy of Tyler Vigen" at the bottom of an article.

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

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

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

Full license details.
For more on re-use permissions, or to get a signed release form, see tylervigen.com/permission.

Download images for these variables:

High resolution line chart ^Note The image linked here is a Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG). It is the highest resolution that is possible to achieve. It scales up beyond the size of the observable universe without pixelating. You do not need to email me asking if I have a higher resolution image. I do not. The physical limitations of our universe prevent me from providing you with an image that is any higher resolution than this one.

If you insert it into a PowerPoint presentation (a tool well-known for managing things that are the scale of the universe), you can right-click > "Ungroup" or "Create Shape" and then edit the lines and text directly. You can also change the colors this way.

Alternatively you can use a tool like Inkscape.
High resolution line chart, optimized for mobile
Alternative high resolution line chart
Scatterplot
Portable line chart (png)
Portable line chart (png), optimized for mobile
Line chart for only Air pollution in New Castle, Pennsylvania
Line chart for only Google searches for 'how to trap a spider'
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: Caught in a Web of Pollution: The Arachnophobic Effects of Air Quality in New Castle, Pennsylvania

View another random correlation

How fun was this correlation?

Thanks for shining a light on this correlation!

Correlation ID: 4547 · Black Variable ID: 20961 · Red Variable ID: 1448


Problem variable:
Issue:
Additional details: Optional
Confirm you are a human: