HAHA this is funny
James, I have to admit, I feel this is a bit of the lawyer in you coming out.....
when something is moving from a theoretical point in space about a spherical motion, this is a vector, and vectors are tens of times more complicated to calculate than a simply up down/left right two dimensional motion. therefore, while simple upon cursory glance, is in fact, quite complex. Add to that the, fourth variable of timing, you have a transformative equation ordering on hundreds of times more complicated than that of a steering wheel.
when something is moving from a theoretical point in space about a spherical motion, this is a vector, and vectors are tens of times more complicated to calculate than a simply up down/left right two dimensional motion. therefore, while simple upon cursory glance, is in fact, quite complex. Add to that the, fourth variable of timing, you have a transformative equation ordering on hundreds of times more complicated than that of a steering wheel.
Wicky, I agree with you on this point, however, I still feel that the controlled environment of the stick shift (whether there is an actual "gate" or not, we cannot deny that it is controlled) more than outweighs the fact that the movement and balance of the car relies on far more precise and inputs on the steering wheel which are less controlled by the mechanics of the car than are the inputs required on the stick.
I bet that I could get further without shifting (assuming that I was allowed to select a gear before moving off in the first place) in normal driving conditions, than you could without steering ......






