As for unreliable, uneconomic and slow argument, technology wise automatic boxes definitely have moved on. That's not to say they are all made equal and it depends on the engine, car and even what you're using it for. I driven over a dozen different cars in US which naturally all were automatics and found them all adequate but then I was never looking for any enjoyment out of those cars, just A to B machines. All were a very soulless experience and of course extremely easy to drive.
I'd say biggest thing for me is engagement with the car. First automatic I driven was one of those old Jaguar XJ 4.0 litre jobs and frankly found myself wanting a manual box even though it isn't the kind of a car you'd normally want that for. It certainly moved well and smooth as butter but I just found myself wanting to play with that engine and didn't feel involved driving it at all. Oddly enough when I had the CLK convertible I couldn't imagine anything but an automatic box in there, it seemed perfect for it. It was just the kind of a car you wanted to get the roof down with and go slicing through the countryside and still feeling engaged driving it.
Right now have access to a BMW Z3 and while not the best handling car out there I'd hate an idea of an automatic box in that, I feel it almost brings you closer to car having to shift those gears but that's because it's a different kind of beast to the CLK. That's driving for pleasure of course, I would hate it to its core if I had to commute in one. Spent 2 months driving a Prius+ and Auris hybrids to work which is a combination of A and B roads, however, both in heavy traffic and found them an absolute pleasure for simple commute and city driving, bit like the above cars in US as it simply does the job!
tl;dr auto box for commute and manual for weekend car unless it's a tourer of some sorts
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