Skol, I really enjoy reading your opposing views but it's pretty easy to cherry pick stats, i.e.
If I had invested $1000 in the Qantas IPO in 1995 @ $2/share, 17 years later it is worth about $750.
If I had invested my $1000 in 1995 in gold @ $390/oz = approx 2.5 oz,17 years later it is worth about $3410.
Now you may say "Hey, but gold doesn't pay any dividends"
My reply "either does Qantas".
Regards
Pablo