Carpe Diem ─ Seizing the Day in a Distracted World

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 book, 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 read, 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.

Roman Krznaric, PhD., is a cultural thinker and writer on the art of living and social change. His previous books, which include Empathy, How Should We Live? and How to Find Fulfilling Work, have been published in over twenty languages. He is founder of the world’s first Empathy Museum and of the digital Empathy Library. He is also a founding faculty member of the internationally acclaimed The School of Life.

Roman has been named by The Observer as one of Britain’s leading popular philosophers. He has given talks everywhere from the Edinburgh International Festival to Google HQ in California. His US media work includes articles in the Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine, and interviews on PBS television and WNYC Radio.