Friday, March 7, 2014
Do We Really Seize the Day?
Everybody knows the common saying to go out and seize the day. We often go around saying carpe diem because it sounds both intelligent and optimistic. The saying is the definition of optimism. It is a positive message to send to others and to show a great way of life. Has it become too common though? Has it lost its meaning and definition? Does it serve as nothing more than a cliche to sound sophisticated or does it still hold meaning of optimism? When it is given out as advice, there is a definite chance that it flows over someone's head because it has become so main stream. Can you agree with this based off of your own experience? What does seizing the day actually mean to you? What does it look like?
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"Carpe diem" is definitely a phrase that has become cliche. I think that it has become so overused because people can find true meaning from it. To me, "seize the day" is a phrase of inspiration. It says, go forth today and do the best that you can; capture the moment and all that surrounds you. The meaning behind "carpe diem" has faded and been stomped on with overuse, and people have forgotten or have never realized what it truly means because of this. Its true meaning is always there, however, people just have to look past the cliche and analyze.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the meaning has become very cliche. I do not believe that the phrase "Carpe Diem" has though considering I had never heard of it before this class. The meaning of "Carpe Diem" has become very weak due to its overuse. People do not think about what the phrase means anymore; therefore, it becomes weak. When people hear to make every second count, we just dismiss it without thinking about it. Just the lack of thinking behind it weakens it.
DeleteI believe that the meaning of "Carpe Diem" has been overused, basically to make every moment count. This seems to be overused in the media and in society in general. Not many people use the phrase, "Carpe Diem," as it should be used. People no longer think about what it means. When people do not think about what a saying actually means, it looses its power. "Carpe Diem" is a sign of optimism in my eyes although with many people it is just another cliche. In my opinion, "Carpe Diem" is a phrase that means to make the most out of every second of your life. This may be doing something as simple as doing things that make you happy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Colton that when he says that living to the meaning of Carpe diem is as simple as doing something you love. I also agree that when people use the meaning of Carpe diem it is powerless for most people because they have no clue of the true meaning behind it or they don't truly live to the meaning of Carpe diem.
DeleteCarpe Diem is very unique because it is so cliche, while at the same time it is so misunderstood by the majority of those who use the phrase. It is tossed out in such a way that gives it a reputation of being carefree when in reality, it is about making the most of the life a person lives. I think that Carpe Diem has to be used in the right context with the right audience for it to have any significant influence over an audience.
DeleteI feel "Carpe diem" is defiantly over used in today's time. I believe people just do not understand the real meaning of it anymore and over use it to the max. I see it in teenagers all the time nowadays and they don't say Carpe diem but yolo which means you only live once. I feel that people have come from seize the day which I think means do all you can in a day to be productive, to live your life to the fullest even if the outcome is death. People have moved passed the original meaning to a cliche meaning of what some believe it means now.
ReplyDelete"YOLO" is the one overused. It's a strange perversion of Carpe Diem and is overused by many younger people who use it as an excuse to do things most people would consider foolhardy. I do agree with you that people have changed the meaning of Carpe Diem to something that could entail they seize death.
DeleteI don't hear "Carpe Diem" anywhere except from people that actually know what it means and don't want to say "YOLO". Carpe Diem is slightly overused by those that do use it, though. However, I wouldn't go so far as to say it has become cliche. It may be overused, but Carpe Diem is still iconic, and has more meaning behind those two words than some other quotes or sayings that are longer. I think that it does still hold optimism and power, because when I hear it, I want to make the most out of my day. Seizing the day for me is just making the most out of the day and taking the lessons and everything else and using them in my life.
ReplyDeleteI agree that carpe diem is not to the point of being cliche, and the the phrase has tremendous power to those who know what it means. I think that YOLO does not hold as much respect because it is used in conjunction with younger people doing stupid stuff. Seize the day is more more appealing than you only live once. To me seize the day is much more inspiring and up lifting that YOLO which strikes me more as a threat.
DeleteCarpe Diem is definitely an overused phrase and for that reason it is not used that often anymore. It does not really fit into the generation we live in. But, there is a reason this phrase has stayed around for such a long time. It still holds meaning and importance when used in the correct situation. Like others have said above, YOLO is the new Carpe Diem, but is it really? YOLO does not carry the same air of respect that Carpe Diem does. YOLO is practically an excuse for a young person (hopefully) to do something stupid and having a reason to justify there actions.
ReplyDeleteSarah I like your reasoning. Carpe Diem may not be used anymore, but the term YOLO and other phrase are becoming very cliche. It is the idea of seizing the day that becomes cliche. Now YOLO to some people means to go out and pretty much destroy their lives, but what it should really mean is to go out and work hard. Take advantage of every opportunity and become the best that you can be.
DeleteSarah, I agree with you. Although "carpe diem" and "YOLO" are similar, I think they are very different. While "carpe diem" is more of an inspirational saying, "YOLO" is a declaration; it's a statement that serves as an excuse. "Carpe diem" serves as an inspiration or demand.
DeleteI think that carpe diem has retained it's meaning throughout the years. It has been adapted to the culture and, because of that adaption, it remains true to the original definition while the new adaptation wears out. I do think that seize the day has become cliche, but carpe diem has not. The phrase will ever ring true in the minds of those who go forth and conquer their obstacles. The history behind the phrase is what keeps it alive in a rapidly changing world.
ReplyDeleteI think the carpe diem has retained its meaning very well. I don't believe that it is too cliche or will ever be. I would be willing to bet that if one were to go out into the streets and quiz people on its meaning, that only a few number of people would be able to answer that question. I didn't know what carpe diem meant until last year. Seizing the day is about making the most of every opportunity. Now I agree that everyone always talks about making the most of every opportunity, and that becomes cliche. In order to truly seize the day it requires hard work and lots of effort. Procrastination and laziness keep some people from reaching their potential.
ReplyDelete