Innovations in Media: ‘Old News Newsstand’

I’ve written previously here about “slow news.” But I don’t think I’ve ever written specifically about “old news,” and never as it relates to media innovation. 

(Photo courtesy of Old News Newsstand)But I love the idea of a new business in New York City called Old News Newsstand. It’s a kiosk that specializes in “sentimental bric-a-brac”: ceramics, maps and guidebooks, quickie and kosher snacks and candy, exotic coffee and sodas, porn, original hand-drawn cartoons, fanzines, and … yes, old news. 

The New Yorker magazine recently published a fun article on the business and its owner Aaron Reiss, who proudly touts his catchphrase: “Old News: Still  bad, but cheaper and more predictable.” 

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Innovations in Media: 'The Elysian'

Updated on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 9:58 AM by Logan Molen

You’ll want to hang on as I dig into this post because there’s a lot to unpack as it relates to The Elysian, whose varied tentacles include a Substack channel, an email newsletter, periodic digital and print pamphlets, a crowd-funded book, live and recorded video interviews, live events around the world, chats with subscribers, IRL meetings with subscribers, a member Slack channel, and probably a few other things I’ve yet to discover. 

All are powered or inspired by Elle Griffin, a dreamer inspired to uncover a better civilization. 

Am I hearing utopia? 

Yep. Perhaps it’s too far off, but the fun for Griffin is working toward utopia(s), and showing her homework along the way. 

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Innovations in Media: 'Newsberg'

While visiting family in Oregon a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon an interesting print-digital hybrid that leverages old and new media to broaden its audience. 

Newsberg serves Newberg, Oregon, a charming city of about 25,000 people that sits in the Willamette Valley wine country. The city's primary local media is The Newberg Graphic, a 138-year-old weekly newspaper and digital operation owned by Carpenter Media Group. 

But wedging its way into local eyeballs is Newsberg.org, an enterprising 3-year-old hyper-local non-profit news venture that combines a weekly 2-page print product with a weekly email newsletter, active website and larger special print editions. All are free. 

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