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Yes, the best way to deal with irrevocable actions is ... to make them as revocable as possible. Switching from deleting files to putting them in the trash is a classic example.

No, a versioned filesystem is the classic example. Once you empty trash, those files are gone forever. When you delete a file from a versioned store, it's only gone until you remember you want it again.

I much prefer a filesystem where I can actually delete things (including shredding it).

Funny thing is, I was aware of the feature, but had incorrectly assumed how it works. My assumption was that the feature was only available in-network (to other Gmail addresses) and actually recalled the message from the server, so long as the recipient hadn't logged in and seen it already.

After reading the Gmail blog entry on it, I'd call it an invisible delayed passive confirmation, since Gmail labels it "undo" rather than "cancel." Makes perfect sense, though.

Yes! I've been using that feature for quite a while now, and as far as I'm concerned it has completely solved the accidental sending problem. And even better, it does so in a way that seems perfectly intuitive and consistent with the rest of the Gmail interface.