Design at the individual level: your household as a mini-economy

When I think about systems design, my mind always seems to leap to the largest and most overwhelming problems – climate change, overpopulation, childhood obesity and so on. What appeals to me about this article is how the writers (a married couple) demonstrate how to practise systems design at a tangible and human scale, at the level of their own household. They regularly examine the needs and priorities of each person and pet in their household, and look for 'slack' in the system (that is, surplus time, money or energy) that can be re-channeled to meet those needs; thereby ensuring the emotional, mental, financial and physical health and harmony of all household occupants.

This is systems design that we can all try out at home.

– Priscilla Hough Davies