The Journal of Internet Memes and Cultural Trends (2024) 22, 54-69

Available online at www.tylervigen.com

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Hair Today, Like a Boss Tomorrow: The Curious
Connection Between 'Like a Boss' Meme Popularity
and DIY Haircut Searches
Chloe Hart, Alexander Tucker, Grace P Turnbull
Elite Science Academy; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Abstract
In this study, we delved into the whimsical world of internet memes and their influence on the grooming
habits of netizens. Specifically, we explored the curious correlation between the rise of the 'like a boss'
meme and the surge in Google searches for 'how to cut own hair'. It seems that as internet users
embraced the 'like a boss' mentality, they also exhibited a heightened curiosity about taking trimming
matters into their own hands. Our data, collected from Google Trends, revealed a correlation coefficient of0.8707761 between the popularity of the meme and the frequency of DIY haircut queries, with a p-valueless than 0.01. The findings suggest that there may be a lighthearted, albeit significant, relationshipbetween online meme culture and individuals' eagerness to master the art of self-haircare. This study
represents a hair-raising exploration into the unexpected intersections of internet phenomena andpersonal grooming practices, shedding light on the nuanced ways in which popular culture influences ourdaily routines.
Copyleft 2024 Elite Science Academy. No rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Introduction
From memes to manes, the internet is atreasure trove of delights, showcasing thediverse and often bizarre peculiarities ofhuman behavior. Enter the 'like a boss'
meme – a digital phenomenon that haspermeated the online landscape with its
ethos of confidence, swagger, andunabashed audacity. As the meme

continues to strut its stuff across social
media platforms, we found ourselves
pondering a rather peculiar question: could
this surge in 'like a boss' mentality be linked
to a spike in individuals opting to take hairstyling matters into their own hands?
After all, the internet is a place where trends
spread faster than wildfire in a dry forest –one moment, everyone is discussing thelatest scientific breakthrough, and the next,

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchthey are vigorously debating the optimalhairstyles for cats. This led us to thedelightfully skewed world of Google
searches,
where
we
uncoveredaburgeoning curiosity about DIY haircuts that
seemed to align with the increasing
popularity of the 'like a boss' meme.
Intrigued by this unexpected overlap, weembarked on a journey to unravel theenigmatic connection between meme
culture and the quest for self-hair mastery.
In this study, we aim to seamlessly weave
together the seemingly disparate threads ofinternet memetics, personal grooming
preferences, and statistical analysis,
creating a tapestry of insights that not only
showcases the quirky correlations between
seemingly unrelated phenomena but also
demonstrates the delightful absurdity
inherent in the pursuit of scientific inquiry.
So, grab your measuring tape and a dash ofstatistical significance, and let's embark on
this hair-raising adventure into thewhimsical world of 'like a boss' memes and
DIY haircuts.

2. Literature Review
The emergence of internet memes and theirimpact on cultural trends has sparked agrowing interest in exploring the intersection
between digital phenomena and everyday
humanbehavior.
Surprisingly,
theconnection between the rise of the 'like aboss' meme and the surge in Google
searches for 'how to cut own hair' presents
an unexpected harmony between online
humor and personal grooming practices. In
their seminal work, Smith et al. (2017) noted
the entwined nature of internet memes andsocietal trends, suggesting that seemingly
trivial online content can wield substantial
influence over individuals' attitudes andbehaviors.
Moving on from the serious scholarly
discourse, we encounter some fascinating
non-fiction works that, albeit unrelated to the

topic at hand, offer insight into the humanfascination
withself-expression
andunconventional personal choices. In "TheArt of Shaving" by Doe (2010), the author
expounds upon the intricate rituals of
personal grooming, unearthing the profoundsignificance individuals attach to theirappearances. Similarly, Jones' "Hair: A
Cultural History" (2015) sheds light on thesocietal perceptions surrounding hair and its
profound impact on personal identities,
providingabroader
context
forunderstanding the motivations behind DIY
haircut endeavors.
Beyond the realm of non-fiction, a curious
assortment of fictional narratives beckons
us into the realm of whimsy andimagination. "The Barber of Seville" by
Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais,
despite its 18th-century origin, captures thetimeless human desire for sartorial selfdetermination, albeit in a more classicalsetting. Conversely, "The Hairdresser ofHarare" by Tendai Huchu presents acontemporary tale intertwining hairdressing
and personal aspirations, offering a literarylens through which to ponder theidiosyncratic nature of self-styling.
As part of the exploratory phase of ourresearch, the authors diligently indulged inseveral popular TV shows featuring
unconventional characters with uniquegrooming
habits.
The
subversive
exuberance of "Queer Eye" provided avaluable perspective on self-care and thetransformative power of personal grooming,
albeit with a distinct lack of enthusiasm for
DIY haircuts. Similarly, the vibrant world of"Bob's Burgers" introduced us to theendearing quirks of Bob Belcher, acharacter whose inventive attempts at
cutting his own hair resonate with theirreverent spirit of the 'like a boss' meme.
As we venture further into this whimsicallandscape, we are reminded that even themost lighthearted pursuits can unveil
unexpected connections and comedic

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchinsights. The literature reviewed here sets
the stage for our own investigative journey
into the enigmatic correlation between 'likea boss' meme prevalence and thecaptivating allure of self-administeredhaircuts.

3. Our approach & methods
Data Collection:
Our data collection process was as diverse
and eclectic as the internet itself, much likea buffet spread at a research symposium.
We employed a myriad of methods, though
the primary source of our data was thevenerable Google Trends. Like intrepid
explorers navigating the digital terrain, we
sifted through the peaks and troughs ofinternet search trends from the years 2006
to 2023. Additionally, we ventured into the
mystifying depths of social media platforms
and haircare forums, scavenging for any
tidbits of information that could elucidate thepeculiar relationship between meme
popularity and DIY haircut inquiries. In
essence, our data collection resembled asymphony of research, with Google Trends
playing the lead violin and social media
serving as the accompanying crescendo of
curious consumer behavior.
Data Analysis:
To tackle the intertwining web of data, we
employed a veritable arsenal of statisticalanalyses – like a team of Sherlock Holmes
deciphering the cryptic language of internet
trends. Our journey through the numericallabyrinth led us to the wondrous realm ofcorrelation coefficients, where we calculated
the Pearson correlation between the 'like aboss' meme popularity and Google
searches for 'how to cut own hair'. This
riveting exploration of the relationshipbetween two seemingly unrelated variables
left us enlightened, with a correlation
coefficient of 0.8707761. The p-value, akinto the Holy Grail of statistical significance,stood at less than 0.01, confirming therobustness and meaningfulness of ourfindings. We also undertook a time series
analysis to track the ebb and flow of bothphenomena, uncovering the synchronicity of
their rise and fall – a statistical ballet ofmemes and mane maintenance.
Control Variables:
Just as a laboratory scientist meticulously
controls the variables in an experiment, we
diligently considered potential confounding
factors that could sway our results. We
accounted for the ever-evolving landscapeof internet culture, adjusting for the fickle
nature of online trends and the capricious
whims of user behavior. Moreover, we
ensured that any external influences, suchas celebrity hair transformations or global
grooming fads, were carefully monitored
and controlled to maintain the integrity of
our analysis. It was a delicate dance ofstatistical control, akin to balancing test
tubes on the high wire of scientific inquiry.
Ethical Considerations:Throughout our research journey, we upheld
the ethical principles of data privacy andintegrity, treating each byte of information
with the reverence it deserves. We ensured
that all data obtained from Google Trends
and other sources were anonymized andaggregated, safeguarding the anonymity ofinternet denizens while unraveling themysteries of their online behaviors. Ourcommitment to ethical research practices
parallels the Hippocratic Oath of the internet
age, preserving the sanctity of individual
privacy amidst the pulsating realm of digital
discoveries.
In conclusion, our methodology blended thewhimsy of internet meme culture with the
rigor of statistical analysis, creating adelightful concoction of scientific inquiry andlighthearted exploration. Like a gardener
tending to a garden of curious correlation,
we nurtured our research with the utmost
care, weaving an intriguing narrative ofThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchmeme mastery and DIY haircare that defies
the conventional boundaries of academic
inquiry.

4. Results
Our analysis of the correlation between the
popularity of the 'like a boss' meme and
Google searches for 'how to cut own hair'
unearthed some mind-blowing insights –and we don't just mean a few stray hairs!
We found a remarkably robust positive
correlation with a correlation coefficient of0.8707761, indicating a strong relationshipbetween the two variables. This correlation
was further substantiated by an r-squared
value of 0.7582510, confirming that about
76% of the variability in DIY haircut queries
can be explained by the rise and fall of 'likea boss' meme popularity.
Now, before you ask if we've been using anexperimental conditioner, let's delve into thestatistical significance of our findings. Drumroll, please... our p-value clocked in at lessthan 0.01, signaling that the correlation we
uncovered wasn't just some wild fluke. In
fact, it's about as significant as finding aunicorn in a haystack!
And if you're the visual type who prefers
graphs and figures over endless streams ofnumbers (we don't judge – we're partial to agood scatterplot ourselves), we've got you
covered. Feast your eyes on Fig. 1, which
captures the unmistakable relationshipbetween 'like a boss' meme popularity andsearches for hair a-dos and hair don’ts. It'sa thing of beauty, much like a well-chiseledhairline – if we do say so ourselves!

Figure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by year

In summary, our findings suggest that as the'like a boss' meme gained traction in thevirtual realm, a surge in individuals' interestin DIY haircut techniques followed suit. This
peculiar correlation points to the possibility
that meme culture may have a surprising
impact on personal grooming habits. So, thenext time you're contemplating a daring
hairstyle transformation, remember that it
might just be the 'like a boss' meme
whispering
styling
tips
into
your
subconscious.

5. Discussion
Well, well, well, look at what we've stumbled
upon – a correlation so bizarre andintriguing, it's almost as astonishing asfinding a shampoo that actually delivers on
its promises! Our findings not only
supported the prior research, but they alsobrought to light the delightful dance between
the 'like a boss' meme and the peculiar
proclivity for self-styling antics.
First off, let's revisit our scholarly journey
into the realms of the literature review.
Remember the hair-raising seriousness that
we lent to Smith et al.'s (2017) work on
internet memes and societal trends? It turns
out the joke's on us because they were onto
something pretty substantial! Our resultsalign with their notion that seemingly
innocuous online content can indeed swayhuman behavior. Who would've thought that

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

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

a meme could have more influence on DIY
haircuts than an actual hair tutorial?
And how can we forget the whimsicaldiversion into the literary world, where wepondered the timeless desire for sartorial
self-determination in "The Barber ofSeville"? Little did we suspect that a
centuries-old story would find resonance inour contemporary fascination with DIY
haircuts inspired by a meme. As for "The
Hairdresser of Harare," let's just say it's not
too far-fetched to imagine the characters
googling 'how to cut own hair' when facedwith a hair-raising dilemma.
Bringing the spotlight back to our results, it's
worth noting that our correlation coefficient
was as pronounced as Einstein's unruly
hair, capturing a strong relationship between
meme popularity and self-barbering intrigue.
And don't get us started on the p-value – wewere more excited about it than a scientist
stumbling upon the elusive Higgs-boson
particle! It's hard to deny the significance ofa correlation when the p-value is lower thanthe chances of finding a spelling mistake ina dictionary.
In conclusion... Oh wait, we haven't reachedthat part yet! So, for now, let's revel in theunexpected interconnectedness of internet
culture and grooming behaviors, wherememes have more influence on our haircuts
than any fashion magazine. It seems ourhair-razing correlations have uncovered afascinating intersection between online jest
and real-life styling choices. Who knew thata meme could be a cut above the rest in
shaping our DIY haircare whims?

gripped by a mane attraction to mastering
the art of self-haircare. It seems that when it
comes to hair-styling, meme culture may be
cutting-edge, influencing individuals to takethe shears into their own hands.
As researcher-hairdressers, we mustacknowledge that our study has not only
untangled the curious connection between
meme popularity and DIY haircuts but has
also showcased the whimsical side ofscientific inquiry. This quest for correlations
took us on a rollercoaster ride, sweeping us
through the tangled underbrush of internet
trends and statistical significance – much
like trying to brush out a stubborn knot inyour hair.
Although our findings have shed light on thisamusing correlation, it's safe to say we'vereached the pinnacle of 'enough is enough'in this area of research. It's time to untangle
our statistical software from this hairy
situation and let the 'like a boss' meme and
DIY haircut searches coexist in peace, freefrom further probing. After all, as they say inthe world of hair and memes, "cut it out withthe stats, we've reached peak correlation!"
So, let's bid adieu to this follicular fiesta andleave you with the wise words of statisticalstyling – sometimes, it's best to letcorrelations grow wild and free, like aluscious mane, without subjecting them tofurther teasing and scrutinizing.

6. Conclusion
In conclusion, the hair-raising correlation we
identified between the 'like a boss' meme
and DIY haircut searches is nothing short ofa follicular phenomenon! Our findings
suggest that as internet users embraced the'like a boss' mentality, they were alsoThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research