Roman Krznaric is a public philosopher who writes about the power of ideas to change society. His books, including Empathy, The Wonderbox and Carpe Diem Regained, have been published in more than 20 languages. His new book, The Good Ancestor: How to Think Long Term in a Short Term World, will be published in July 2020, and has been described by U2’s The Edge as ‘the book our children’s children will thank us for reading’.
After growing up in Sydney and Hong Kong, Roman studied at the universities of Oxford, London and Essex, where he gained his PhD in political sociology. He went on to found the world’s first Empathy Museum and the digital Empathy Library, and was also a founding faculty member of The School of Life. He is currently a Research Fellow of the Long Now Foundation.
Organizations
Primary
From their website:
Empathy Museum is a series of participatory art projects dedicated to helping us look at the world through other people’s eyes.
With a focus on storytelling and dialogue, our travelling museum explores how empathy can not only transform our personal relationships, but also help tackle global challenges such as prejudice, conflict and inequality.
Empathy Museum doesn’t have a permanent home. All our projects are travelling, nimble pop-ups – they’ve been across the UK and to Belgium, Ireland, the USA, Australia, Brazil and Siberia.
The biggest deficit that we have in our society and in the world right now is an empathy deficit. We are in great need of people being able to stand in somebody else’s shoes and see the world through their eyes.
Barack Obama
Associate
From their website:
The Long Now Foundation was established in 01996* to develop the Clock and Library projects, as well as to become the seed of a very long-term cultural institution. The Long Now Foundation hopes to provide a counterpoint to today’s accelerating culture and help make long-term thinking more common. We hope to foster responsibility in the framework of the next 10,000 years.
* The Long Now Foundation uses five-digit dates, the extra zero is to solve the deca-millennium bug which will come into effect in about 8,000 years.
Web Properties
Recent Content
Last 50 posts on own channels (YouTube, Podcast, Medium or Website/Blog):
“The most important question we must ask ourselves is: Are we being good ancestors?” So said Jonas Salk, who cured polio in 1953. Salk saved millions of lives, but he refused to patent his cure or make any money from it. His radical rethinking of what we owe future generations should be an inspiration to us all, but it has hardly taken hold: Businesses can barely see past the next quarter; politicians can’t see past the next election. Markets spike, then they crash in speculative bubbles. We rarely stop to consider whether we’re being good ancestors . . . but the future depends on it.
In The Good Ancestor, leading public intellectual, philosopher, and bestselling author Roman Krznaric explains six practical ways we can retrain our brains to save our future—such as adopting Deep Time Humility (recognizing our lives as a cosmic eyeblink) and Cathedral Thinking (starting projects that will take more than one lifetime to complete). His aim is to inspire a “time rebellion”—to shift our allegiance from our generation only to all humanity, present and future.
Recent Videos and Podcasts where Roman Krznaric has been interviewed
Why we need a daily Death Pause, and how about meeting your many alternative selves in the afterlife? 10m video interview with vlog star Professional Wild ChildHOW TO SEIZE THE DAY: interviewing Roman Krznaric – Professional Wild Childwww.youtube.comHow can we truly seize the day, in a world of consumerism, fully booked calendars and the distraction of the internet? THE BOOK:
…Read more
How about some drugs, ecstasy and carpe diem hedonism tonight? Join me and philosopher Jules Evans on BBC Radio 3’s Free Thinking at 10pm tonight. Here’s a sneak preview clip http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p053yzg7’You could have a mindful sniper, or a mindful psychopath’, Ecstasy, Carpe Diem, Hetta Howes on medieval ecstasy, Free Thinking – BBC Radio 3www.bbc.co.ukRoman Krznaric on the dangers of secular
…Read more
Roman Krznaric updated their cover photo.
Roman Krznaric updated their cover photo.
What are the greatest Carpe Diem films of all time? Check out my new micro essay, 11 FILMS TO SEIZE BEFORE YOU DIE. And no, Dead Poets Society is not Number 1. http://www.carpediem.click/08/media.giphy.commedia.giphy.com
…Read more
My new TED talk is out now: How to Be a Good Ancestor Subtitles in 10 languages, from Russian to Chinese. Based on my book The Good Ancestor: How to Think Long Term in a Short-Term World It’s time to become a Time Rebel! https://www.ted.com/talks/roman_krznaric_how_to_be_a_good_ancestorHow to be a good ancestorwww.ted.comOur descendants own the future, but the decisions and actions we
…Read more
1.Our short-term Marshmallow Brain focuses us on instant rewards 2.Our long-term Acorn Brain enables us to be cathedral thinkers It’s time to choose. New animation The Marshmallow and the Acorn launches today based on my book The Good Ancestor. Please share!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QHqVF4aN6o&feature=youtu.beThe Good Ancestor – The Marshmallow and the Acornwww.youtube.com”The Good Ancestor: How to Think Long Term in a Short-Term World”,
…Read more
Roman Krznaric updated their cover photo.
Thinking about death is good for you. Try this thought experiment: The Dinner Party of the Afterlife. 2min video from a recent talk at Brainwash in Amsterdam (it’s in English!)De herovering van carpe diem – criticus Roman Krznaricwww.youtube.comCarpe Diem. Pluk de dag. In de 2000 jaar dat het Latijnse spreekwoord nu op aarde is, heeft het behoorlijk wat aan betekenis
…Read more
9 DIGITAL POSTCARDS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE! To celebrate the launch today of the paperback edition of Carpe Diem Regained, I’m releasing 9 unique digital postcards with inspiring seize-the-day quotes. You can find them and share them at www.carpediem.click Here’s No.1.
…Read more
Ooh yes, existentialism is back in town! Here’s the second of my new digital postcards on the art of seizing the day, courtesy of Jean-Paul Sartre. Please share with anyone struggling with the meaning of human existence…More postcards at www.carpediem.click
…Read more
Roman Krznaric updated their cover photo.
Is it time to create an empathy revolution in China? Here’s how. Chinese edition of my book Empathy: A Handbook for Revolution is just out. Can you help me work out what the cover means?! http://amzn.to/2swNKi3
…Read more
By tradition on Valentine’s Day I repost my article on The 6 Varieties of Love in Ancient Greece, based on my book The Wonderbox. It’s one of my most popular articles ever, with over 1 million views. Which variety matters most to you?The Ancient Greeks’ 6 Words for Love (And Why Knowing Them Can Change Your Life)www.yesmagazine.orgLooking for an antidote
…Read more
‘Carpe diem’ can be translated in many ways. ‘Seize’ the day, for instance, or harvest, pluck or enjoy the day. Which one does it for you? Here’s no. 5 of 9 new digital postcards from my book Carpe Diem Regained. More at www.carpediem.click
…Read more
Top 3 Summer Reads for 2017 from the great George Monbiot via Guardian culture https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jul/08/hot-books-summer-reads-holiday-writers-recommend
…Read more
A giant shoebox appears on Lambeth High Street in South London today. Launch of the new Empathy Museum exhibit on Migration. Here’s an article I wrote about it in today’s The i Paper. Come down and try on some Nike boxing boots!Why I founded an empathy museuminews.co.ukYou are standing in front of a giant shoe box, then walk inside. An
…Read more
RT @Charlie_Hicks_: Delighted that we at @OxfordshireCC have unanimously passed this motion to put the Wellbeing of Future Generations at the heart of everything we do to shift our policymaking from short-termism to long term thinking, inspired by @futuregencymru @WelshLabour @romankrznaric 🥳🎉🌹 https://twitter.com/OxfordClarion/status/1640703828445089794
…Read more
RT @romankrznaric: Very pleased to see future generations visually depicted in the new @IPCC_CH synthesis report. Why should they pay the price for the rich world’s carbon crimes? 1/2 https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6syr/pdf/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SPM.pdf @BMHayward
…Read more
Very pleased to see future generations visually depicted in the new @IPCC_CH synthesis report. Why should they pay the price for the rich world’s carbon crimes? 1/2 https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6syr/pdf/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SPM.pdf @BMHayward
…Read more
RT @CarolineLucas: If political leaders don’t act with greater ambition *now* our kids and grandkids will look back at this moment with such anger & bewilderment. How on earth could it be, knowing what we know, we didn’t act faster when we still had time? It’s the question that haunts me #IPCC
…Read more
Why are companies like Shell like the slave owners of the 1820s? Find out in this 30min talk I did for @XR_Oxford on how we tackle the slow violence of the climate crisis Starts 6:45. Complete with hecklers shouting I’m paid by Bill Gates! @XRebellionUK https://www.youtube.com/live/MenFHej9X38?feature=share&t=405
…Read more
If you want to debate CAPITALISM, start with a clear and compelling definition. Here’s the best one I know. https://twitter.com/KateRaworth/status/1632661786426998784
…Read more
RT @KateRaworth: The incoming Future Generations Commissioner for Wales is prepping with the best book I can think of for anyone who wants to think and act for the long term (and yes, it is by my partner). https://twitter.com/derekwalker_/status/1627606909179002881
…Read more
RT @wearecognitive: What will future generations think about how we tackled #climatechange? Do they have climate change rights? These questions define our time & they’re being asked by people like @sophiehowe & @romankrznaric What do you think? More info: http://ow.ly/1twf50N0pKR #thursdaythoughts
…Read more
A fascinating and thoughtful new book on the extraordinary human capacity for mental time travel – and why we need it to help navigate our turbulent futures. It’s time to switch on our long-term #acornbrain @Adamdbulley https://www.adambulley.org/book/
…Read more
RT @romankrznaric: I sent some reading to the new Future Generations Commissioner for Wales @derekwalker_ What else should go onto his reading list? https://twitter.com/derekwalker_/status/1627606909179002881
…Read more
I sent some reading to the new Future Generations Commissioner for Wales @derekwalker_ What else should go onto his reading list? https://twitter.com/derekwalker_/status/1627606909179002881
…Read more
RT @romankrznaric: How can we be the Good Ancestors that future generations deserve? Join me and members of @XR_Oxford on March 1 for an inspirational evening of ideas, conversation (and good food) about how we can tackle the ecological crisis together @XRebellionUK @XrRebel https://www.xroxford.org/event/act-together-community-climate-talk-by-roman-krznaric/
…Read more
How can we be the Good Ancestors that future generations deserve? Join me and members of @XR_Oxford on March 1 for an inspirational evening of ideas, conversation (and good food) about how we can tackle the ecological crisis together @XRebellionUK @XrRebel https://www.xroxford.org/event/act-together-community-climate-talk-by-roman-krznaric/
…Read more
RT @romankrznaric: Time Rebels of the World Unite! The struggle for intergenerational climate justice is hotting up – lawsuits, citizens’ assemblies, future gen commissioners. Great article @BBC_Future https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230215-should-future-generations-have-climate-rights?ocid=ww.social.link.twitter @sophiehowe @youthvgov @Luisamneubauer
…Read more
Time Rebels of the World Unite! The struggle for intergenerational climate justice is hotting up – lawsuits, citizens’ assemblies, future gen commissioners. Great article @BBC_Future https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230215-should-future-generations-have-climate-rights?ocid=ww.social.link.twitter @sophiehowe @youthvgov @Luisamneubauer
…Read more
Why are we more sophisticated at ordering a coffee than talking about love? Discover the 6 varieties of love in my article at @yesmagazine https://www.yesmagazine.org/health-happiness/2013/12/28/the-ancient-greeks-6-words-for-love-and-why-knowing-them-can-change-your-life
…Read more
RT @romankrznaric: At yesterday’s #nightofideas @ifru_london, the Guardian’s @fionaharvey asked me (a little playfully) whether King Charles might make a good eco-dictator to help deal with the climate crisis. Here’s my response. https://youtu.be/bgxJ5iDv78I
…Read more
At yesterday’s #nightofideas @ifru_london, the Guardian’s @fionaharvey asked me (a little playfully) whether King Charles might make a good eco-dictator to help deal with the climate crisis. Here’s my response. https://youtu.be/bgxJ5iDv78I
…Read more
RT @NewHumanist: We are all responsible for being good ancestors, as @romankrznaric has argued https://newhumanist.org.uk/articles/6073/fighting-for-the-rights-of-future-generations
…Read more
RT @romankrznaric: @ChrisGPackham Jonas Salk, who developed the first polio vaccine in the 1950s, said the great question of our time is ‘Are We Being Good Ancestors?’https://www.romankrznaric.com/good-ancestor
…Read more
RT @ChrisGPackham: We are being cooked , choked and taken to the cleaners . . . if we ever become anyone’s ancestors they will ask ‘what the hell were those mugs doing ? They stood by and let them burn the world’ . . . Shell reports highest profits in 115 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64489147
…Read more
RT @sophiehowe: And what a brilliant parting gift on my last day as @futuregencymru – a Future Generations Bill introduced in the Irish Parliament inspired by our work in Wales. Never think you’re too small to make a big impact! 💚 https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2023/0131/1352979-green-party-commission/
…Read more
RT @KateRaworth: I’m shocked and devastated to hear that the brilliant climate scientist Will Steffen has died. I am deeply grateful to him for so many things – so here is a thread of 5 thank yous (and please feel welcome to add more).
…Read more
To be launched in October 2020. Pre-order is available.