How important is email?

I saw this fact on ClarkHoward.com today:

According to Information Week, three-quarters of people say that e-mail is essential to their lives. When asked what that means, 40-50% say they prefer e-mail to chocolate, coffee and TV. And, 60% spend more time sending e-mails than they do on the phone. 15% say they would rather lose their spouse than not have access to e-mail.

I guess I'm in the right business. :) But seriously, give up your spouse? Now that's pretty bad!

For me, checking my email is usually the first thing I do when I wake up, the first thing I do when I get to work, the first thing I do when I get home, the last thing I do before I leave work, the last thing I do before I go to sleep.

If I'm on a trip it's the last thing I do before the plane takes off, the first thing I do when the plane lands, the first thing I do when I get to the hotel, the last thing I do before I check out, and I'm constantly checking my email on my handheld.

And I know I'm not alone, I would even say that my spouse is worse than me. ;)