Mapping the Tangible : An Exploratory Study on The Pursuit of Ontological Comfort

Sammanfattning

This academic paper explores a site of ontological comfort using a specific independent bookstore in Malmö, Sweden. Drawing on Anthony Giddens' theories of identity and the methodology of Actor-Network Theory, the author examines the pursuit of ontological comfort as a deliberate response to the saturation of digital consumer culture and algorithmic living. The research investigates the roles of both human actants, such as the owners and visitors, and non-human actants, including the curated book collection and the physical layout of the shop. Through mixed methods of participant observation, exit polls, and natural language processing, the study reveals how the store provides a tangible space for coping, disconnection, and escapism. Ultimately, the text argues that the bookstore’s unique territorial production and curated atmosphere affords a sense of stability and well-being in a modern, screen-dominated world.