Wait, so you're trading asynchronous, non-interrupt driven communication (email) for synchronous, interruptive communication (IM, phone)???
I do the exact opposite - I got rid of my phone, and rarely log into IM, and have trained all my coworkers to email me so that I can respond when I'm ready, without breaking my focus.
How has email gained higher interrupt priority than phone/IM?!
I suspect the point is that the IMs and phone calls are much less numerous than the emails.
Your point about interrupt priority is a good one, though. I think simply turning off email notifications may be more than half the solution. ... There, I just did it, and I feel better already :-)
I do the exact opposite - I got rid of my phone, and rarely log into IM, and have trained all my coworkers to email me so that I can respond when I'm ready, without breaking my focus.
How has email gained higher interrupt priority than phone/IM?!