A history and theory of the powers, the failures, and even the pleasures of paperwork. Since the middle of the eighteenth century, political thinkers of all kinds-radical and reactionary, professional and amateur-have been complaining about "bureaucracy." But what, exactly, are they complaining about? In The Demon of Writing, Ben Kafka offers a critical history and theory of one of the most ubiquitous, least understood forms of media: paperwork. States rely on records to tax and spend, protect and serve, discipline and punish. But time and again, this paperwork proves to be unreliable. Examining episodes that range from the story of a clerk who lost his job and then his mind in the French Revolution to an account of Roland Barthes's brief stint as a university administrator, Kafka reveals the powers, the failures, and even the pleasures of paperwork. Many of its complexities, he argues, have been obscured by the comic-paranoid style that characterizes much of our criticism of bureaucracy. Kafka proposes a new theory of what Karl Marx called the "bureaucratic medium." Moving from Marx to Freud, he argues that this theory of paperwork must include both a theory of praxis and of parapraxis.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Kafka's book is a keen, vivacious examination of the frustrating 'unpredictability' of paperwork as a cultural institution.
--Publishers Weekly[Kafka] pursues an argument that leads from paper to paperwork, 'the psychic life of paperwork, ' the concepts of major thinkers...it is provocative, original, and a very good read.
--Robert Darnton, The New York Review of BooksBen Kafka does the important job of reminding us that paperwork is part of the great human traditions, not only of communication and information, but also of revolution, existential philosophy, and for some, religion.
--The New RepublicKafka examines the meaning and implications of this new regime, intertwining threads of historical narrative, psychoanalytic theory, and intriguing anecdotes into a thoroughly absorbing read.
--Peter Lopatin, The Weekly StandardBen Kafka is an Assistant Professor of Media History and Theory at New York University and a candidate at the Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research (IPTAR), a component society of the International Psychoanalytical Association. He works with adult and adolescent patients through the IPTAR Clinical Center and the NYC Free Clinic.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Seller: Books Unplugged, Amherst, NY, U.S.A.
Condition: Fair. Buy with confidence! Book is in acceptable condition with wear to the pages, binding, and some marks within 1. Seller Inventory # bk1935408267xvz189zvxacp
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # D06A-03298
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_385244195
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: TextbookRush, Grandview Heights, OH, U.S.A.
Condition: Acceptable. Ships SAME or NEXT business day. We Ship to APO/FPO addr. Choose EXPEDITED shipping and receive in 2-5 business days within the United States. See our member profile for customer support contact info. We have an easy return policy. Seller Inventory # 48149544
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Abacus Bookshop, Pittsford, NY, U.S.A.
hardcover. Illustrated (illustrator). 1st edition. 8vo, 182 pp., A few scattered pen marks early in the text, else fine. Nearly fine copy in nearly fine dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 106207
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. 1. Seller Inventory # 1935408267-2-3
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Good condition. This is the average used book, that has all pages or leaves present, but may include writing. Book may be ex-library with stamps and stickers. 1. Seller Inventory # 353-1935408267-gdd
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Shows only minor signs of wear, and very minimal markings inside (if any). 1. Seller Inventory # 353-1935408267-vrg
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: booksXpress, Bayonne, NJ, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9781935408260
Quantity: 10 available
Seller: Front Cover Books, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover1935408267
Quantity: 1 available