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Oct 31, 2025 David Kolitz, journalist and author known for his piece in Harper's Magazine, dives into the intriguing world of gooning—a subculture blending prolonged masturbation and online community. He discusses how Discord catalyzed in-person meet-ups, describes the elaborate setups of gooners, and outlines unique rituals like 'wank battling' and curated porn stashes. Kolitz also highlights the social dynamics at play, exploring how the culture satisfies both sexual desires and social needs, while raising broader concerns about youth exposure to hardcore content.
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Meeting Wristband Guy In Jersey City
- David Kolitz describes meeting Wristband Guy at a Jersey City hotel to investigate an in-person gooner meetup.
- He was invited by online contacts and observed preparations but not the event itself.
Gooning Is A Ritualized Group Practice
- Gooning is prolonged, communal masturbation intended to reach a flow-like "goon state."
- Large Discord communities and ritualized practices bind participants beyond solo porn consumption.
The Goon Cave Setup
- Kolitz describes a gooner's multi-camera, multi-screen 'goon cave' setup with tablets, monitors, posters, and projectors.
- He observed setups playing many clips at once and specialized gear to consume content intensely.