About Jess & Modern Bullshit

A reformed brand strategist exposes the bullshit of our modern world

Who Am I? What’s Happening Here?

Hi! I’m Jessica Elefante. Modern Bullshit is my little safe haven on the dumpster fire of the internet where I share my writing on the potential loss of things like manners, intellect, free thought, curiosity, connection, nature, morals, ethics, childhood, IRL, & humans due to the ruthless onslaught of influence, capitalism, and the new modern world.

My formal bio is at the end but for the TL;DR of how you might’ve arrived here or recognize my name or face:

I am the author of Raising Hell, Living Well (forthcoming from Penguin Random House, Oct 10th: preorder here!), founder of Folk Rebellion, a reformed brand strategist, filmmaker, writer, bullshit artist and mother.

This substack/newsletter will hopefully bring all of my work together under one umbrella where I can control the algorithm, trolls, etc. while offering a regular (but not necessarily weekly) update on everything I am up to. This enterprise is my way of moving away from other troll-plagued social media and not participating in the addictive and unhealthy business of the attention economy. It is as much for your benefit as it is mine. I hope you see that.

Subscribe now to support writing that isn’t exploiting your data or to support an independent writer committed to protecting your brain (and hers!) from brands, advertisers, and the attention economy.

A reformed brand strategist exposes the bullshit of our modern world

What Do I Get If I Subscribe?

Free Subscribers get:

  • Access to Modern Bullshit newsletters

    • Above the Influence: (Deconstructing) A breakdown of the people and things attempting to persuade us.

    • Under the Influence: (Interview Series) With former bartenders/waiters/industry folks turned authors, artists, creators, entertainers, influencers—to see how their background influenced their creations or ability to create.

    • Top Shelf: (Book+Bar+Playlist) Book review with paired playlist and a suggestion for best place in NYC to take yourself out to read it.

  • Stay up to date on my work/events

Paid Subscribers get:

  • The ability to comment. (All newsletter/writing feedback will be in the substack portal only, no email)

  • Access to Modern Bullshit newsletters:

    • 8d’ed: (Essay) Writing on harder more nuanced “gray area” topics.

    • Mad as Hell: (Personal Not-Fit-For-Print Op-Ed’s) Freeform rage writing, free from editing for the opinions of the peanut gallery.

    • Publishing Happy Hour: (Behind the Scenes) Sharing the journey of a first time author getting published.

    • Creativity through Crisis or Crisis Creativity: (Subscriber Chat) Open space to discuss creative process through the lens of hard times.

  • Early Invite to “Joy of Eavesdropping in Restaurants” (Pop Up Writing Group) Limited Capacity!

  • Access to full archive (all posts will be gated after 2 weeks)

  • Gift subscriptions to give

  • Be a part of a community who share your interests.

Founding Members get everything above plus:

  • A signed copy of my book!

  • Surprises from time to time via snail mail.

  • My eternal gratitude.

Modern Bullshit is a reader-supported publication. To get the full experience and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

If you’re wondering who’s behind this newsletter:

Jessica Elefante is a writer and bullshit artist who has spent the last few decades examining what it means to be human in our modern world.

Her book, Raising Hell, Living Well: Freedom from Influence in a World Where Everyone Wants Something from You, will be published in October 2023 by Ballantine Books. Her essays work to open peoples eyes on the topics of technology, capitalism, influence, and motherhood and have appeared in The Guardian, Huffington Post, Bustle, Simplify Magazine, the Dispatch, Whalebone Magazine and more. The founder of acclaimed Folk Rebellion and a critic of today's culture, Elefante’s award-winning talks, films, and artistry shine a light on the untenability of our times have been featured by Vogue, Inc., Los Angeles TimesThe ObserverPaper MagWired, and elsewhere. In her previous life as a brand strategist, she was recognized on Brand Innovators “40 under 40” list for winning her clients industry recognition and Webby, Edison, and AdAge awards. She has been a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and New York University sharing her expertise in entrepreneurship and branding. She's influenced by the social, cultural, and technological circumstances of her life, but mostly, of her desire to lead a colorful one. Raised in upstate New York, she now lives in Brooklyn with her family. She is no longer bullshitting.

Stay in touch: Rarely on Instagram and TikTok. Contact me via my website jessicaelefante.com or send an analog text message to Jessica Elefante, 249 Smith St #130, Brooklyn, NY, 11231.

Pledge: I won't sell your email address to any third parties. This is a reader supported newsletter so I am free to write what I want, when I want, free from the influence of advertising. To keep writing without brands marketing at you their latest product, this newsletter needs paying subscribers. 5 bucks a month is less than a beer, a book, a slice of pizza and soda, a cup of coffee. Small change for you, majorly impactful for a writer saying no to selling data, sponsorship deals, and brand’s advertising dollars. I’d appreciate your support so I can keep this newsletter, my writing, and your eyeballs—free from influence.

Why I like Substack: Simple access equals less time online. You won’t have to come back to your phone each night looking for posts on Insta, Twitter, FB that manipulate their algorithms to keep your scrolling for their benefit and your detriment. No FOMO, no more noise, no more supporting digital giants that don’t have your (or my) best interests at heart. My work arrives straight to your inbox and you can choose when to read it.

Internet Boundaries:

No trolls. You need to be a paid member to leave your nastyass (or loving!) comment which shows your picture and real name. Should you choose not to be a subscriber I will still be open to receiving your concerns, questions, or praise but it will be more difficult than type-type-clackity-clack-post!

If someone (who is not a paying subscriber without a verifiable name and face to back up their feedback) feels strongly enough about something to go through the effort of writing it by hand, putting a stamp on it, and walking it to a mailbox rather than a quick and dirty tweet, email, or comment than it must be important. I look forward to receiving your love letters, hate mail, non-perishable food items and postcards to the address above.

FWIW I am a great pen-pal.

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A reformed brand strategist and author exposes the bullshit of our modern world: technology, capitalism, influence, culture, and motherhood.

People

Jessica Elefante is the author of RAISING HELL, LIVING WELL & a reformed brand strategist who has spent the last few decades examining what it means to be human in our modern world.