Mmmm, working in a project environment with an “office” spread among several countries and continents, requesting delivery receipts and reading confirmations is more or less the only way to make sure that mails have not gone astray. Yes, it causes additional traffic; yes, you need to watch them carefully if they are to be useful; no, it is absolutely not a waste of time particularly for critical issues when you rely on an e-mail system to get things done.

Of course until we get a direct mind link that proves the recipient has read it and thought about it, things could still go pear shaped