[dikaiosune]

Using IMAP + encryption obviates all of the features that keep me on gmail, and would also be time consuming (especially with my non-technical contacts). On a practical level, I think your suggestion is equivalent to using a different email service -- high effort of implementation, loss of gmail's "smart" features, etc. Whether I'm using Google's servers or not, hiding my stuff from their systems amounts to the same effects on my life.