Carpe Diem: Seizing the Day in a Distracted World

by Roman Krznaric, Walter Dixon (Reading)

We've all heard the saying "seize the day." But what does it really mean--and how can we use it to jumpstart our lives? In the age of distraction, carpe diem is more essential than ever, and yet many of us simply don't employ it in our lives. In this thought-provoking and empowering audiobook, cultural writer Roman Krznaric unpacks the history, philosophy, and modern-day applications of "seizing the day" and delivers a rousing call to action for anyone who wants to improve their lives--or our world. Carpe Diem is a far-ranging audio, drawing on everything from the neuropsychology of regret to the anthropology of play, from medieval carnival rites to religious conceptions of the afterlife and early Japanese cinema. Offering food for thought as well as inspiring takeaways, the book examines not just the contributions of great thinkers throughout history, but also reveals insights from the lives of great seize-the-day practitioners including nightclub dancers, war photographers, bored housewives, and committed revolutionaries--offering a wide range of solutions to the daunting challenge of leading a meaningful life.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Sociology, Mental Health, Spirituality

Audiobook

Published June 1, 2017

About the author

Roman Krznaric is a social philosopher who writes about the power of ideas to create change. His latest book is the international bestseller The Good Ancestor: How to Think Long Term in a Short-Term World. His previous books, including Empathy, The Wonderbox, How to Find Fulfilling Work and Carpe Diem Regained, have been published in more than 25 languages. He is Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University’s Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing and founder of the world’s first Empathy Museum. His new book, History for Tomorrow: Inspiration from the Past for the Future of Humanity, is published in July 2024.

Reviews

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krznaric chronicles the history and meaning of carpe diem, the philosophy of “seizing the day” first uttered by Horace. He takes us through the five main ways this philosophy has been interpreted over the millenia. First, there’s opportunity, or “grasping a momentary window of opportunity that may pass and be lost forever.” Here we’re given the examples of Maya Angelou and Maude (as in Harold and Maude), the latter of whom said, “I’m always looking for the new experience. Try something new each day. After all, we’re given life to find it out. It doesn’t last forever.” Second, hedonism, or simply allowing yourself to feel pleasure, ecstasy. Third, presence, which can come in different forms — mindfulness, flow, wonder, collective ecstasy. Fourth, spontaneity, which might involve occasionally blocking out times in which you don’t make plans. Fifth, politics, or joining a mass collective movement when appropriate.

This topic itself is riveting, although Krznaric at times gets too long-winded for my liking. I found the book’s second chapter to be the most helpful, as he describes four different "death-tasters," or ways that becoming aware of our own mortality can inspire us to seize the day.

Live as if You Had Just Six Months Left to Live. Thinking this way, instead of imagining you had just one day to live, “directs our mental gaze away from short-term thinking and pleasures, and encourages us to embark on potentially significant projects that might require sustained attention and effort — but without offering so much time that we are tempted to endlessly put things off or feel no sense of urgency.” This stimulates the authors “to try my hand at new challenges every half year or so…and to pragmatically abandon those pursuits and experiments after roughly six months if they haven’t worked out.”

Imagine You’re Living More than Once. “[W]hatever you are about to do, imagine you are probably going to make the wrong choice and regret it, so make sure you get it right this time. You might feel tempted to repeat an old pattern of unleashing your aggressive or sarcastic side during a tense family discussion.” Also, Nietzsche’s eternal recurrence: “if you are not willing to live your life over and over again, then you’re probably not living it wisely and should make a change.”

Remember the Ephemeral Nature of Life. “Why become attached to material wealth or strive for prestige when, in the end, it is all destined to disappear?” “Recognizing the ephemeral nature of life and that everything is in flux offers an important way of tasting death,” suggesting “not just that our own lives are transient, but that they are composed of an infinite number of ‘little deaths,’ or moments that pass into nothingness.” For example, “Our children grow up just once, and if we don’t pay attention we miss their precious early years.”

The Deathbed Test. “[I]f we project our mind to the end of our life, when we are lying on our deathbed, how would we feel about it looking back?” One guided fantasy asks people to write their own obituary. “Another is to imagine your own funeral and the eulogies that people might deliver.” Another approach is to draw a straight line on a piece of paper, “which represents your birth at one end and death at the other. You then place an X to indicate where you are now. The task is simply to meditate on this for five minutes.” Another exercise: “Imagine yourself at a dinner party in the afterlife. Also present are all the other yous would could have been if you had made different choices.”

[Drick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Austrailian author Roman Krznaric takes up Roman poet Horace's call to "seize the day" and explores its meaning for today's digitized, overly planned, efficiency-oriented world. From his perspective, the importance of carpe diem is the reality, inevitability, and unpredictability of death that should cause us to take a conscious, more intentional approach to living our lives. he discusses carpe diem falling into five broad categories: seizing opportunities, exploring hedonism (better understood as seeking physical pleasure), living and enjoying the moment, fostering spontaneity & creativity, and doing things with others politically. Through the use of the writings of literary and historical figures, as well as his own experiences, Krznaric helps us see ways to live more into the here and now. Some of his thoughts are insightful and brilliant, such as the notion of cultivating creativity or the analysis of modern, internet spurred, social movements such as Occupy Wall Street. Other things like his long discourse on various forms of hedonism and his endorsement of mind-altering drug use, seemed irresponsible given our drug-infused society. While he decries violence, he endorses drug use; that was odd to me. Also, he has a very low view of religion as a source of meaning and purpose focusing only on the rules side of religion and not the spirit-freeing-side. However, his critique of the mindfulness movement being too self-centered was helpful. And the thing I appreciated most was his constant reminder that seizing the day must have an ethical and moral dimension to it; our freedom cannot impose burdens or suffering on others. Altogether this is a thought-provoking book with lots to consider for those seeking to move out of a mindless, humdrum approach to life toward one filled with more appreciation for the wonder, beauty and opportunity all around us.

[Ward Mertens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oogt lichtvoetig, maar dat is schijn. Het boek zegt veel over wat als carpe diem werd, wordt en zou kunnen worden beschouwd. Zijn pleidooi voor een herwaardering van het hedonisme is verfrissend en inspirerend. Een boek om te lezen aan het begin van de zomer en de rest van je vakantie in praktijk te brengen. Want de dag, die moet je carpen.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book that feels like a long, careful coffee chat with a kind and well-read friend. This is the kind of “self-help” book I want.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

We all need to be reminded periodically what is it that we live for and the author does a good job in bringing together the history of one of the most famous verses turned mottos of all time 'Carpe Diem' - 'Seize the Day' with some practical advice and also trying to reclaim the other side of the 'Memento Mori' coin as it has become hijacked by trendy alternative interpretations (the Mindfulness movement) as well as more long-standing commercial manipulations (one click consumerism and trigger-happy indulgences such as internet shopping, Black-Friday sales and so forth). He also tries to bring in more worthy avenues for Carpe Diem, such as social activism, though judging by what he himself dwells on most I think the Carpe Diem aspect that he enjoys most is the festival atmosphere of these movements.
All in all, useful but ultimately forgettable apart from those who really need a wake up call and were not aware of the concept. Towards the end, I think, quite exasperated himself by the long historical and philosophical pursuits, he ends up recommending to his readers to just 'Do it' and 'think later'. I agree. There comes a time when continued reading about seizing the day is certainly missing the momentum of seizing the day, as is reviewing it. Enjoyable for a plane ride to your Carpe Diem destination! 2 1/2 stars

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, wat een fijn boek. Maar wat een fijne mens vooral moet Roman Krznaric zijn. De titel is een beetje muf, jaja, carpe diem, so what, seen there, been there. Wat Krznaric doet is juist het cliché van carpe diem afstoffen en de brede onderlaag aan filosofische gedachten zichtbaar maken. Zijn toon is bijzonder menselijk en licht, zeer pertinent en wijs, erg hedendaags. Ik hang aan die mens zijn lippen en mijn potlood is 5 cm korter geworden van het onderstrepen van menig quote en citaat.
Het komt altijd op hetzelfde neer, durf kiezen, durf kiezen voor avontuur en voor onzekerheid. Onze keuzes maken ons tot wie we zijn, tot ons authentieke zelf. En bij twijfel? Eerst doen, dan denken.
Dit is een boek dat ik zeker nog eens herlees en graag aanbeveel.

[Simon Dobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cultural history of seizing the day and how the idea has been co-opted by a range of special interests until it can be used as a description for almost any practice or commodity. Krznaric has a historian's eye for contradictions and re-purposings, but also manages to draw out a number of practices that might be helpful to readers seeking to make space in their lives. (My favourite is to imagine dying, going to a dinner party in the afterlife, and meeting alternative you's who took different decisions at critical points in your life. Which ones might you envy? Which would you pity? And how do the answers to these questions illuminate how you might want to make future life choices?) Altogether a good antidote to the commercialisation of carpe diem.

[Alex Linschoten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another example of a book that would have been better off as a magazine article. Krznaric takes us through an overview of how 'seizing the day' has been variously interpreted over the years. We begin with death and how death is a great motivator, learn how carpe diem got hijacked (by the cult of efficiency, consumer capitalism and entertainment as addiction), browse the different personality types suited to seeking opportunity and consider the twinned ideas of mindfulness and spontaneity. A quick read. Some interesting moments, but overall disappointing.

[Evi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een eeuwenoude uitspraak herlevendigd in tatoeages en bumperstickers. Maar hoe worden we in het dagelijkse leven alsnog gehinderd echt te kiezen/leven/kansen te grijpen? Via verschillende slogans als "just buy it" onderzoekt Krznaric wat ons tegenhoudt. Een boek dat ik via de docureeks 'Dus ik ben... er nog' van Stine Jensen leerde kennen. Het hanteert een gelijkaardige stijl als de boeken van Jensen, dus geen wonder dat zij hem vond: boeken, films, muziek, youtubefilmpjes, etc genoeg om je in levende lijve onder te dompelen in het plukken van de dag. En dan nu het echte werk: just do it.

[Richard Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a lot from this book even though I wasn't wholly convinced by it, but here's my take on the book in a blog:

https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/...

[Neal Tognazzini · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m interested in the common advice to seize the day, and especially in the ways it is both helpful and also dangerous, so this book piqued my interest. Unfortunately it is thoroughly mediocre - would give it 2.5 stars if that were available. It’s much too long, for a start - the author belabors his points. It also reads a bit like a final project from a college student. A good college student, but still, the author is too excited by his own rather trite ideas, and the narrative is too meandering. A couple of the ideas are interesting, but the whole book could do with a strong editorial hand. Also suffers from a bit of “hey kids get off my lawn” grouchiness about things like social media and television.

[Joel Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offer a perspective on how one can incorporate not one, but all five of the different “seize the day” interpretations into our current life. It raises questions on how we spend our time, or in fact waste our time, and also waste our resources in pursuits that do not enhance our enjoyment and appreciation of all that life has to offer. The author, who is also on the faculty of The School of Life, provides some options and suggestions on how to incorporate the sieze the day mentality. This does not mean living purely in this moment, but to take conscious steps so that one can experience a sequence of flow.

[Melanie Natter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went back and forth with liking this book and not enjoying it too much. I found it a little hard to get into at the beginning, then quite interesting in the middle, and then began to lose interest towards the end. I found a lot of parts to be pretty repetitive and some parts to just not make sense to me. Overall, I would say this was a good book but definitely not my favorite. It just felt to be more of a history lesson at some points than a book to encourage you to seize the day. Maybe I misinterpreted what this book would be so maybe that's on me but it just wasn't quite what I had expected.

[Agnès Denie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aardig grondidee, zinnige kritiek op de hele mindfulness-beweging. Ik ben benieuwd hoe hij naar de wellness-QA pijplijn kijkt. Maar ik miste een scherper moreel kader om te bepalen WAT je moet doen. De wereld veranderen is allemaal goed en wel - maar in wat? Ik verwacht dat hij daar in Goede Voorouder wat meer over zegt.

Sommige dingen zijn duidelijk gedateerd, zoals het impliciete optimisme over Facebook, Twitter en Tumblr (???) om non-hierarchisch te organiseren. Inmiddels is Fb een bron van misinformatie en genocides, twitter een schreeuwbak, en tumblr is bij elke verkoop minder waard.

[Char · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book draaaaged. Firstly I throughly enjoyed the history of Carpe Diem and how you can see it played out in historical moments... but thats about all I enjoyed from this book. The writing felt so slow and the overall point of the book (to inspire you to seize the day) felt nonexistent. Like, this book could've been shorter and just a history of Carpe Diem vs a self-help book and it's would've been so much more interesting and inspiring

[Jennifer Cain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting facts. I struggled with this title. The subject matter seemed relevant for my life and the presentation was not horrible. However, the work seemed overly drawn out. I feel the information would have been a bit more digestible if the novel were less complicated.




* I received this title as a giveaway prize.

[Josh Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This book had some great moments and I really enjoyed some snippets of wisdom and advice.

I liked the focus on how certain cultures look at death constantly as a reminder to live your life now.

As the book neared it’s climax, I found it took a huge downward turn. It felt unnecessary to include all of the political stances and how that would truly be living a Carpe Diem lifestyle?

In fact I thought it would do the opposite.

[Manish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Krznaric analyses the multiple facets of the idea of 'Carpe Diem' and tries to make a manifesto of acting rather than endlessly conteplating and planning one's next move. This could have been a shorter piece.

[Brandon Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love this book. I read it about a year ago, and am trying to read it again in the near future. It gives a great perspective into "Carpe Diem," along with knowledge and history. Great book to do a presentation about, or just further your wisdom of life.

[Ronald House · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author masterfully distills the subject of his book into a Carpe Diem Mandala. This is worth the book in its entirety. I encourage anyone with a passion for day to day living to read this book and gain wonderful insights toward the art of living.

[Dylan Schouppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was afraid it'd be too self-helpy but it was actually a very enjoyable read.

[Ayila Nawaz]

I can't find it working... This app is not working... I hardly want to read this book but it doesn't open...

[Rachel Bertrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Nothing earth-shattering but also not terrible.

[Nicholas Hess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needed a little more here and now to this book! Touch too historical for a book about seizing the day!

[Rhianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book had a couple of sentences of knowledge that was helpful. A majority of it was not and honestly kind of boring.

[Charles Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read - nothing really groundbreaking but interesting nonetheless and approaches the topic from various vantages.

[Tinamarie Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring at times but the final message was good and important in life. It was interesting and unique....

[Martijn Van Vuuren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wel wat interessante delen, maar ook grote delen diagonaal gelezen. Wel erg groot opgeblazen fenomeen.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really well researched and written approach to life and living. I choice, therefore I am. Five sub categories of carpe diem. Fascinating and insightful.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting how this little phrase has been used and abused since Horace uttered it.