>Seriously, how many HN users have spent hours complaining about privacy on here but still don't encrypt their own email?
I would think that most HN users would be willing to encrypt their email, but know they can't convince their friends/family/etc to do so. Encryption takes two to tango.
To put things in perspective: at CRYPTO at some point in the past, I had a student stipend. I needed to send some documentation via email. I asked the person responsible, a prominent cryptography researcher (who will not be named), if they had a public key. The answer was, "No, I really should set one up but I'm just too busy."
When not even the researchers who run a top-tier cryptography conference are bothering, you know that it is not just about non-technical folks being clueless.
I'd like to think that's true, but I doubt it. I bet tons of HN users run in the same circles as other HN users and communicate regularly, but never even consider encrypting their emails.
I would think that most HN users would be willing to encrypt their email, but know they can't convince their friends/family/etc to do so. Encryption takes two to tango.