Earth To National Geographic: This isn't Geography
2006-05-04 23:09 - Rants
I just saw a link to the "2006 National Geographic Roper Survey of Geographic Literacy". I put that in quotes because, as I'm about to explain, this survey is barely related to geography. It's quite disappointing, National Geographic. What's up?
What is geography anyways? Well, the Oxford English Dictionary says that it's:
noun
1 the study of the physical features of the earth and of human activity as it relates to these.
2 the relative arrangement of places and physical features.
Thing is, the questions don't relate to geography, except in tenuous remoteness. So, let's go over the questions in this survey.
- Question 1:
Which of the following ranges contains the correct population of the United States today?
Nope, this is really more demography (distribution of populations) than geography. - Question 2:
Which of these cities is the setting for the original television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation?
Television!?! Where is a television show set? This is not geography! - Question 3:
In which of these countries did a catastrophic earthquake occur in October 2005, killing over 70,000 people?
Off again. It's history this time. (A chronological record of significant events.) - Question 4:
In 2004, what percentage of population growth in the U.S. was due to immigration?
This is more demography than #1 was, and a dash of history. - Question 5:
In which of these countries is a majority of the population Muslim?
Sure, why don't we throw religion into the mix? - Question 6:
Which of the following was not a significant contributing factor in Hurricane Katrina's impact on the city of New Orleans?
Err, fellows, this is weather. - Question 7:
If it is noon in New York, New York, what time is it in Los Angeles, California?
It's time to get out a bloodhound to find the questions about geography, not time zones. - Question 8:
Which language is spoken by the most people in the world as their primary language?
Demography, again, with a linguistic flair. - Question 9:
The most heavily fortified border in the world exists between which two countries?
Between the countries of politics and history perhaps? - Question 10:
Which of these countries is the world's largest exporter of goods and services measured in dollar value?
A change of pace, we get some economics to liven things up. (Distribution ... of goods and services.) - Question 11:
Which city would be LEAST likely to be threatened by a tsunami?
Starting the question with "which city" does not geography make, this is meteorology. (The study of ... weather forecasting.) - Question 12:
World health officials are very concerned about a particular strain of avian flu. Which continent did that strain of flu come from originally?
Again the feeble attempt at turning a topic towards geography with the phrase "which continent". But this question is about the flu, and the history surrounding it. - Question 13:
How does the size of the population of China compare to the population of the United States?
Guys, guys, demography is not geography! Not even the part concerning distribution of populations! - Question 14:
A person is able to wear lightweight clothing all year round. He probably lives near the...
We're getting a little closer. This is, hmm, half geography? I think it's safe to say that a general familiarity with geography will tell you the equator is warm, and it's a minor logical deduction to imply the lightweight clothing. - Question 15:
Which of the following countries is the world's largest consumer of oil?
Oops! We slipped back into economics! - Question 16:
On which continent is Colombia located?
Whoa, almost didn't expect that one! It's a question about geography! - Question 17:
On which continent is Sudan located?
Ah .. "on which continent" again? Well yes, that is geography. - Question 18:
On which continent are the Alps?
Another which continent question. - Question 19:
On which continent is Sri Lanka located?
Bet you weren't expecting a fourth which continent question in a row? Were you? - Question 20:
On which continent is the Amazon rain forest?
Well don't I have a surprise for you: there's five in a row!
So what are we to deduce? One: The magazine called "National Geographic" doesn't understand what is and is not geography. Two: if you read through all the survey answers: Americans 18-24 are largely morons. Thank goodness I'm 25, because those kids only got 8 questions over 50% right: numbers 7, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20. Of course, they got 3 of the 5 actual "geography" questions. I on the other hand got 18 right, missing 4 and 20 (doh, I knew 20!).
2006-05-05 09:24 - kathaclysm
Let's take a look at another definition: Geography is the study of the Earth and its features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including human life and the effects of human activity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography
Geography isn't just where some country is located on a map, it includes all of the above things that these questions pertain to. Just look at what geography majors need to study:
http://geography.richmond.edu/
I see nothing wrong with National Geographic's questions, and I do tend to think that a bunch of people who have obviously studied their field, and who work for such a highly acclaimed magazine do know a little more about the subject than the rest of us.