We live in a world that is under the influence. Our lives are being choreographed by forces that want something from us. Everything from ingrained family values to mind-altering algorithms create our foundations, warp how we see the world, manipulate our decisions, and dictate our beliefs. Yet rarely do we question these everyday influences of our modern times. With whip-smart writing and wry humor, Elefante's collection of essays is a head-trip through her misadventures. She invites us to reexamine our world, our pasts, and ourselves through the lens of influence. Now a reformed brand strategist, Elefante lays bare her own culpability, sharing what she learned–and what she got wrong. Before you know it, you'll be questioning everything from how you take your coffee to how our social institutions are structured. And you'll learn how to live free from the influences around us.