IM: Time saver or not?

On first analysis I would have thought that to IM contacts would be a valuable time saving alternative to phone calls and emails. After all, your recipient is right there online, unable to escape, under your scrutiny. It almost gives me a sudden rush of power and control! Ha ha, now I've got you, you can't ignore me now! You can't lie to me and say you weren't home when I called, or you were just too busy to read my email......I know you are sitting at your computer.....

But now that I have made my list and contacted a few members on it, the harsh reality of the IM world has sunk in. Why is my contact not answering my IM? Have they not noticed the little orange symbol, my pleading message demanding attention? What is taking them so long to reply, can they not type fast enough, are they Instant Messaging someone else at the same time, are they deliberately ignoring me????

As with most so called labor saving devices of the 21st century, I am finding IM takes up more time out of my day, and causes me more anxiety! Oh for those "good old days" of sitting in a comfortable chair, with my favorite pen and stationery and a relaxing cup of tea, writing a long letter to an old friend and patiently waiting the week or so for that welcome reply. Ah well, c'est la vie!