At 43 Folders there are pt1, pt2, and pt3 of a series about working and priorities by Merlin Mann.  They do speak the truth and reference our favorite author Neal Stephenson, and his unique views on correspondence, e-mail and the like; forgive me as I quote:

The point, from my perspective, is that Stephenson possesses the man-sized pant stones to declare precisely what the people who enjoy his work should expect from him. And, in so doing, he has drawn a clear line that some might find hard to love, but that is very easy to see, understand, and respect.

I mean anyone of of us (fellow Tombstone followers) has ran out to the Internet found that infamous site and read that sending an e-mail to Mr. Stephenson is not going to result in much of anything really.  And then you feel crushed unable to share with him how cool he is…but I digress.  You can certainly respect someone who lays it out up front, that here is where I am and now let me get back to work.  Those 900+ page books don’t write themselves you know.  It is good to see that while you may have initially found Neal’s stance alienating really it says, here is what I do and to create the BEST possible results here is what I need (or do not need) from you.  So feel free to use this as a “therapeutic” time to release your pent up Neal correspondence dreams in the comments.