Who told you automation was the point? I thought emissionless driving was the point? Or a superior propulsion technology and better driving experience?
I'm looking forward to playing with autopilot in traffic, and someday a long time from now when I can literally get in the car, buckle my seatbelt, and say "Ok, Tesla, take me to ______" and then open up a paperback, I will be enthusiastically on board. Until then this is all talk and the car needs to leave me alone when I'm driving.
Some people are desperate to be relieved of the burden of driving. I'm not one of them. I want a Model 3 because it's clean, it seems like an awesome car to drive, autopilot will be a plus in heavy traffic. Removing 95% of what I have to be aware of while driving is not a selling point for me.
Also, again, nothing indicates this is temporary.
Considering that I can reject the car for any reason up to and including "the fart noises weren't accurate enough" for a week after delivery, I don't think that will be an issue.
And again, if I KNEW Tesla was ever going to allow this to be permanently disabled, I wouldn't be worried. But I don't and neither do you.