Dr Bogan No Dimwit

Dave Snell has graduated from Waikato University with a doctoral degree that examined the social habits of bogans, who are typically portrayed as “dimwitted, uncultured, and unworthy of serious academic study,” Snell writes in his thesis. His infatuation with the lifestyle began 20 years ago, and is perhaps best expressed in the dedication section of his 235-page document: “To my dad, Rex, for putting that first AC/DC tape into the car stereo when I was 12 years old.” “Heavy metal has been traditionally viewed as causing problems, by making people violent or drug abusers,” Snell said. “In reality, it can be quite a positive thing, in the way it brings people together.”