Cultural Theorist Catherine Liu Discusses Gangster Capitalism at New York's KGB Bar

On a rainy Wednesday night in August, Catherine Liu, a cultural theorist and professor at the University of California Irvine, delivered a talk at KGB Bar in New York's East Village focused on gangster capitalism. She contended that employers collaborate with private insurance and surveillance technology firms to exert control over workers, proposing that organizing should revolve around the gangster archetype. The discussion, moderated by Katherine Krueger of Current Affairs, explored Hollywood gangster movies such as Stagecoach (1939), Goodfellas (1990), and Scarface (1932 and 1983). Liu criticized 'letter writers' and called for direct action against private insurers. The audience comprised artists, musicians, and community organizers. Liu shares her thoughts on her Substack. The event was linked to themes from John Woo's 1986 film A Better Tomorrow, which was screened later at IFC Center.