*The Institute for Internet Culture Studies Review
2024 Vol. 15, No. 1, 511-523

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I'M NOT EVEN MAD, SAID RAD, SO WHIP, NAENAE: A CORRELATIONAL STUDY OF GOOGLESEARCHES AND INTERNET MEMES
Christopher Hamilton, Abigail Travis, Grace P Tucker
Center for the Advancement of ResearchThis research investigates the relationship between Google searches for "I'm not even mad" and the
popularity of the "whip nae nae" meme. Leveraging data from Google Trends, our study uncovers acorrelation coefficient of 0.9676349, with statistical significance at p < 0.01, from 2015 to 2023.
While some may scoff at the association between these seemingly disparate phenomena, our findings
suggest a curious synchronicity in online search behavior and meme virality. We delve into theimplications of these results and propose that the interplay between internet culture and user
sentiment warrants further investigation. Thus, we encourage future research to scrutinize thewhimsical world of internet infatuations and their unexpected connections.

In the grand expanse of the internet, apeculiar dance unfolds - not one ofpirouettes or jigs, but of algorithmic
patterns and meme madness. The digitallandscape is a realm where the profoundand the preposterous coexist, where "I'm
not even mad" meets "whip nae nae" in acurious embrace of online idiosyncrasies.
Whileseemingly
divergent,thecorrelation between these phenomena
beckons us to unravel the enigmatic
tapestry of internet culture.

infectious dance moves and irresistible
charm.

The lament "I'm not even mad"resounds across the virtual realm,
echoing from the depths of comment
sections and social media threads. Its
nuanced expression of nonchalance,
tinged with a hint of bemusement,
captivates
theinternetdenizens,
prompting them to ponder the ineffableambivalence encapsulated in those fivewords. Meanwhile, the "whip nae nae"meme bursts onto the scene like atempest, propelling itself into thecollective
consciousness
with
its

The objective of this research is to
delve
into
this
dynamic
interplay,unearthing the underlying patterns that
bind
these
seemingly
disparate
expressions of online culture. Through thelens of data analysis and statistical
scrutiny, we aim to illuminate theenigmatic relationship between user
sentiment and meme propagation in thedigital domain.

As these digital echoes reverberate
through cyberspace, we are compelled toinvestigate their entwined fates. Do thefluctuations in Google searches for "I'm
not even mad" hold some mysterious
influence over the tidal waves of "whipnae nae" phenomenon? Or are we merelychasing shadows in the ever-changing
landscape of internet whimsy?

With a touch of statistical rigor and adash of whimsical curiosity, we embark on
a journey to unravel the cryptic

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchconnections that underpin the peculiar
symphony of "I'm not even mad" and"whip nae nae." Join us as we waltz
through the corridors of internet oddities,
seeking to unmask the peculiar dance ofcorrelation that resides within the realmof internet memes and search trends.

LITERATURE REVIEWIn "Smith et al. (2018)," the authors find asignificant positive correlation between
Google searches for "I'm not even mad"and the virality of the "whip nae nae"meme. These findings suggest a potential
interplay between internet user sentimentand the propagation of internet memes,raising intriguing questions about thewhimsical nature of online culture.
Furthermore, Doe and Jones (2021)
identify a similar association in theirstudy, indicating a notable link between
user behavior and meme trends in thedigital domain.
The literature on internet memes anduser sentiment provides valuable insights
into the peculiar dynamics of online
interactions. As the virtual landscapeteems with quirky expressions and viral
phenomena, researchers have sought tounravel the idiosyncrasies of internet
culture. This pursuit has led to a cascadeof studies, each striving to capture theessence of digital oddities and their
enigmatic allure.
Turning to non-fiction sources, "Memes
and Internet Culture" by Ryan M. Milner
offers a comprehensive exploration of theevolution of internet memes and theirimpactoncontemporary
digitalcommunication. While "The Selfish Gene"by Richard Dawkins delves into theconcept of memes as replicators ofcultural information, shedding light on
the memes' role in shaping humanbehavior and societal trends.
In the realm of fiction, "Ready Player
One" by Ernest Cline presents a futuristic
narrative intertwined with virtual reality
and internet subcultures, providing a

speculative glimpse into the potential
evolutionofinternetphenomena.
Similarly,"Snow
Crash"by
Neal
Stephenson weaves a tale of virtual
reality, memetic viruses, and cyberpunkadventures, offering a riveting portrayalof internet culture in a dystopian world.
Reflecting on childhood influences, theanimatedseries"SpongeBob
SquarePants" features a plethora ofmeme-worthy moments and catchphrases,
contributing to the cultural lexicon ofinternet memes. Additionally, the zany
antics of "Looney Tunes" characters, suchas Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, havepermeated internet culture, inspiring a
myriad of memes and online tributes.
In a whimsical twist of digital fate, thesynthesis of serious scholarship andplayful musings invites us to embrace thewhimsical world of internet infatuations
and their unexpected connections. As wewade through the turbulent sea of online
oddities, we are reminded of thedelightful dance of correlation thatpervades the enigmatic realm of internet
memes and search trends.

METHODOLOGY
The methodology employed in this study
entailed the systematic collection andanalysis of data from Google Trends, fromthe years 2015 to 2023. The primary data
source for this investigation was the timeseries report from Google Trends, which
captures the search interest of the term
"I'm not even mad" and the popularity ofthe "whip nae nae" meme over the
specified period.
To initiate the research process, an
exhaustive search was conducted to
identify the most reliable and relevant
data sources. While this process involved
navigating through the labyrinthine
expanses of the internet, we managed tosecure the veritable treasure trove of
information from Google Trends. Though
the gathering of this data involved sifting
through a mire of internet detritus, ourThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchintrepid
research
team
emergedvictorious, armed with the robust dataset
required for our analysis.
The period of 2015 to 2023 was selected
to encapsulate the evolutionary trajectoryof online search behavior and meme
dissemination. This time frame allowed us
to capture the undulating tides of internet
trends and semblance from the era whenthe "whip nae nae" made its unforgettable
debut to its influence on the digital realm
in subsequent years.
Utilizing a series of sophisticatedstatistical analyses, we quantified thesearch interest for "I'm not even mad"and the propagation of the "whip nae nae"meme. The temporal patterns in online
search behavior and meme popularity
were subjected to rigorous scrutiny,
employing correlation analysis and timeseries modeling techniques.

of gallows humor, we elucidated theenigmatic synchronicity between thesepeculiar internet phenomena.

RESULTS
In parsing through the labyrinthine
depths of internet data, we uncovered a
remarkably robust correlation between
Google searches for "I'm not even mad"and the proliferation of the "whip nae
nae" meme. The correlation coefficient of
0.9676349 suggests an exceptionallystrong positive relationship between
these seemingly incongruent phenomena
from 2015 to 2023. Moreover, the high rsquared value of 0.9363174 indicates thata substantial proportion of the variance inthe popularity of the "whip nae nae"
meme
can
be
explainedbythefluctuations in Google searches for "I'm
not even mad."The correlation coefficient, calculatedwith painstaking precision, illuminatedthe striking association between the
Google searches for "I'm not even mad"and the virality of the "whip nae nae"meme. The statistical significance of thiscorrelation was verified using a p-value ofless than 0.01, indicating a robust
relationship between these seemingly
incongruous phenomena.

Our quest for insight into this unholy
matrimony of internet oddities has yieldeda notable result, and the statisticalsignificance at p < 0.01 further bolsters
the validity of our findings. It appears thatthe cyberspace, ever enigmatic andcapricious,
hasorchestratedtheclandestine union of these two peculiar
entities.

Furthermore, to enhance the robustnessof our findings, we implemented crossvalidation procedures to validate theaccuracy and reliability of our analysis.
This entailed dissecting the data with ananalytical scalpel to ensure that our
results were not mere figments ofstatisticalhappenstancebutrathercompelling evidence of the entwined
destinies of internet search behavior andviral memes.

As attested by Figure 1, a scatterplot
visualizes the prodigious correlation we
unearthed, portraying the covariation
between Google searches for "I'm noteven mad" and the rise and fall of the"whip nae nae" meme with a compelling
resonance. The scatterplot elegantly
encapsulatesthesynchronizedundulations of these digital phenomena,
underlining the unanticipated harmonythat permeates the internet's whimsicalecosystem.

In conclusion, the methodology employed
in
this
study
facilitatedthecomprehensive
examinationoftherelationship between Google searches for"I'm not even mad" and the prevalence ofthe "whip nae nae" meme. Through ameticulous
amalgamationofdata
collection, statistical analysis, and a touch

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

Despite the seemingly whimsical natureof our subject matter, the robust
statistical evidence compels us tocontemplate the profound implications ofthese findings. The digital domain, as itturns out, is not immune to underlying
currents of obscure connectivity, where
the caprices of internet culture and theidiosyncrasies
ofuser
sentimentintertwine with surprising serendipity.
In conclusion, while the association
between trends in Google searches for"I'm not even mad" and the disseminationof the "whip nae nae" meme may seemludicrous at first glance, our researchsuggests a deeper interdependence thatwarrants further scrutiny. We lay bare thisunexpected liaison between internet
search behavior and meme virality, paving
the way for future investigations to
explore the tangled web of digitaleccentricities and their labyrinthine
connections.

DISCUSSION
Our findings not only validate priorresearch by Smith et al. and Doe andJones, but also serve to illuminate thewhimsical nexus of internet culture anduser sentiment. The veritable marriage
between Google searches for "I'm noteven mad" and the meteoric ascent of the"whip nae nae" meme establishes acompelling case for the interplay ofdigital oddities and their enigmatic allure.

Upon revisiting the literature review, theperplexing linkage between memes anduser sentiment takes on a newfoundgravity. The correlation coefficient of
0.9676349 uncovered in our study
resonates with the lighthearted musingsof Milner on the evolution of internet
memes and their impact on contemporary
digitalcommunication.
Indeed,thestatistical robustness of our results
mirrors the replicative nature of Dawkins'
concept of memes as cultural information
carriers, emphasizing the substantial
influence of internet phenomena on user
behavior and societal trends.
Turning to the unexpected juxtapositionof fiction sources, the speculative
narratives in "Ready Player One" and"Snow Crash" acquire a new resonance inlight of our findings. The uncanny fusionof virtual reality, memetic viruses, andcyberpunk adventures illustrates theuncanny dance of correlation thatpervades the realm of internet memes
and search trends—a dance we have
dutifully chronicled in our research.
In the wake of our statistical revelations,the scatterplot presented in Figure 1
assumes a delightful significance. It not
only
capturesthesynchronizedundulations of "I'm not even mad"searches and the "whip nae nae" meme's
popularity but also encapsulates thecapricious harmony that pervades theinternet's whimsical ecosystem. Thisvisualization offers a poignant reminder ofthe clandestine union we have unveiled,urging our scholarly peers to embrace thefairy tale romance of internet oddities andtheir serendipitous connections.
Whereas the mirthful allure of ourresearch subject may elicit chuckles, theprofound implications of our findings
serve as a sobering reminder of theunanticipated prominence of internet
culture in shaping our digital landscape.
As such, our study endeavors to peel backthe layers of internet whimsy, inviting a
deeper contemplation of the enigmaticinterdependence
betweensearchbehavior and meme virality. With this inThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

mind, we carve a path for future
investigations to tango amid the tangled
web of digital eccentricities, teasing out
thelabyrinthine
connections
thatcontinue to bewilder and beguile us in thevirtual realm.

infectious dance without the weight ofstatistical scrutiny, and let "I'm not evenmad" dwell in nonchalant peace, freefrom the prying eyes of researchinquisitors.

CONCLUSION
In the labyrinthine corridors of internet
peculiarities, our investigation has shedlight on the unlikely dalliance between
Google searches for "I'm not even mad"and the meteoric rise of the "whip nae
nae" meme. While some may view thiscorrelation as frivolous, our rigorous
analysis has revealed a robust andstatistically significant relationship, witha correlation coefficient that would makeeven the most stoic statistician crack asmile. The scatterplot, akin to a digital
Rorschach test, paints a vivid picture of
the synchronized undulations of these twointernet
oddities,suggestingaclandestine kinship that transcends mere
whimsy.
Beyond the whimsical dance of data, ourstudy unveils a profound undercurrent in
the digital domain, where the flippant
nonchalance of "I'm not even mad"intertwines
withtheexuberant
exhortation of "whip nae nae." This
revelation challenges our preconceptions
about the caprices of internet culture andthe idiosyncrasies of user sentiment,
prompting us to ponder the innate humanpropensity for connection, even in themost unexpected of places.
As we call time on this curious
exploration, we must acknowledge thelimitations of our endeavor. Our study
merely scratches the surface of theenigmatic tapestry of internet absurdities,
and there are realms of internet
eccentricities left uncharted - from theenigmatic allure of cat videos to thequixotic allure of Rickrolling. While theallureoffurther
explorationisundeniable, we assert that no more
research is needed in this area. For now,
let the "whip nae nae" continue its

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research