100 people have subscribed to a publication about uselessness. We find that wonderfully contradictory.

Useful Uselessness began as an experiment: could a publication dedicated to questioning utility itself find an audience in a world obsessed with optimization? These 100 subscriptions say yes. Or at least maybe.

What matters isn't the metric but the ideas themselves—reflections on distraction as insight, stillness as movement, and why our best thoughts often emerge when we stop demanding productivity from every moment. Though feedback has been shy and interactions few, 100 people found these thoughts worth following.

A special thanks to our first paying subscribers. The fact that anyone would pay for a publication about uselessness contains its own delightful irony—a validation we didn't know we needed until we got it.

Here's to whatever comes next. Probably more contradiction.

100 essential references for useful uselessness

To celebrate, for our current and future subscribers, here are 100 references curated having "useful uselessness" in mind. Just books, for now, leaving out, a myriad of interesting articles, essays, pieces, podcasts, documentaries. Who knows if the long for idle moments will bring me the will and patience to delve in the useless activity of compiling those.

the philosophy of uselessness & leisure

1. Homer (8th century BCE). The Odyssey [The Sirens Episode]. - The ancient cautionary tale about attention and distraction that established one of Western literature's first explorations of pleasure versus utility.
2. Stevenson, R. L. (1877/1881). An Apology for Idlers. Penguin Classics. - Originally published in Cornhill Magazine before collection in "Virginibus Puerisque." Stevenson's eloquent defense of idleness directly challenges the Protestant work ethic, arguing that seemingly "wasted" time often produces the most valuable experiences.
3. Lafargue, P. (1883). The Right to Be Lazy. AK Press. - Originally published in French as "Le Droit à la paresse." This radical critique of the work ethic by Marx's son-in-law argues for leisure as a right rather than privilege, providing historical foundation for contemporary post-work theory.
4. Jerome, J. K. (1886). Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow. - This collection of humorous essays celebrates the pleasures of contemplation and the virtues of seemingly unproductive activities, showing that lighthearted approaches can illuminate serious philosophical territory.
5. Russell, B. (1935). In Praise of Idleness and Other Essays. Routledge. - Russell's landmark case for working less anticipated many contemporary arguments about work-life balance, providing philosophical justification for leisure as essential rather than supplementary to human flourishing.
6. Pieper, J. (1948). Leisure: The Basis of Culture. St. Augustine's Press. - Originally published in German as "Muße und Kult." Pieper's influential defense of contemplation argues that culture emerges not from productive work but from spaces of celebration and receptivity—ideas echoed in "For a New Definition of 'Work'".
7. Arendt, H. (1958). The Human Condition. University of Chicago Press. - Arendt's distinction between labor, work, and action provides essential vocabulary for understanding different modes of human activity, challenging narrow conceptions of productivity and creating space for meaningful action.
8. Kuhn, T. S. (1962). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press. - While not explicitly about uselessness, Kuhn's analysis of paradigm shifts shows how seemingly "useless" anomalies and outlier observations eventually transform entire fields of knowledge.
9. Corbin, A. (1995). The Lure of the Sea. Penguin. - Originally published in French as "Le Territoire du vide." Corbin's cultural history examines how perceptions of leisure transformed the coastline from terrifying void to therapeutic space, showing how "useless" natural features become meaningful through cultural framing.
10. Ordine, N. (2013). The Usefulness of the Useless. University of Pennsylvania Press. - Originally published in Italian as "L'utilità dell'inutile: Manifesto." Ordine's elegant argument for knowledge with no immediate practical purpose directly inspired the name and concept of this publication.
11. Hampl, P. (2018). The Art of the Wasted Day. Viking. - Hampl's celebration of daydreaming and contemplation examines the lives of various thinkers who prioritized reflective time, echoing themes in "Do This One Thing: Nothing".
12. Muradov, R. (2018). On Doing Nothing: Finding Inspiration in Idleness. Chronicle Books. - This artistic exploration of creative idleness pairs conceptual analysis with visual interpretation, demonstrating how uselessness manifests across different media and sensory experiences.
13. Odell, J. (2019). How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy. Melville House. - Odell's manifesto for reclaiming attention from productivity demands has become a touchstone for contemporary critiques of digital capitalism, resonating with ideas in "On the Beauty of Distraction".
14. Cleese, J. (2020). Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide. - In this concise guide, Cleese explores how idle moments and what he calls "intermediate impossibles" fuel creative thinking, supporting the value of apparent uselessness.

work, productivity & their discontents

15. Haidt, J. (2006). The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom. Basic Books. - Haidt's synthesis of ancient wisdom with modern psychology examines how contemporary work cultures often conflict with deeper wellbeing principles.
16. Davies, W. (2015). The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold Us Well-Being. Verso. - Davies' examination of how happiness has been commodified reveals the market forces that transform wellbeing into productivity metrics.
17. Han, B. C. (2010/2015). The Burnout Society. Stanford University Press. - Originally published in German as "Müdigkeitsgesellschaft." Han's analysis of how achievement society leads to burnout directly informs "A Cartography of Tiredness" and "For a New Definition of 'Work'".
18. Graeber, D. (2015). The Utopia of Rules: On Technology, Stupidity, and the Secret Joys of Bureaucracy.Melville House. - Graeber's analysis of how bureaucracy stifles creativity while providing certain comforts illuminates the organizational dynamics described in "Emotional Bureaucrats".
19. Graeber, D. (2018). Bullshit Jobs: A Theory. Simon & Schuster. - This influential analysis of meaningless work in modern economies connects directly to themes in "The Utility of Uselessness", examining how labor often creates more problems than value.
20. Soper, K. (2020). Post-Growth Living: For an Alternative Hedonism. Verso. - Soper's framework for pleasure beyond consumption directly informs "For a New Definition of 'Work'".
21. Reitter, P., & Wellmon, C. (2021). Permanent Crisis: The Humanities in a Disenchanted Age. University of Chicago Press. - This examination of how the humanities navigate ongoing existential challenges provides context for understanding the broader crisis of non-instrumental knowledge.
22. Price, D. (2021). Laziness Does Not Exist. Atria Books. - Price reframes what we call "laziness" as structural problems rather than character flaws, complementing the analysis in "Good Enough" and challenging fundamental productivity assumptions.
23. Han, B. C. (2022). Vita Contemplativa. Polity. - Originally published in German. Han's contemporary philosophy advocating for contemplative life provides philosophical underpinning for many themes in this publication.

attention & distraction

24. Crary, J. (2013). 24/7: Late Capitalism and the Ends of Sleep. Verso. - Crary's analysis of how capitalism colonizes even our sleeping hours provides context for understanding contemporary attention demands.
25. Morozov, E. (2013). To Save Everything, Click Here: The Folly of Technological Solutionism. Public Affairs. - Morozov's critique of technological solutionism examines how digital "solutions" often create more problems than they solve, connecting to themes in "The (Sad) Story of the Chatbots".
26. Han, B. C. (2017). In the Swarm: Digital Prospects. MIT Press. - Originally published in German as "Im Schwarm." Han's critique of digital swarm behaviors examines how collective digital presence transforms attention and autonomy.
27. Barata, A. (2018). E Se Parássemos de Sobreviver? Pequeno Livro Para Pensar e Agir Contra a Ditadura do Tempo. Documenta. - This Portuguese reflection on escaping time's dictatorship offers cultural perspective on time pressure.
28. Williams, J. (2018). Stand Out of Our Light: Freedom and Resistance in the Attention Economy. Cambridge University Press. - This philosophical examination of attention and technology design explores how digital interfaces capture and monetize attention.
29. Parreno, C. (2021). Boredom, Architecture, and Spatial Experience. Bloomsbury Visual Arts. - This innovative exploration examines how boredom infiltrates architectural production and reception from the 19th century to present day. Parreno reveals how the ubiquitous modern experience of boredom creates a unique lens for understanding spatial relationships, architectural history, and the normalization of specific emotional states within built environments.
30. The Friends of Attention (2022). Twelve Theses on Attention. n+1 Journal. - This manifesto confronting the pathologies of the attention economy represents emerging collective resistance to attention exploitation.
31. Burnett, D. G., & Smith, J. E. H. (Eds.). (2023). Scenes of Attention: Essays on Mind, Time, and the Senses.Columbia University Press. - This interdisciplinary investigation of attention offers historical and philosophical perspectives that deepen understanding of attention as a cultural practice.
32. Burnett, D. G. (2023). On Attention: Lessons from the Intelligence Coup of the Century. Princeton University Press. - Burnett's analysis of attention as an extractive resource examines how attention harvesting operates across various domains.
33. Odell, J. (2023). Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock. Random House. - Odell's exploration of alternative time conceptions beyond productivity metrics connects directly to themes in "For a New Definition of 'Work'".
34. Santos, A. V. (2023). Atenção na Era da Distracção. Contraponto. - This Portuguese perspective on attention challenges offers cultural context for understanding attention dynamics beyond Anglophone discourse.

conversation & human connection

35. Buber, M. (1923/1937). I and Thou. Scribner. - Originally published in German as "Ich und Du." This classic philosophical work on genuine human encounter establishes the distinction between I-It and I-Thou relationships central to "Time, Gravity, and Conversations".
36. Bion, W. R. (1961). Experiences in Groups: And Other Papers. Routledge. - Bion's psychoanalytic understanding of group dynamics informs several essays' examination of organizational behavior, particularly "The Conversations of Lovers and Teams".
37. Rogers, C. (1961). On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy. Mariner Books. - Rogers' humanistic approach to authentic being provides psychological underpinning for ideas about genuine presence explored in "Silence, Conversation, and Intimacy".
38. de Botton, A. (2004). Status Anxiety. Pantheon. - This exploration of how status affects wellbeing examines conversational dynamics where recognition-seeking undermines genuine connection.
39. Miller, S. (2006). Conversation: A History of a Declining Art. Yale University Press. - Miller's examination of conversation's evolution and decline provides historical context for understanding contemporary communication challenges.
40. Schein, E. H. (2013). Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling. Berrett-Koehler. - Schein's examination of questioning as conversational practice connects directly to ideas about curiosity and presence.
41. Turkle, S. (2015). Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. Penguin. - Turkle's analysis of how digital technologies impact conversation provides empirical foundation for concerns raised in "Silence, Conversation, and Intimacy".
42. Bohm, D. (1996). On Dialogue. Routledge. - Bohm's theoretical exploration of dialogue versus discussion provides conceptual framework for distinguishing generative conversation from competitive debate, referenced in "On the Value of Conversation".
43. Alda, A. (2017). If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? Random House. - Alda's exploration of empathy and communication connects to themes about genuine presence in "Time, Gravity, and Conversations".
44. Parker, P. (2018). The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters. Riverhead Books. - This practical guide to creating meaningful human encounters offers concrete approaches to fostering the quality of presence described in several essays.
45. Monteiro, M. (2021). Por Amor à Língua. Contraponto. - This Portuguese reflection on language and thought examines how linguistic precision shapes understanding, connecting to themes about clarity.
46. Paul, A. M. (2021). The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain. Houghton Mifflin. - Paul's exploration of how cognition extends beyond the brain connects to ideas about conversation as collective thinking in "Time, Gravity, and Conversations".
47. Seo, B. (2022). Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard. Penguin Press. - This examination of constructive disagreement provides practical approaches to the dialogue challenges described in "On Political Correctness".
48. Monteiro, M. (2023). O Mundo pelos Olhos da Língua. Contraponto. - This Portuguese exploration of language and perception examines how linguistic frameworks shape what we can perceive and express.

psychology, wellbeing & human experience

49. Frankl, V. E. (1946/1959). Man's Search for Meaning. Beacon Press. - Originally published in German as "Ein Psycholog erlebt das Konzentrationslager." Frankl's classic exploration of meaning in extreme circumstances provides foundation for understanding how purpose transcends productivity.
50. Watson, L. (1984/2021). Heaven's Breath: A Natural History of the Wind. New York Review Books Classics. - Originally published in English in 1984, later translated to Portuguese as "Uma História Natural do Vento." Watson's lyrical exploration of wind's influence on human experience demonstrates how seemingly intangible phenomena shape perception and culture, revealing how natural forces that appear "useless" by utilitarian standards provide profound frameworks for understanding human consciousness and creativity.
51. Fromm, E. (1976/1991). The Pathology of Normalcy. American Mental Health Foundation. - Fromm's questioning of what we consider "normal" connects directly to themes in "No, This Is Not Normal".
52. Hare, R. D. (1993). Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us. Guilford Press. - Hare's insights into psychopathic behavior provide context for understanding organizational pathologies described in "Emotional Bureaucrats". Actually, my graduation monograph was a conceptual study of "psychopathy".
53. Schwartz, B. (2004). The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less. Harper Perennial. - This landmark exploration of how abundance of options diminishes satisfaction connects to themes in "Good Enough".
54. Schwartz, B., & Sharpe, K. (2010). Practical Wisdom: The Right Way to Do the Right Thing. Riverhead Books. - Drawing on Aristotle's concept of phronesis, Schwartz and Sharpe argue that rules and incentives have replaced the essential human capacity for judgment in professional contexts. They show how overreliance on metrics and standardization undermines the moral skill and will needed for genuine excellence, connecting directly to themes about the limitations of productivity metrics in "Good Enough" and the value of non-quantifiable human qualities in "Beyond 'Soft Skills'".
55. Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. - This landmark exploration of two thinking systems illuminates cognitive biases that shape how we perceive productivity and value.
56. Burkeman, O. (2012). The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking. Faber & Faber. - Burkeman's case against forced positivity connects directly to "The Positive Effects of Negative Thinking".
57. Gomes, C. (2019). Coisas de Loucos: O Que Eles Deixaram no Manicómio. Tinta-da-China. - This Portuguese exploration of asylum artifacts examines how objects deemed "useless" by conventional standards contain profound meaning and historical significance.
58. Stokoe, P. (2021). The Curiosity Drive: Our Need for Inquisitive Thinking. Phoenix Publishing House. - Stokoe's examination of curiosity as a fundamental drive connects directly to ideas in "The Curious Middle".
59. Koenig, J. (2021). The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. Simon & Schuster. - Koenig's invented words for unnamed feelings demonstrate how language shapes experience, connecting to ideas about articulation.

contemplative thinking & philosophy

60. de Montaigne, M. (1580/1993). The Complete Essays. Penguin Classics. - Originally published in French as "Essais." Montaigne's pioneering essays demonstrate contemplative thinking through personal reflection, establishing the literary form that influences this publication.
61. Wittgenstein, L. (1953). Philosophical Investigations. Wiley-Blackwell. - Originally published in German as "Philosophische Untersuchungen." Wittgenstein's exploration of language's limits illuminates communication challenges described in several essays.
62. Frankfurt, H. G. (2004). The Reasons of Love. Princeton University Press. - Frankfurt's philosophical analysis of care examines how what we care about shapes identity more fundamentally than productivity metrics.
63. Frankfurt, H. G. (2005). On Bullshit. Princeton University Press. - This philosophical analysis distinguishing bullshit from lying provides conceptual clarity for examining organizational communication challenges in "Emotional Bureaucrats".
64. Dennett, D. C. (2013). Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking. W. W. Norton & Company. - Dennett's thinking tools include the concept of "deepities" referenced in "On the Value of Conversation".
65. Tavares, G. M. (2013). Atlas do Corpo e da Imaginação. Caminho. - This Portuguese philosophical exploration of body and imagination examines embodied thinking beyond cognitive productivity.
66. Han, B. C. (2012/2018). The Agony of Eros. MIT Press. - Originally published in German as "Agonie des Eros." Han's philosophical analysis of love in late capitalism connects to themes about authentic connection in several essays.
67. Bosco, F. (2018). Alta Ajuda [High Help]. Companhia das Letras. - This Portuguese critique of self-help culture examines how apparent assistance often reinforces dependency, connecting to themes in "The Positive Effects of Negative Thinking".
68. Rovelli, C. (2017/2018). The Order of Time. Riverhead Books. - Originally published in Italian as "L'ordine del tempo." This scientific and philosophical exploration of time directly informs "Time, Gravity, and Conversations".
69. Monteiro, M. (2021). Sobre o Politicamente Correcto. Desassossego. - This Portuguese critique of political correctness offers cultural context for "On Political Correctness".
70. Monteiro, M. (2023). O Funambulista, o Ateu Intolerante e Outras Histórias Reais. Contraponto. - These essays on philosophical paradoxes demonstrate how contradictions generate insight rather than confusion.

literary & creative perspectives

71. Camus, A. (1947/1948). The Plague. Vintage International. - Originally published in French as "La Peste." This existentialist classic examines meaning during crisis, providing literary exploration of similar themes.
72. Eco, U. (1984/2007). On Ugliness. Rizzoli. - Originally published in Italian as "Storia della bruttezza." Eco's cultural history of ugliness examines how aesthetic judgments shape perception, demonstrating how apparently useless aesthetic categories organize experience.
73. Kundera, M. (1984/1984). The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Harper & Row. - Originally published in Czech. Kundera's novel examining weight and lightness connects to themes about balancing seriousness and play.
74. Manguel, A. (1996). A History of Reading. Viking. - This historical and cultural exploration of reading practices examines how contemplative engagement with texts shapes consciousness, providing context for understanding attention practices more broadly.
75. Kundera, M. (2013/2015). The Festival of Insignificance. Harper. - Originally published in French as "La fête de l'insignifiance." This novel exploring the significance of the insignificant directly informs "The Curious Middle".
76. Goldsmith, K. (2016). Wasting Time on the Internet. Harper Perennial. - Goldsmith's reconsidering of digital distraction as creativity connects directly to themes in "On the Beauty of Distraction".
77. Berger, J. (2016). Confabulations. Penguin. - Published in Portuguese as "Entretanto" (2019). These essays on art and seeing examine how attention shapes perception, connecting to themes in "On the Beauty of Distraction".
78. Baptista, A. B. (2018). Obnóxio. Tinta-da-China. - This Portuguese critique of contemporary intellectual culture challenges consensus thinking that undermines genuine inquiry.
79. Pereira, R. A. (2018). A Doença, o Sofrimento e a Morte Entram Num Bar. Tinta-da-China. - This Portuguese philosophical humor examines how apparent tragedy can generate insight through conceptual reframing.
80. Tavares, G. M. (2019). Diário da Peste. Relógio D'Água. - These philosophical fragments written during pandemic times examine how crisis reveals essential rather than productive priorities.
81. Smith, Z. (2020). Intimations: Six Essays. Penguin Books. - Smith's reflections on time and meaning during the pandemic connect to themes about crisis revealing priority.

organizations & work culture

82. O'Shea, J. (1991). Dangerous Company: The Consulting Powerhouses and the Businesses They Save and Ruin.Penguin. - This critical examination of management consulting reveals how "efficiency experts" often create more problems than they solve.
83. Schein, E. H. (1985/2016). Organizational Culture and Leadership. Jossey-Bass. - Schein's influential work on organizational cultures provides conceptual foundation for understanding dynamics in workplace contexts.
84. Senge, P. M. (1990). The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization. Crown Business. - Senge's influential work on organizational learning examines how systems thinking and mental models shape work cultures.
85. Kofman, F. (2006). Conscious Business: How to Build Value Through Values. Sounds True. - This framework for values-based organizations offers alternatives to the performance-dominated approaches critiqued in several essays.
86. Robinson, K. (2009). The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything. Viking. - Robinson's exploration of the intersection of natural ability and personal passion offers alternative to productivity-oriented development.
87. Schein, E. H. (2009). Helping: How to Offer, Give, and Receive Help. Berrett-Koehler. - Schein's examination of helping dynamics provides insight into the challenges of organizational assistance.
88. Whyte, D. (2010). The Three Marriages: Reimagining Work, Self and Relationship. Riverhead Books. - Whyte's integrative approach to work-life boundaries connects to themes about presence across domains.
89. Spicer, A. (2018). Business Bullshit. Routledge. - Spicer's critical analysis of corporate jargon examines how language obscures meaning in organizational contexts.
90. Fried, J., & Heinemeier Hansson, D. (2018). It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work. Harper Business. - This alternative approach to workplace culture challenges normative assumptions about productivity and time use.
91. Schein, E. H. (2019). Humble Consulting: How to Provide Real Help Faster. Berrett-Koehler. - This alternative approach to consulting challenges conventional productivity metrics in organizational intervention.
92. Bogdanich, W., & Forsythe, M. (2022). When McKinsey Comes to Town. Doubleday. - This critical examination of management consulting reveals how efficiency-focused approaches often undermine organizational health.

alternative perspectives & systemic thinking

93. Easterbrook, G. (2003). The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse. Random House. - Easterbrook's examination of the disconnect between improving conditions and declining satisfaction provides context for understanding contemporary dissatisfaction despite productivity gains.
94. Meadows, D. H. (1972, updated 2008). Thinking in Systems: A Primer. Chelsea Green Publishing. - This essential text on systems thinking provides tools for understanding how productivity obsessions emerge from interconnected structures.
95. Han, B. C. (2012/2015). The Transparency Society. Stanford University Press. - Originally published in German as "Transparenzgesellschaft." Han's examination of transparency as a control mechanism illuminates dynamics described in several essays.
96. Emre, M. (2018). The Personality Brokers: The Strange History of Myers-Briggs. Doubleday. - This critical history of personality testing reveals how psychological categorization often serves organizational control.
97. Lanier, J. (2018). Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now. Henry Holt. - Lanier's case against social platforms examines how digital communication often undermines rather than enhances connection.
98. McCulloch, G. (2019). Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language. Riverhead Books. - This examination of how digital communication transforms language provides context for understanding changing conversation patterns.
99. Newport, C. (2019). Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Portfolio. - Newport's philosophy of intentional technology use connects to themes about attention reclamation in several essays.
100. Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. Profile Books. - Zuboff's analysis of how tech companies monetize behavior provides institutional context for the personal challenges described in "The (Sad) Story of the Chatbots".