By The Village Mouse | Special to the Courier

As you might know, I have been a busy Village Mouse, advocating for and supporting small businesses. Again, choosing what you want to see thrive takes intentionality. Publisher Peter Weinberger, in a recent Claremont Courier article, stated: “I believe if we continue to work together and take active roles in supporting each other, there’s nothing that can stop us, now or later.”

First of all, kudos to the Courier for 116 years of service! As we look back at history and the rich tapestry of Claremont, we look forward to what is happening in the world these days. The times they are a-changin’, as Dylan sang many years ago. We are experiencing this change in ourselves, our culture, and Claremont.

With pen and pad, I stroll through the Village, expecting to learn new ideas. First, I love meeting new people — especially the college students who happily invade our Village yearly. I relish talking to them about current matters and their lives. For instance, when chatting recently with Whisky and Basil owner Geniece, I met Claremont Colleges students Sage and Claudia. I asked them what they thought about the Courier and the college newspapers. Sage immediately said: “I’m pro-print!” Wow. I had never heard that terminology before, but I immediately thought, how delightful. Pro-print. I agree!

They went on to say they like the authenticity of sitting down and reading an actual newspaper, and feel there is less misinformation in a print publication. They also love sending letters, playing records, and reading books, and they don’t mean online. This shared love for print media creates a sense of community and connection, a feeling that we are all part of something bigger.

As for music, former Spotify economist Will Page said this about the resurgence of vinyl: he believes buyers want “a sense of intimacy that comes from belonging to an artist and their tribe. The internet can scale just about everything but can’t scale intimacy.” I also prefer something tangible, like reading offline or, as I like to say, in real life.

Nate, another student I chatted with, goes to another college in another part of the state, but grew up here in Claremont. He works at a gym, and when he gets there, he grabs the newspaper to see what is happening locally, then settles into the crossword puzzle. He said the newspaper is interactive and that he “gets burned out” with social media. He feels he is returning to the basics by reading a physical paper, that the cacophony of social media represents a “fake reality,” and reading print is more genuine.

Another publication making a comeback is the amusing satirical newspaper, The Onion. It is now available in physical form for the first time since 2013. According to its website, The Onion’s new leadership believes “print media is making a comeback, in the same way that newer generations are buying Taylor Swift’s albums in vinyl.” It seems to me that while society is far from abandoning social media, there are signs we are reaching “peak digital saturation.”

The newer generation is returning to flip phones, Bluetooth-enabled cassette players, and making time to meet up with friends in person. They also like to support small businesses, which makes them my best friends. They see and understand the value of sustainable local shopping and supporting artisans, unique shops, and their owners.

On a personal note, I have to mute the noise in my physical and digital world and slow down. I understand the internet’s seductiveness and addictive nature, and I am taking time to step back and savor what is more real to me than ever. Like most worthwhile things, it takes intentionality and practice. There is a resurgence of what once was; perhaps it’s the cyclical nature called life.  But it’s not just nostalgia: it is a better way forward.

I’m definitely pro-print. How about you?