I once had to master text layout for print, and I learned how to hyphenate properly and avoid widows and orphans, and none of that matters any more in the age of web text only, but I am still glad I had that experience. I also learned to drive on a 1966 MT Datsun. Same feel.
Manual transmissions are dumb. It doesn't improve MPG, marginally improves reliability over the lifetime of the car, and it doesn't give you "more control" over your car.
You only say this shit cuz you made cars your personality and feel personally attacked when people disagree