Let’s connect on Clubhouse

Clubhouse, the new social media platform on the block is generating a number of conversations. Both inside the app itself and on the outside. It’s only available in the Apple App store at the moment, but only a matter of time till it joins the Android world.

It is an invitation-only audio-chat social networking app launched in 2020 by software developers Alpha Exploration Co. The company describes itself as “a new type of social product based on voice [that] allows people everywhere to talk, tell stories, develop ideas, deepen friendships, and meet interesting new people around the world.”

The future of audio as a medium to consumer and distribute content is one that I am rather bullish about. It’s personalised, easy to consumer on the go, and establishes a connection with the listener. Over the years, I have explored some of the thinking behind podcasts and shared some of my favourite ones that I listen to on a regular basis. You can check them out here.

Technology is making it easier than ever before for people to build things on their own. It gives people an ability to execute on their ideas and to test minimum viable products (MVPs) before launching a fully-fledged solution. You can build a basic website in and evening and build an app in a week. 

Tech has also given rise to the information age, we have loads of insights and answers at our finger tips. This is one of the areas that excites me about tech, it gives us the opportunity to connect with and learn from people that we may never meet in person. As an example, Elon Musk joined a Clubhouse room, Good Time (a daily light-hearted wrap up of what’s happening in tech and culture), earlier in the week where he shared his view on a number of topics from crypto to electric cars… he also turned the conversation around and asked some pointed questions to the CEO of Robinhood who have been in the spotlight around the GameStop debarcle. You can read a few extracts from the conversation below.

Elon Musk busts Clubhouse limit, fans stream to YouTube, he switches to interviewing Robinhood CEO

While I am still learning the ropes of what Clubhouse truly has to offer and exploring how best to connect with people inside the various rooms, it is an interesting take on a different type of social network. One which, in the time of a global pandemic, has a lot to offer from a connection and conversation stand point. I am sure they will face content moderation challenges with greater frequency and other controversies as their base expands, but I hope that they are able to continue creating a virtual space where we can connect with and learn from others.

And so, in the spirit of “just start”… Jens Heitland, who I am fortunate to have met through our mutual friend Yusuf Abrahams, and I will be hosting a discussion on Clubhouse next week titled “Business Meet Generation X-Y-Z”.

If you’re keen to join or create your profile – drop me an email (joshua@cnandco.com)