Boganomics

by E. Chas McSween

E. Chas McSween has compiled this in-depth historical, sociological, geographic and cultural study that traces bogan culture back to society's very foundation, as well as identifying prototypical and stereotypical bogans through time.

Genres: Nonfiction, Australia, Sociology, Humor

352 pages, Paperback

Reviews

[Martin Beare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unbelievable title but some funny research. The chapters on nightclubs, overseas travel and the media are must reads

[Matt Gosney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Funny and weirdly self-affirming regarding the overall everyday Australian need to consume and promote an 'Aussie' image.

[Russell Murphy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neither sufficiently funny or sufficiently serious, the satire falls flat on its face

[GaiB · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - same joke over and over, lacking in nuance but not in snobbery

[Jason Willson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I believe this is supposed to be an pseudo-intellectual satire piece on the middle and working class (read: "Aussie battler" demographic of the 2000s)but fails to do so with any form of subtlety in its irony. It follows the history of the 'Bogan' super-imposing stereo-types across various historic events before dissecting various socio-economic elements of the cultural group.

Marketing, economics, psychology and sociology are used as frameworks intermittently for the discussion, with some sources made up and otherwise credible sources to lend it authority. Some observations end up being worthwhile, with a few gems on the Australian middle class culture of entitlement and ignorance worthy of further contemplation.

Overall the presentation is heavy on quips and stereotypes to induce interest and humour - putting aside the hypocrisy of the hypocrisy of the satirical writing techniques (it makes the point in numerous forms that Bogans enjoy shallow, critiquing of intelligence in order to boost their own self-worth) the cheap cracks and half truths may be of interest or amusement on a shallow look at Australian cultural identity.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well I found it amusing if a little strained at times. Have not read "Things Boguns Like" which I assume has virtually the same sort of humour (and target audience). Boganomics is really just a book making fun of a very large sub group of people in society. Hardly an intellectual or original idea and certainly not one to be put on a pedestal. That said I enjoyed much of the stereotyping, especially the adulation of vacuous celebrities, of image over substance, and the wanting of instant gratification at no cost (to the bogan concerned. Not sure if the term translates well outside of Australia and New Zealand but Im sure that the creature could be easily identified in most other countries by its attitudes and habits.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious and yet somewhat frightening look at all things bogan. This book traces the bogan through history to the present day and on the way exposes the bogan way of life in all its tattooed, spray tanned, Facebook updating, TV viewing, Pandora bracelet (for the female bogan) wearing glory. The only downside of this book that its authors claim to have written to "educate, inform and entertain people about the perils of boganity' is that the very bogans they are aiming this book at will never read it!

[David L · Rating 4 out of 5]

While largely Australian in jokes, this is most amusing. Unless you are a Bogan.

[Dwight Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very witty and insightful summary of bogans in Australia complete with graphs and pictures.