Has the face of techno-pop become a techno-phobe? Friends of Moby, the elfin vegan whose soul-sampling dance tunes were so inescapable on TV commercials and in Old Navy outlets a few years back, received an email today notifying them of his intention to go off the grid. According to the message, Mr. Master Of Beats, Y'all is giving up email for the rest of the year, and won't be using voicemail, either. "I know this might be a disaster," reads the note. "It might make me more sane. I promise to pick up the phone if I'm here, and if you visit I'll answer the door."

Further explanation of the move appears on his blog, where he writes: "I receive between 200 - 400 emails a day. and i spend way too much time on-line reading news, etc. so, for the next 3 months i'll be taking an internet/email break. i'll still be sending in blogs/journals, but via snail-mail to my management. so i'll still be here. just slower."

Says one recipient, "I personally don't think it'll last. He's so dependent."