[Suggestions] Recalling pokemon does not solve the issue with gyms

I keep seeing this suggested, and I'm really afraid that Niantic, in all their wisdom, is going to listen. I feel that this is a knee jerk reaction, and it does not solve more than a single immediate issue (stagnant gyms in a populated area) but creates even greater issues.

It would change the game to the point that battling would no longer necessary. Why attack when I can drop in a gym for zero effort, wait out my time, and then recall. I believe it will also end up in a sea of white gyms, causing the game to look even deader.

The recall fix also does not address the issue that remote gyms are no longer viable. There are many of us that play the game by exploring. We find gyms in state parks, that take some considerable effort to obtain. Simply recalling them for the same rewards as dropping a pokemon in the gym in front of my office discourages exploration. More difficult gyms to obtain should provide greater rewards.

Long story short, I think, along with a myriad of other changes, that daily collection should be brought back. This way, remote gyms can still continue to accumulate rewards and will once again be beneficial to track down. It also gives such a great reason to log in every day. I can't believe they removed it simply for that fact...Most games would kill to have that kind of control.

TL;DR: Allowing pokemon recall from gyms will reduce the need to battle, cause white gyms, and doesn't solve the issue that remote gyms are no longer viable. Daily collections should be brought back.

Edit: Clarification on remote gym issue.

Edit2: I am considering "recalling pokemon" and "automatically returning after losing motivation" as the same thing here.