There is no "physics", unless you're relying on falling fast without a parachute or something like that.
In this case you're relying on mechanics to be bug free as opposed to software. To imply that any car is designed and built in such a way that it can only fail if physics itself fails is rather arrogant. There are comments here in the thread pointing to the long lists of bugs with non-drive-by-wire cars.
Mechanics may well be easier to design correctly and test, sure. But get out with "physics".
> To imply that any car is designed and built in such a way that it can only fail if physics itself fails is rather arrogant
You're putting words in my mouth. All I'm saying is that direct physical connections between things are much more reliable and straightforward than software connections between things. Of course no system is perfect.
There is not a direct physical connection between the brake pedal and the brakes, or the acceleration pedal and the... not even sure what this would be. The n admission valves on the cylinders? Unless you consider "direct" as "passing through 5-50 different parts that each has an effect on the next in the chain", which is the definition of indirect. I'm not putting words in your mouth, I'm pointing out you're using the wrong words.
You're neither relying on "physics", which would mean a failure of the system would be caused by a failure of "physics", meaning something like the Maxwell's ecuations turn out to be wrong, nor on "direct connection", unless the brake pedal is directly pushing on the brake rotor, which is obviously false.
Of course there's no problem with saying you'd rather rely on mechanics or hydraulics than electronics or software. Though, to use words your way, tesla is not relying on "software", but on "math".
This very case itself, of the accelerator pedal coming loose and jamming, was in fact a mechanical problem.
Other comments above have more examples of stuck accelerator wires and more.
Mechanics wear and tear and allow for human override and human error, software introduces complexity. Both have their own set of issues, neither are perfect, one can’t say either of them is inherently more reliable.
