> As an individual, I can't realistically set up a mail server to send email to anyone, like I could in 1995, since Gmail will reject it. I'm an individual wh

> As an individual, I can't realistically set up a mail server to send email to anyone, like I could in 1995, since Gmail will reject it. I'm an individual who runs his own mailserver and all emails are accepted by Gmail. Sure, today a mailserver must be absolutely properly configured. Not just to play with Gmail, but with all other players as well. The HELO string, DNS settings and especially reverse DNS settings must be correct. Don't run it in a non-dynamic IP range. And for IPv6, better have correct SPF/whatever records. This is initial effort, for sure, but absolutely doable for an idividual who plays with their own server/VM anyway. Pro tip: It is more fun if you share the infrastructure with friends. And there are properly configured projects with ready-to-use VM images and good tutorials out there. In some sense it is even easier than HTTPS, because for SMTP+TLS and IMAP+TLS a self-signed certificate is sufficient, you don't need Let's Encrypt certificates, let alone pay dubious CAs for certs if you are commercially active.