What the Heck is Clubhouse?!
If you’ve been on social media the past few weeks, then you’ve probably heard a few whispers of a new social media app, called Clubhouse. Like us, you probably aren’t really sure what it is or how to use it: especially since downloading the app from the app store doesn’t seem to actually give you access to its services.
If you’re confused, don’t worry! We got you. 💛
What is Clubhouse and how do I get in?
Clubhouse is a new social media app that is audio-based— something we definitely haven’t seen before. As for the lack of access? Clubhouse is currently invite-only, as it’s still in its beta stages and cannot handle the weight of millions of people at once. Each new Clubhouse user received one Clubhouse invite to send to others.
Because of the limited invitations, Clubhouse has made some noise with its exclusivity. Everyday users (who were lucky enough to receive a referral) can communicate with famous actors, musicians, CEOs, and figures.
How does Clubhouse work?
Once you’ve successfully logged into the app (with a referral, of course), you are loaded into a hallway, where you can then choose which rooms to enter. The rooms tend to follow different topics or themes and have a select amount of “speakers” on stage. Yes, this really does remind us of parties (when they existed, at least) with its setup —and maybe that’s exactly the point.
Upon entry to a room, you are automatically muted, thank god! In order to speak, you must “raise your hand” (a small button on the bottom right-hand side). Until you are allowed to speak, you’re silent to others: so as not to make the entire room (which can have hundreds of audience members) overwhelming and incoherent. In a way, the app mimics a live podcast with an FAQ or a panel at a convention. If you want to talk, you have to ask.
There are different roles users can take on in a room:
Moderators: Those who start a room. Moderators are speakers who also have the ability to add, mute, and remove speakers. Moderators guide the conversation.
Speakers: These are the people on-stage, who have the ability to speak.
Listeners: Listeners are automatically muted upon entering a room. They listen to the conversation!
There are different room types, as well:
Open Rooms: Anyone can join this room. This is the default setting for rooms.
Social Rooms: Only the people you follow can enter these rooms.
Closed rooms: Only specific people that you choose to add can be added to these rooms.
Welcome Rooms: Created for new users, this is a private room where you and 2-3 other friends can learn about how to use the app.
Clubhouse also has clubs (as hinted by the name)., which are groups that are based on identity,l interests, or industry. Some are public and some are private: the main goal is to unite people from all over the world about a shared common interest.
Why Clubhouse?
Of course, there’s the question: what makes this app so special? Well, there are a few things. Aside from the exclusivity factor (currently, users are automatically given 1 invite to send out —the only way to gain more is to participate in rooms and chats), Clubhouse currently does something that no other social media app does: it has no censorship. The audio-based function means that words or topics can’t be filtered or flagged automatically by a bot, making every topic a conversation piece.
In 2021, this is both celebrated and led to controversy. While it means that everything (even social taboo) can be talked about, it also creates a space that might need trigger or content warnings: but there’s no way to officially give them. And while the app is currently primarily used by tech gurus and silicon valley execs, there’s no doubt that later on, more controversial figures and topics will be brought on. The kicker? Clubhouse asks that all conversation remains private: so anything said shouldn’t be recorded, making users want to return to the app for inside scoops from famous people that they can’t find anywhere else.
Of course, we can’t fully know the direction the app is going and whether it will succeed as an uncensored platform, but we definitely are excited to find out! As it is in its Beta stages and already so popular, it’s safe to say the app will constantly change and improve. For us, here at Life Lapse, we’re just happy to be able to go to parties and gatherings again, even if they are virtual. 😉
Remember to take a peek at our blog to get the inside scoop at all the latest apps and trends!
