spurious correlations — sarah problem?

Spurious Correlations by Tyler Vigen is a collection of charts made from publicly available datasets, showing pairs of things that are highly correlated as a visual reminder of one of the most important rules in statistics: correlation does not equal causation.

Here are some good ones:

1205_divorce-rates-in-the-united-kingdom_correlates-with_disney-movies-released.png

2085_popularity-of-the-first-name-annabelle_correlates-with_ufo-sightings-in-south-carolina.png

4195_associates-degrees-awarded-in-dental-assisting_correlates-with_wins-for-the-baltimore-orioles.png

5868_the-number-of-movies-drew-barrymore-appeared-in_correlates-with_libertarian-votes-for-senators-in-alabama.png

5945_google-searches-for-smol_correlates-with_customer-satisfaction-with-american-airlines.png

9403_bachelors-degrees-awarded-in-literature_correlates-with_google-searches-for-how-to-delete-browsing-history.png

2183_popularity-of-the-first-name-tiffany_correlates-with_poor-air-quality-in-los-angeles.png

shoutout to xkcd! as seen elsewhere on this site! and on the general internet otherwise: xkcd.com

better explained

what if? - Randall Munroe