# Airchat: The Audio MySpace Set to Fade Away
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Airchat
A new week brings with it yet another invite-only social media platform that has caught the attention of Silicon Valley — Airchat. This app is the brainchild of well-known figures Naval Ravikant and Brian Norgard, the latter being the former Chief Product Officer at Tinder. Airchat is marketed as the “Social Walkie-Talkie,” which immediately raised alarm bells for me.
A walkie-talkie-style social application? It seems that retro concepts are being recycled. This technology might have seemed innovative if I were a child playing in the woods, donning a helmet and pretending to communicate with toy devices, shouting, “Do you copy? OVER!” Listening to my own voice is already a struggle.
At work, I often use Microsoft Teams, where someone might announce, “I’ll record this meeting.” Reviewing the audio and transcripts, I can’t help but cringe at how I sound.
“Humans are all meant to get along with other humans; it just requires the natural voice.” — Naval Ravikant
This implies that others might not enjoy my voice on Airchat either, especially since I find my own voice unbearable. Unless I have a meticulously memorized script, I fear I’ll come across as someone who just got kicked by a mule. My online voice recordings often require significant editing to remove all the “umms,” “ahhs,” and awkward silences.
So, yeah, ummm… I think I’ll probably pass on this one.
Section 1.1: A Glimpse into Airchat's Functionality
Airchat feels reminiscent of a social voicemail service. I can opt to ignore it, which is typically my response; my voicemail inbox is generally full, so I rarely check it. WhatsApp audio messages? They go straight to the trash. With Airchat, I would have the option to either listen to someone ramble on or skip through before deciding to scroll away.
Subsection 1.1.1: Potential Challenges
Section 1.2: The Risks of Open Communication
Wearing earplugs might become necessary when trolls, bullies, and fringe groups realize they can project their hate through Airchat. I thought Twitter was chaotic when tensions rose among its users. Airchat essentially hands them a megaphone, transforming what could be a space for conversation into a cacophony of negativity.
Chapter 2: The Rebirth of Old Ideas
It seems Silicon Valley is mirroring the film industry, revamping outdated concepts and repackaging them for a new audience. Airchat is treading on ground where Clubhouse has already been laid to rest, following closely in the footsteps of Twitter's Spaces. The original concepts are hardly cold before they’re exhumed and presented anew.
Despite this recycling of ideas, the internet's attention span is fleeting, akin to a squirrel on a caffeine high. Airchat has been polished and branded to look shiny and new, backed by notable founders with ample financial resources. The invite-only nature is enticing, creating a buzz among influencers eager to flaunt the latest novelty.
Section 2.1: The Future of Monetization
The inevitable intrusion of advertising will create an overwhelming noise once the initial excitement fades.
"I couldn't care less about monetization. We'll run this thing on a shoestring if we have to." — Naval Ravikant
Come on, Naval—when a major corporation offers a truckload of cash for you to host an audio ad, will you really refuse? I suspect the early radio pioneers thought the same before corporate interests began knocking on their doors with bags full of cash. Once Fortune 500 companies discover this new playground, resistance may prove futile.
Or will I be subjected to endless commercials for cannabis gummies, longing for the simplicity of text-based communication?
Conclusion
While Airchat is generating buzz, all I hear is the nostalgic “chirp chirp” of my old Nextel phone, long forgotten in a box labeled "Goodwill." Thank you for reading! I welcome your comments and thoughts. For more insights from my mind, feel free to follow me on Medium.