Catherine Liu

Dr. Catherine Liu, a cultural critic and professor at UC Irvine, dives deep into the intricacies of trauma culture. She critiques how trauma is often commodified, losing its historical and political nuance. The conversation challenges the DSM's simplistic approach to trauma, advocating for authentic healing practices over surface-level solutions. Liu emphasizes collective action and community-building as antidotes, while exploring the erosion of public investment in education and the need for a shift from individual narratives to shared values in fostering genuine understanding and social change.

Traditionally within Marxist thought, there are two major classes, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, or workers and capitalists. Within these two classes, however, there are many strata — and in this episode we take a deep dive into one particular stratum. The professional managerial class, or the PMC, is comprised of highly educated, often centrist or liberal leaning individuals who tend to uphold the systems and institutions of capitalist society while at the same time viewing itself as the virtuous vanguard of progress. And although this class falls within the working class, its allegiances and sympathies lie with capitalists. And indeed, in most ways, it does benefit from capitalism. To discuss the professional managerial class and its position within capitalism further, we’ve brought on someone who’s written an entire book about it. Catherine Liu is a professor of Film & Media Studies at UC Irvine and author of Virtue Hoarders: The Case Against the Professional Managerial Class. In this conversation we discuss who the PMC is comprised of, how this class emerged, and why it poses a unique threat to socialist and communist aspirations.  This episode of Upstream was made possible with support from listeners like you. Upstream is a labor of love — we couldn't keep this project going without the generosity of our listeners and fans. Please consider chipping in a one-time or recurring donation at www.upstreampodcast.org/support If your organization wants to sponsor one of our upcoming documentaries, we have a number of sponsorship packages available. Find out more at upstreampodcast.org/sponsorship For more from Upstream, visit www.upstreampodcast.org and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky. You can also subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

In this chat, Catherine Liu, a professor at UC Irvine and author of 'Virtue Hoarders,' dives into the origins of trauma studies and the depoliticization of trauma in today’s narrative culture. She critiques the professional managerial class and its disconnect from the working class, examining how moral superiority shapes politics. Liu addresses the evolution of leftist thought, the impacts of neoliberalism, and the cultural implications of job precarity in the medical field. A fascinating exploration of class, authenticity, and the shifting landscape of American ideology!

Catherine Liu, a professor of Film and Media Studies at UC Irvine and author of "Virtue Hoarders," dissects the Democratic Party's ties to the Professional Managerial Class (PMC) following Kamala Harris's defeat. She explores how the PMC perpetuates class inequalities and critiques the party's disconnect from working-class issues. Liu also addresses the dangers of superficial branding in politics, data-driven strategies that neglect healthcare, and the necessity for the left to authentically engage with tangible voter concerns amidst rising economic insecurities.

Catherine Liu, a professor at UC Irvine and author of 'Virtue Hoarders,' critiques the professional managerial class and its disconnection from the working class. They discuss how the PMC, despite claiming to champion progress, often sidelines genuine worker needs in favor of superficial activism. Liu addresses the Democratic Party’s failures, the erosion of progressive ideals, and the need for unions to resist capitalism. Additionally, they explore the tensions between modern feminism and actual empowerment, advocating for community activism to bridge the disconnect.