If my memory serves me well, it was Harry G. Frankfurt (2005) in his book, “On Bullshit,” who cautioned against ‘feigning to have what one has not’, explicating the great hazards involved in such a form of bullshit, especially on one’s own material welfare as well as psychical wellbeing. Compared to the former, ‘feigning not to have what one has [or, less than what they have]’ represents the lesser of two evils (Frankfurt, 2005). The latter, after all, does not involve the person’s self-implication into situations where they are ridiculously over their head; nor does it incite the strife to actualize some grossly unrealistic conditions—the result of bullshit notions aiming at deluding the world and one’s own self in regard to one’s circumstances.
Should it be misunderstood, which is not quite rare a mishap (particularly in this Age of the Imbecile), carpe diem could—with irresistible convenience—invoke a stupendous propensity for self-destructive behavior. Alas! Social-media marketing has found its way to profane philosophy and poetry with its stark insolence. It is an utter naïvety, rather ignorance, to anyhow entertain the idea that the Roman poet Horace had ever intended for carpe diem to foster unrestrained extravagance—much less arouse it.
The dictionary translates carpe diem! as an “exclamation used to urge someone to make the most of the present time and give little thought to the future,” (“CARPE DIEM”). Horace would shudder and shrink in his grave had he knew that his words would be interpreted—even worse, defined—as such. He might as well reprimand himself while trembling, saying: “What, by the gods, have I done?!”
God’s honest truth, Horace is indubitably innocent. As a matter of fact, the above-stated definition is an appalling inversion of his intent. Carpe diem is an abstract of a longer phrase: “carpe diem, quam minimum credulo postero,” (Horace I. xi.) (a rough translation of which is, “seize the day, as you put minimum trust in the next [or: that which follows, the future, or tomorrow]”). Therefore, the logical understanding thereof, inferred from the context as a whole, denotes an urge to avail the time today allows in the most efficient manner; since it is already at hand; and, that one should not defer any present task for tomorrow; for, making the most of today is the only means by which one gains the ability to take charge and mould their future (which is, contrary to common belief, an instigation to commit one’s utmost thoughtfulness with respect to the future); lest the latter remains, completely, the subject of undependable fortuity. It flows in similar vein with Abraham Lincoln (AKA, Honest Abe) inference: “the best way to predict your future is to create it”.
Accordingly, carpe diem inherently suggests that it could only be rendered possible for a person to secure the unknown, untrustworthy, and fortuitous future by means of converting it to a premeditated eventuality through the full exploitation of all resources available in the present—in particular, time, itself.
In short, it is an anti-procrastination motto that aims to kindle an unfaltering grind thither a better future, in the present.
Notwithstanding, carpe diem in the reel is a contemporary artistic brush devised to depict the utter bullshit of average individuals—who in reality lead average life—are on top of the world and ahead of their game—all the while leading a fulfilled life, colored with bogus stress-free wildness and mania.
The question, however, remains: Are they genuinely that stress-free and ecstatic?
Feigning happiness is the most intoxicating and malignant bullshit of all, as it inhibits the pursuit of any genuine happiness on the basis of the premise that it is already attained via the simulacrum; furthermore, to seek the former would inevitably shatter the overtly-reveled momentary latter. Nevertheless, the end of every single day has an inescapable moment of truth within its folds, which perforce brews a storm of introspection and self-reflection; which is no less diabolic and frightening to the aforesaid feigners than a walk through the valley of death. In reality, people, whose reel is beyond plausible levels of mundane contentment, happen to be the most disconcerted individuals with a myriad of psychical complexities, in addition to material—namely, financial—burdens, battling inner misery and depression.
Rather than setting themselves on the course towards finding possibly actionable solutions that would mitigate their present issues and avert their future continuity, today, they aggravate the prognosis of their indisposition with self-constructed bullshit; which they hope might one day turn into a factual delusion that would take full hold of their consciousness and subdue their sense of reality; should it prove viable means in duping the world; and, eventually, bring about a hyperreality that would potentially supplant their wretched reality.
No man has ever succeeded in feigning his way through life! Thus, how about carpe diem! in the sense of grinding every day, as if it was your last; consuming as much knowledge as possible today, as if you were to live an eternity knowing that you would lose your ability to learn tomorrow; and, doing as great good as possible in this world in the present, as if your name will either be celebrated or defamed forever, while being privy to the imminence of your hour—considering that it has been predetermined to be any of the twenty-four born in tomorrow. And, above all else, carpe diem! in relishing your present moment with your loved ones instead of consuming your soul in sycophancy and the chase after an unattainable public commendation.
Spoiler alert: Burying their heads in the sand never did ostriches any good! Contrariwise, it offered them on a silver plate to their predators.
Reference
“DEFINITION OF CARPE DIEM.” American English Apple Dictionary. 2021. Accessed 27 July 2021.
Frankfurt, Harry G. On Bullshit. 2005.
Horace. Odes and Epodes. Apple Books; ed. by Paul Shorey; rev. by Paul Shorey and Gordon J. Laing. 65 BC – 8 BC; books 1 – 3 of Odes, originally published 23 BC.
