useful uselessness: an invitation
why this publication exists
The name came from a love of oxymorons — contradictions that reveal what logical consistency obscures. I nearly called it "Oximoron," but that felt too clever.
"Useful uselessness" captures something I keep returning to: that many of the things that matter most resist measurement. Attention, rest, conversation, doubt — none of these produce immediate returns, yet they're often where real change begins.
This publication is a place to think slowly about things that don't fit neatly into productivity frameworks or self-improvement formulas.
the language of thought
I usually write in Portuguese — you can find that work at the Way Beyond website and with Link to Leaders.
Writing in English creates a productive distance. It slows me down, forces precision, and sometimes reveals what familiarity hides. This publication exists partly as an experiment in that displacement.
It also exists because I've twice started and abandoned an English-language book. Having a weekly deadline helps. If this generates enough resonance — readers, responses, maybe income — the book might finally happen.
who is joão sevilhano
I'm a psychologist and learning experience designer. Co-CEO of Way Beyond, where I work on human development and organisational transformation.
Marcel Kampman once called me an "archaeologist of the mind." Tim Leberecht occasionally refers to me as "the Fernando Pessoa of business writing" — generous, possibly ironic.
My background is in clinical psychology and psychoanalysis. I collaborate with Porto Business School and NOVA Doctoral School, and I tend to think that meaningful conversation is underrated as a tool for change.
I have four children. Family life is not an Instagram postcard. It's a daily confrontation with the gap between what I say and what I do — which turns out to be useful preparation for writing about contradiction.
access and support
Everything on this site is free to read. No paywalls, no exclusive content.
If you subscribe, you'll receive new essays by email — usually on Saturdays, but no promises.
If you want to contribute financially, you can. There's a paid tier (€40/year or €4/month). It doesn't unlock anything extra. It simply supports this project.
Why would you pay for something that's free? Honestly, I don't know. But some people want to, and I'm grateful when they do. This takes time to write, and while it also feeds my other work, direct support helps me justify spending more of that time here.
That's it. No "sanctuary for ideas," no "space where thoughts can breathe." Just essays, written consistently, available to anyone.
contributing voices
For now, this is a single-author publication, despite having some occasional collaborations. If you recognise something of your own questioning in these essays, and think you might want to write here, reach out. No promises, but the invitation is open.