You're getting a little carried away with yourself there,
Carruthers, when you write,
We are developing terrain mapping, automatic weather radars (because the 'pilots' cannot be relied upon to turn them on or use them effectively) automatic landing systems, navigation, TCAS, three dimensional sattelite systems etc, etc. All to get the pilot out of the loop as much as possible.
Not to mention that old adage that "
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing", or today's version, "
All you need in Life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure"!
The systems you describe were developed to bring the pilot more INTO the loop by supplying him with the
maximum information available, thereby enabling him to make a more accurate assessment of his available options at all times.
Just about every accident we have had over the last decade has been pilot error.
Just about every accident since aviation-time immemorial, has been due to pilot error.
Admittedly the pilot's role has now become one who is more of a monitor of the equipment he has elected to use - or not use - depending upon prevailing conditions, than as solely a skilled airman.
With all of the information provided, he is then able to combine that with his own appreciation of prevailing conditions and make any necessary modifications he considers necessary.
It's fine to believe the "blurb" of manufacturers promoting their fail safe, automatic equipment, one of the better examples being the driverless train that the Malaysians introduced in Kuala Lumpur about 6 years ago. On one of its early runs, it failed to stop at the final station and crashed into the buffer at the end of the track.
I wonder what sort of "buffer" the airlines are going to be able to use as their last fail safe - apart from the pilot! (The one with the gold belt buckle, Ray Bans, and shiney wings on his neatly pressed shirt,
Carruthers 
)