I imagine people probably would pay for gmail if they didn't get a free account through their ISP. it wasn't too long ago that email was either a paid service or bundled with an internet connection.

I don't get the vibe that HN thinks the current state of affairs is completely the fault of the customers. it's a two way street. companies offer free services either at a loss or supported by ads or data mining. once people have a free option, it takes a lot of value add to get them to actually pay for a competing solution.