Those red circle notifications

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As I look at my computer right now I have a couple of apps that have that dreaded red circle with a number inside at the top right corner of the app.

I really don't like that little icon. It gets your attention for sure. But what does it mean? There's some action that I evidently need to take... accept a calendar invite, read emails, upgrade an app, look at something. But, it typically weights all things that need to be looked at the same way, which I wouldn't do my self.

Especially for email. I've ended up turning most of them off. All it does it makes me feel like I'm missing out on something that I need to do right away, which isn't true. I don't need to read an email on some marketing promotion right when it comes through or upgrade an app the moment the upgrade is available. I guess I do like knowing that something should be done, but I prefer to know once I decide to spend time in the app, unless it's time-sensitive, which at that point the person should just send me a text or call me.

At some point, especially with email, when you a number like 163 or even 2,356 what's the point in keeping it in a red circle in the top right corner of the app? It seems like it's not making the person check the app to review all of the unread.

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