The Demon of Writing: Powers and Failures of Paperwork

Contents: 

• Introduction: The psychic life of paperwork 

1. The disciplined state The National Assembly doesn't give a damn 

• Shareholders in the great social enterprise
• The disciplined state
• A stranger to everything happening 

2. The demon of writing The demon of writing 

• The physical impossibility of doing otherwise
• Tiresome details, barbarous concision
• As simple as it was bizarre
• Matter, form, and power 

3. The state of want Writing and indifference 

• Women and white paper
• Is Tocqueville kidding?
• A bitter joke 

4. The bureaucratic medium The case of Inspector von Zuccalmaglio 

• Smashing
• Mistakes are made
• Withdrawal slip
• From the desk of Roland Barthes
• Conclusion: The wish-utensil