Yeah, I'd agree, and it's almost certainly a memory leak (or leaks) in Inkscape. You can probably verify this by checking About|Memory... periodically.
I do look at that dialog, but I don't really grok it. Is there a way to keep a running log of RAM use perhaps?
Are there particular tools or features you use heavily? That may help us narrow things down a bit, since most people don't have as much of a problem with memory consumption.
Not really. I like to snap to grid a bit, use layers. I don't even use alpha or gradients much. I almost never use blur (really slows things). Really, compared to the stuff in the screenshots section of Inkscape I am a lightweight user - laying out graphic design of a very simple nature.
I cannot believe that I am the only one to experience this - like my own personal curse :) There must be a way I can bring it from a personal experience into something with hard data so that devs say "Oh crap!" and can do stuff.
/d