It is unfortunate that you do did not read the article a little...

It is unfortunate that you do did not read the article a little more carefully.

The writer does in fact acknowledge the period 1980-2000 and therefore your raising of that issue simply repeats the writer's point. There is nothing in your point that has not been acknowledged.

Secondly, you fail to note that the article was written for US and Europeans as he notes towards the end of the article with a warning to them specifically.

Thirdly,the Australian dollar and the strength of the Australian economy is simply a reflection of our reliance on China's boom. Should that temper itself we will be exposed for what we are.....a nation with holes in the ground and holes in the head with no vision. In the meantime I would say that gold has not been a SPECTACULAR investment in Australian dollar terms. Then again neither has the share market for many nor the real estate market going forward.

Fourth, it is interesting to note that centrl banks over the world accumulate useless paper and gold but I do not recall them accumulating shares and property.

Finally, have a look at the 1966 Australian 50c coin. In 1966 it was worth 50c. Today you can sell a 50c coin for $12 any day of the week. That equates to a COMPOUND return of 7.3% tax free until the point of sale. Not too many things have grown at that rate. Not sure how the Australian dollar value of gold has performed.

So if anyone is being ridiculous it may be you in that you have not looked at what has been written and who it was written for. I think it is you that is in danger of being run over by a mining truck.