[toohotatopic]

>Retirees and home owners would riot in the streets.

Letting prices fall even further ...

Regarding the price development:

Prices will fall, because interest rates at 0 means that it is cheap to fund competition. Competition drives profits down.

[onlyrealcuzzo]

Low interest rates have not funded R&D. R&D is at a record low. I imagine this is because perceived growth is low. Physically, a lot of things can't improve a whole lot more from where they are now. We've picked the low hanging fruits of almost every industry.

[toohotatopic]

Improvements are not needed to compete - think mattress stores. Having a better product can be an aid in market entrance, but it is not needed.