Iggi, I don't know your definition of "many of everything" but I have two MBPs, an iMac, two iPads, 4 AppleTV, an Watch and two iPhones. My wife has an iPad, MBP, Mini and another Apple TV in her office. Is that "many of everything?" If so, 2FA works well for us in that environment.
Apple doesn't "hijack" your phone number, it simply associates the number with your Apple ID when you get an iPhone. That association is necessary for Messenger to work properly and is easily undone when/if you change iPhones. If that is "hijacking" then Verizon/ATT/T-Mobile/Whatever "hijacks" your number when you move to them for service.
I get a new iPhone every year and go through the process of disassociating my phone before I swap it out. Apple has good articles on how to do that:
Sell or give away your iPhone - Apple Support I would think that if you get two phones a year you would remember what you have to do to make that work well. Most of the users of phones hold on to them much longer, so they are the ones more likely to forget.
"Too much trust" is just the trust you need to have, not more or less. To get messages, they have to have your number, that's how the SMS/Messaging system is set up. Not an Apple design, just how the system works. And unlike AppleCare, which is an additional cost for the coverage, 2FA is absolutely free, so it's not at all the same. And 2FA is not faulty just because it doesn't work the way you want it to. It works as designed. You can opt out, but if you opt in, you only have two weeks to change your mind. At least you have two weeks--I've seen some things where in is in, out is out and you can never change once the decision is made.
I understand you don't like 2FA, and that's your option. But Apple has been burned by lawsuits before (when the system was allegedly "breached" by the phishing event I mentioned earlier) and is going to continue to remind you to use 2FA when you invoke any AppleID function. I'm sure a lawyer suggested that as some legal protection, but it's also good advice. 2FA is not "crammed down your throat" any more than your car crams down your throat the suggestion to fasten your seat belt when you turn it on. It's a safety/security feature you SHOULD use, so it is suggested to you each time. Don't want it? Then don't use it. But like your car reminding you every time, Apple will also remind you every time.