[QUOTE="Alaric593, post: 871816, member: 29348"What is the point of the automatic message that I'm out on leave if no one is going to pay attention to it?[/QUOTE]
Because with email and voice mail the presence or absence of the recipient is irrelevant. And an instant response is expected, no matter where you are or what you are doing. Like Judge, I can remember using a shared mainframe computer. Oftentimes it was easier to use a calculator that the computer. And before that I used a slide rule.
When someone asks for my number (it is now assumed to be a cell) I tell them I am one of those perverted freaks without a cell phone or social media presence. I get some pretty good looks. When they ask how I can function without a cell phone, I say "Very peacefully and without stress, thank you."