There is no such thing as an urgent email

“Maybe you’re just terrified of missing an urgent email. Listen to me. Like, really listen to me. There is no such thing as an urgent email.”
–Matthew Roberson, in this article

Is this true? If something is really urgent, won’t someone just call? If something is really an emergency, won’t someone just double call to get past your “do not disturb” setting? 

Phone notifications bring us a sense of excitement, as potential messages, likes, sales, matches, or responsibilities titillate our sense of possibility. The gambler’s mechanics embedded in every app make us wonder: “Did I go viral this time? Did I win big today?”

Yes, our addictions will bring us back to our phones at least every hour. Yes, you’ll still check messages and calls, and have the chance to respond to within a reasonable time frame. Sure, if you need to keep work notifications on for a certain time-frame to do your job well, you can do that. But with notifications always on, how many conversational flames have been doused? How many trains of creative thought derailed? How many peaceful moments interrupted? 

If you do nothing, tech giants will do everything in their power to capture your attention. Things will only get worse. Do something about it. Go on “do not disturb” this evening. Try it out. Wean yourself off the drug.