I cannot help it -- it's in my blood

My sister forwarded an article yesterday where it is stated that, in terms of the number of blogs per Internet users, Poles are right at the top, surpassing American blogger rates two to one, and that’s not even counting those Polish blogs that are hosted on American domains, nor is it controlling for the disproportionately large number of Internet users in Poland as compared to elsewhere.

Why are we a nation of bloggers (I’m writing as a Pole now)? Why do we take to the Internet? Why do we feel the need to express ourselves in this way?

This is my chance to offer great insights into the Polish psyche. Caveat: I do not want my Polish friends/family members to jump on me for feeding national stereotypes in this post. I am not saying ALL Poles are this way, but I am saying that, errrr, some of us have, errrr, some, alright, a number, alright a GREAT number of these traits:

* We think we will all die tomorrow and so we feel compelled to hurry and put down every last word before the reaper comes knocking.

* We think we are a nation of poets; unfortunately, when we try our hand at poetry it doesn’t come out right and so we blog instead.

* We are a literate nation. We read a lot of news papers and magazines. We consume the stuff like our souls depended on it. Obviously all that reading makes us want to sound off about what we have just read.

* Our bloodline got mixed up with an Italian strain many centuries ago during years of conquest and royal travels. We are thus an expressive lot. Just like Italians. There, two stereotypes in one point.

* We have adventurous palates and we have ravenous appetites for trendy things. We’ll try anything that’s new and popular elsewhere.

* Vodka and blogging go hand in hand nicely. Have you ever tried writing a post with a chilled bottle of Wyborowa feeding a martini glass? No? Me neither, but it sounds enticing for a cold winter’s night. Or, to a Pole it does. With some pickles and maybe a piece of herring on dark rye. And cold stubby fingers sticking out wooly gloves.

But I refuse to accept the label of INSANITY levied not too long ago against those who blog or email obsessively. I put my foot down on that one. We’re passionate, but NOT insane. There’s a difference.