Aged Cheddar and This is Fine: A Gouda Connection Between American
Cheese Consumption and Meme Popularity

Cameron Hernandez, Aaron Tucker, Gavin P Thornton

Abstract

1. Introduction

This paper explores the tantalizing correlation between
American cheese consumption and the popularity of the"this is fine" meme. By delving into data from the USDA
and Google Trends spanning the years 2006 to 2021, ourresearch team unearthed a correlation coefficient of0.9274959 and p < 0.01, providing a robust statisticalfoundation for our findings. We aim to prove that thefondness for American cheese is not just a cheesy matter,but it has a melt-in-your-mouth connection to the spreadof this popular meme. Prepare to be awed by our grate
discoveries!

INTRODUCTION
The intersection of food consumption and internet
culture is a topic that has often been overlooked inacademic circles. However, in recent years, theemergence of internet memes and their impact onsocietal trends has piqued the interest of researchers
across various disciplines. In this study, we delve
into the unlikely, yet compelling, link between
American cheese consumption and the popularity ofthe "this is fine" meme. While some may view thisas a mere "cheesy" coincidence, our research aims todemonstrate that there may be a deeper, more
profound connection at play.
The "this is fine" meme, featuring a cartoon dog
surrounded by flames, has become a ubiquitous
symbol of ironic acceptance in the face of chaos anddistress. Meanwhile, American cheese, with its
creamy texture and subtle tang, has been a staple ofthe nation's culinary landscape for decades. Our
study seeks to uncover whether there is a tangible
correlation between these seemingly unrelated
cultural phenomena, or if it is simply a fortuitous yet
inconsequential alignment of trends.
By analyzing comprehensive data from the USDAon American cheese consumption and leveraging
Google Trends data on the popularity of the "this isfine" meme, we endeavored to bring forth empiricalevidence to support our hypothesis. The significanceThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchof this research extends beyond the realms ofculinary and internet culture; it also offers a uniqueperspective on the peculiar ways in which societal
phenomena intersect and influence one another.

Cultural History of Internet Memes" by M. E. Meirare notable contributions to the literature that offer
diverse perspectives on the cultural significance ofboth American cheese and internet memes.

As we embark on this intriguing journey ofinvestigation, we invite readers to embrace theabsurdity of our inquiry and prepare for a savory
blend of statistical analysis and internet quirkiness.
Through this study, we endeavor to shed light on thetantalizing correlation between American cheese andthe "this is fine" meme, and in doing so, add a sliceof humor to the often austere world of academic
research. So, with bated breath and a sprinkle ofcuriosity, let us venture forth into this fromagefueled odyssey.

In the realm of fiction, "The Cheesy Chronicles" by
Edam Cheddar and "Meme Wars: A Saga of Internet
Absurdity" by Gif T. Catapult offer imaginative
explorations of cheese-themed adventures and thewhimsical world of online memes.

In the following sections, we will present themethodology, data analysis, and findings thatunearth the connection between American cheese
consumption and the widespread popularity of the"this is fine" meme. Brace yourselves for anadventure that is sure to be a gouda time!

2. Literature Review
The connection between American cheese
consumption and the popularity of the "this is fine"meme has been a subject of limited academic
inquiry. As such, the current literature review aims tosynthesize existing research, both serious andwhimsical, in order to contextualize and build upon
the findings of this intriguing study.
Smith, in "The Cultural Significance of American
Cheese in the 21st Century," explores the historicaland sociocultural influences that have cemented
American cheese as a quintessential ingredient in thenation's cuisine. Doe, in "A Cheesy Affair: The
Neuroscience of Cheese Cravings," delves into thefascinating neural pathways associated with cheese
consumption and its effects on human behavior.
Meanwhile, Jones presents a thought-provoking
analysis in "Memes and Modernity," dissecting theevolution of internet memes and their impact oncontemporary culture.
Moving beyond the scholarly works, let us consider
some non-fiction books that may provide insightfulcontext to our investigation. "Cheese and the Art ofMemery" by Brie Feta and "The Fine Line: A

Furthermore, in the spirit of light-hearted musings,
we must not overlook the animated influences thathave permeated our cultural consciousness. Viewersof "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the WereRabbit" and "SpongeBob SquarePants" may findunexpected resonances with our investigation, as
both feature remarkable instances of cheese-centric
narratives intertwined with comical chaos – perhaps
akin to the "this is fine" meme itself!
In sum, the existing literature, both scholarly andimaginative, provides an intriguing backdrop for ourexamination of the potential connections between
American cheese consumption and the widespread
popularity of the "this is fine" meme. As we progressto the empirical analysis, let us carry with us theinsights gleaned from these diverse sources, framing
our investigation within the broader tapestry ofcultural and culinary discourse.

3. Methodology
Sampling Procedure:
The sampling technique adopted for this research
involved a meticulous review of American cheese
consumption data from the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) spanning theyears 2006 to 2021. The data were meticulously
selected to encompass a diverse range of cheeserelated consumption patterns across different regionsof the United States. To add a touch of whimsy to
the research, we also employed Google Trends tocapture the ebbs and flows of the "this is fine"meme's popularity during the same time frame. Thisapproach allowed us to simultaneously indulge inthe serious business of statistical analysis whilesavoring the delightfully quirky world of internet
memes.

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchData Collection:
The data pertaining to American cheese
consumption were compiled by sifting throughdetailed reports from the USDA, encompassing
cheese production, imports, and domestic
consumption. In a similar vein, Google Trends
offered a digital cornucopia of meme-related
metrics, enabling the capture of search interest andregional popularity of the "this is fine" meme. To
ensure a comprehensive understanding, a variety ofcheese-relatedandmeme-centric
keywordcombinations
wereexplored.
Our
team'scommitment to this endeavor was as unwavering asa block of aged cheddar!
Data Analysis:Upon collection of the data, a series of robust
statistical analyses were conducted to ascertain therelationship between American cheese consumption
and the "this is fine" meme's popularity. Utilizing therenowned statistical software, we performed
correlation analyses, regression models, and timeseries evaluations to carve out a nuanced
understanding of the interplay between these
seemingly divergent cultural phenomena. These
analyses were performed with the precision of askilled cheesemonger, meticulously scrutinizing
each data point to discern any subtle yet delectableconnections.
Statistical Methods:
The statistical methods employed in this study
included Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple
regression analyses, and time-series modeling totease out the intricate relationship between Americancheese consumption and the prevalence of the "thisis fine" meme. The statistical significance level was
set at p < 0.01 to ensure that our findings were as
robust as a well-aged block of cheese, adding asavory touch to the empirical rigor of the research.

4. Results
The analysis of the data revealed a strong correlation
between American cheese consumption and thepopularity of the "this is fine" meme. The correlation
coefficient of 0.9274959 suggests a robust
relationship between these seemingly distinct
phenomena. Additionally, the r-squared value of0.8602486 indicates that approximately 86% of thevariance in meme popularity can be explained bychanges in American cheese consumption. The pvalue of less than 0.01 provides further support forthe statistical significance of this relationship.
Figure 1 illustrates the scatterplot depicting theremarkable connection between American cheese
consumption and the prevalence of the "this is fine"meme. The data points form a compelling patternthat highlights the co-movement of these variables
over the years. As American cheese consumption
increases, so does the popularity of the "this is fine"meme, indicating a positively correlated trend that isdifficult to overlook.
Our findings not only validate the existence of apotent link between American cheese consumption
and meme proliferation but also beckon us tocontemplate the peculiar ways in which cultural
phenomena intersect and influence one another. It
seems that the popularity of the "this is fine" meme
may indeed be linked to the unparalleled charm ofAmerican cheese, creating a fusion of cultural
significance and culinary delight that transcends
traditional boundaries.

In summary, our research methodology combined
the meticulousness of data analysis with thewhimsical allure of internet culture, providing acomprehensive framework for unraveling theconundrum of American cheese's connection to the"this is fine" meme. Get ready for a journey throughthe labyrinths of cheese consumption and meme
mania that is as delicious as it is enlightening!
This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

Figure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by year

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchMoreover, the substantial correlation uncovered byour research underscores the idea that sometimes themost unexpected connections yield the mostintriguing revelations. While some may haveinitially dismissed this inquiry as a mere "gouda"joke, our results support the notion that there is a
substantive relationship to be explored between theconsumption of American cheese and thepropagation of a popular internet meme. In light of
this, we encourage readers to approach theimplications of our findings with the same sense ofwhimsy and curiosity that guided our investigation.
In unraveling the coalescence of American cheese
and the "this is fine" meme, our research not only
adds a layer of humor to the discourse of academic
inquiry but also underscores the underlying
interconnectedness of seemingly disparate culturalartifacts. As we digest the implications of thisresearch, we are left to savor the realization that theworld of cheese and memes is one that is ripe for
exploration and, dare we say, a brie-lliant source ofscholarly intrigue.

5. Discussion
The findings of our study confirm and extend theexisting literature on the intersection of Americancheese consumption and the popularity of the "this isfine" meme. Our analysis, conducted with the utmost
research integrity, has established a robust
correlation between these seemingly unrelated
phenomena. This supports the notion that culturalartifacts, as diverse as internet memes and culinary
preferences, can indeed exhibit meaningful
associations.
Building on the scholarly works of Smith, Doe, andJones, our investigation infuses a cheesy twist into
the scholarly discourse. The historical andsociocultural influences highlighted by Smith arefurther substantiated by our findings, as the surge in
American cheese consumption appears to coincidewith the widespread embrace of the "this is fine"meme. Likewise, the neuroscientific insights offered
by Doe lend credence to the profound impact ofcheese cravings on human behavior, potentiallyspilling over into the realm of internet culture.
Additionally, the analysis by Jones on the evolutionof internet memes finds resonance in our study, as

the "this is fine" meme emerges as a prominent
exemplar of modern digital communication.
Amidst the scholarly delving, we must not overlook
the playful nod to "Wallace and Gromit: The Curseof the Were-Rabbit" and "SpongeBob SquarePants"
in our literature review. These whimsical references,seemingly unrelated to academic rigor, carry
unexpected weight in light of our findings. The
comical chaos intertwined with cheese-centric
narratives in these animated influences mirrors thepeculiar juxtaposition of American cheese
consumption and the "this is fine" meme. Suchinstances of light-hearted musings appear to haveunwittingly foreshadowed the insights drawn fromour empirical analysis.
The striking correlation coefficient and r-squared
value derived from our data not only align with theexpectations raised by the existing literature but alsoestablish a novel dimension to the discourse. The pvalue, indicating strong statistical significance,
reinforces our assertion that the proliferation of the"this is fine" meme aligns with the ebb and flow ofAmerican cheese consumption. As such, our study
entreats both the scholarly community andenthusiasts of internet culture to recognize thepotency of this unanticipated connection.
Ultimately, our research contributes to the evolving
narrative of cultural symbiosis, where the fusion ofAmerican cheese and the "this is fine" memetranscends conventional classifications. As we digest
the implications of our findings, the tantalizing
essence of this correlation invites scholars andenthusiasts alike to savor the interplay of cultural
phenomena with a flavor that is undeniably gouda.

6. Conclusion
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, our research has churned outcompelling evidence of the noteworthy correlation
between American cheese consumption and thepopularity of the "this is fine" meme. The
statistically significant correlation coefficient and pvalue suggest a robust relationship, leaving little
room for doubt about the magnitude of thisconnection. It appears that the "cheesy" allure ofAmerican cheese is more than just a flimsy slice ofThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchcoincidence; it has a gouda-nough connection to therise and spread of this iconic meme.
The r-squared value further cements the strong
association between American cheese consumption
and meme proliferation, indicating that a substantial
86% of the variance in meme popularity can beexplained by changes in American cheese
consumption. This revelation is no laughing matter,though the irony of the situation is not lost on us – ameme about staying composed in chaos finds itself
intertwined with a staple known for its ability tomelt seamlessly into various dishes.
Our exploration has underscored the symbiotic
relationship between seemingly disparate cultural
phenomena, bringing to light an unexpected yettantalizing fusion of societal trends. As we wrap up
our study, we are inclined to exclaim, "This is grateifying!" The world of academia may often be
characterized by its serious tone, but in this instance,
the unexpected merriment derived from ourinvestigation serves as a delightful reminder of thewhimsical complexities that underpin our social
fabric.
In light of our findings, it is evident that theintersection of American cheese and the "this is fine"meme is not to be dismissed as mere happenstancebut invites further reflection on the interplay ofculinary staples and internet culture. Therefore, with
our research serving as a stepping stone, we assertthat no further research is needed in this area - thematter has been thoroughly shredded!

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research