The Footnote, In Theory

is the Critical Inquiry article that analyzes frequency of citations, within CI to determine trends in theory and theoretical debate. The authors of the article Anne H. Stevens and Jay Williams are working or walking in the footsteps of Anthony Grafton. In some sense, it is an article about defining Critical Inquiry , but also an investigation into the persuasive power and authority of the foonote.

Unable to reproduce their charts in toto, let me give you a simple breakdown of the overall standing:

1. Jacques Derrida
2. Sigmund Freud
3. Michel Foucault
4. Walter Benjamin
5. Roland Barthes
6. Jacques Lacan
7. Fredric Jameson
8. Edward Said
9. Theodor Adorno
10. Immanuel Kant

But in the years 1974-1984, Harold Bloom's star shown brightly brightly at number 10, while Ernst Gombrich was number 1 between 1974-1979.

Between 1999-2004, Sigmund Freud is number 1 and Slavoj Zizek trails Theodor Adorno at number 7 and 6 (respectively).

Is this food for thought, or junkfood masquerading as food?

I'll read the article more carefully, instead of mining it for fun facts and get back to you later. If you have noticed the gender disjunction, the authors do comment on this. Judith Butler scores highest for women...proving I don't know what, I'll speculate irresponsibly at aonther time....