@slowwalker,
I think you got the right point to discuss! Readers are the people who can more audience! Like you said, it's hard to write what audience prefer to read every day! So, reward system should follow like you said to get more audience!
More audience >> high ratings >> more investors >> more capital >> Steem price up!
So, it's all in one chain! But when you are trying to go for Reward for reading, I think a lot to be changed in the current scenario! I don't think the HF 20 might plan to do such change! But I wish HF 21 will concern what you said and thank you for providing such valuable input to the community and to the blockchain development as well!

Cheers~