" It seems a giant waste of everyone's time and energy to care about the details of a wash sale"
It is not only wash sales.
IRS requires you to supply details of 1099-B covered transactions with adjustments (e.g. wash sales) that are not listed on your e-Filed Form 8949. and all non-covered transactions not listed there.
non-covered are Box B,C and E,F
Detail Reporting Exception: if you summarize Category A or Category D, Form 8949 is not needed for transactions without adjustments. No mailing is necessary.
This is the only exception.
