Marcin Napiórkowski's Mitologia współczesna (Contemporary Mythology) offers a sophisticated analysis of how mythological thinking persists in modern Polish society despite ostensible secularisation and rationalisation. By examining everyday phenomena—from the popularity of kebabs to the iconic status of ski jumper Adam Małysz—Napiórkowski demonstrates how seemingly mundane aspects of contemporary life function as repositories of collective meaning that structure social understanding in ways remarkably similar to traditional mythological systems.

Particularly significant is Napiórkowski's focus on charitable events and urban legends, which reveals how modern societies continue to create shared narratives that address fundamental human concerns about community, morality, and the unknown. These contemporary social practices and narratives serve functions remarkably similar to traditional mythology—providing frameworks for understanding complex aspects of experience, reinforcing social bonds, and navigating uncertainty—while adapting to modern contexts and concerns.

The structuralist approach that Napiórkowski employs reveals the underlying patterns that connect contemporary cultural phenomena to traditional mythological thinking. By identifying the persistent structures that shape how societies create meaning, this methodology demonstrates the remarkable continuity in human meaning-making processes despite significant changes in specific content and contexts. This approach challenges simplistic notions of modern rationality by revealing how mythological thinking persists beneath the surface of ostensibly rational modern discourses.

By inviting readers to critically engage with these pervasive myths and their role in shaping perceptions, Napiórkowski's work exemplifies how contemporary academic analysis can itself contribute to more reflective engagement with the mythological dimensions of modern life. Rather than simply debunking modern myths as irrational, this approach recognises their essential function in creating social meaning while encouraging more conscious and critical participation in these shared frameworks. This reflective stance represents an important evolution in how societies engage with their own mythological systems.