Howl in the Wilderness cover image

Howl in the Wilderness

Catherine Liu | The Problem With Trauma Culture | HITW 165

Jan 29, 2025
Catherine Liu, a prominent cultural theorist and author, dives deep into the complexities of trauma culture and its links to the professional-managerial class. She critiques how personal suffering is often commodified, particularly in the context of capitalism. Liu examines historical and contemporary trauma narratives, highlighting the intersection of personal and collective experiences. She also warns against the infantilization in political discourse and advocates for maturity in conversations about trauma, challenging societal norms and the therapeutic industry's limitations.
01:18:54

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Quick takeaways

  • The Professional Managerial Class has shifted from advocating for workers' rights to aligning with capital, raising concerns about their roles as managers.
  • Trauma culture commodifies personal suffering for validation, obscuring the collective struggles and broader social contexts of marginalized communities.

Deep dives

The Professional Managerial Class (PMC)

The discussion centers on the concept of the Professional Managerial Class (PMC) and its historical significance. This class emerged in the early 20th century as professionals sought to improve working conditions and resist capitalist exploitation. Unlike traditional workers, PMC members do not own the means of production but have significant roles in managing and organizing labor. Their increasing influence has shifted from advocating for workers' rights to aligning more closely with capital, raising concerns about their current roles as managers rather than advocates.

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