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. @eringriffith and I on CLUBHOUSE, the hot new social app https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
A lot of ppl have framed Clubhouse as some VC chat app for VCs. Yes, there are a lot of VCs on it and their rooms are usually boring tech talk. But that's not what makes the app fun or interesting or why ppl are spending 40+ hrs a week on it https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
As @ryandawidjan said, no one is staying up until 3:00am every night on a chat app just to brag that they're on it https://twitter.com/ashitaa/status/1254640830633046016
The basics: Clubhouse works by letting ppl join pop-up audio chat rooms that disappear when they end. Once in the rooms, users are segmented into tiers determined by moderators. Users can join any room, see who is speaking or listening, click into a profile page and follow others
Many ppl told me that Clubhouse has brought back the spontaneity of real-life interactions, which have vanished with the coronavirus. The app "feels like bumping into people and striking up a conversation at a coffee shop." https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
“It’s like walking into a party where you know people are ready to mingle,” said one user, who has spent three to five hours a day on it since joining. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
Clubhouse is very different than a Discord voice chat or phone call. For one, it has a visual interface. Also “ur not forced to be part of the conversation the entire time on Clubhouse. U can just listen to other ppl talking about interesting subjects and jump in when you want.”
Many rooms are "almost like a podcast with audience participation," as one user described it. Here's an example of recent rooms that generated tons of engagement (again, not VCs talking to VCs) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
One big phenomenon that has emerged on Clubhouse is an after hours crew of 30 to 50 users that transform the app into something like a rowdy dive bar at night. They call themselves "Back of The Bus." https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
In "Back of The Bus" everyone is a host, moderator privileges are given freely, microphones are mostly unmuted and users swap their profile pictures in real time to memes and images related to the conversation.
There are rules: no boring tech talk https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
There are rules: no boring tech talk https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
The format of “Back of the Bus” is fluid. Sometimes there is a tarot card reader critiquing a member’s Instagram account; sometimes it is a dating advice show; sometimes bored people sound off about anything that pops into their mind, and more. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
Clubhouse is “like a mystery box every night. You don’t know what you’re going to get, but it’s always good,” Mr. Dawidjan said. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
Clubhouse has already minted its first influencer: Sheel Mohnot.
Sheel has become a fixture on the app and “Back of the Bus" regular. He's competed on the Zoom Bachelorette, and was recently featured in a Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande music video. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
Sheel has become a fixture on the app and “Back of the Bus" regular. He's competed on the Zoom Bachelorette, and was recently featured in a Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande music video. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
“You don’t want to leave Clubhouse because you feel like when you leave, something crazy is going to happen.” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/technology/clubby-silicon-valley-app-clubhouse.html
