There wouldn't be any downsides to automating it, which I think is the main issue. If there's no difference between the automated goods and the handmade goods..

There wouldn't be any downsides to automating it, which I think is the main issue. If there's no difference between the automated goods and the handmade goods... I'm sorry, I had to stop there. My comment was freaking me out with parallels to reality. Anyway, I think a move like that would give way more credence to the "EVE is a spreadsheet" idea, which I'd assume CCP is sorta trying to avoid.