Kickstarter Will Not Save Artists From the Entertainment Industry’s Shackles

A New Study Says Crowdfunding Benefits Only Certain Kinds of Movies

To see how the highly decentralized world of social media could disrupt the hegemony of established taste-makers in music, design, or fashion, look no further than Kickstarter. Just like Wikipedia redefined the process of creating an encyclopedia, this poster child of the crowdfunding revolution could redefine how dreamers raise funds for their next gadget or film—and perhaps even beget a cultural renaissance.

All of this sounds beautiful in theory. Have a great idea for a new project? Simply sign up for Kickstarter and post a description (don’t forget to make a …