Todd,
I think you are absolutely on the right track here. I think that most of the shots I take these days are taken with the understanding of effects that I can count on getting in post-processing. To me, this is very much like "previsualization for the digital age," and thinking about the possibilities at the time of exposure is what can lead to better photography.
I must admit, however, I still do often take fairly mindless snapshots, just because it's so easy (and inexpensive) with digital.