All of my best engineering happened when I didn't have a single meeting with my manager for 6 months.

That being said if you manage to get that one good unicorn manager (that 1 in 50) who knows how to actually manage, they are fantastic. If you you have a standard manager, you have to put in a lot of work to get value out of them.

If you have a bad manager, they may actively harm your mental health to the point where you are no longer able to function in your position.

The iron test of a 1:1 is asking "do I feel listened to," which is distinctly different than "did they hear the words that I said, and respond." They should also give and solicit feedback and set expectations appropriately.