Mail thinks this is junk

A team of researchers in the University of British Columbia psychology department believes frequent checking of one's e-mail increases stress. There is a link, a Vancouver Sun story suggests, between e-mail and anxiety.

This may be the basis for the famous Burt Bacharach-Hal David song "E-Mail Keeps Falling On My Head" (later slightly altered for a film).

But there are those who enjoy checking their e-mail every time they hear that friendly Ding! Even junk mail is welcomed, as noted in another pop hit, "Can't Get Enough of That Spam, Ma'am."

And as for the now notorious attempts by techno-con artists to extract money and personal information ("This is a message from Revenue Canada. To access your funds, please enter your bank account and credit card numbers and all your passwords.") who doesn't get a kick out of those? The musical response, by Ernie and the Byte Kings: "I Just Hate ta Give Up My Data." (Alternative pronunciation version: "Whatsa Matta? You Want My Data?" And the follow-up: "Get Away from My Data--You're Persona Non Grata!")

Reading the UBC researchers' report, we have resolved not to check our e-mail more than once or twice every forty-five seconds. Unless, of course, we are assured it is safe, and accompanied by our personal psychologist, Dr. Jack Daniel.