At some point people on HN have to recognize that we’re almost reverse predictors of mainstream popularity. I’d prefer email too, but....clubhouse is social, and on a phone. How do people message each other on a phone, and how do they store contacts? Via phone number.

How comfortable are people giving phone numbers? Super comfortable! Just look at the growth. And then it is frictionless to invite friends.

Friction is the killer of anything that aspires to be popular. This does have rough implications for security and privacy, but those can come later once growth is achieved.