A New Social Audio-Based Platform By Naval Ravikant Is Quickly Trending, But It's Not So Easy To Join

A new social media contender has rapidly risen to prominence: AirChat, an audio-based platform founded by Naval Ravikant, an esteemed entrepreneur and former CEO of AngelList. 

Unlike traditional social networks that rely heavily on text and images, AirChat brings a fresh focus on voice, enabling users to connect more naturally and authentically.

AirChat was originally launched in 2023 but was rereleased last week. 

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Dubbed "Just Talk" in its branding, AirChat's philosophy is simple. The platform emphasizes the importance of vocal communication, calling itself a "social walkie-talkie." 

"Humans are all meant to get along with other humans, it just requires the natural voice," Ravikant told TechCrunch. "Online text-only media has given us this delusion that people can't get along, but actually everybody can get along."

This approach harkens to the days of early internet chat rooms but with a modern twist that follows a model similar to that of Clubhouse, the audio app that once dominated social media conversations. 

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Clubhouse rose to popularity during the pandemic when people craved human interactions while they were isolated because of lockdowns but has since struggled to keep up. 

Like Clubhouse, AirChat operates on an invitation-only basis, reinforcing exclusivity and community vetting. This method ensures high-quality engagement and interaction among its users.

Despite this gatekeeping, AirChat has rapidly ascended to the No. 21 spot in the Social Networking Apps category on the Apple App Store.

"We intend to stand alongside X as a platform for free speech," Ravikant said in an Air Chat post. 

As AirChat continues to grow and attract users from all walks of life, it presents a promising alternative to the status quo in social media, prioritizing voice over text and human connection over virtual likes.

Whether AirChat will sustain its initial surge and reshape social media culture remains to be seen, but its innovative approach and the vision of its founder suggest that it just might stick around for the long haul.

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