I've wondered the same about cycling, but I think there is an obvious reason for fuss about cycling, especially in the modern age. Too many people come into the hobby with extremely limited marine knowledge and want to have a thriving, huge, full reef tank as soon as possible. The concerns about cycling information are, I think, to provide the best information for the most-likely successful results for individual situations beyond the direct control of those of you with more experience.Its funny until I came to this forum - I never tested ammonia or nitrite when I started up a tank. I never knew it was a controversy. Years ago - before there was bottled bacteria, etc, you just put water and fish in a tank (a small fish in a big tank) - and fed them - and then slowly added other 'stuff'. Once bottled bacteria came into play - I always added it on day 0 - and fish (how ever many I wanted in the tank) on day 1. Never did a test and never had a problem.
I have never understood the idea that putting a fish in a tank is somehow 'immoral' - if you add bacteria as well. I'm beginning to come to the conclusion that, in reality, the whole idea of 'cycling' is perhaps a lot of fuss about nothing. Note - I can see the rationale for periodically checking ammonia if you're worried, or perhaps you think your bottled bacteria might be 'bad'. As @ReefGeezer said - how many people have relied on inaccurate tests, wasting time, money and sometimes killing livestock trying to fix a non-existent problem
I do not think we should encourage laziness, but I do think there should be clear advice for cycling and warnings about pitfalls that are common in the marine hobby so there are less beginner mistakes resulting in deaths.
I still encourage the desire for better understanding and more research in whatever ways I can, as that is the best help for success and the best prevention of mistakes.