How does being able to integrate all that random stuff analytically make me any smarter, wealthier, more creative, or better at my job?

I mean, why not a "long division bee" as well? It's just as useful. It would be more impressive to hold a contest for the best (open-source) program to arrive at the answers.

maybe it's not fun for you. it's fun for other people

Because they don't know how to have any real fun?