> There is one practical argument that can be made against mechanical switches and buttons, and that is they will eventually fail from long-term use.

Before a touch interface fails from long-term use? I highly doubt it. Plus, a switch is a very easy component to replace. Touch screens can be but aren't always.

I think service life arguments are just poor effort. We well understand the appropriate average service life of a variety of switches. We don't understand the same for touchscreens, especially modern ones, as they haven't been around as long.