Advent of the non-response

Is it just me or does it seem like a non-response has become the standard today? It seems that if a phone call or email is made and the appropriate response is negative or less than critical, no response will be made at all. Personal contacts, friends, clients and companies among others seem to practice this with little exception. Is this as common as it seems to me? Is it right? Is it fair? Is Inbox Zero more important? Is my email working?