I hope this isn't true and you've merely lost track of the context of this discussion.
On a smartphone it's hard to keep track of a long thread if I have a broken thumb.
Good.
Now watch these images and tell me how these people are holding the devices in their hands (hint: watch their thumbs).
Unfortunately for you, you're still a primate with opposable thumbs.
https://static.vecteezy.com/system/resources/previews/002/88...
https://t4.ftcdn.net/jpg/03/31/88/03/360_F_331880337_DmRJT2I...
https://c8.alamy.com/comp/FXTP62/holding-generic-smart-phone...
> If your thumb was injured and you needed emergency assistance, would you really give up instead of trying to use your index finger?
it's obvious you never saw an emergency situation or never lived one.
You still think it's a matter of will.
People give up and die, of course, that's the problem!
Meanwhile a better gesture would be long press the screen with the palm if you need help.
Bad ergonomics is bad, regardless of how much people love feeling cool with their touch screens, it won't last.
In 10 years people playing with pocket sized touch screens will look like this photo.
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/TECH/mobile/07/09/cooper.c...
Cars are already removing them because they are a distraction and don't work!
Mazda to remove touch screens from all new cars - June 2021
Top Stellantis Designer Wants to Remove All Touch Screens - June 2022
Shocker! Test Shows Physical Buttons Are Less Time-Consuming in Cars Than Touchscreens - Aug 2022
Are Car Touch Screens Getting Out of Control? - Feb 2023
You know ironically what the real reasoning behind it also is?
Touch screens are cheap, why should I buy a luxury car to watch a black piece of glass in my car when it's turned off? It doesn't feel luxury, it feels identical to the cheap car of everybody else, it looks identical to induction burners. And why is the manufacturer saving on costs if the car costed me a premium price, because it's nominally a top brand?
Would you buy a Prada bag made of cheap plastic in China?
try to do what you do every day without using a thumb and tell me how good it is to have 4 "backup" fingers.