Billion Price Update

For some reason I seem to be seeing a resurgence of inflation scare stories, despite the fact that — gas prices aside — inflation remains quiescent. And along with the scare stories come assertions that the inflation numbers are faked, that the government is hiding the true rate.

So it’s time for another look at the Billion Prices Project, which uses internet price quotes to create an inflation measure completely independent of government agencies. It’s not a perfect match for the CPI, nor should it be. But the BPP index is just as quiescent as the official number:

Of course, maybe they’re part of the conspiracy. Bwahaha.