FYI, I didn't downvote you.

We are talking feel of driving. Fans drive manuals because of the mechanics of it,

They do now but they didn't used to. Manual transmissions since the dawn of automobiles were the best way to extract power and efficiency from a motor. Manual gearboxes had no equal. They had less mechanical losses. They allowed the skilled operator, the best judge in that era, to change the torque and speed ratios to best fit the need, be it top speed, top torque for towing, or best fuel efficiency. The consequence of that is that the skill of the operator had a material effect on the vehicle itself. The better the operator in how and when to shift and how to use the clutch, the better the end resulting performance. This meant that prowess in operating a manual transmission was truly a valuable skill.

All of that is largely history. Computers just do it better now for nearly all transmission interactions 99% of the population interacts with. Yes, F1 drivers still have a need for it. Mega industrial trucks might need stick shift too. All of us buying cars at local dealerships are getting a less performant and less efficient vehicle if we're buying a manual transmission today.

I'm not judging if you like to cosplay that it matters now on your daily driver. You do you, man. It doesn't hurt me a bit, but isn't trying to pass it off as "better" anymore intellectually dishonest?