Consumerism, disorientation and postmodern space: a modest test of an immodest theory

There has recently been an explosion of theoretical literature on social sp ace. A central claim in this literature is that postmodern spaces are exper ienced as confusing or disorienting by human subjects. This claim remains u ntested. The paper reports results from a small-scale survey conducted in o ne form of postmodern space - the shopping mail. It suggests that unsupport ed assertions about the disorienting effects of postmodern space and their associated influence on consumerist activities should be treated with scept icism. Through practice humans are able to develop routines which enable th em to competently navigate these spaces.