Don't Wait, Create

What do Justin Bieber, Lilly Singh, and Andy Samberg have in common? They all launched their careers by creating content online. In the past, the content we consumed, the celebrities we admired, and mainstream pop culture as a whole were defined largely by invisible gatekeepers, and the popular visual media space was shrouded in mystery and exclusivity. Now, digital media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok have become a phenomenon that has entered mainstream pop culture, from Issa Rae's Awkward Black Girl web series that became HBO's Insecure, to Sarah Cooper's viral TikTok that landed her a Netflix comedy special. In her book Don't Wait, Create: How to Be A Content Creator in the New Digital Revolution, Erica Barry provides a roadmap to digital content creation and finding one's creative voice, and highlights the journeys of successful digital creators like Bo Burnham, Chloe Fineman, Jimmy Tatro, and others. All of these creators leveraged the digital revolution and launched their careers thanks to their ingenuity, drive, and a stable internet connection. Will you be next?