I'm presently setting up a number of rules and triggers for various automated web actions on If This Then That.
Anyone who thinks about information flows becomes quickly aware that you can be more or less efficient at programming rules and automating tasks. Usually this is defined by the number of steps taken; a program is more efficient if you can to a 10-step task in 5 instead.
One measure of efficiency struck me a moment ago, not concerning the efficiency of number of steps taken to complete an action, but the amount of data required. For example, I can choose to set the trigger for the automatic posting of an article to be a Google Reader share, or an email instead.
For a brief instant I felt a twinge of guilt when using email as a trigger, capturing the entire text of an article instead of just the small bit of code that makes up a Reader share. Like I was wasting data space, no matter how small. It felt like leaving the water running when brushing.
It may not matter for x number of years, but since data takes up physical server space it's not inconceivable that we start treating tangible data like a precious resource at some point in human history.
(PS I have one of two invites left for the ifttt beta. For what it's worth I haven't been this excited about a platform in a long time. Lego-block internet APIs, just the way people like Bruce Sterling always imagined.)
