Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry BONUS: The Goon Squad
Oct 30, 2025
Meghan Murphy, a writer known for her feminist critique, dives into the fascinating world of 'gooning,' as discussed in a Harper's article. They explore how this subculture revolves around prolonged masturbation sessions sought for blissful states. Comparisons are made between gooning and dark retreats, and they reveal alarming habits—daily marathons that can lead to physical harm. Meghan connects the rise of gooning to Gen Z's internet upbringing and discusses its implications on social isolation, particularly post-COVID.
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Marathon Masturbation As A Quest
- 'Gooning' is an online subculture that treats marathon masturbation as a path to altered, blissful mental states.
- Practitioners aim for daily sessions and occasional eight-hour marathons to reach a supposed transcendence.
Excess Stimulation Mirrors Deprivation Retreats
- The practice contrasts with sensory-deprivation retreats but seeks similar mystical experiences via sensory excess.
- Reported routines include two hours daily and occasional multi-hour sessions that often cause physical injury.
Internet Design Fuels Gooning Culture
- Goons are portrayed as a logical extreme of porn and internet architecture that maximizes user time on platforms.
- The culture flourished among Gen Z shaped by pandemic lockdowns and endless online stimulation.