How would you solve the issue of players simply using storage containers to brute force through the phases of the game? And do you think it goes against the spirit of automation?

This method is by far the path of least resistance to getting through the phases, and yet it feels like it goes against the spirit of the automation genre (to me at least)

I'm sure the devs at Coffeestain have talked about this and for whatever reason, havent tried to force players to automate the delivery of space elevator parts to the elevator, so most players will eventually realise that its far less work to just slap down manufacturers and assemblers and jam storage containers full of their required items and let it run while you go do other stuff, rather than create complex factories with all the logistical challenges of connecting belts neatly etc.

This way of playing is also drastically enhanced with the introduction of sloop overclocking.

Im not saying its wrong to play this way, I've done it myself, but i do think it would open up an entirely new challenge if there were systems in place to encourage the more complex way to do it. Mods will almost certainly address this, but im curious if anyone else has thought up a good way to do it.