[sourcery]

As can plainly be seen in the lower (inflation-adjusted) chart, interest rates vary substantially over time, even after subtracting out the rate of inflation.

Why is that, O ye of great wisdom and sophistication?

[sourcery]

Some people seem to think that risk-free interest rates change only as a function of inflation. I say otherwise. The discussion might prove interesting. Check the thread of replies back from #71 and #72.

[Phaedrus]

As can plainly be seen in the lower (inflation-adjusted) chart, interest rates vary substantially over time, even after subtracting out the rate of inflation.

I see real interest rates gravitating around and tending toward a few percentage points above zero over time, the "real rate of return". The graph thus supports my argument. When inflation was a problem in the late 70's and early 80's, interest rates were in the high teens. Why was that if inflation is irrelevant? You are not winning this debate, sourcery. Why should I keep asking you questions that you ignore?