I thought it would be helpful to come up with a list of DesignThinking Challenges for Economics (similar to the X prizes or Millienial Problems). Just like permaculture has design challenges, so does economics/social permaculture have design challenges.

Heres an initial list.

DESIGN THINKING PROBLEMS OF ECONOMICS:

1. What is the design of an economic system where 1/3 of the food is not thrown away?

2.a What is the design of an economic system where the number of empty houses is not signficantly more than the number of homeless?

2b. How to design a system where the cost of rent and housing does not rise significantly rise faster than the general price of inflation

3a. How to design a system where the cost of repairs is not often more than the cost of the product.

3b. How to design a system that values reuse of products more highly.

4. How to design a economic system where a significant percentage of peoples livelihoods does not depend on producing more stuff in the world.

5. How to design an economic system which does not incentivize artificial chemicals over natural herbs for medical treatment a priori.

6. How to design an economic system that values the preservation of nature?