Couldn’t you do the same thing with an auto, grab the column or console shifter and bump it into neutral? The majority, if not all of the automatic shifter gate/detents that I’ve come across allow the driver to go from drive to neutral without engaging anything.
Yes. I’m not an expert at this but you can shift from drive to neutral in an auto (but not the other way) without hitting the brake. Furthermore, shifting to neutral at full throttle in a modern car will only cause the engine to rev up to it’s rev limiter and will not destroy the engine before you have a chance to turn it off. This fault in the article is very bad, but it doesn’t have to end badly every time.
All my autos have always allowed drive to neutral and neutral to drive without brake involvement. The only time I needed to be on the brake was park to reverse, reverse to park, and neutral to reverse. I don't think I have to hit it from reverse into neutral, either.