M&D phrase; Deleuze & Guattari origin?

[Daniel O'Hara]

TRP may have introduced the phrase "vector of desire" from a reading of
Lacan, but I doubt it. For a reading of Vineland which combines Lacanian
notions with catastrophe theory to stunning effect, see Hanjo Berressem's
paper in the last volume of Pynchon Notes.

Despite a certain enthusiasm for the cited essay, I'd think rather that
Pynchon draws on Deleuze and Guattari for this particular phrase. At least
we know he's familiar with their work: witness the "Deleuze & Guattari
['s] Italian Fake Wedding Book" of Vineland vintage. So we also know for
how long he's been reading D&G (if, that is, he's continued his studies.)
Though it has to be said that many think he was reading D&G long before
Vineland came into being.

The phrase in question, though, must surely emerge from Deleuze &
Guattari's "Anti-Oedipus", the first volume of "Capitalism and
Schizophrenia." D&G elaborate a theory of libidinal materialism which,
combined with their formulation of desiring-machines, provides a sure
blueprint for Pynchon's telescope as a linear mechanism of
desiring-production, or, a "vector of desire." See the Anti-Oedipus, p. 36
('The Machines') for an elucidation of desire as a directional,
bootstrapping, Markov chain-like force (where also may be found Deleuze's
critique of Lacan.)