Automated or Manual?
I really like reading Michael Hunter's Blog. His posts are frequently thought-provoking and his latest is no exception.
As I mentioned in my previous post though, I'm wary of relying 100% on automation. I'm also wary of relying 100% on manual testing. I'm a big believer in focusing on the results you want and not imposing rules like this to get there. Excluding testing approaches based on a global rule that doesn't consider what you need to do to get the results you need seems misguided to me.
One of my favorite books on software testing recommends: "Apply diverse half-measures." No single testing technique is a "silver bullet" so you need to vary the ways you test a product. You should use automated testing where that helps you meet your aims, use manual testing where that helps you meet your aims, and use other testing techniques where they help you meet your aims.