Meet the Author Series: Hyperdocumentation

Olivier Le Deuff explains the scope of the concept of hyperdocumentation coined by Paul Otlet in 1934. Hyperdocumentation is described by the Belgian bibliographer as the ultimate goal of documentation. The concept of hyperdocumentation is as much an idea as an object that originated from the continuous amplification of two connected trends: the multiplication of documents since the beginning of the twentieth century, and the increase of analytical capabilities meant to decipher these documents. As envisioned by Otlet, these processes amounted in the fusion of documents and instruments leading the way to new formats and devices that open new possibilities in terms of document consultation and manipulation. The aim of the talk is to show the current relevance of the concept of hyperdocumentation and the associated epistemological, technical and ethical issues. The talk will look at both the historical context surrounding Paul Otlet and current hyperdocumentary devices.