[Bo102010]

In my experience, having an e-mail hit your inbox doesn't necessarily mean that you're the most important recipient.

At work I may be on the CC list for a number of ongoing e-mail threads - usually they don't require any input from me, but I might have to read through them to determine whether this is the case.

These types of e-mails will fill up your inbox, but don't quite sink to the level of "useless dreck," but sometimes you can legitimately say that your time is currently too important to spend sifting through lots of e-mail.

[JamisonM]

I think you kind of missed my point, for example if you are on the cc list for a series of emails that you are not directly involved in this strategy assumes that instead of you taking responsibility for catching up on this interaction when you return one or more people that are a part of this interaction need to take on that responsibility for you. This is effectively making them serve you in order to have your attention after you return from vacation.

That strikes me as casting yourself as more important than everyone else (not with respect to the interaction but as a person and/or employee).