What I don't understand is how people seem to be okay with Buzz being built into gmail. Don't we have enough of social networks that steal our time? Now we have one in or inbox? Not super excited about that fact.
Then turn it off. I'm okay with chat in Gmail - when I want to chat. If I don't want to chat I simply sign off. Simple enough. Options are good.
I understand you will be able to turn it off, just like you can logout from Facebook. That's not the issue. It's the idea of creating something of this kind in a "holy place" like your inbox.
I'm more concerned about how it will work over IMAP - or does IMAP just ignore the buzz mails?