While we do ridicule endlessly question packs
that seem to consist of a large number of what I refer
to as "World Almanac" questions, Edmund is probably
going too far here.
I haven't a clue where the
notion that there is some sort of transcendent
significance to the topics we choose to write QB questions on
originated from. I do know Edmund is not the first person to
imply that there is, and he won't be the last.
In what sense is "knowing" a set of freeway numbers
or airport codes inferior to "knowing" the names of,
say, Bertolt Brecht plays or subatomic particles? I
certainly know which set of answers comes up more often in
real life, and its the freeway numbers by a landslide.
(This does not mean I want a freeway question or an
airport code question in every round, of
course.)
I also take issue with the implication that human
geography (as opposed to physical geography) isn't worth
asking about.