The larger question for me is- how advanced are all of the web 2.0 technologies that continue to notify you via pre web 1.0 methods? Are any of them providing RSS notifications streams??

Its sort of like the Post Office calling me on the phone everytime someone mails me a letter.

This is what I did:
I decided to create filters in my Gmail for all mail coming from a ‘noreply’ address and for phrases like:
-’has added you as a friend’ or similar.
Fortunately, these mails are not highly imaginative in their wording, which helps the filter do its job.

For every new tool I try (more and more everyday), I need an account and a valid email. When they ask me to confirm, I create a filter for that email address. It is a new *reflex* I have acquired (would that be a kind of literacy?). I consider it part of the registration process. In future I will use just one tag for this: BACN.

Simple.

Perhaps this sounds like too much work. I just think of the time it will save me later.

My email is quite under control now. At least the inbox rarely shows a mail written by a machine. I can still use and benefit from Gmail alert add-on to quick scan what is coming in and stop what I am doing if it is really urgent.

I like to choose what to read and when to read it. I like answering ‘friendly’ requests when I am spending time in those applications and feeling in a likewise friendly mood, which might match the original sender’s intentions and create some virtual bond.