Linear Memes

This graph is the epitome of "technically correct" science! It shows the shocking revelation that Warren Buffett has aged approximately one year per year since birth. The perfect linear correlation (r = 1.0) between time and age is a groundbreaking discovery that absolutely nobody saw coming. Next up: revolutionary research confirming water's persistent tendency toward wetness. The beautiful simplicity of this data visualization reminds us that sometimes the most profound scientific insights are hiding in plain sight. Who knew aging was so... chronological?

That moment of pure mathematical betrayal when your line decides to pass through all the wrong data points. First panel: despair as your regression line misses almost every point. Second panel: the determination to manually force that line through specific points because who needs statistical integrity anyway? The rest of the data points can just deal with it. Linear regression? More like linear aggression against outliers. Every scientist knows that if your data doesn't fit your hypothesis, just redraw the line until it does!

The mathematical joke here is absolutely brilliant! In the function f(x)=x, the output equals the input, meaning it grows at a constant rate (linear growth). But non-mathematicians, particularly media outlets, often misinterpret any upward trend as "exponential growth" - which would actually be something like f(x)=2ˣ where the rate of increase itself increases dramatically! This is basically every mathematician's nightmare when watching the news: "COVID cases increased from 100 to 110... EXPONENTIAL GROWTH!!!" Meanwhile, actual mathematicians are screaming into their pillows because that's just... regular growth. It's the mathematical equivalent of calling a hamster a "miniature grizzly bear."