Dear Mr Opinion,

That is impressive. :-)

Dear Aidan,

I'm sorry you have difficulty in grasping the meaning behind what I say. I think the reason is because we come from opposite poles of the educational spectrum.

Here's something to make you smile:

http://www.standard.net.au/story/3347500/the-big-bogan-joins-australias-big-list-photos/

Land rights for gay bogans, eh Jay?

//It's a shaming word and a shameful tag to be given among the people I mix with, many of whom naively think that they can rise above their circumstances and that this is still a society which allows social mobility.//

The term bogan has nothing to do with socio-economic circumstances, it's about attitude. And whilst it may be difficult (but not impossible) for the poor to climb the socio-economic ladder it is really easy to not be a bogan.

Here is my foolproof 5 point plan to Not Be A Bogan:

* Don't read the Daily Terrorgraph, it's a bogan rag. Read some classic literature instead: I recommend H.P. Lovecraft, H.G. Wells, Gulliver's Travels or the Sherlock Holmes stories. At the very least read Harry Potter. This is still possible when you're poor and get all your books and newspapers for free at the library.
* Don't watch football, it's a bogan sport. Watch science documentaries or Dr Who instead. They're more entertaining anyway. This is still possible when you're poor and can only afford free-to-air TV.
* Don't listen to Kyle Sandilands or other bogan radio presenters. Listen to ABC Classic FM and BBC podcasts instead. The ABC is free if you have a wireless; you need the interweb for the BBC.
* If you want a cheap feed, try cooking a pasta bake or a stir-fry instead of having a chiko roll, scallops, beer and chips. I found during my student years that whilst chips and bread was cheap and delicious, pasta and sauce was even cheaper. A rice based diet might be cheaper still, but I can't stand the stuff.
* Don't attend 'Reclaim Australia' rallies. Non-attendance is obviously cheaper than fuel costs/fares, and that time can be better devoted to reading more classic literature.

Does Bon Scott count as a bogan? He personified the good parts of old Australia. He seemed quite unpretentious in an era when the rock star persona was well established.

Dear Mr Opinion,

"I'm sorry you have difficulty in grasping the meaning behind what I say."
There's no need to be sorry for that, as I generally don't have any difficulty whatsoever grasping the meaning behind what you say. On the rare occasions where there's an exception I've alerted you to it.

What you should apologise for is failing to grasp the flaws in your own arguments. And for assuming the fault lies with me!

"I think the reason is because we come from opposite poles of the educational spectrum."
Well I suppose my having a civil engineering degree could be the reason, or at least part of the reason, why I base my opinions on evidence rather than basing it on assumptions and ignoring evidence.

But I'm curious as to what you consider is the opposite pole of the educational spectrum from a civil engineering degree is?

___________________________________________________________________________________

benk,

Bon Scott didn't fully qualify as a bogan because he was born in Scotland. But ACDC is certainly a bogan band.