Earlier quoted context omitted.
It provides sort of a "first hit is free" experience when you're trying to ignore it. "Oh, I'll just check my wall really quickly," followed by "I'm going to check this person's wall, because that comment was interesting," followed by more. I don't have that problem. My problem is that I notice someone invited me to a party two months ago, and didn't bother to contact me via direct email -- something I actually check…
Turn on email notifications. In fact, they are on by default.
I do not need my inbox filled with the same crap that appears on Facebook. My email is for other purposes (like actual personal, direct contact, in the case of the address I give my real-world friends). Facebook is designed like a public feeding trough.