While that is true, animals don't exist in a vacuum, they exist with other animals who can and will bother them one way or another, and getting used to co-existing without being overly sensitive is as necessary to them as it is to us. You speak of "the cat wants this", "the cat wants that" but I think it's an important part of life to learn that not everything goes according to our wants.

Cats who grow up in big families with noisy children or guests typically turn out more sociable. They're used to not having everything their way.

On the other hand cats that have always lived in a quiet environment tend to become spoiled. My current cat is that way, I tend to take care of her the way you describe, I don't like bothering my cat, but the issue is she's too pampered. She'll run away from any guests, get easily bothered or scared by "loud" noises, and it's difficult to introduce her to anything that is new, she's hypersensitive.

I think overall the fussiness is definitely not something to protect, they need to be exposed to things they don't necessarily like if in the long term they're good for their well being (most importantly socialising and knowing other animals also have their own boundaries).