MIT-CLX-4086, astre-qh/0007741

Chilling Consequences: Uncovering the Icy Relationshipbetween Air Pollution and 'Ice Bath' Google Searches inAppleton, Wisconsin
Charlotte Hamilton, Alexander Torres, Gabriel P Todd
Journal of Quirky Environmental Studies
Cosmic Climate Research Consortium
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Abstract
In this study, we dived deep into the potentially chilling effects of air pollution on the Google
searches for 'ice bath' in the quirky town of Appleton, Wisconsin. We examined over two decadesof data from the Environmental Protection Agency and Google Trends to investigate thisintriguing phenomenon. Our findings revealed a striking correlation between spikes in air
pollution levels and an uptick in 'ice bath' searches, with a correlation coefficient of 0.8671490
and a p-value of less than 0.01. This suggests that as the air quality got frosty, the residents ofAppleton were more inclined to explore the chilling remedy of an ice bath. Our research not only
sheds light on the curious connection between environmental factors and online behavior but also
serves as a reminder that even in the world of academic research, things can get pretty cool.

1. Introduction

The relationship between environmental factors and human behavior has long been a
topic of interest for researchers. From the impact of temperature on shopping habits to the
influence of air quality on exercise patterns, the interplay between the environment andhuman activity is as complex as trying to predict the weather in Wisconsin. In this vein,
our study delves into the chilling consequences of air pollution on the online searchbehavior of residents in Appleton, Wisconsin, a town known for its delightful blend ofcheese curds and quirky searches.
As the world becomes increasingly connected through the power of the internet, people
often turn to search engines to seek guidance, solace, and sometimes just to satisfy theircuriosity. However, the motivations behind these searches can be as mysterious asThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchunderstanding why anyone would voluntarily make snow angels in freezing temperatures.
Our study aims to uncover the icy puzzle of why residents of Appleton, Wisconsin, haveshown a notable fascination with the concept of 'ice baths' in correlation with their local
air pollution levels.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but the phenomenon of 'ice bath' searches provides aunique lens through which to explore the intersection of environmental factors andindividuals' online behavior. It's almost like a quirky, nerdy version of connecting thedots, where instead of stars, we're connecting fluctuating air pollution levels with a surge
in searches for home-based cryotherapy.
Our investigation, therefore, not only aims to unravel this peculiar relationship but also
aims to provide a fresh perspective on how environmental factors might 'cool'ly influence
the virtual footprints we leave behind. Just as a sudden gust of cold air can make you
shiver, our findings suggest that spikes in air pollution might just make the friendly folksof Appleton reach for the digital comfort of 'ice bath' searches.
So, as we dive deeper into this frosty endeavor, let us strap on our scientific snowshoes
and embark on a journey to uncover the chilling consequences of air pollution on the
Google searches for 'ice bath' in the wintery wonderland of Appleton, Wisconsin.

2. Literature Review

Given the frosty nature of our investigation, we first turned our attention to scholarly
works that explore the interconnectedness of environmental factors and human behavior.
In "Air Pollution and Online Search Behavior: A Meta-Analysis," Smith et al. delve into
the intriguing relationship between air quality and internet searches, paving the way forour own chilly exploration. Furthermore, Doe's seminal work "The Influence ofEnvironmental Factors on Human Decision-Making" highlighted the profound impact ofexternal elements on individual choices, akin to how a sudden chill in the air can makesomeone long for a steaming cup of cocoa.
As we stoically sifted through the pages of academic journals, we stumbled upon Jones'
comprehensive study, "The Psychological Effects of Air Pollution," which offeredvaluable insights into the psychological responses to air pollution, akin to how a person
might react upon discovering that their favorite ice cream shop has run out of their
beloved flavor.
Steering away from the serious scholarly pursuits for a moment, we found ourselves
perusing the pages of non-fiction books such as "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art"
by James Nestor, which delves into the wonders of breathing and may indirectly pertain
to the idea of gasping for fresh air in the presence of air pollution. Additionally, "Polluted
and Polluting: The Personal Impact of Environmental Destruction" by Emily McGiffin

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

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enlightened us on the grave consequences of environmental degradation, although it
didn't offer much advice on how to coolly deal with the situation.
We then took a fictional turn and mused over the intriguing connections found in "Snow
Falling on Cedars" by David Guterson, as the delicate dance of snowflakes and serene
imagery evoked a sense of cooling tranquility, not unlike the hypothetical appeal of an ice
bath in the midst of pollution-induced discomfort. Moreover, Gillian Flynn's chilling
mystery thriller, "Sharp Objects," provided an icy atmosphere that, while unrelated to our
topic, gave us a much-needed break from the snowstorm of academic literature.
In an effort to appeal to our inner child, we drew inspiration from nostalgic cartoons andchildren's shows. The power of friendship and environmental awareness in "Captain
Planet and the Planeteers" offered a whimsical yet relevant perspective on the importanceof environmental consciousness, not to mention the always-relevant lesson of avoiding
pollution. Additionally, the resilient and ever-optimistic characters of "Frozen" reminded
us that even in the face of adversity, there's always the possibility of a heartwarming
resolution, or in our case, a chilling correlation between air pollution and 'ice bath' search
trends.
With these diverse sources in mind, we embarked on our own scholarly journey touncover the frosty relationship between air pollution and 'ice bath' searches in thepeculiar town of Appleton, Wisconsin.

3. Research Approach

To unravel the frosty connection between air pollution and 'ice bath' Google searches inAppleton, Wisconsin, we embarked on a research adventure that involved harnessing thepower of data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Google Trends.
Armed with spreadsheets and a keen sense of humor, we traversed the virtual landscapesof cyberspace to gather information from the year 2004 to the futuristic year of 2023.
Our first step in this frigid journey involved obtaining air pollution data from the EPA,
which we then meticulously analyzed for spikes, dips, and the occasional snowflakeshaped pattern. We should note that while the EPA data might have been as treacherous asnavigating a blizzard at times, we managed to weather through the storm and extract thenecessary air quality information for the Appleton region.
Next, we turned our investigative gaze towards Google Trends, where we combed
through 'ice bath' search trends with the determination of a penguin on a mission to findthe best snow slide. By analyzing the frequency and intensity of 'ice bath' searches, wesought to uncover the ebbs and flows of online curiosity in response to the environmental
frostiness experienced by the residents of Appleton.

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchIn a rather unconventional turn of events, we also ventured into the wild, untamed
territories of social media platforms, curious forums, and the occasional polar bearenthusiast group to understand the qualitative nuances of 'ice bath' discussions among theAppleton community. While this foray into the virtual wild could be likened to venturing
into a frozen tundra with nothing but a popsicle for warmth, it provided valuable insights
into the quirky cultural context surrounding the icy intrigue of 'ice baths' in Appleton.
Finally, we employed a highly sophisticated statistical analysis, a blend of chilly
regression models and frosty time-series analyses, to quantitatively dissect therelationship between air pollution levels and 'ice bath' searches. Our calculations were as
precise as measuring the exact thickness of ice on a winter pond, and the results were asclear as the crisp winter air – a correlation coefficient of 0.8671490 with a p-value thatsparkled like freshly fallen snow, signaling a statistically significant connection between
air pollution and 'ice bath' searches.
In essence, our methodology took us on an exhilarating journey through the virtual
blizzards of data collection, analysis, and statistical modeling, ultimately leading us tounearth the intriguing correlation between air pollution and the fascination with 'ice baths'
in the whimsical town of Appleton, Wisconsin.

4. Findings

The analysis of the data revealed a robust correlation coefficient of 0.8671490 between
air pollution levels and Google searches for 'ice bath' in Appleton, Wisconsin, during theperiod from 2004 to 2023. This correlation indicates a strong positive relationshipbetween the two variables, as undeniable as the connection between snowflakes andWisconsin winters.
Furthermore, the r-squared value of 0.7519475 suggests that approximately 75.19% of
the variability in 'ice bath' searches can be explained by fluctuations in air pollution
levels. In simpler terms, this means that the spikes and dips in air pollution levels canaccount for three-quarters of the frozen fascination with 'ice baths' among the goodpeople of Appleton.
In addition, the incredibly low p-value of less than 0.01 provides convincing evidence toreject the null hypothesis that there is no association between air pollution and 'ice bath'searches. It's safe to say that this relationship is as solid as a block of ice in a Wisconsin
ice fishing competition.

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

Figure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by year
Figure 1 presents a scatterplot illustrating the strong positive correlation between air
pollution levels and Google searches for 'ice bath'. The scatterplot demonstrates how as
air pollution levels rise, so do the 'ice bath' searches, creating a pattern as noticeable as abrightly colored snow shovel in a blizzard.
In conclusion, our findings confirm the chilling consequences of air pollution on the
search behavior of Appleton, Wisconsin residents, as they sought refuge in the idea ofsubmerging themselves in icy waters. This relationship not only highlights the impact ofenvironmental factors on online behavior but also provides a frosty reminder that even in
the academic realm, unexpected connections can arise, much like finding a loose mitten
in the snow.

5. Discussion on findings

Our study has uncovered a bone-chilling correlation between air pollution and 'ice bath'
Google searches in the enchanting town of Appleton, Wisconsin. The robust correlation
coefficient of 0.8671490 between these two variables provides evidence as firm as an ice
sculpture at a winter festival. This supports the findings of Smith et al., who highlighted
the influence of air quality on online search behavior, albeit in less frigid terms.
Interestingly, our results also echo the work of Doe, where external factors wieldsignificant influence over individual choices, similar to how an unexpected cold front can
prompt someone to don their coziest sweater and contemplate the invigorating allure ofan ice bath. Furthermore, by observing Jones' insights into the psychological effects of air
pollution, our findings align with the idea that adverse environmental conditions candrive individuals to seek unconventional remedies, much like a sunbather reaching for aparka on an unexpectedly chilly day.
In our frosty pursuit of knowledge, we found unexpected inspiration from non-fiction andfiction alike. Nestor's exploration of the science of breathing indirectly resonates with theThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchnotion of seeking a breath of fresh air amidst pollution, albeit in a metaphorical sense.
McGiffin's exposé on environmental destruction, while lacking in cooling advice,
parallels our quest to understand the personal impact of environmental factors on
individual behavior.
Our findings also bear a curious resemblance to the calming imagery in "Snow Falling on
Cedars" and the chilling atmosphere of "Sharp Objects," demonstrating themultidimensional influence of environmental factors on the human psyche, much like the
myriad layers of snow in a winter wonderland.
Moreover, our results yield a whimsical parallel to the lessons of environmental
consciousness in "Captain Planet and the Planeteers" and the enduring optimism of"Frozen," highlighting the relevance of these unlikely sources in a chilly tale of air
pollution and 'ice bath' searches.
Our study not only adds to the frosty corpus of research on the interplay between
environmental factors and human behavior but also serves as a reminder that even in theacademic pursuit of knowledge, there's always room for a bit of icy intrigue andunexpected connections, much like stumbling upon a surprise snowball fight in the
middle of July.

6. Conclusion

In closing, our research has delved into the frosty depths of the connection between air
pollution and 'ice bath' Google searches in the enchanting town of Appleton, Wisconsin.
Our findings have unequivocally demonstrated that this correlation is as solid as ice, or atleast as solid as ice fishing being a serious pastime in Wisconsin.
It's clear that when the air quality got frosty, the good people of Appleton turned to thefrosty idea of an ice bath with a fervor reminiscent of the excitement around the town's
cheese curds. It seems that when faced with polluted air, the residents didn't simply let itgo - they sought solace in a chilly dip.
Additionally, our results have underscored the influence of environmental factors on
online behavior, proving that sometimes, a breath of fresh (albeit frosty) air can lead tosome very unexpected digital footsteps.
But let's not beat around the snow-covered bush here. Our findings suggest that further
research in this area is as unnecessary as an ice sculptor at an igloo-building competition.
With our results as cool as a cucumber (or rather, as cool as a frozen ice bath), it's safe to
say that this study has indeed iced the cake. Therefore, we assert that no more research isneeded in this area - our findings are as crystal clear as an icicle on a Wisconsin morning.

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research