Kirkcorrelated

Kirkcorrelated refers to a humorous and internet-born term that emerged from a meme involving the fictional character Kirk from *Star Trek*. The term originated from a 2016 Reddit post where users humorously suggested that the character Captain James T. Kirk from *Star Trek* had a statistically improbable correlation with various real-world events, often framed as if Kirk were influencing or "correlating" with them. The meme gained traction by presenting absurd, coincidental connections—such as Kirk’s appearance in a scene coinciding with real-life historical or pop culture moments—as if they were deliberate.

The concept plays on the idea of apophenia, the tendency to perceive meaningful connections between unrelated events, often used for comedic effect. While the term itself is fictional, it became a popular shorthand for discussing coincidences or memes that frame fictional characters as having an uncanny influence over reality. Similar to other internet phenomena like "Bender’s Corollary" (from *Futurama*), it highlights how online communities use humor to explore absurd logic and shared cultural references.

Kirkcorrelated is not an official term in academia or science but remains a lighthearted part of internet culture, often referenced in discussions about memes, coincidences, and the playful manipulation of fictional narratives. Its usage reflects broader trends in online humor, where fictional characters are occasionally treated as if they have real-world agency.