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Why are people still using Gmail despite better alternatives?

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Many people are still using good 'ol Gmail.

It's comparable to the 1900s, when washing machines were first mass-produced.

Even though there were good washing Machines that could save people 10 hours a week, some people still chose to wash by hand. And guess what? Everyone eventually switched over to the washing machines anyways.

So why are you still using Gmail? Is it because you're scared of the cost? Or not sure if ai can really save you time?

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Most people underestimate how much context switching email creates throughout the day.

 Yeah, until they look at how much time they're wasting. But most don't ever...

Let's do the maths - assuming 40-hour work weeks.

Dirac cost: $20/month.

There are 4 weeks in a month, which is 4 x 40 = 160hours of work per month.

this number will be used later, remember it

According to studies like ,

about a quarter of that time is used directly in the email inbox.

160 / 4 = 40.

That is ~40 hours per month in Email!!

Now, assuming Dirac can save just ~75% of that time: Dirac can save you 30 hours per week from email ALONE!

Let's find Dirac's hourly cost: $20 / 10 = $2 per hour.

Assuming:

  • Your time costs anywhere above $2/hour

  • You spend time in email

The decision seems obvious, now it's just a matter of choice...

The time-savings angle is compelling, but I don't think doubt is the main reason people stay on Gmail. It's switching cost and trust. Email is the root of your entire digital identity, so the bar for replacing it is way higher than for a washing machine you can just wheel in. People will happily pay for time savings on top of email, but asking them to move email itself is a different ask entirely.

Even though they have shitty ux, i always feel hesitant to switch, maybe I'm procrastinating, or maybe it's not painful enough for me to make such a tedious task ..

Gmail is the default apartment everyone complains about but never moves out of because all the furniture fits.