There is much data to support that asking for likes and subs actually increases likes and subs.

Right, that's the issue. I really doubt that creators love having to spam the same "Don't forget to like/subscribe/comment!" message in every single video they produce, but Youtube forces them to.

As a viewer I certainly hate that crap and wish Google didn't intentionally make it this way.

That is my entire point. The creators fight each other in a pit, for the Emperor's amusement.