Do you really use dashboard buttons or knobs without looking? I can't.

Steering wheel buttons / stalk controls I can use without looking, but Tesla has those as well.

I might glance quickly to find where the knob is, but I don’t have to keep my eye on it to grab it, nor (more importantly) to adjust it to where I want it.

Model 3 is on autopilot over 90% of the time. Meaning it is handling the mechanics of steering and acceleration.

The risk of using the touchscreen in my Tesla vs using a tactile control in a traditional car is night and day in favor of the Tesla. Even if you have to look at the screen and not tactile controls.

It sounds like you are abusing the autopilot for something it wasn't intended to be used for.

Not at all. I am fully in control of the vehicle and paying attention.

I am not physically executing most maneuvers. And as a result, I am MORE alert to the conditions around me.