As some wit observed on a previous forum, pilots have become data input processors, rather than airmen. A modicum of truth in that..
Well that's true. Constant data input and processing. Pilots concurrently utilise various data processing strategies to define desirable outcomes, much in real time with a fair amount of mental simulation modelling for prediction analysis. Pattern matching, constraint based reasoning, goal seeking logic, raw number crunching, statistical analysis, it is all required. Regardless of the automatics being on, off or simply not present.