*The Center for Electoral Meme Analysis and Research
Review
2024 Vol. 14, No. 5, 517-527

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NEVER GONNA VOTE YOU UP: ANALYZING THE
CORRELATION BETWEEN DEMOCRAT VOTES FORSENATORS IN NEW JERSEY AND THE
POPULARITY OF THE 'NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU
UP' MEME
Cameron Hughes, Anthony Torres, Grace P Turnbull
Institute for StudiesThis paper examines the unexpected relationship between the voting behavior of Democrat senators
in New Jersey and the viral sensation of the 'never gonna give you up' meme. Using a mix of politicaland internet data, we set out to determine whether there is a statistically significant correlation
between these seemingly unrelated phenomena. Our team collected and analyzed data from the MIT
Election Data and Science Lab, Harvard Dataverse, and Google Trends, focusing on the period from2006 to 2020. Employing robust statistical methods, we discovered a surprising correlationcoefficient of 0.8303568 and p < 0.05, suggesting a strong association between the two variables.
Our findings provide a unique insight into the intersection of political sentiment and internet culture,and may lead to further inquiries into the influence of unconventional factors on voting behavior.
While our results may seem far-fetched, they highlight the importance of considering unconventionalvariables in political analysis – because, as the meme says, we're never gonna give up finding
unexpected connections in the data.

INTRODUCTION
As the age-old adage goes, "Nevergonna give you up, never gonna let youdown." In the vast landscape of politicalanalysis and memeology, one might not
expect a correlation between the voting
behavior of Democrat senators in New
Jersey and the viral sensation of the'never gonna give you up' meme. It seems
as unlikely as dividing by zero or finding astatistically significant p-value on the firsttry. Yet, as researchers, we know thattruth can be stranger than fiction, andthat the depths of data conceal
unexpected treasures akin to a series of
Russian dolls – you never quite know whatsurprising revelation lies beneath thesurface.

In the annals of scientific exploration,
it is the pursuit of these curious
connections that drives us, much like adetermined scientist in a lab, desperate to
unravel the tangled web of correlations.
Aswithany
goodmystery,ourinvestigation commences with a questionthat requires a Sherlock Holmes-likeintuition: "Could there be a link between
the political landscape in New Jersey andthe lyrical enchantment of Rick Astley's
1987 hit single?" To answer this query, weembarked on a data-driven journey,navigating through political statistics andinternet trends, armed with the trusty
tools of robust statistical analysis and ahealthy dose of skepticism.
Armedendeavored toThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

with these tools, we
explore the hitherto

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchoverlooked relationship between voting
tendencies and internet phenomena, apursuit as thrilling and suspenseful as an
episode of "Phineas and Ferb." Throughour investigation, we seek to shed light ontheunexpectedinterplay
betweenpolitical ideology and digital culture,
unearthing hidden connections in thelabyrinthine corridors of data. While some
may view our pursuit as quixotic, we holdtrue to the belief that the pursuit ofknowledge is akin to a treasure hunt – one
may stumble upon the most extraordinary
discoveries in the most unlikely places.
Our paper stands as a testament to thenotion that, in the world of research, one
should expect the unexpected andembrace the peculiar. We followed thedata's breadcrumb trail, through themaze of information, to arrive at a finding
that, while seemingly absurd, showcases
the whimsical and enchanting nature ofscientific inquiry. Our results may be as
mind-boggling as a riddle wrapped in anenigma, but they serve as a testament tothe unyielding spirit of curiosity thatpropelsus
towardnovelandunconventional empirical connections.
After all, in the grand masquerade ball ofresearch, one never knows which masked
correlation will waltz into the limelight
next.

LITERATURE REVIEWIn the realm of political analysis andcultural phenomena, researchers havelong been fascinated by the curious
correlations and unexpected connections
that lie beneath the surface of seemingly
unrelated variables. While traditional
studies have focused on demographic
trends, policy preferences, and campaign
strategies, a pertinent question arises: dointernet memes have any bearing on
political behavior? Is there a connection
between the voting patterns of Democrat
senators in New Jersey and the popular'never gonna give you up' meme? This
literature review delves into the existing
researchwhile
maintaining
alighthearted,albeitacademicallyrigorous,
approachtouncovering
potential insights.
Smith et al. (2017) conducted acomprehensive
analysis
ofpoliticalbehavior in the digital age, examining theinfluence of internet culture on voter
sentiment. Their study highlighted theimpact of viral content on shaping
political attitudes, shedding light on thepotential for memes to permeate theelectoral landscape. Likewise, Doe andJones (2015) explored the psychologicalunderpinnings of internet memes andtheirresonance
withdifferent
demographic groups, serving as afoundationalframework
forunderstanding
thebroader
societal
impact of online content, albeit without adirectfocus
onspecificpoliticaloutcomes.
Turning to non-fiction literature, "The Ageof Memeology" by Lorem (2019) offers
intriguing insights into the evolution ofinternet memes and their role incontemporary society. Lorem's work
delves into the cultural significance ofmemes, prompting readers to consider
the profound implications of these
seemingly
lighthearted
phenomena.
Moreover, Ipsum's "Viral Politics: The
Digital Influence of Memes" (2018)presents a meticulous exploration of theinterplay between online content andpolitical dynamics, laying the groundworkfor our investigation into the correlation
between political voting patterns andinternet virality.
Transitioning to works of fiction, theimaginative realm of literature offers
unexpected parallels to our researchinquiry. With references to themes of
unexpected connections and whimsicaldiscoveries, "The Curious Incident of theMeme in the Night-Time" by Mark
Haddon (2003) provides a playful nod tothe mysterious ties between seemingly
unrelated phenomena. In a similar vein,"The Da Vinci Meme" by Dan Brown(2003) may not directly address internetculture, but the novel's enigmaticThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchnarrative invites readers to ponder thehidden layers of meaning lurking beneaththe surface – much like the peculiar
connections we seek to elucidate in ourstudy.
Meanwhile, cartoons and children'sshows, with their charming quirkinessandunsuspected
depth,
offer
an
unconventional source of inspiration forour investigation. "Phineas and Ferb," abeloved animated series known for its
whimsical adventures and ingenious
schemes,
capturesthespiritof
exploration and creativity, mirroring ourown pursuit of uncovering unexpected
correlations. Furthermore, the iconic"SpongeBob SquarePants" presents alighthearted yet insightful allegory forunlikely
connections
andsurrealhappenings, mirroring the unexpected
revelations we hope to unravel in our
analysis of Democrat votes and viralmemes.
As we venture into the uncharted
territory of correlating political behavior
with internet culture, we draw from adiverse array of literature that parallels
the playful, quirky nature of our researchpursuit. These references, both academic
and imaginative, serve as a testament to
the multifaceted and zany nature ofknowledge-seeking
endeavors,emphasizing the importance of holistic
exploration in uncovering unexpected
correlations – much like stumbling upon ahidden trinket in the most unlikely ofplaces.

METHODOLOGY
Data Collection:
Our team embarked on a quest fordata akin to a group of intrepid
adventurers seeking the fabled treasureof El Dorado. We scoured the digitallandscape, making camps at the MITElection Data and Science Lab, Harvard
Dataverse, and Google Trends. Ourprimary
focus
wasongathering

information related to Democrat votes for
Senators in New Jersey and theresounding presence of the 'never gonna
give you up' meme from the years 2006 to2020. With the dedication of a relentless
explorer, we navigated through the virtual
jungles of online platforms, uncovering
the buried troves of statistical data withthe vigour of Indiana Jones in a digital
kingdom.
Variable Selection:
In the spirit of alchemists seeking thephilosopher's stone, we carefully selected
our variables with an eye for theunexpected and the unconventional. The
primary independent variable was theDemocrat votes for Senators in New
Jersey, capturing the tempestuous tides ofpolitical sentiment through the years. Asfor the dependent variable, we turned ourgaze to the ebbs and flows of the 'nevergonna give you up' meme's popularity,with the awareness of a connoisseur
selecting the finest vintage. Thesevariables, seemingly as disparate asapples and oranges, were chosen with theunderstanding that, much like a fine wine
and a sumptuous cheese, they mightreveal an unsuspected compatibility whenbrought together.
Statistical Analysis:With all the data in hand, we set out toperform a series of rigorous statisticalanalyses,reminiscentofadaring
tightrope act in the circus of scientificinquiry.
We
employedadvanced
regression models, correlation analyses,
and other sophisticated techniques tounveil the hidden connections between
our chosen variables. Our toolkit ofstatistical prowess was as sharp as a wellhoned
sword,
ensuringthat
ourinferences were robust and our findings
as sturdy as the traditional tale of thethree little pigs.
Control Measures:
To ensure the integrity of our findings,
we implemented control measures akin to
fortifications guarding a medieval castle.

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchWe accounted for potential confounding
variables – such as the influence of othermemes, political events, and online trends– with the meticulousness of a chessgrandmaster calculating their next move.
This allowed us to isolate the uniquerelationship between Democrat votes forSenators in New Jersey and the 'nevergonna give you up' meme, navigating past
the treacherous waters of spurious
correlations.
Ethical Considerations:
In our pursuit of empiricalenlightenment, we maintained a steadfast
commitment to academic and ethicalprinciples, much like the chivalrous
knights of yore. The data collected andanalyzed were handled with the utmost
care, ensuring the confidentiality andprivacy of individual observations. Our
research upheld the noble ideals ofscholarly rigor and integrity, dispelling
any shadows of doubt regarding theethical propriety of our methods.

relationship between these two seemingly
unrelated variables. In other words, themore Democrat votes a Senator received
in New Jersey, the higher the popularityof the 'never gonna give you up' meme.
Furthermore, the r-squared value of0.6894925 suggests that approximately
69% of the variation in the popularity ofthe meme can be explained by thevariation in Democrat votes for Senators
in New Jersey. This level of explained
variation is as striking as a magician
perfectly pulling off a disappearing act.
The statistical test produced a p-value ofless than 0.05, indicating that theobservedcorrelation
isstatisticallysignificant. This means that we can bereasonably confident that the relationshipwe observed is unlikely to have occurredby chance. It's as unlikely as stumbling
upon a unicorn in a field of statistics – arare and unexpected find.

Innovation and Resilience:
Like intrepid explorers braving theperils of uncharted territories, weapproached our methodology with a spiritofinnovation
andresilience.
We
embracedthewhimsicalandtheunorthodox, recognizing that the mostextraordinary discoveries often emerge
from the most unexpected paths. Throughour methodology, we endeavored toexemplify the audacious and daring spiritthat propels scientific inquiry into
uncharted realms, ever vigilant for thenext surprising twist in the tale ofempirical discovery.
---RESULTS
Our analysis revealed a surprisingly
robust correlation between Democrat
votes for Senators in New Jersey and thepopularity of the 'never gonna give you
up' meme. The correlation coefficient of
0.8303568 indicates a strong positive

Figure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by yearFig. 1 displays a scatterplot illustrating
this noteworthy correlation, further
reinforcing the strength of this peculiar
relationship. As we delve deeper into thedata, we uncover a nexus between
political allegiance and internet culturethat is as intriguing as a plot twist in asuspenseful thriller.
Our findings not only add a touch ofwhimsy to the often austere world ofstatistical analysis but also serve as areminder that in the grand tapestry ofdata, unexpected threads of correlation

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchcan weave together in the most surprising
ways. As we conclude this section, wecannot help but reflect on the words ofthe meme itself: "I'm never gonna give
you up, I'm never gonna let you down."
Similarly, our research reaffirms the spiritof perseverance and determination in
uncovering the unlikeliest of connections
within the vast expanse of data.

The correlation coefficient of 0.8303568
and the r-squared value of 0.6894925
reflect a robust association between
Democrat votes for Senators in New
Jersey and the 'never gonna give you up'meme, eclipsing the norms of traditional
politicalanalyses.
Thep-value's
confirmation of statistical significanceserves as a resounding validation of ourimprobable discovery, akin to finding afour-leaf clover in a data haystack.

DISCUSSION

As we continue to ponder the implicationsof our research, we are reminded of theaptness of the meme's lyrics – much likethe refrain "I'm never gonna give you up,"our study reaffirms the perseverance anddetermination necessary to unravel theenigmatic correlations that permeate ourvast dataset.

Our research has revealed a tantalizing
association between the voting behaviorof Democrat senators in New Jersey andthe viral ubiquity of the 'never gonna give
you up' meme. While at first glance, thecorrelation between a political voting
pattern and an internet sensation may
seem as unlikely as a penguin taking
flight,ourresults
have
defiedexpectations
andunderscoredthepotential influence of online memes onelectoral preferences.
Harkening back to our literature review,
the unexpected parallels between ouranalysis and "The Curious Incident of theMeme in the Night-Time" by Mark
Haddon take on a new significance. Justas
Haddon's
protagonist
unravelsunanticipated connections, our study has
shed light on the intricate web linking
political sentiments and digital culture.
The
comicalyet
thought-provoking
ventures of "Phineas and Ferb" and"SpongeBob SquarePants" also resonate
with our findings, serving as cheerfulreminders of the delight in uncoveringpeculiar correlations.
In the scholarly realm, Smith et al. (2017)and Doe and Jones (2015) laid thegroundworkforourexploration,demonstrating the potency of online
content in shaping voter attitudes. Our
results align with their assertions,offering empirical validation to theirprescient insights. Similarly, the literarymusings of Lorem (2019) and Ipsum(2018) on memetic influence in politics
find real-world substantiation in theuncanny relationship we have unearthed.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our foray into thewhimsical world of political sentiment andinternet
culturehasrevealedacorrelation between Democrat votes forSenators in New Jersey and the 'nevergonna give you up' meme that is as
unexpected as stumbling upon a meme ina political debate. Our findings, akin todiscovering a gag reel at a statisticalseminar, showcase the importance ofconsidering unconventional variables inpolitical analysis. The robust correlation
coefficient and statistically significant pvalue underscore the unyielding spirit ofstatistical inquiry, much like a determinedresearcher peeling the layers of an onion
to reveal a surprising result.
It is remarkable to contemplate thehidden threads of correlation thatintertwine in the rich tapestry of data,akin to finding a silver lining in a cloud ofstatistical noise. While these findings may
seem as outlandish as a UFO sighting in abar graph, they emphasize the need forcontinued exploration into the influenceof seemingly disparate factors on politicalbehavior – though, as the data suggests,

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchperhaps we've already hit the peak ofunexpected correlations.
Hence, we assert with confidence,
reinforced by the meme's own promise,that in the pursuit of empirical inquiry,
there's 'never gonna be a correlation as
surprising as this one,' and no further
research is needed in this area.

I hope these offhand remarks and goofy
observations are exactly what you had inmind!

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research