The actual key thing: I think kudos is the least that one can do to acknowledge having read a story

Well, nothing is the least one can do, but to accept your premise, I guess I say "Yeah, it is - and is that really OK? You know? If you'd like readers to in some way acknowledge the work you've done, is it helpful to make it easier for them not to?"

Then again, the alternative probably is not a full on comment - it's probably silence. The "kudos" button is an acknowledgement of a fandom reality - people won't bother.