Email bankruptcy explained

Email bankruptcy is deleting or ignoring all emails older than a certain date, due to an overwhelming volume of messages. The term is usually attributed to author Lawrence Lessig in 2004,[1] though it can also be attributed to Sherry Turkle in 2002.[2] An insurmountable volume or backlog of legitimate messages (e.g. on return from an extended absence) usually leads to bankruptcy.

During the act of declaring email bankruptcy, a message is usually sent to all senders explaining the problem, that their message has been deleted, and that if their message still requires a response they should resend their message.[3] [4] [5]

Similarly, the inability to maintain an overview over messages in an instant messenger chat room may be referred to as "chat room bankruptcy".[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: E-Mail Reply to All: 'Leave Me Alone' . . 15 November 2007 . Mike Musgrove . 25 May 2007 .
  2. News: ESSAY: In Lost E-Mail, a Dividend . . 10 August 2021 . Constance Rosenblum . 14 February 2002 .
  3. News: Office staff hit delete in war on e-mail monster . . 15 November 2007 . 14 October 2007 . John Harlow .
  4. News: Call it the Dead E-Mail Office . . 7 June 2004 . 7 June 2004 .
  5. Re: PING Tuesday . Tuesday Knight . 23 October 2003 . alt.religion.wicca . BBBC8C9C.516E1%tuesday@hellmouthcentral.com . 8 June 2012 .
  6. Web site: Crittenden . Mike . If it will matter after today, stop talking about it in a chat room . Critter.Blog . 6 July 2022 . en . 12 January 2021.