The medical-diplomatic journal[1] is of great richness: the most beautiful aspect doesn't reside in the data, precisely established like a big regret, in the course of a global study of "the depressive illness at the heart of the most recent cohorts," but in the numerous findings destined to prevent any conclusion that might be useful on any terrain. This alone merits being unmasked in detail.
One might say those last few lines could already be considered as the concise point of departure for the book that will, with the most trenchant assurance, expose unnameable life. Excellent title,[2] because it is indeed life that has become historically unnameable (and as the result of an exact technique), and because this word [innommable] so perfectly matches the current meaning of unmentionable in spoken language, that is to say, said in total disgust.
At this moment, for the first time, the mediatics[3] themselves are beginning to become afraid. The world, which has so many serious faults, would claim to have undertaken immense efforts -- quite excessively, but almost as positive counterweights -- to maintain the health of the population and absolutely prohibit racism and, above all, genocide. One comes to see the tranquil confession of the imposture on these two questions: AIDS itself and its particular market adventures; and the televised re-opening of extermination camps in Yugoslavia.
The Princes[4] will appear in the first days of January [1993]. Alice will send you a copy soon. You will see the progress that her research into the question has made.
I am working on two books[5] and, for several reasons, I would prefer to publish something this [coming] year that is better tied to recent events and more polemical. The sequel to Panegyric can wait.[6]
I have sent you a very surprising manifestation of cynicism,[7] which you might not normally discover in the course of your customary reading. Sollers, to whom I have never wanted to respond, has possibly thought that in the end he could force me to respond to him by praising me in L'Humanite (and the Stalinists are in such disarray that they can be a party to his games).
Until today, we have only had two days of fugitive snow. My health appears to be good, for the moment. Thanks to you.
We send you and your family our regards,[1] The Journal of the American Medical Association, 29 February 1992.
[2] For the title of Michel Bounan's next book.
[3] Translator's note: the people who appear in and/or work for the mass media.
[4] Translator's note: a re-published edition of Alice Becker-Ho's The Princes of Jargon, first published in 1990.
[5] Translator's note: "Cette Mauvaise Reputation" and a re-published edition of Considerations on the Assassination of Gerard Lebovici (first published in 1985).
[6] Translator's note: volume II of Panegyric was finally published in 1997.
[7] Translator's note: apparently this is a reference to Philippe Sollers' interview in L'Humanite, entitled "Avez-vous lu Debord?" and published on 5 November 1992.
(Published in Guy Debord Correspondance, Vol 7: Janvier 1988-Novembre 1994 by Librairie Artheme Fayard, 2008. Translated from the French by NOT BORED! June 2009. Footnotes by the publisher, except where noted.)