Gmail conversation-mode can be turned off

I have this bizarre habit of checking Gmail's settings every month (or so), to see what is new. The labs section is usually the more interesting bit, but I was surprised to find out in the general section of settings, the possibility of turning conversation mode off!

At the past, I belonged to those who insisted that conversation view and labels are two of the strongest features of Gmail, and give it a unique edge over competing services. I still believe so. But I do know that people - some of them are dear close friends (embarrassing as it is ) - have been complaining about it, and wanted the old way of RE:-RE: dance, and it seems that the people at Google's Gmail team have been listening.
 
Gmail's willingness to adapt to the needs of users is quite impressive, despite its slowness at times. It took a long time till labs brought us nested labels, which was another fine example for a design concept Gmail was willing to adapt, in respond to public demand.
 
At an age when people talk about the coming death of gmail, or about the death of all traditional email systems   one should not forget this agility of Gmail and this attentiveness to users' wishes. This, more than anything else, is what makes a consecutive winner.