Radiofobia w świecie plotki. Katastrofa w Czarnobylu a wybuchy paniki we współczesnej Polsce

In this paper I examine traces of radiophobia in gossips as a manifestation of culture in the shadow of an atomic bomb. This study aims to recognize main social functions of this kind of folktales. The field of research is narrowed down mainly to folktales disseminated in Poland. The methods employed during an investigation include an analysis of narratives published in the Internet and newspaper news. The study shows that some of these gossips provide both simplified records of past experience of humanity in the field of nuclear energy, and certain guidelines helping to cope with basic risks involved.