Can we be too connected?

Over the years I have tried to make myself generally available to others. As an engineer, son, friend and guild leader I tend to have someone who wants to reach me most of days of the week. It almost seems that these days we've taken it to the extreme.

If I examine the ways I currently communicate with others my options are pretty much endless. I have a blog, accounts with Twitter, Facebook, Raptr, GamerDNA, an AIM screen name, five different email addresses, a forum, text messages and three different phone numbers.

Not only do I have these various ways to reach me but I insist on having them at all times! I just happen to be lucky to have a phone that can handle such a task. The question is then, am I too available? Do I really need all of these communication channels?

Most people would probably say no. I am inclined to say that now the answer is yes. The very notion of not being able to instantly reach one of those venues just sounds terrible. Thus far it hasn't had an impact on my work life but I have received an "urgent" communication during a meeting or while I was at a project. Hiding away to tell a guild mate that the raid is at X time probably wasn't urgent but I did it anyway.

Going forwards I can only see it getting worse. What happens when the next Twitter hits? I'll probably join that too. Am I the only one who keeps up with all this or do other people out there find themselves tied up in wires in the wireless world?