This title explains how digital technology is upending the traditional creative industries-and why that might be a good thing. The digital revolution poses a mortal threat to the major creative industries-music, publishing, television, and the movies. The ease with which digital files can be copied and distributed has unleashed a wave of piracy with disastrous effects on revenue. Cheap, easy self-publishing is eroding the position of these gatekeepers and guardians of culture. Does this herald the collapse of culture, as some claim? Far from it. This book argues that digital technology is enabling a new golden age of popular culture, a veritable digital renaissance. By reducing costs of production, distribution, and promotion, digital technology is democratizing access to the cultural marketplace. More books, songs, television shows, and movies are being produced than ever before, and the new digital model works as well at producing high-quality, successful work as the old model.