There are many parts of your article that I do agree with. However, I have just lost an hour and a half of my morning reading-only articles, so I'm sure there are others out there who do enjoy just reading all our hard work. The problem is that many new writers to the platform are not educated on how to engage with other writers through highlights, comments, and claps.
I recall seeing comments on a previous article in which many long-standing Medium writers did not know you could clap up to 50 times. This is also how I discovered that feature.
I agree with you in regards to the boosting system and how it is not very balanced in favouring small writers like you and I without thousands of followers. I often wish there was an extra medium "boost" button next to the subscribe button where other writers could click to nominate and article for a boost. Something that would allow the little people like us to be rewarded by our fellow readers and writers.